SoCal USRA’s 2001 scale season continued with a monster 79 entry turnout at Chris and Lenore Gallegos’ Buena Park Raceway, the site of the 2000 div 1 and 2 Nationals.

Amateur 4" Nascar was won by drag racer Mike Hudson who also TQed. Not bad for his first USRA race! Big John Estopellan was second 13 laps back and was followed by regular USRA guy "Hurricane" Earl Wilson, Santa Maria’s Dennis Rios, Derek Humphry, Jason Holmes, Jonathan Forsyth, Gene Martin, Paul Sterrett, Ron Essau, Chuck Connolly, Richard Estopellan, and Shawn Jackson.

Expert Nascar started with Duran Trujillo and Roy Hood ringing up 37 lap first heats. By halfway Duran was way out front as the pack stayed within a narrow four lap spread. In the end it was Duran with 302, Gil Rivera second with 288 just inches ahead of Ira Stoker and followed by Phil Roberson, Roy Hood, Dave DeCesar, Crazy Chuck, Steve Forsyth, and Dennis Hill.

Amateur 4.5" Nastruck was dominated by BP drag racer Derek Humphrey who TQed over a tenth faster than the field and ran away with he race. Mike Hudson had another strong finish as he took second with John Estopellan claiming the last podium spot. Richard Estopellan and Paul Sterrett rounded out the main.

Expert 4.5" Nastruck saw a classic Duran Trujillo dominated slammer truck race. Phil Roberson made it an interesting race but in the end Duran won by six with Phil second and Roy Hood third. Chuck Panno was fourth followed by Ira, Gil and Steve Forsyth.

Amateur GT-1 is growing in popularity and drew a monster 13 car field that was run as a round robin. Buena Park’s Vintage and Scale car hot shoe Paul Starrett won handily over BP’s Dereck Humphrey. Uncle Kal’s racers Jonathan Forsyth and Tim Hould raced to third and fourth respectively. Earl Wilson Jason Holmes, Dennis Rios and Greg Noah rounded out the top eight.

Expert GT-1 was a great race with Duran, Chuck Panno and Roy Hood leading early with Greg G and Steve Forsyth in chase. In the fifth, Duran fell back with mechanical trouble and Chuck took over. Roy continued to hold off Greg for second as Gil Rivera got fast and began reeling in the leaders. Chuck TQed on the white lane with an awesome 4.07 as he held off Roy who was more interested in staying ahead of a charging Greg G as the two finished within several feet after an exciting closing battle for second. Crazy won with Roy second, Greg third Gil fourth and followed by Duran Steve and Phil.

Amateur GT-12 had another great Buena Park turnout. Jonathan Forsyth used consistent driving and a great handling car to survive and win a brutal GT-12 race. BP wing racer Sam Rackham was second and wing notables Bill Taylor and Jason Holmes finished sixth and fourth after both lost motors in crashes and then rejoined the race. Bill TQed at 3.569 on White and set high lap total on black with 49. Tim Hould was fifth with El Cajon’s Earl Wilson third. Dennis Rios and Ron Esau rounded out the top eight.

Expert GT-12 was a real eye opener. With last month’s GT-12 expert race being on a roadcourse, the new 2001 equipment and motor parts made their impact in earnest on the high banks of Buena Park’s world class Ogilvie King track. The speed and lap totals with these cars was truly amazing. Greg Gilbert and Crazy Chuck started out fast with 49 lap heats each. Roy Hood was fast as well and Duran had a great first heat with 48.

Monty Ohren came in the fourth and immediately got everyone’s attention. Monty’s driving has returned to form lately and it was obvious that his car was a rocket. Duran’s car developed handling problems on white and he never quite got it going again after his great first heat on orange. Jason Holmes was REALLY fast early but lost a motor and had to settle for sixth behind Roy in fourth and Phil Roberson in fifth. Greg G stayed close to Monty but finished in third, three behind the Big "O" in second. Crazy Chuck Panno won his second race of the weekend and took TQ points with a 3.397 on the tricky white lane.

Gil Rivera was fast but had gremlins and had to settle seventh followed by Duran, Steve Forsyth, Dennis "Foamy" Hill, Ira Stoker and Mike Stuart who broke early.

This great turnout is an encouraging sign that possibly the changes we made in classes raced and the format used will bring the number of entries back to where it should be.

Thanks to ALL who participated and the raceways who’s race programs have contributed to the groth of our club.  Thanks to Chris and Lenore for the use of their incredible raceway!!!