Well, gang, I'm off to
participate in one of the Great American Auto Races, the 15th Annual
Nevada Open Road Challenge in Ely, Nev. this weekend. I'll be driving my Chevrolet Camaro Z28, hopefully, in the
125 mph class with a technical speed of 140 mph. I say hopefully, because I'm
having troubles mounting the five-point belt system required for that tech
speed. Hope to have it resolved before we (my navigator Jeanine Hefflin) get to
Ely.
I have been told by Steve
Waldman, one of the founders of this event back in the 80's when he was
Director of Marketing at the old Showboat Hotel, that they expect a full field
of 200 plus cars. Back in 1987 this writer met with Steve as a representative
for former two-time Indy 500 champion Rodger Ward. Rodger had the idea for the
race but we needed a hotel to help sponsor it. Fortunately Waldman was able to
convince the hotel to get behind the event, and the rest is history. I
personally competed from the second year (and in the subsequent September event
The Silver State Challenge) through 1995. The only thing that stopped me was
having open-heart surgery in November 1995. I returned once in 1998 with
Jeanine and finished third in the 100 mph., class. That was a fun event, having
previously always competed in the 140 mph class. Big difference believe me!
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Those first few years were a
learning curve for everyone involved in promoting the race. I believe the first
event had something like 40 or 50 cars entered and the red tape, with all the
government entities, was quite formidable. But with the help of Waldman and
others permits were issued for use of highway 318 from Lund (a little town
outside Ely) for the next 100 miles. The second year about 75 cars showed for
the green flag. It was, and is still sorta a big party in Ely from the time the
cars arrive on Friday (convoy from Las Vegas with a stop in Pioche for lunch)
until we return to Las Vegas on Sunday for the banquet. The actual race begins
Sunday with the highway being closed down at 6:00 am. The green flag usually
waves at about 8:00 am. or whenever the highway is determined to be free of any
civilian cars. Any car and driver can compete as long as you meet certain
safety requirements for the class you are competing in. The basic safety
equipment for touring class (90 to 115 mph in five mile increments) is an
approved helmet, fire extinguisher, valid drivers license and cotton clothing
with long sleeves. Of course the car must past muster too. From 115 mph up, the rules for safety
begins to get more restrictive right up to the ultimate safety in the Unlimited
Class, where cars meet NASCAR specifications.
This year Sam's Town on
Boulder Highway has been designated as Las Vegas race headquarters, with advance
technical inspection beginning on Thursday (today) through Friday. It is also
where we all gather on Sunday evening to find out how we finished and to pick
up our trophy (should we finish in the top three in our class). Then it's back to a normal life and
planning for the next race in September. There is also another series of Open
Road Races being promoted in Nevada by a new group. I know its first race will
take place in June but I have hardly any other information. When I do I'll pass
it on. The one thing I learned
early in my racing career was to always "keep the shiny side down!" And thus
far I have been able to do just that!
I'm outa here!
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