The GRID could use your input in getting information. The editor can't be at all the tracks to cover the various events and so this is your chance to send in an article or pictures of an event you have worked. Moto GP is coming and the GRID would like pictures of the workers, camping, bikes, etc. Send your information to Jackie.

USARM and The GRID need your help. The costs of reproducing the Grid and mailing each one are rising, so we would like to email a copy to those members who have internet access. It would save time, postage, trees, and you would have a better copy of the Grid. You could print the pages you need. The pictures are in color. If you would like your copy emailed, you can notify the editor.

The POC Races on April 20-22 at Willow Springs Raceway started off a little wet. Friday was looking like it might rain all day and night, but it finally decided to let up and we were able to run without too many problems. The sun actually came out for awhile and we were able to enjoy the day. This weekend was a tribute to LeMans with a 4 hour Enduro on Saturday night under the lights. Friday was a normal practice, qualifying day for POC, with Enduro practice later in the afternoon and early evening Friday. We ran until 8:00 on Friday night. Friday afternoon we had a little excitement with one of the Enduro cars going for a wild ride out of Turn 4. He decided he liked it better rolling down the hill. Thanks the quick thinking of Reuben Ynunza at Turn 5 everything turned out OK. The driver was fine, a little shaken, but the car did not make it for the Enduro. Kudos to Reuben for being "on top of it" and responding like the true professionals we are. Thanks also go out to everyone else for their help in the Alert situation. Turns 3 & 4 were right on with their flags and in helping 5 with calls, etc. After that everything went well for the rest of the evening. Saturday the sun actually came out and it became a nice day. Gabe and Phil spent the day being rovers, so the turns could gear up for the Enduro. They rotated around the course giving everyone little breaks so they wouldn't have such a long day. The wind at Willow Springs can also be very hard and biting at times, so it was a welcome relief to have some respite at times. Big Kudos for helping everyone. . Before the Enduro, POC hosted a great BBQ with lots of food and beverages and after all had filled their tummies, everyone settled in for a long stretch. The Enduro went well; Kati did a great job in Control; the turns were great with their flashing lights for flags (which we didn't have to use), Larry was handling Start with a blinding light (he could have gotten a tan), Thumbs UP to all the turns mostly in the dark…Thanks so much…POC loved it; and we had no incidents during that time. Anyway, we finished at 10:18 and dragged in to go home around 10:45 to start again the next day. Sunday was overcast with sprinkles. It was a normal run day and we hoped we would have nothing happen, but that was not to be. The red group had just gone out, when someone spotted a loose dog on course. We black flagged the group and gave chase to the dog. Unfortunately the "chase" turned into a "FIASCO". This was no ordinary dog, this was a marathon running dog, who did not want to be caught. With about 5 or 6 vehicles, 2 or 3 scooters, 7 or 8 people on foot the chase began and went and went and went. The dog was relentless. They had him cornered several times, only to have him escape back onto the track. The announcer kept us amused with a wonderful play-by-play and finally the dog was captured and sent on his way. This took approximately 30 minutes. The rest of the day wasn't as exciting and we finished without any major hassles; albeit very tired and worn out. Kati gathered us for the Worker of the Weekend Award; which went to Larry Zeigler for his tenacity at waving night time flags and handling the Enduro without any problems. Good job! We all parted for home, looking forward to the next event. Workers were: Kati James, Phil Guerrero, Evette Bardin Joe Wagonleitner Ken Berri, Dale Boender, Rusty Williams, Gabe Head, Reuben Yzunza, Matt and Jim Madrid, Larry and Jackie Zeigler. Jennifer Hargis & Earl Balikov

NCRC/ARC Races in Reno-Fernley, May 12-13. (Reported by Carl Sloan)

Jim Hileman was control. Rusty was grid, Dale Boender worked black flag and helped out with checkered on the course. Joe Wagonleightner and Rob Williams manned turns, plus members from Fernley. Rusty had his Z4 and used every opportunity to tour the track delivering water and transporting workers to and from their turns. Rusty also took a stint as the starter doing real well with flags, but found that the timing intricacies were not quite so easy.

Weather was sunny and very breezy at times. Hand-held radios, as always, were a problem that we managed to cope with and we all maintained our "cool" falling back on the old standby of "flexibility". Two separate courses were used, one was more that 4 miles in length and Jim had to do some imaginative thinking when restaffing the different turns depending on which course was used….Fernley's personnel, which were very sociable, thanked us for coming and seemed impressed with our professionalism". Interestingly one of their folks, Dianna, used a "mule" to quickly respond to incidents, assisting with tows, sweeping, etc. The track is a lot like Buttonwillow in that it is in the middle of nowhere, has lots of runoff everywhere and has lots of funky speed limits ranging from 25 to 55 mph. It is located 305 miles from Morgan Hill and about 34 miles east of Reno. Carl's new corvette is equipped with a nav system that got him to Fernley, but not to the track; so with assistance from Nevada State Highway Patrol they got him pointed in the right direction. Incidentally, while passing the two parked patrol vehicles, Carl heard a short blip of a siren, he turned around and stopped, figgering he'd get directions and find out the cause of the siren. Seems as though Carl missed a reduction from 35 to 25 and that was the notification! Once that issue was explained, one of the officer's talked at length about various sports cars and wanted to know all about the 'vette. Obviously, Carl was happy to respond.

RUSSELL RACE SCHOOL, INFINEON RACEWAY, MAY 12-13.

Another windy, cool weekend. The sun did shine which was a help, but the flags whipped around none the less. Russell starts the day with a nice breakfast setup, to which we are invited. As always USARM is very appreciative of their generosity. Jim Short was Control and called the meeting; giving assignments and pertinent information. We had four Russell run groups and 1 Pro Mazda group. They practice/qualify one session and run a race later in the day. Saturday was filled with exciting racing, with the usual amount of spins and off and ons that goes with a racing school. We had a few minor incidents that warranted the tow truck, but nothing too damaging. Turn 6 had a little excitement when a snake crawled out from under her car. Liked the warmth, but not the noise. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday. We had a few incidents and one alert; which was quickly downgraded. Only minor damages to most of the cars involved. We were fortunate this weekend in that the landline was in good working order. The driver's were appreciative with some stopping by at the end of the day to thank us as we received our checks. A job well done to: Jim Short, Dick Anderson, Pete Cole, James Mohri, Bruce Brunner, Kitty Brenak, Guy Aronson, Tracy Heald, Lew Santomieri, Bob King, Norm Bechtold, Sam Weiss, Barbara Lewis, Dave Grismore, Patty Heisman, Larry and Jackie Zeigler.

WHITES….WEAR'EM!

If you have some you would like to donate to other members, bring them to the track or notify the GRID.

I have a few pair in good shape, 31 and 32 x 30, 32 and 34 x 34's. FREE! - Editor

The grid is willing to put classified ads in the newsletter. If you would like to submit an item for sale, trade or donation, please contact Jackie with the pertinent information.

Name
Item description
Cost
Phone
Email

ATTENTION!!!!!

USARM now has a LIMITED supply of shirts with the embroidered USARM logo.

There are:
9 oz hooded sweatshirts-over the head style, not front zipper--$35.00
Long sleeve mock turtle neck--$25.00
Regular short sleeve t-shirt--$20.00

This price does NOT include shipping if they are mailed to you.

These shirts are all top quality white and embroidered on the left front of each.

If you are interested in buying one of these limited edition shirts, please contact Kati James

These shirts will NOT be brought out to events unless there is a special request from the membership.

Remember these are a limited edition shirt and are in very limited supply.

Get yours NOW before they are gone.