Episode 81
November 22, 2015
Racing In the County Continues
The onset of colder weather means that stock car, land speed, and drag racers have put their cars away for winter. The Roostook County RC Car Club, however, are going full bore.
Club members race at the former NCO Club at Loring Commerce Center every other Sunday. The fourteen active members compete in two divisions, oval cars and off-road trucks.
According to club president Marcel Bosse those fourteen members will often race in two or three different classes. Each race is timed and scored utilizing transponders attached to the vehicle. Races are won by the person traveling the greatest distance in a pre-determined time.
Ray Vogel of Caribou at age 68 is the oldest club member. He races in three classes with his short course truck, COT stock car, and NASTruck. Vogel began in 1988 when racing was in it’s second year in the County. The Momentos Hobby Store owned by Phil Bosse held races upstairs in their downtown store.
“I couldn’t afford the real things”, said Vogel. He currently serves as the club treasurer.
Noah Coventry the youngest member of the club at age 8, is in his second season of racing. He races in the Pro Truck and Short Course Truck classes. Coventry also competed this year in the Junior Champ Kart class at Spud Speedway finishing third in points.
Spud Speedway and Thundering Valley Senior Champ Kart points champion Damian Theriault also races RC cars to hone his coordination and racing skills.
President Bosse relates a story about him racing NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon when Gordon was in Loudon, New Hampshire for the Sprint Cup race.
One of Bosse’s friends is an enthusiastic Jeff Gordon fan. Both he and Bosse had their 1/4 scale RC race cars at 106 Raceway near Loudon. Jeff Gordon showed up at the track and utilized the #24 of Bosse’s friend since it was done up in Gordon’s colors.
” He came out to race”, said Bosse. “Jeff Gordon was driving the #24 1/4 scale and I was racing against him. I actually had a chance to put him in the grass a couple times; at least once anyways.”
“I put Jeff Gordon on the grass with a radio controlled car! I had a blast and so did he, I believe. He left the track with a smile on his face.”
According to club president Bosse the cars are built from kits or custom built. The specifications for the classes revolve around the weight, batteries, and motors. The motors can be checked with a portable dynamometer to determine not only their legality but performance fall off as they are used.
RC race cars feature adjustments similar to their full size cousins including suspension, coil shocks, tire preparation, corner weights, gear ratios, and more. Race enthusiasts may actually learn how to make these adjustments to their car. The club members appear to be very helpful. Less mechanically inclined persons often will have experienced racers set their car up.
Annual dues are $20 for a family. Races are $7.00 per vehicle. The club season runs from October to May. Raceday begins at 9:00-11:00 for practice. Races get underway at 11:00.
President Bosse said, “If you want to check it out and try it, it is getting close to Christmas season. If you are really interested and want to try one out before you buy I have all sorts of RC’s. I can put you out there and take a few laps. I can advise you or sell used units”
Bosse urges you to contact him via the Roostook County Car Club Facebook page or show up at the NCO Club during race day to check out the action.
Theriault Ready To Get Back in the Seat
After a bad wreck eight weeks ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Fort Kent’s Austin Theriault will be in the #29 Brad Keselowski Racing Cooper Standard Ford in next Friday’s EcoBoost 200 at Homestead Miami Speedway. I suspect all Austin fans will either be watching or listening to the race. The race will be covered by Fox Sports 1 at 8 pm.
A couple spots you may want to visit:
http://austintheriault.com/news/?cid=64052
To vote for Austin as the Camping World Most Popular Driver
http://www.nascar.com/mostpopulardriver
It would be nice to see someone step up to provide the funds to partner with Austin for the 2016 race season.
Rain Stops the Phoenix Race at Lap 219 of Scheduled 300
Just heard the race at Phoenix was called due to rain. Earnhardt Junior was the winner. In the Chase will be Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. My driver, Carl Edwards, was so close yet no cigar, only five points behind Truex. Should be an exciting finale.
Let’s Go Racing!
Tom Hale
Soli Deo Gloria