I had the good fortune of attending the TORC opening weekend in Fort Worth this past weekend. As of only five people that used the press box, those that didn't missed a very comfortable way to watch a race. Comfortable seats, air conditioned and huge glass walls to view the race. Tim from Dirt News was enter live updates on coveritlive.com, while I did the same using the mtgbumpracer Twitter account. Todd from Fox Shox did his own version of Scott Rehn keeping the four press people informed.
The actual racing went off without a hitch. There wasn't a single black flag thrown, and a minimal number of caution laps. The drivers enjoyed the track, there weren't really any complaints, or if there were, it was in the minority.
Friday night saw Marty "the one man party" Hart, hold off Jeff Kincaid in PRO-Light, Ricky Johnson somehow take one from Rob MacCachern, and Jeff Huseman winning and Curt Leduc second, when Johnny Greaves went momentarily off track.
The Friday night weather was perfect, but Leading up to Saturday night's performance it was another story. When the rain finally stopped, track crews from TMS and TORC went it work. Throughout the afternoon and early evening, TORC held three different meeting with the drivers keeping them updated with the progress of the track preparation. If you would have seen the track at 3pm Saturday, you couldn't believe that an off-road race, let alone one which would look good on TV, would take place.
Even the TV producer spoke up and and told everyone, we will race tonight, and it will come off good for TV.
Seeing is believing, and they made believers out of everyone that was there. By 9:30pm the Pro-Lites hit the track and Casey Curry had the field covered. Meanwhile, Kyle Leduc charged hard from the final starting spot to end up second.
The PRO-2WD race saw Scott Taylor lead from start to finish, but it wasn't easy. Rob MacCachern and Ricky Johnson applied pressure throughout the twenty laps, but the seven-time champ lead the way.
The final race of the program was PRO-4x4. The winner was the same as the night before, Rick Huseman. The action was non-stop as both Kyle and Curt LeDuc battled for the lead. Johnny Greaves rolled over at the start finish line. Somehow Scott Douglas kept clear of the mayhem and finished second. Adrian Cenni finished all forty laps this weekend. Great job Adrian.
The crowds both night eclipsed the number of fans the came to watch CORR a year and a half ago. Friday was a slim turnout, but the area residents noted that High School sports are "king" when it comes to Friday night, no matter what time of year.
The pit area was full of fans before and after Saturday's races, and vendors seemed happy about their cash flow.
What was missing was the buggies and SXS. I believe one of the other is need to give they paying customer a little more show for the $$$. I also makes the pit area larger and it brings more "buzz" (in more ways than one) to the event.
If TORC goes back in 2010, and the weather cooperates, they could fill the 10,000 seat grandstand area.
Just one request from bumpracer, make sure the press still get their own skybox.
One other note I paid $65.00 for a case of water and I heard a case of Bud was $88.00. Some racers think the entry fees are high, just wait to you order food or drink in the suites.
- The view from the press box. See you in Perris.
-Mike
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