The "fat lady" sang and it's all over. Regardless of a few glitches, I think we presented a good World Championship. What makes the World Championships so unique is that we try to follow the same format but adapt it according to our life styles and mores. VMRCA is to be congratulated on having their track in excellent condition. Thanks to the "Weekend Work Crews" that worked like crazy in all the summer heat.

I want to thank the World Organization racers who came from Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, USSR, and USA. I hope you enjoyed your stay in California and fortunately you saw San Francisco before the earthquake.

Congratulations to Steve Torrey on his World Class 4/10cc - World Record October 1, 1989- 199.40mph / 320.907 kmh - USA. Also, congratulations to Ben Laureano on his AMRCA class III Record- 166.68mph / 268.246kmh. I understand congratulations are in order to John Walker on his Australian record.

It's almost impossible to thank each individual for their part in making the World Champs a great success, I am sure to leave someone out, if I do please accept my thanks for a job well done. Phil McDonald- for all the innovations, poster, programs, paper work, etc., etc. !!!

Loyd Torrey- for the time and driver clock, cables and general track maintenance plus hours on the track improvement and timer shack. Loyd was elected- Technical Secretary of the World Organization, Congrats. Roy Torrey- VMRCA President, Roy was a real spearhead in getting the "Weekend Crews" together, and working side by side at each with the youngest of them, presenting the track in excellent condition. Construction Boss- Ray Yates for all the building equipment and materials used at Weekend Work Parties, and the flagpole.

Joe Shelton- even though Joe lives in Tuscan, Arizona he was always there, especially during the World Champs, he also made the leader boards and Award Boxes.

Chris Lupo- for the signs, guard duty and general clean up. Thanks for the old car display, I understand part of the display belonged to Hap Williams and Greg Parsons. A blanket thanks to the Weekend Crews and also to the drivers during the World Championships that drove racer to and from the track and banquet. Now for the ladies- Thanks to Jill McDonald doing a great job on the leader boards and time strips, Becky Shelton- for selling banquet tickets (what a sales lady), motel reservations and name tags, Nan Roy- for the World Record Chart, Betty Willes- for her really hard work at the Weekend Work Parties and fed the troops beside, also for helping with the medals, trophies and the banquet, Dorothy for correspondence, flags, music, timing, motel and banquet, T-shirts and caps, medals and trophies, and daily food service, just generally a great Ambassador of good will with the World Countries.

So many people donated money and things to sell to help make up the cost of putting on a production of this size, Gary Connors - donated mugs and gave out country pins, Nick Tucci II for the AMRCA pins, Joe and Becky Shelton made and donated all the tote bags, and Joe and his dentist friend, Jeff Ganible, made and donated the silver cars. Dick McCoy, besides the fuel, donated gold glow pins. You really can't imagine how all of this helped me. Thanks!!!!

Cant forget to thank Jeff Torrey, Jeff was at the computer all day from Monday, Sept. 26 to October 1, what a super job; thanks to old members who happened by, John Betty, and Greg Parsons, they were really tremendous help as line master and horsing. Dick McCoy as an honored guest who presented the medals and trophies with the help of Gretchen Hostetler and Sean McDonald. I bet you think I forgot about that spectacular spectators clock made and donated by Roger Phillips. That had to be the icing on the cake, thanks a million and can't forget Chris Lupo and Steve Torrey for tracking down the clock lost in shipment and getting it to the track on time. Ted Maciag did a professional job on the Mike, the sound system was donated by Jack Shelton as well as extra tables and chairs. I've said it before and it is still true - we have a great group - we don't always agree but somehow we pull it off.

We had one very sad moment when we heard of the death of Kate Tucci, Nick's lovely wife of many years. Please accept our condolences, those of us who knew Kate will also miss her.

This is my "Swan Song" as I have served my terms to get us through the World Championships, thanks to my exec. Board - Phil McDonald and Loyd Torrey. Dorothy and I through our World travels have tried to be good representatives of our group. We have enjoyed meeting and racing with them, as well as corresponding with and enjoy their visits. You have elected a new board for the year 1990; President - J. Phil McDonald; Vice Pres. - Jack Shelton: and Nick Tucci II as Sec. Treas. Please welcome them and support them. Nick needs all sorts of articles you can send him for the Newsletter.

My workbench has gotten smaller as I am retiring from the every day customer load. I will still do my car work and enjoy life a little. So I have new challenges and changes in my life, almost as scary as taking that first job. I will probably miss it just a bit.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 1990.

Back to my workbench,

"Fry"