1990 AMRCA Nationals Race Report
Anderson, IN

By J. Phil McDonald

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

What a nationals! I really enjoyed it. Except for 10 terrifying seconds provided by Steve Torrey, it went like clockwork. I have never seen a more congenial group anywhere. Everyone pitched in and lent a hand. Goes to show you what a close-knit group we have become over the years.

My congratulations go out to Jack Boudakian for finally ending up in first place instead of his usual being in first place early on only to get beat out at the last possible moment. As those of us in attendance at the 1990 A.M.R.C.A. United States Nationals know, Jack not only took first place in World Class 10cc with his winning speed of 199.01 M.P.H. but also raised the Anderson track record some three miles per hour in the process. My congratulations also go out to Ben Laureano for his outstanding run in Class Ill. Ben's winning speed of 165+ also produced an Anderson track record for that class.

As is usually the case, things are a little anti-climactic after such a big event. Our attendance and speeds suffered at the September Anderson race and October's race was rained out entirely. The last I heard it has only rained in Anderson at last count something like 12 out of the last 14 weekends. It is almost so bad that your can tell when the weekend is here by the storm clouds.

Nothing has been heard from our chosen representatives at the FEMA meeting held the first weekend in Eger, Hungary I really had hoped to hear something from them on FEMA's feelings about calling for a special election in order to fill the vacancy left by the death of WMCR President, Bengt Abrahamson. Along the same lines, nothing has been heard back from the WMCR concerning our rules and regulations change requests. For an organization wanting better communications between itself and it's member countries, it isn't getting off to a very good start!

As a result of the A.M.R.C.A. annual business meeting held during the Nationals, the Anderson track will be undergoing some safety improvements in the future. Of prime concern is the installation of a safety barrier placed at the edge of the running surface. In talking with Anderson Park Department President, Don Seal, the Anderson Park Department is willing to help us in the cost of such an improvement. As soon as specifications are drawn up and costs calculated, that information will be provided to the Park Department in order to determine how much financial assistance the Park Department can give us. After that project is completed then we will take a took at the center post area. The four inch steel coupling that is used to affix the center post has lost most of its threads over the years since 1947 due to weathering. I would like to replace just the coupling if that is possible, but if not then we will replace the concrete pad and install a new coupling at that time.

These planned improvements point out just how concerned with safety the A.M.R.C.A. is at all times. We must always keep our guard up against the unexpected! Our safety starts with the cables and continues through the cars, the participants, the track and the support equipment along with everything else that we can keep a check on.

I have not received a report from Nick yet on how we did financially at the Nats but don't expect any surprised. From somewhat casual observations it seems that everyone enjoyed themselves. The change in format having a cocktail hour on Thursday evening with the A.M.R.C.A. annual business meeting on Friday night was a change of pace. This change was necessitated by the fact that Jill and I have bought a new home and we just finished moving on Tuesday the week of the Nats.

So, as you can imagine the new place was a "sea of boxes". This coupled with the fact that the previous owner was somewhat of a Hermit and had let the place grow up (all 10 acres of it) did not make it either useable or presentable for a cocktail party this year, maybe in 1992!

Speaking of the future, Whittier Narrows received the bid for the 1991 A.M.R.C.A. United States Nationals. I always enjoy the California sun (opposite of rain) and all the crowd out there. Well, so much for this time.

Don't forget - KEEP YOUR SPEED UP!!

JPHIL