The most important race of the year --the 1959 AMRCA Nationals, held this year at Belleville, Ill', --has closed another chapter in the long history of model car racing.

On Tuesday and Wednesday August 18th and 19th the earlybirds started arriving and testing the little jewels on the Belleview track located in Swansea Park in the northern part of town. They came from all over the U.S. From the South, the East, the midwest and from far off California. Frank Fox flew in from California and Ed and Eddie Baynes came by car with the family.

Fortunately there was not to much trouble experienced with the cars in the tuning up days but a few cases were experienced. A1 Winter, Trevose, Pa.-had his good engine to "freeze" up on him but managed to repair it before the Championship Race. Howward Fox of Bethlehem decided the 1.65 to 1 gears were not the thing for this track, so a quick change (at the track, no less) to the old faithful 175 to 1 ratio.

Thursday passed with more practice runs and Friday came. This was the day for the all important Qualiflcatlon runs. The first man on the track for the qualifying. Runs was Sal Battaglia from new Rochell, N.Y. with a Flynt car. When the clock stoped the time was 6.03 sec. the speed 149.25 MPH and the race was definately on in a big wey.

the second man on the track was Bob Loose of Reading, Pa. with a car of his own design. While Bob was hooking up his car you could see a little smile on his face, as if to say, you ain't seen nothing yet. It was off to a good start and finally Bob punched the clock..Around and around it whirled and finally stopped at 5.97 sec. or for the fastest speed that was to be recorded that day. Yes,the speed was 150.75 MPH.

Well with 'these speeds the rest of us peons had to settle for lesser speeds. Towards the close of the afternoon the sky held the promise of rain. Sure enough, about five the bottom felt out and it really poured. The inside of the track was a lake and a joker started to get a boat and run it. But just for such an emergency the Belleview Club had provided a huge open sided tent to cover the pit area not only to shield us from the rain but to keep a few of the bald heads from blistering in the hot sun that lasted ... the whole time we were there,with the exception of this one time.

That night we all went to the Wishbone Restaurant for the Banquet end the annual Business meeting.(I would like to add in here that many changes in the rules were discussed and will appear in a later bulletin). The New Orleand donated to all the ladies at the Banquet a plastic rain hat with carrying case. The entertainment was a picture of last years indianapolis Races and a Bingo game for the ladies while the business meeting was going on. The Regional trophies were given and other special trophies and prizes were given out that will be listed later on in this bulletin.

SATURDAY the day we all had been waitlng for all year was finally here.