Dirt Racer Magazine "May - June 2016"

May - June 2016

Dirt Racer Magazine

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May - June 2016

3 ~ Photographer Showcase Katelyn Damitz

www.DirtRacerMagazine.com dirtracermagazine@gmail.com

Publisher Chris Damitz

4 ~ Driver Profile : Jeff Aikey

Contributing Writers Bret Sievertsen Emily Gade

8 ~ Shirley Doubles up at Thaw Brawl 12 ~ Driver Profile : Ben Chapman

Contributing Photographers Chris Damitz Bret Sievertsen Katelyn Damitz Jeff Hall

16 ~ Pierce takes 8th Annual Slocum 50 20 ~ Iceman wins Midwest Showdown

Dirt Racer Magazine is published monthly

24~ the Comprehensive Guide to Dirt Track Lingo

Copyright Š 2016

by Dirt Racer Magazine All Right Reserved

Reproduction in whole or in part without direct permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

inset photo: Dave Englekens in action at Quad City Speedway in his IMCA Sport Mod.

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cover photos by Chris Damitz

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photo by Chris Damitz

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1. How did you get into racing? I got into racing because of my parents. They always liked going to the races so I went. I walked over to Fuzzy Liddels house and asked him if he would help me build a race car and thats where it all began... we built a street stock and went and kicked butt.

2. What's the reason behind your car number?

There is no reason behind my car number actually. I picked my car number when i was a young kid and stuck with it.

3. Who is you racing hero's?

Dale Earnhardt Name : Jeff Aikey Birthday : 10/30/1962 Occupation : Owner of Aikey Auto Salvage Class & Car # : Late Model 77 Chassis builder : Masterbuilt Engine builder : AEM Tracks / Race series you race : Des Moines weekly, Deery Series Crew : Dwain Homolar, Mark Homolar, Curt Wollin, Sponsors : AIkey Auto Salvage/ Victory Motors/ AEM/ BSB/ Iowa Auto rebuilders/ Fleck Trucking

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4. What's your favorite racing moment?

Winning the NASCAR midwest region in 2001 and got to go to Florida for a huge racing banquet for that where i was presented a trophy on stage 5. What's your least favorite racing moment?

When I got taken out when I was leading the Nation in 2001. I will never ever forget that.

6. Do you have any superstitions on race day?

I DO NOT!!!

7. What's your favorite track food?

My favorite track food is beer.

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photos by Chris Damitz

8. What’s in your CD player right now?

ACDC any \kind of rock and roll 9. What is your favorite TV show / movie?

Show: The Voice/The Biggest Loser Movie: Ramboo/ Cast Away/ Top Gun 10. What do you do when you're not racing?

I work a lot outside of racing. I also like to go out with family and friends. My wife and I like to watch the Hawkeyes men's basketball on TV. I like to go fishing.

11. What's your favorite sport / team besides racing? I like to watch my youngest daughter play softball year round as she is going to Iowa Central on a softball scholarship. Surprise Surprise I like to watch NASCAR too!

12. If you could have dinner with anyone, it would be? If I could have dinner with anyone it would be with my Mom. She was always my number one fan. I can't remember a race she ever missed. She passed away in 2009 and now is cheering me on from above. In fact I left my moms visitation early because i knew that

photos by Chris Damitz

was what she would have wanted it was a deery brother summer series at Mason City I was up to second and had to go to the back for some reason and came back and won it. I knew she was there with me that night!

13. What has been the best advise you've received? From my family- they always call me on race day to encourage me and go to the races to cheer me on. They always tell me I can do it whether I am calling them to tell them who is in my heat race or telling them how bad I drew.

When I win they are always cheering me on/congratulating me whether they are in victory lane with me or not.

14. Describe yourself in three words. The words to describe me would be: Self driven, Hard worker, and fun. I work hard every day then in the summer I love to go let loose and have fun while I race.

15. If you could change one thing about racing today, what would it be? If I could change one thing about racing today it would be the shock packages. The shock packages are out of hand. DRM

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photos by Chris Damitz

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Jared Landers (top) and Bobby Pierce (bottom) both had to settle for 2nd place as Brian Shirley was just to strong.

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photos by Chris Damitz

Thaw Brawl Night 1 1 3S Brian Shirley 2 777 Jared Landers 3 33x Ricky Thornton Jr 4 24 Ryan Unzicker 5 74m Mitch McGrath 6 91 Rusty Schlenk 7 12j Jason Jameson 8 15L Payton Looney 9 56 Tony Jackson Jr. 10 14R Jeff Roth 11 4 Cody Mahoney 12 32p Bobby Pierce 13 77A Justin Asplin 14 10S Scott Schmitt 15 75 Billy Drake 16 21b Rich Bell 17 18 Shannon Babb 18 32s Chris Simpson 19 B1 Paul Wilmoth 20 29 Spencer Diercks 21 25f Jason Feger 22 B12 Kevin Weaver 23 39 Tim McCreadie 24 99jr Frank Heckenast Jr Thaw Brawl Night 2 1 3S Brian Shirley 2 32p Bobby Pierce 3 99jr Frank Heckenast Jr 4 18 Shannon Babb 5 91 Rusty Schlenk 6 21b Rich Bell 7 56 Tony Jackson Jr. 8 28E Dennis Erb Jr. 9 24 Ryan Unzicker 10 15b Brian Birkhofer 11 32s Chris Simpson 12 21jr Billy Moyer Jr. 13 25f Jason Feger 14 29 Spencer Diercks 15 89 Mike Spatola 16 77A Justin Asplin 17 77b Adam Bowman 18 74m Mitch McGrath 19 14R Jeff Roth 20 777 Jared Landers 21 23v Ryan Vanderveen 22 10S Scott Schmitt 23 15L Payton Looney 24 6 Jeffrey Massingill 25 B12 Kevin Weaver photos by Chris Damitz

Jason Feger lead a good run in night 2 till Shirley caught him.

Iowan, Chris Simpson had a good showing in the annual race.

Brian

Birkhofer

made

his

return

to

Late

Model

racing

action.

Billy Moyer Jr flying down the front stretch of LaSalle Speedway.

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photo by Chris Damitz

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Name : Ben Chapman

1. How did you get into racing?

I grew up watching my dad race.

Birthday: 5/28/91 Occupation: Specialist

Mortician/Farmer/Lawn

Care

Class & Car # : 1JR IMCA Modified

3. Who are your racing hero's?

My dad and Dale Earnhardt.

Chassis builder : Rage

4. What's your favorite racing moment?

Winning my first IMCA Modified race.

Engine builder : 604 Crate Tracks / Race series you race : Whenever, and wherever I get the itch to go.

Crew : Andrew Hunwardsen Sponsors : Precision Performance, Junction Auto Sales, W.J. Leeper Construction, Twinkle Toes Dancers, Ray’s Custom Ice, Elijah Enterprises, Hunwardsen Construction, Grasshopper Lawn Care & Tree Service/All Star Turf, Sue Elijah Bookkeeping & Tax Service, Kern’s Bar & Game Room, Titan Pro SCI, Arnie’s Snow Removal, E & B Professional Painting, Shinker Show Pigs, Bill & Larry Elijah Farms, Kyle R. Maurer Attorney at Law, and Steve’s Custom Golf Clubs.

Your Official Website : Chapman Racing on Facebook

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2. What's the reason behind your car number?

My dad’s number is 1.

5. What's your least favorite racing moment?

Pretty much all of last year save a few races.

It was a constant struggle it seemed.

6. Do you have any superstitions on race day?

Not really a superstitious guy.

7. What's your favorite track food?

Nachos 8. What’s in your CD player right now?

Anything from George Jones to Tucker Beathard, Def Leppard to Volbeat, and a little of everything in between.

9. What is your favorite TV show / movie?

Anything with Will Ferrell.

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photo by Chris Damitz

10. What do you do when you're not racing?

Keep busy with my 3 jobs.

11. What's your favorite sport / team besides racing?

Iowa Hawkeyes 12. If you could have dinner with anyone, it would be?

I’d like to have a beer with Jesus.

13. What has been the best advice you've received?

There’s no future in the past.

14. Describe yourself in three words.

Extremely Good Looking 15. If you could change one thing about racing today, what would it be?

The cost and the negative social media bashing. DRM

photo by Chris Damitz

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story by Dana Royer ~ photo by Chris Damitz May - June 2016

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photo by Dana Royer

Great weather, a huge crowd, and a stellar field of late model drivers meant for a great nice of racing for the 8th annual Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway Saturday night April 16. 305 Sprints and IMCA Stock Cars also added to a great night at the track with John Oliver, Jr. Danville picking up a stock car win and Dustin Clark getting the win in the W.T. Gabeline and Sons Trucking 305 Sprint feature. But the big win came from Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Il, winning the 50 lap super late model feature race and going home with a $10,555 check. Pierce used the high side of the super-fast 3/8 mile oval to take the checkers. Pierce dominated the fierce Corn Belt Clash competitors, passing everyone up to 7th place to win his second Slocum 50. Ryan Unzicker, last year’s winner, appeared to want to repeat in the early laps but was passed by Pierce early in the race. Unzicker held on for second, followed by Brian Shirley, Chris Simpson and Jason Feger. With Fire Works blazing in the night sky following the final race of the evening, everyone went home raising 18

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a “High 5” for Brent Slocum.

The Brent Slocum Foundation is in its 8th year and was started after the death of late model racer Brent Slocum (Burlington) who was killed in an accident in the pit area in 2005. Brent loved racing and was a friend to many and was a regular at 34 Raceway. Brent Slocum Foundation’s primary event is the annual Slocum 50, which is hosted at 34 Raceway in Burlington, Iowa in April. The Foundation, in his honor, awards scholarships to area seniors. $40,000 has been award in Brent’s name. $1.00 from each adult grandstand admission ticket sold went to the foundation as well as half of the 50/50 money collected at the race. Board members include Jennifer Bailey- President, Brad Stevens-VP, Kim Taeger-Treasurer, Brad Lange- Secretary, Trudy Slocum, Jessi Mynatt, Heather Lange and Marty Taeger. This groups works hard all year long to make the Slocum 50 one of the premier races.

For more information go to 34raceway. com or like them on facebook. DRM

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FEATURE: 1. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood,Il., 2.

Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, Il., 3. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Il., 4. Chris Simpson, Oxford, Ia, 5.

Jason Feger, Bloomington, Il., 6. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wi, 7. Frank Heckenast, Jr., Orland Park, Il., 8. Rodney Sanders, Happy, Tx, 9. Jason Utter, Columbus Junction, Ia, 10. Tony Jackson, Jr., Lebanon, Mo., 11. Jason Papich, Nipomo, Ca, 12. Scott Schmitt, Tonica, Il., 13.

Austin Asplin, Birch Tree, Mo., 15. Jeff Roth, Bentonville, Ar, 16. Jesse Stovall, Galena, Mo., 17. Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon, 18. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, 19. Tad Pospisil, Norfolk, Ne, 20. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, 21. Justin Reed, Quincy, Il., 22. Payton Looney, Republic, Mo., 23. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Il, 24. Dave Eckrich, Oxford, Ia B Main: 1. Feger, 2 Chad Simpson, 3. Gundaker, 4. Pospisil, 5. Birkhofer, 6. Randy Timms, Wheatland, Ok, 7. Bob Gardner, Washington, Il., 8. Burgtorf, 9. Sam Halstead, New London, 10. Dustin Griffin, Camp Point, Il., 11. Kolby Vandenbergh, Ashland, 12. Jeff Roth, Bentonville, Ar. HEAT WINNERS: Unzicker, Mars, Stovall, Chris Simpson.

photos by Dana Royer

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story by Mike McGuire ~ photo by Alan Goacher May - June 2016

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photo by Alan Goacher

The pride of Menomonie, Wisconsin was on display Friday night at the Davenport Speedway, as Jimmy Mars captured the Midwest Sanction Showdown on the big half-mile track. The event was co-sanctioned by the MARS DirtCar Series and the Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series.

Pole sitter Tony Jackson Jr. led the first sixteen laps of the feature. On a lap seventeen restart Mars would get by Justin Kay and Jackson to take the lead. Mars would lead the remaining nineteen laps to take the win.

Kay and Jackson would battle for a few more laps before the local favorite Kay would secure the second spot. Jackson would finish third, ahead of Rodney Sanders in fourth and Chris Simpson fifth. Brian Shirley finished sixth.

Late Model heat race wins went to Jackson, Sanders, Mars, and Chris Simpson. Randy Timms won the B-Main.

Mars’ victory was not his first big win on the Davenport half-mile. In 2008, Jimmy won the Iowa Governor’s Cup at the Davenport Speedway. DRM 22

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Heat #1: 1. Tony Jackson Jr.; 2. Justin Kay; 3.

Scott Schmitt; 4.Ray Guss Jr.; 5.Randy Timms; Heat #2: 1. Rodney Sanders; 2. Brian Shirley; 3. Justin Asplin; 4. Spencer Diercks; 5. Dave Eckrich; Heat #3: 1. Jimmy Mars; 2. Frank Heckenast Jr.; 3. Jesse Stovall; 4. Jeff Roth; 5. Myles Moos; Heat #4: 1. Chris Simpson; 2. Jason Papich; 3.

Jason Feger; 4. Jason Utter; 5. Chad Simpson; Semi #1: 1. Randy Timms; 2. Dave Eckrich; 3.

Myles Moos; 4. Rob Moss; 5. Payton Looney; Feature: 1. Jimmy Mars; 2. Justin Kay; 3.

Tony Jackson Jr.; 4. Rodney Sanders; 5. Chris Simpson; 6. Brian Shirley; 7. Frank Heckenast Jr.; 8. Jason Feger; 9. Ray Guss Jr; 10. Justin Asplin; 11. Randy Timms; 12. Jason Utter; 13.

Jeff Roth; 14. Payton Looney; 15. Rob Moss; 16. Randy Roth; 17. Jay Chenowith; 18. Jesse Stovall; 19. Myles Moos; 20. Spencer Diercks; 21. Scott Schmitt; 22. Jason Papich; 23. Dave Eckrich; 24. Leroy Johnson;

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Jimmy Mars (left) Rodnry Sanders (bottom) & Payton Loone (top) on the legendary Davenport 1/2 mile.

photos by Alan Goacher

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story by Emily Gade ~ photo by Chris Damitz

Have you ever been around a crew trying to scale a car or thrashing trying to get it put back together to run the feature? There may have been some words or phrases mentioned that could have left you scratching your head and asking questions. This article is dedicated to dirt track lingo that may not be known by the average fan.

Ackerman Steering – Ackerman steering is a very important part of geometry that gets overlooked often because many don’t understand it or don’t know how to fix it.

While the driver is trying to turn left, the left front wheel must turn at more of an angle than the right front of the car. If the wheels turn at the same angle in the front or the left does not turn as much as the right, the car could experience a toe in situation while trying to enter the corner. Picture all four wheels rolling around a mutual point throughout a turn. The inside tire must turn more than the outside tire or the car will push in the corner 24

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making it difficult to drive. Essentially, Ackerman is dynamic toe out (or toe in if it’s not right) as opposed to static toe.

Apex – the apex of the corner is the point in a corner that allows the driver to take straightest line through the corner while maintaining the highest speed possible. It can also be described as the point where you are the closest to the inside of the corner, or the tightest point of the corner.

Beadlock – A Beadlock wheel is a wheel that is typically used on the right (passenger) side of a race car. These are utilized because of the low tire pressures used and the amount of force on the tire while going through a corner can sometimes cause the bead of the tire to blow off the rim. Typical air pressures in a standard racing tire can be as low as 5-6 PSI depending on set-ups.

A Beadlock wheel is essentially just a ring that is bolted on the wheel and sandwiches the bead of the tire in between.

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photo by Katelyn Damitz

Bite – When someone refers to bite, they are talking about how much more the left-rear corner of the car weighs compared to the right-rear corner of their car. This number can be very important to balancing the set-up of the car. There is no right number when it comes to how much bite a car needs. This number greatly varies between different cars and driver preferences. You can even run reverse bite, which means the right rear corner of the car weighs more than the left rear, which is not typical but it is possible. You can achieve more or less bite by screwing up or down on any of the car’s four screw jacks. There is a screw jack on every corner of the car and they raise or lower the corner to whatever height you need or want.

Bump Steer –Bump steer is a very important entity that also often gets over-looked, mostly because many do not know how to check it or how to fix it if it’s not right. When

you hit bumps in the track, your wheels can steer themselves even without input from the steering wheel. This can be caused by improper lengths or angles of your steering linkages. Bumpsteer can be fixed with shims, spacers, different length tie rods and raising or lowering innertie rods. Which method to use depends on what issues you’re having and whether the wheels toe in or out while you run over the bumps. It also depends if the wheels toe in or out during compression or rebound. Having them toe out slightly is a lot more manageable than having them toe in at any point in time.

Most car builders design their cars to get the least bump steer effects.

Camber –Camber refers to the degree at which the wheels are tipped in towards the center of the car or tipped outward.

Since dirt cars are designed to turn left, the cars are set up so the right front wheel has negative camber, or it is tipped into towards

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the center of the car. The left front wheel should have positive camber (tipped outwards towards the infield when cornering.)

To what degree the wheels are tipped is dependent on car manufacturer recommendations and/or driver/car preference. You can change camber by using shims to space the upper A-frames outward.

Caster – If you’re looking at the car from the side, caster is determined by whether the top ball joint is in front of or behind the bottom ball joint. This angle is called caster. A bicycle’s front wheel, for example has positive caster since the axis is tipped towards the driver as they ride. Negative caster would be the top ball joint being in front of the bottom as viewed from the side.

Stagger - This refers to the circumference of the left side tires in regard to the right side tires. To help the car turn easier, racers put larger tires on the right side of the car than the left side of the car. Think of

rolling a red solo cup on a table. Since there is a big end and a smaller end, it wants to roll itself in a circle. This is the same effect that stagger has on a race car. Since dirt cars are always turning left, the bigger tire is most commonly on the right. However, some drivers prefer straight up stagger (both tires exactly the same size) or even reverse stagger (the left side tire is bigger than the right.)

T oe – Toe refers to the front wheels being pointed inward or outward. Race cars always want to have at least some toe out. Toe in can make the car very darty and unpredictable.

Typical race car toe out can be anywhere from a ¼” to ¾” or even more. Every driver has a different preference when it comes to setting the toe. To measure, you can use toe plates or have someone hold a tape measure in the same tread on both the front and the rear of the front tires. The difference from back to front is your toe measurement. DRM photo by Chris Damitz

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