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CONTENTS

VP EVENTS // Sharon Robinson SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT/INDOOR SALES Sadie Robinson sadie@wheelsofthunder.net

TCPBA’s

04 Tabara Race Team

DESIGN FOLIO CREATIVE // Kelly Stewart www.folio-creative.com editor@wheelsofthunder.net 612.799.8416

pg.

The Princeton

14 Speedway

The Brickyard: A Look

52 Back at the Indy 500

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Mylie Lavold Tom Edwards Billy Boyle Jenna Osterlund Ceaja Philp Steve Casper Mike Peterson Bailey Sens

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o c he t on

r ve

WRITTEN by Jenna Osterlund PHOTOGRAPHY by Tony Fortuna

T WIN CI TY P O WE R B O AT A S S O C I AT I O N’ S

TABARA RACE TEAM

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JUNE 2015

here aren’t many things that beat a summer day on the boat, in a crisp Minnesota lake, with beer(s) in hand(s). But one thing that makes it even better is when the Tabara Racing rips past you at 135MPH. Mark Tabara passed down a lifelong passion and skill for racing to his family’s team consisting of two brothers, Brian and Steve, future daughter-in-law, Jessica Olson, and best friend and world class mechanic, Travis Roy. Oh yeah, and they’re all multi-time National Champions. Between winning 44 races, building his team’s motors, and being the commodore that is changing the focus of the Twin City Power Boat Association, Brian Tabara racing #5 in Formula 150 and Formula 2 and I spoke all about the sport that hits our lakes this summer.

WOT // HOW WAS RACING INTRODUCED INTO YOUR LIFE?

WOT // WHAT INTRIGUED YOU ABOUT WATER RACING AS OPPOSED TO LAND RACING?

the impact. Boats don’t cost much money, and you can fix them. We have nothing but high quality parts inside so it prevents a lot of overhead of having to repair pieces. Powerboat racing is not that scary if you work up to it. I’m sure if you put somebody to start in a Formula 1 boat it might scare them half to death, but when you work up to it, it’s not so bad.

BRIAN \\ I was introduced to the sport of powerboat racing through my father. He BRIAN \\ Definitely the complexity of raced many years throughout the 80’s racing on water. The conditions are and he used to be the commodore of always changing. It changes as much as the Twin City Power Boat Association a wind gust, so there’s a lot of challenges. (TCPBA), founded 53 years ago by a On rivers there’s currents that change the handful of skilled charter members. My handling characteristics of the boat. You earliest memories were watching my dad have to depend on eyesight a lot to see WOT // DO YOU REPAIR YOUR OWN BOATS? race, traveling to the races, and even sitting when the water turns dark indicating wind. in his boat in parades all over Minnesota. Those who are really good at mastering BRIAN \\ I do, along with my crew chief, He’s still very involved, more so in a team different conditions have a real distinct Travis Roy. He’s a very good friend of owner perspective. He’s at all of the races. advantage over the competition. If I have mine…pretty much another brother. He’s one of my mechanics! Tabara racing the nose aired out and the boat trimmed We’ve been working on boats for years. is compromised of three drivers; myself, out and I’m flying down the straightaway He’s been with me since my second race older brother Steve (who I’d like to point headed toward some very rough waters or and has helped my brother from the out, I’ve been racing longer than), and my high winds, I need to trim the boat down beginning. He’s an extraordinary person as fiancé, Jessica. She does really well. She to a more safe, slower level so I don’t crash. far as abilities, his mechanical aptitude is off the charts, he’s meticulous, he’s as good won her first race this year and picked as it gets. From a crew chief standpoint, WOT // HAVE YOU TAKEN the right race to win; it was the Central I’m walking into these racers with an ANY BIG SPILLS? Division Championship! Racing is a advantage over everybody. pastime for me. BRIAN \\ Unfortunately, yeah. I’ve never broke a bone or been hurt in a crash, and WOT // WHERE DID YOU LEARN WOT // HOW OLD WERE YOU I’ve probably been in five or six of them. HOW TO WORK ON BOATS? WHEN YOU STARTED RACING? My first crash came in just my third time BRIAN \\ I was fourteen. It’s been seventeen driving an F2 boat. I blew over before a BRIAN \\ I learned a bunch from my dad. years now! local public TV station could arrive to But I’ve also received a lot of help in do a story on our team. Another one of education from others, including multiWOT // WHAT WAS THE FIRST my crashes came in 2005 after I won time world champion F1 racer, Chris Bush. BOAT YOU EVER RACED? a National Championship, and a news My brother and I met him as kids. He raced station was coming to do a story on us at the same time as my dad did, and he was BRIAN \\ The Sport C, and it was a boat that or the Moose Lake Powerboat Races and considered the best driver in the world by went 55MPH. My first race was in Little many. I would agree. He’s as good as they caught my crash on film. Falls, Minnesota, in 1999. I’ve probably have get, but not just from a driving standpoint. close to 35 boats since then. For a while, to WOT // HOW DO YOU GET He’s also nothing short of brilliant with get through college, I was refinishing boats. OVER THE FEAR OF CRASHING? building two-stroke race motors. He made I would buy boats and refinish and sell it out to one of my races last year! I guess them. That’s what put me through college. BRIAN \\ Seat time and practice prevents I started the sport off in a really good place The sport has been wonderful to me. Then wrecks. When you see a powerboat crash to have two great teachers. I’ve been a I jumped to a boat that goes 135MPH. I and the boat breaks, it’s a blessing in lucky guy. Between Dad, Chris, and my wouldn’t recommend that. disguise. It means the boat has absorbed crew chief Travis, I’m set up to do well. JUNE 2015

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WOT // WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST POWERBOAT RACING ACCOMPLISHMENT THUS FAR? BRIAN \\ My National Championship win in 2005, or seeing my brother win his National Championship in 2014. I wasn’t necessarily happy about getting knocked out of the race, but if someone’s gonna’ win, it better be him. Travis built Steven’s boat, I built the motor, and we got to see Steven race it. It was neat because it had a little piece from everybody. WOT // WHAT IS IT LIKE RACING AGAINST YOUR BROTHER? BRIAN \\ We’re terribly competitive. There’s absolutely sibling rivalry…but it’s healthy. At the end of the day, there’s certain driving maneuvers I won’t do if I’m near him. I don’t risk him or myself under any circumstance. I don’t want to see anything bad happen to myself! A lot of his stuff is on my equipment, and a lot of my stuff is on his, and we don’t want to cause harm…because at the end of the day, we’d have to fix each other’s stuff. WOT // WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TRACK TO RACE ON? WHY? BRIAN \\ I gotta’ tell ya’, this is easy for me. Kankakee River which is just south of Chicago. Although this race doesn’t exist anymore, it’s actually my favorite race probably because it was the National Championship for many years. The driving conditions were more complex than other places. The track was super narrow and super long, so the boats got going really fast. There were a lot of openings in the trees which would cause the boat to want to blow over and crash halfway down the straightaway. There were strange currents half way down the straightaways. It was just a very, very complex place to race and it really required a lot of strategy. Locally, I would say my favorite place to race is Forest Lake. It’s a wonderful place and it can be rough and smooth all during the same lap, and that’s what really separates the pros from the amateurs. You have to predict what’s coming faster than the next guy. WOT // WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WIN? BRIAN \\ I guess there’s two of them. My most meaningful was when I won a National Championship back in 2005. I PAGE 6

was 21, didn’t have a large budget, and was blew the reed valves out of my motor and was lapped in qualifying. Needless to say, I started dead last in the final. I had fifteen minutes between qualifying and the final, and my crew managed to build a completely new intake system. I lapped every single competitor but the second place boat. The win was completely unexpected. I hadn’t really come into my own yet, but after that, we realized we could be competitive on a national scale regardless of budget. Ever since then, I’ve had a lot more confidence.

that nobody crashes in Forest Lake this year because we need those boats at the season finale in the Superior, Wisconsin event the week after. WOT // SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN IS MY FAVORITE TOWN IN THE WORLD! WHAT DO YOU HAVE GOING ON THERE?

BRIAN \\ I’ve been working on this project for three years. I’m working with Amsoil Speedway Group to bring powerboat racing to Superior! The race will be right in front of the S.S. Meteor whaleback ship at Barker’s Island the third weekend of September, 2015. There’s going to be a beer My first win was when I was 18 in Hastings, garden. There’s going to be mini donuts. Minnesota. I was running Formula Two. It It’s free admission. It’s going to be fun. We was fun because again it was one of those… pride ourselves on family friendly events you don’t expect it. Your first one, you and don’t want cost to prevent someone never expect to win, so when you do win from coming in and enjoying the show. it’s that much more exciting. It was a blast because I was neck and neck with all the WOT // LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A other drivers and I barely won. I didn’t LOT OF FUN PROJECTS AS TCPBA’S have great equipment but it was a lot of fun COMMODORE! WHAT’S THE MOST because I felt like I really earned that one. EXCITING PART?

WOT // DO YOU HAVE ANY RACING RITUAL SECRETS THAT HELP YOU GET THESE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS? BRIAN \\ My crew is laughing at this one. There’s no specific ritual…other than my personality changes a little bit from happy to aggressive. I’m very competitive and ready to go! Right now I can already start feeling this weekend’s race coming up. Wanting to do well puts you on edge. WOT // PLANNING ON BREAKING ANY RECORDS THIS WEEKEND? BRIAN \\ I’m not going to jinx myself and say I’m going for 50 wins this year, but I guess that’s a milestone I’m looking forward to. This weekend’s my first race and with any luck maybe I’ll change my number of 44 career wins. WOT // IF SOMEONE CAN ONLY MAKE IT TO ONE OF TCPBA’S RACES THIS YEAR, WHICH RACE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THEM TO GO TO? BRIAN \\ Forest Lake is pretty darn good. It’s our biggest race, has the most spectators, it has wonderful community support, there’s big dollars on the line, its National Championships for some of the classes, it’s intense, and everybody wants to win Forest Lake. My fingers are crossed

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BRIAN \\ Seeing so many volunteers stepping up and hearing what ideas they bring to the table…TCPBA Supports specializes in charitable work, and we even have a social media community. When everybody chips in, it is so much more fun. TCPBA Supports is a group that does charity events. We’ve done the Polar Plunge, Moustache Run, and are expanding the effort to Second Harvest and Feed My Starving Children. We’re always looking for something new. WOT // HOW ELSE CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED WITH THE NON-RACING SIDE OF TCPBA? BRIAN \\ TCPBA is based on volunteerism. There’s probably 10-15 different positions that we always look for help with. We have patrol boat drivers, announcers, referees, inspectors, scale managers, pit managers, turn judges, you name it, there’s a job! Sometimes you’ll find people who come to the races and know something about boats or are just handy, and they’ll help some kids out there who don’t have a good crew chief. They’ll back them into the water and just take care of them. It really does help because there’s people who come to these races and are shorthanded, some of which are traveling all across the country so their crew isn’t able to come with them. JUNE 2015

The people at TCPBA are amazing people, and a lot of fun. We have a very tight knit community that allows people in really, really quickly. WOT // WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BEGINNERS THAT WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH RACING IN TCPBA?

either in the cards or it’s not. You can’t win a race unless you finish the race. You have a lot to learn just by watching some of your competitors. Sometimes the best strategy is not to try to win the first race, but sometimes it’s better to watch what your competitors are doing and learn from them as much as you can.

BRIAN \\ Start the smallest class and learn the fundamentals. If you can drive one of those boats, you can absolutely drive on the big F1 boats. I still drive the small classes for fun. It really makes you a better driver, because if you can drive something underpowered, it’ll make you a more efficient and smooth professional driver.

WOT // WHAT SKILLS DID YOU LEARNED AFTER SOME EXPERIENCE UNDER YOUR BELT?

We have six different free classes, from beginners to pros. I recommend starting in GT Pro, or F3 class if you have other motorsport experience. In our beginner classes, we get a bunch of people on a pontoon boat and an experienced driver will coach through the radio. Someone will be driving, and a coach will teach them how to get a faster lap time. The entire organization wants to volunteer.

Championship with last year. We use the same boat and just change the powerhead that takes ten to fifteen minutes, no big deal. It’s as easy as eight nuts and six wires.

WOT // WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS THEIR FIRST RACE COMING UP? BRIAN \\ Patience. Everybody wants to win their first race, and very rarely does anybody win their first race. I think it’s JUNE 2015

BRIAN \\ My dad taught me how to build engines, and that’s my specialty. I built all of my team’s engines, even the one my brother, Steve, won a National

WOT // WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING TRACK YOU REALLY NEED TO APPLY THESE SKILLS TO IN THE TCPBA? BRIAN \\ Without a doubt, Crane Lake is our most challenging. It’s a wonderful race. It’s on the Canadian and United States border and the residents are super nice and really roll out the red carpet for you. The challenge isn’t international waters, the challenge is because there’s so many different wind lines and it’s just very big water, waves are bigger, more wind,

water is super deep, and it’s cold. But these machines can handle it, and what makes them so impressive is the horsepower to weight ratio, and that these boats are one of the hardest turning race vehicles in the world. At 100MPH, they can do a hairpin turn. They absolutely haul ass and rip. WOT // WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST TCPBA ACCOMPLISHMENT? WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? BRIAN \\ Supporting not only racing, but the sport itself. I’m trying to help grow it to become a mainstream sport. On top of that, having my race team of three boats and mentoring other drivers. It’s hard to

keep all three of our boats running at a very competitive level. Pretty soon, it’ll be a four boat team because my new F1 will be here soon! I’ll get to race two different classes, F2 and F1. And I get to unveil my F1 boat this summer!

I can’t wait to check out your race this summer, Brian! If you want to catch the unveiling of Brian’s F1 beauty, watch National Championship wins, and get involved with the biggest racing club in the country, you can find where the Tabara Race Team will be on www.tcpba.org! //

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JEGS.COM WILL RIDE IN WITH STAR DRIVER GRAHAM RAHAL

INDIANAPOLIS (May 22) -- Expanding their “I am thrilled to have JEGS onboard with me reach into open-wheel racing at the “Greatest for the Indy 500,” Rahal said. “As a fellow Spectacle in Motorsports,” JEGS.com, the mail Central Ohio family, it’s great to finally work order high-performance parts giant, will ride together for a great race like this and for JEGS in the Indy 500 with star driver Graham Rahal. to expand into IndyCar racing. I am looking forward to having the yellow and black colors Rahal will carry a JEGS.com in-car camera on out on track with us for race day.” his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda during the 99th running of the race at famed The famous yellow-and-black JEGS logo will Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fans can ride also be present on Rahal’s red No. 15 race car. along as Rahal tries to slice through the 33-car The Indy 500 is scheduled to being noon ET field from the 17th starting position. on Sunday and will be broadcast on ABC. PAGE 8

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The partnership brings together two of Central Ohio’s biggest racing families, as JEGS is headquartered in Delaware, Ohio, while Rahal was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Rahal, 26, has another connection to JEGS through his engagement to NHRA Funny Car driver Courtney Force. JEGS has a longtime association with drag racing through its online and mail-order high-performance parts business. The couple plans a wedding in November. //

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: : The Drive - In : : When Allan Anderson opened his Drive-In on July 5, 1956, Eisenhower was president, a first class stamp cost 3 cents, Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean was in theaters and Elvis’ “Don’t Be Cruel/Hound Dog,” single was #1. While times have changed over the past 59 years, the Drive-In Restaurant still feels like 1956. Under the ownership of Wade and Carol Vitalis, the Drive-In has established itself as favorite of both locals and tourists and often tops the “Best of” lists for its homemade root beer and handpacked burgers. When the Vitalis’ bought the Taylor’s Falls, MN restaurant in 1988, they breathed new life into the property, creating a 1950’s style drive-in that includes car hops, poodle skirts and nostalgic music that takes you back to another era. They also added an 18-hole miniature golf course, which adds to the family friendly atmosphere. There is a history and strong ties for the Vitalis family to what is much more than a building. Wade Vitalis grew up in Taylors Falls and fondly remembers enjoying root beer and burgers at the restaurant where his sisters were hops in the 1970’s. Today, Wade, Carol and their three children operate the “family business” in much the same fashion the Anderson family did in 1956, delivering fresh, high quality food in a fun and family friendly environment.

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The Vitalis’ expanded their operation to Grantsburg, Wisconsin in 2010. Under the direction of manager Tricia Jansen, who has worked for the Vitalis’ for 13 years (she was 14 when she started), business is growing. Plans to add a mini-golf course are the works for a 2018 opening. This is all part of Vitalis’s vision to have locations that mirror each other and provide great family friendly food and recreation. Along with the carhop service and patio dining, the Grantsburg location offers a fun 50’s diner experience which allows the restaurant to operate a longer summer season. You can often find classic cars parked at both locations, especially on weekend evenings. Cars were a big part of the 50’s and cruising down to the local drive-in to hang out and maybe show off a little was common (ala American Graffiti). The Grantsburg Drive In hosts a classic car night every Saturday from 4-8 p.m. where collectors can shoot the breeze and talk shop and customers can enjoy seeing some great examples of classic American cars. Jansen says she loves the classic car nights and how they really make it feel like you are back in the 50’s and 60’s. “Working at the Drive In from such a young age, I really fell in love with that era, the cars, the music and just the simplicity of things. I want to give people a place where they can go and even if for just one night, go back to that era.”

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Jansen is passionate about providing the complete old time drive in experience. “When you come to the Drive In, you get every aspect of that, the cars, the hops (even though we don’t do it on roller skates), and the music,” she says. “We have grandparents and parents that come and share with their families what it was like before cell phones, and microwaves.” Both locations are reasonable driving distance from the Twin Cities and have become popular destinations for families looking to eat great food while enjoying the St. Croix Riverway. Taylors Falls is a small historic village nestled amongst the hills of the St. Croix River with a population of around 1,000. Visitors come to the area for the beautiful scenery, to walk the trails in the state park, ride the boat tours on the river and the many other recreational activities offered. Grantsburg is known as the “Gateway to Crex Meadows” (the largest wildlife area in Wisconsin) and with a population of less than 1,400, is not much bigger than Taylors Falls. It has that same small town charm that makes it a perfect location for the Drive In’s second location. Both locations are easy to find, just look for the giant rotating mug of root beer! What is so special about these restaurants that keep people coming back? Some say it’s the homemade root beer served JUNE 2015

in frosty mugs, others say it’s the juicy handmade burgers that you just don’t find anymore. If you ask Jansen, it’s the whole package; the food, the friendly service, the small town atmosphere and the opportunity to take brief trip back in time to when things were simpler. If you go: The Duke Burger is the signature burger. Get the basket and add a large mug of root beer and your tab will still be under $11.00! If you are at the Grantsburg store, order the Frisco burger while you can. Served on fresh toasted bakery bread, this is a customer favorite. Jansen’s favorite is the mushroom and swiss, served on texas toast with mushrooms sautéed to order. The crinkle fries are classic but if you want to change things up, try the fried green beans. To view the restaurants and the menu, visit the website at www.taylorsfalls.com. //

TAYLORS FALLS, MN

GRANTSBURG, WI

572 Bench Street

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651.465.7831

715.463.2056

Open April thru October

Open March thru November

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VP RACING FUELS PARTNERS

WITH RPM & JEGS

VP Racing Fuels becomes the latest company Real Pro Mod association members as most to team up with the Real Pro Mod (RPM) are full time business owners and operators association to support racers competing in in addition to their time spent at race tracks. the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series. The “With the RPM group we found a lot of loyal multi-year deal includes VP’s support of VP customers as well as new channels to help RPM Participation Bonuses coupled with grow our Madditives line. The opportunity retail promotion of VP’s Madditive® line of to develop a promotion that benefits the Pro Mod racers as well as introduces us to the performance chemicals with JEGS. JEGS online retail channel is phenomenal. We “We are excited to have VP Racing Fuels and hope that all of the fans who watch the Real its Madditive products involved with RPM,” Pro Mod cars at events, and on the Velocity TV said Troy Coughlin, who owns JEGS.com with show, recognize our support and visit JEGS. his three brothers. “This is an exciting B-to-B com to try our Madditive products.” opportunity with JEGS High Performance and we are ready to show our customers this great “VP Octanium and VP Cetanium are designed for off road or racing applications while product line.” VP Fuel Stabilizer is a street-legal formula. JEGS, a leading automotive aftermarket Each of VP’s Madditives is engineered with performance retailer, now carries Madditives the same leading technology and passion by VP Racing Fuels including the popular for performance that VP’s “Mad Scientist®” Fuel Stabilizer with Ethanol Shield™, brings to its race fuels. They carry the Octanium® Octane Booster, and Cetanium™ same assurance of quality and performance Cetane Booster. Race fans and performance customers have come to expect from VP enthusiasts can purchase VP Madditives online Racing Fuels for 40 years. More information at JEGS.com by typing VP Racing Fuels into about VP Madditives is available online at the search box or by linking directly to http:// vpracingfuels.com/madditives. www.jegs.com/vs/VP-Racing-Fuels/917, or by calling the JEGS order desk at 1-800-345-4545. The next race for RPM will be the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series presented by RPM & Chris Wall, Chief Marketing Officer for VP Pro Line Racing at Atlanta Dragway May 15– Racing Fuels, is enjoying working with the PAGE 12

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17, 2015, with the first round of qualifying set to begin that Friday at 3:15pm EST.

ABOUT VP RACING FUELS VP Racing Fuels is best known as the World Leader in Race Fuel Technology™, fueling champions in virtually every form of motorsport on land, sea and air since 1975. VP is the Official Racing Fuel of Tudor United SportsCar Championship, AMA Supercross, NMRA, NMCA, World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, Pirelli World Challenge, PDRA and Rally America, among more than 60 VP-sponsored series and sanctioning bodies. As part of a retail branding program, gas stations and convenience stores across the U.S. are being branded as VP Racing Fuels, with each providing distribution for VP’s other product lines, including ethanol-free VP Small Engine Fuels, formulated for 2- and 4-cycle outdoor power equipment; VP Madditive™ performance chemicals; VP PowerWash™ and more. VP also markets VP PowerMaster® hobby fuels for R/C racing. More information is available online at VPRacingFuels.com, VPSEF.com or PowermasterFuels.com. //

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OGILVIE RACEWAY UNDE R N EW OWNE R SHI P T O STA R T 2 0 1 5

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The Ogilvie Raceway, located on Highway 23 just 2 miles east of the quaint city of Ogilvie, Minnesota has been sold and will open their 2015 racing season under new ownership on Saturday, April 18th.

of Saturday night dirt track racing. We want everyone at the track to be sporting a smile drivers, fans and employees alike. We know a lot of racing families and understand the time, money and dedication that is involved in racing every week. We appreciate all the hard work that everyone does so that we can get cars on the track and fans in the stands.’

track’s new ownership group. I want to thank Corey and Ginger and Lucas for giving me the opportunity to start working for them in June of 2009 during their inaugural season as they have been wonderful employers. I still manage another business for Corey and Ginger so I still get to work for them, but I would like to thank the Wagamons for allowing me to stay on board as their manager/ promoter. I’m excited about the changes they plan on doing right away around the facility as well.’

the automotive business since 1957 and working with people has always been a passion of ours and we look forward to seeing everyone out at the track every Saturday night. Family has always been very important to me and with racing we can all get together and enjoy spending time with close friends and loved ones and watch the drivers battle it out on the race track!’

Ogilvie Raceway is very conveniently located about 45 minutes from the city of St. Cloud to the West and about 45 minutes from Hinckley to the East. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are only an hour to our South.

Construction on the facility began in 2008 and was finished in early 2009 with the track’s opening night held on May 30th 2009 to a standing room only crowd. The Ogilvie Raceway features many state-of- Wagamon went on to say ‘if we don’t the-art attributes that no other area track bring this track to its greatest potential it can boast. The facility features seven fully will not be from lack of effort! We will furnished and catered VIP suites for our always be there for you! We have been in customers, an indoor restaurant area, a tailgating section where fans can sit in the comfort of their own vehicles or RV’s and watch the action on the track, plus the highest quality lighting, public address system and sound system that money can buy. When original track owners Corey Owens and Lucas Ostermann built this facility, it was built with the customer in mind and was built to be one of the best around, which it certainly is. The sale, which has been in the works for months, has just now become final and the Blaine, Minnesota based Wagamon family, consisting of Carolyn & Wally Wagamon, Cathy & Pat Wagamon, Angela & Tom Wagamon, Janet & Jess Lewis and Barb & Steve Aamodt have assumed ownership of the six year old facility effective immediately. The Wagamon’s have a long standing history in auto racing and the automotive industry as Angela & Tom’s son Clayton is currently a very accomplished WISSOTA Modified racer. The Wagamon’s plan on taking a hands on approach to owning and operating Ogilvie and hope to continue the success that previous owners Owens and Ostermann have built. Tom said ‘the facility is great as it is, but we plan on building a VIP lounge and also plan to build a dirt go kart track on the property in the not too distant future with the hopes of attracting the younger generation of racers.’ Wally Wagamon said when asked what drove their family to purchase the speedway, ‘ever since Ogilvie opened it has been my favorite track, I have always loved the atmosphere. Our goal is to provide the racers and fans with the most exciting and enjoyable atmosphere in all JUNE 2015

Track promoter/manager Nate Fischer said ‘I am very excited to start the 2015 season with the Wagamon family as the

For more information on Ogilvie Raceway and to view the complete 2015 racing schedule, please log on to www. OgilvieRaceway.com. We hope to see everyone at ‘The Big O’ on Saturday nights this summer! //

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26069 2ND STREET WEST ZIMMERMAN, MN 55398

Located behind the American Legion

ROD SCHUMM 763-856-5949 zimmermancollision@izoom.net

JUNE 2015

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PHOTOGRAPHY by RanataWinter

TEST AND TUNE \\ MAY 2015

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[ JUNE 1ST

- JULY 15TH

JUNE 3 // ANOKA, MN

]

JUNE 10 // ANOKA, MN

WEDNESDAY BIKE NIGHT TO NORM’S WAYSIDE // BUFFALO

WEDNESDAY BIKE NIGHT TO CAPTAINS ON THE LAKE // ISANTI

River City Saloon 201 Jackson Street in Anoka

Ride @ 6:30PM

Arrive early for Rider Dinner Special

JUNE 6 // MILACA, MN

JUNE 14 // MINNESOTA CITY, MN

6TH ANNUAL RIDE FOR BOOBIES

SUNDAY EVENT MOTORCYCLE RODEO

JUNE 20 // MINNESOTA LAKE, MN

MINNESOTA LAKE 9TH ANNUAL FREEDOM RUN

320 N Main St in Minnesota Lake Registration 9:30AM—Ride 12PM

JUNE 20 // BLAINE, MN

THE 10TH ANNUAL PATRIOT RIDE

Anoka County Airport, Key Air facility 9877 N Airport Rd NE in Blaine

Blue Moon Saloon 130 8th Street NE in Milaca

Detour Bar and Eatery 120 Bridge Street in Minnesota City

Registration 9-11:30AM—Ride 12PM

Registration 9:30AM—Ride 11AM

Beginning at 11AM

More info call (320) 358-4791 or www.thepatriotride.org

More info call (612) 390-0358

More info call (507) 689-4175 JUNE 20 // ROGERS, MN

JUNE 6 // LINO LAKES, MN

2 WHEELS 4 HEROES

Lino Lakes American Legion 7731 Lake Drive in Lino Lakes Registration 9AM—Ride 10AM More info call (612) 396-7629 or 2wheels4heroes.com

JUNE 15 // ROSEMOUNT, MN BIKERS AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

VFW Post 9433, 2625 120th St. W in Rosemount Registration 12AM

5TH ANNUAL DEAN EGGERT MEMORIAL RIDE

Rogers Community Center 21201 Memorial Dr in Rogers Registration 8AM—Ride 9AM More info call (612) 802-5371

More info call (651) 244-9829 JUNE 20 // ST. MICHAEL, MN

JUNE 6 // MONTICELLO, MN RIVERS OF HOPE CHARITY BIKE RUN

Moon Motors 3613 Chelsea Road in Monticello Registration 9:30AM—Ride 11AM More info call (763) 295-3433 or www.riversofhope.org

JUNE 17 // ANOKA, MN

WEDNESDAY BIKE NIGHT TO MACALLUSO’S // VADNAIS HEIGHTS

River City Saloon 201 Jackson Street in Anoka Ride @ 6:30PM

8TH ANNUAL CHAD SMITH RIDE FOR LIFE BIKE RUN

Ditto’s Bar 23 Central Ave W in St. Michael Registration 9:30AM—Ride 10:30AM More info call (763) 286-1633

Arrive early for Rider Dinner Special

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JUNE 24 // ANOKA, MN

WEDNESDAY BIKE NIGHT TO RUNNING ACES // COLUMBUS/FOREST LAKE

River City Saloon 201 Jackson Street in Anoka Ride @ 6:30PM Arrive early for Rider Dinner Special

JUNE 27 // BIG LAKE, MN

BIG LAKE SPUD FEST SPUD RUN

Tootsie’s Tavern 110 Jefferson Blvd. in Big Lake Registration 8AM Breakfast 9AM—Ride 10AM More info call (612) 802-6971

JUNE 28 // BRAINERD, MN

JULY 8 // ANOKA, MN

WEDNESDAY BIKE NIGHT TO JACK & JIM’S // DUELM

River City Saloon 201 Jackson Street in Anoka Ride @ 6:30PM Arrive early for Rider Dinner Special

5TH ANNUAL CRUISIN’ FOR ST. JUDE

The Village Sports Bar 3600 Hoffman Rd in White Bear Lake Registration 9AM—Ride 10:30PM More info call (612) 803-6288

River City Saloon 201 Jackson Street in Anoka Ride @ 6:30PM

Grand Casino Hinckley Parking Lot 777 Lady Luck Drive in Hinckley Ride 10AM

River City Saloon 201 Jackson Street in Anoka Ride @ 6:30PM Arrive early for Rider Dinner Special

JULY 11 // FOREST LAKE, MN B.A.S.S. RUN 2015 BIKERS AGAINST SOLDIER SUICIDE

Forest Lake VFW 556 12th St SW Registration 10AM—Ride 11:45PM More info call (612) 406-7018 or www. sbmcmnchapw.weebly.com

STAY TUNED

EACH MONTH

The Joint Bar 913 Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis

TO SEE RIDES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON

Ride 12PM

lets-ride.com/event/minnesota.htm

JULY 11 // MINNEAPOLIS, MN FLY OUR FLAG HIGH ON THE 4TH OF JULY

WEDNESDAY BIKE NIGHT TO MIESTERS // SCANDIA

More info call (952) 454-8301

Arrive early for Rider Dinner Special

JULY 4 // HINCKLEY, MN

JULY 15 // ANOKA, MN

3RD ANNUAL RIDE TO S.A.V.E. LIVES

Registration 10AM—Ride 11:30PM

WEDNESDAY BIKE NIGHT TO UP THE CREEK // SILVER CREEK

Registration 7AM—Ride 9AM

JULY 11 // MAYER, MN

American Legion Post 255 708 Front Street in Brainerd

JULY 1 // ANOKA, MN

Blaine Harley Davidson 1441 85th Avenue NE in Blaine

JULY 11 // WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN

Knuckleheads Bar & Grill 109 Ash Ave N in Mayer

More info call (218) 829-2249

26TH ANNUAL HAWGS FOR DOGS MOTORCYCLE RUN

More info call (818) 822-6573

2015 RALLY FOR SHRINERS KIDS

Registration 10AM—Ride 12:30PM

JULY 11-12 // BLAINE, MN

ZUHRAH MOTOR HEADS BIKE SHOW

More info call (952) 882-8867

More info call (320) 360-2159 or www.brothersride.com

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every wednesday @ 6:30pm | 201 Jackson Street

wednesday bike night [come join the ride]

JUNE 2015

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PAGE 33

Ray Fuchs // 1953 Studebaker // Pro Outlaw

HORSEPOWER FOR THE HOLIDAY JULY 4TH RACE AT BIR JUST GOT BIGGER

2014 Trans Am Series // Amy Ruman chasing Doug Peterson, who went on to win the race // Rick Corwine Photographer PAGE 34

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WRITTEN by Geoff Gorvin

For nearly three decades, the PleasureLand RV Show & Go has been one of Brainerd International Raceway’s most popular events, with a racing program that featured some of fastest muscle cars in the Upper Midwest on the drag strip and, more recently, thrilling road racing.

This year’s edition of BIR’s Fourth of July extravaganza, however, has raised the bar to a ridiculous level, with the addition of the Trans Am Series and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA), both of which will be sharing BIR’s 2.5-mile Competition Road Course for wall-to-wall racing Saturday and Sunday. The Muscle Car Series will anchor the racing program with three days of incredible drag racing. Fans can expect to see huge horsepower that will generate speeds of 220 mph on the quarter mile and times dipping below 7 seconds. Time trials and qualifying are Friday and Saturday, with elimination rounds set for Sunday. Prize money and series points are on the line for more than 350 drivers expected to compete.

Sunday. Practice and qualifying sessions will be Saturday. The series’ stop at BIR has added significance because CBS Sports Network will be televising it. It’s scheduled to air at 11 a.m. July 25.

NASA will share the road course with the Trans Am Series on Saturday and Sunday, with time trials and racing both days. Fans will see a variety of cars on the track for NASA’s program, everything from production sedans to stock cars to Formula-style cars.

“The Trans Am Series race has always been “Brainerd has always been a favorite our premier road race each year,” said BIR destination for thousands of visitors over Owner Jed Copham. “That’s still the case the Fourth of July weekend,” Copham this year but they really ratcheted it up said. “The PleasureLand RV Show & Go is with the television contract. That means another reason to visit the area and watch more cars and even more intense racing. some professional-level racing while you’re For fans, it’s the jackpot.” here. You won’t see more high-quality racing in one day than you will at BIR.” The Trans Am Series, with drivers from the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Pro Tickets are available at the gate. Daily Racing, has a long and storied history at admission is $25, and kids 12 and younger BIR, dating back to the 1970s when some of are free. Visit ww.BrainerdRaceway.com the top road racers in the world competed for more details.” // here, including actor Paul Newman. The series wasn’t on BIR’s schedule for about 20 years until six years ago when the series was rebuilding. The series continues to grow each year and has been an important part of BIR’s schedule ever since, Copham said. This year, however, is the first year it was added to Show & Go. It’s been part of the Muscle Car Shootout on Labor Day weekend until this year.

In addition to packing the weekend with great racing, BIR also has a classic car show scheduled on the infield behind the grandstands, a spectacular fireworks display Saturday night, live music by cover band Waves Collide, on-site camping and more. But the weekend belongs to the Trans Am Series, which is expected to attract more than 50 cars in the three Trans Am classes, all of which will be on the track at the same time for a 40-lap, 100-mile race called the Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic. It’s scheduled for 1:50 p.m. on

JUNE 2015

2011 // National Auto Sport Association

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PAGE 35

HOLIDAY HYSTERIA! PLEASURELAND RV SHOW & GO

JULY 4TH WEEKEND

FEATURING TRANS AM SERIES ROAD RACING!

Photo by Rick Corwine

Also: • Muscle Car Series drag racing • NASA road racing • Classic Car Show • Fireworks • Live music by Waves Collide • On-site camping

www.BrainerdRaceway.com Local: 218-824-RACE (7223) Toll free: 866-444-4455 5 miles north of Brainerd on Hwy 371 PAGE 36

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WRITTEN by Tom Edwards

A DRIVING FORCE IN DRAG RACING

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ohn Force is a sixteen time NHRA Funny Car champion and a big Elvis Presley fan. During his unparalleled career, two of his fuel coupes have utilized Elvis themed designs. My sports room has a section for drag racing memorabilia and both Elvis die-cast cars are part of that display. The fact that The Champ and The King of Rock ‘n Roll have a lot in common doesn’t surprise any of John’s legion of fans. He is clearly the most popular and successful racer in NHRA history.

Although he has earned more wins than Like his father, John became a truck driver any other drag racer, John’s early years shortly after the birth of his first daughter. were a much bigger challenge than He had just seen his 20th birthday. anything he has faced on a race track. He Recently married with a daughter and a was born in Bell Gardens, California; a new career, he found time on Saturday suburb of Los Angeles. Shortly after he nights to go to races at the local track. In learned how to walk, his parents, Harold, John’s case that was the now long gone a long-haul truck driver and Betty were but still fondly remembered Lions Drag told John had been stricken with polio. Strip in the Wilmington district of Los It was the early 1950’s and at that time it Angeles. His first Funny Car was a rear was a diagnosis that frequently resulted engine Mustang built by legendary drag in paralysis. As is often the case when he racing pioneer Jack Chrisman. It was the brings his Funny Car to the starting line, early days of the 1970’s and unlike today’s 300 miles an hour cars that cover the track he won his struggle with the disease. in about 4 seconds, John never got his car During his youth, family life was an ever- into the 7 second range. changing landscape. As a truck driver, John’s father often relocated the family In 1974 he got the break he needed to to where he could find work. In high launch his now successful career. He school John was the quarterback of a team bought a less than top flight Chevy Funny that compiled a 0-29 record in 3 years. Car from his cousin. Later that year while His “never give up” philosophy provided in Hawaii on his way to the Australian the perseverance that serves him so well touring program he met fellow Funny Car today in the ultracompetitive world of racer Gary Densham. That was the start of a friendship that has lasted more than professional drag racing. JUNE 2015

4 decades. In more than one interview John has said “If it wasn’t for Densham I’d still be stuck in Australia”. Years later Densham became a driver on the then 3 car Force team. In 1978 John was able to obtain some sponsorship funding and entered his first NHRA event. The following season he competed at six races and made two final round appearances. His career was on an upswing. As the 1981 season was nearing the finish line at his home track in Pomona, one of his major sponsors told him they wanted a new crew chief to tune the car. After long time drag racer Bill Schultz made some technical adjustments on the engine and installed a new blower the performance level was significantly improved. By the 1984 season he was beginning to establish himself as a formidable opponent. He entered twelve events and qualified for ten of them letting the other Funny Car drivers know they shouldn’t be in a hurry to see him in the

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other lane. Near the end of the year he got his second big break; his cousin Gene Beaver introduced him to crew chief/tuner Austin Coil. The rest, as they say, is history. Coil had enjoyed success with one of the dominant Funny Cars of that era, the Chi-Town Hustler. With Frank Hawley behind the wheel, Coil tuned the car to two NHRA championships. Drag racing history was about to be made. In 1985 cutting every expense possible, John hired Coil to turn the wrenches on his hot rod. No surprise here; Coil wasn’t exactly captivated with the equipment John was using. Gradually they rebuilt and tested components on the car and that resulted in improved performance. Success, however, was somewhat less than instantaneous. Finally, on June 28, 1987 at the le Grandnational race in Canada, it happened. Facing Ed “The Ace” McCulloch in the final round, John Force turned on the win light. After bringing his car to a stop in the shutdown area John was looking for a television reporter so he could do his first post race interview. That race unfortunately wasn’t televised. The win, however, was huge. In the years following that initial victory it is safe to say John has more than made up for that lost interview. As a fan, it always amuses me how long it takes him to describe a 4 second run to a track reporter. When I see those interviews my first thought is frequently “OK John, no more coffee for you”. He sounds more wired up than the sound system my wife Cathy and I had installed in our home. By the start of the 1989 season John was on the threshold of becoming the most dominating driver in drag racing history. After he won seven races in 1990 and five more the following year to earn back to back championships the ‘90’s were shaping up to be a very successful decade. The 1992 season proved to be the one that didn’t end with a championship for John Force Racing. During a race in Memphis the engine exploded and the car hit the wall at about 280 miles an hour. After the fire was extinguished he told a reporter “I saw Elvis at a thousand feet”. Determined to regain the championship John won six of the first seven races during the 1993 season. That is absolute domination in any form of motorsports. Later that year he won the biggest drag race on the planet, the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. If you race in a straight line or make left turns, every racer wants to win at Indy. It was John’s first win in that legendary racing city. In 1994 he reset the speed mark at 303.95 miles an hour and the elapsed time mark at 4.93 seconds. The 1995 season saw him win an unprecedented fifth title. To open the 1996 season he added a new driver to his team. He hired second generation driver Tony Pedregon to drive a John Force Racing Funny Car. For the year John won 13 races and dominated the sport so thoroughly he wrapped up another championship before the Indy race; an amazing achievement. In 1997 John held the Funny Car points lead every day of the season. In 1998 he (say it with me) earned another championship. The following year he drove what proved to be one of the fans favorite hot rods, the Superman car. During a meet and greet with the fans in Las Vegas I asked him if the car was, like Superman, faster than a speeding bullet. He replied “I don’t know, but it’s more powerful than a locomotive”. Base on the laps Cathy and I saw, it was both.

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As the new millennium dawned, John had earned 81 event wins and knew Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden’s record of 85 was within reach. Having followed drag racing since shortly after dirt was new, I’m confident John’s nine championships were more than enough to intimidate the other drivers. Apparently he didn’t agree and unveiled a new black paint scheme with “9 Time Champion” on the side of the car. I’m sure that let his competition know who they were trying to beat. At the Castrol Nationals in Texas he tied Glidden’s record. John didn’t waste any time establishing a new career win mark with a victory at the Chicago race. The season ended with a tenth season championship. The 2001 season saw a third car added to the team with Gary Densham driving. Yes, the driver that had helped John and his crew in 1974. The bottom line was another John Force Racing title. Another Force team driver, Tony Pedregon, won the 2002 title. In 2004 John and his daughter Ashley won championships in their respective divisions. Ashley drove a Top Alcohol dragster. From 1990 to 2004 The John Force Racing dynasty won 14 of 15 championships. In 2005 John was edged out by Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps in a down to the wire finish for the title. The 2006 season saw his championship total reach 14. Along with other team drivers Eric Medlen and John’s son in law Robert Hight combine for ten wins and finish the season first, second and fourth for the championship. In 2007 John’s daughter Ashley went pro and joined her dad in the nitro croup category. Her season concluded with her being selected as The Road to the Future award winner. In the world of stick and ball sports it is The Rookie of the Year award. In 2009 Ashley became the first woman to win the Funny Car title at Indy. I’ll guess she enjoyed doing that and won Indy again the following year. For the members of John Force Racing the 2010 season had a finish that kept drag racing fans on the edge of their seats. At the Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Pomona John was trailing Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car driver Matt Hagan by 38 points. Bob Tasca defeated Hagan in the opening round and John won his second round match against Bob Bode to clinch another championship. To cap off the day John crossed the finish line ahead of Jeff Arend in the final round to win the race. Courtney Force joined the family business in 2012 and was The Road to the Future award winner. That season and the next both saw a top 10 finish. To start the 2013 season John Force Racing entered the world of Top Fuel racing with Britney Force behind the wheel. She was (say it with me) The Road to the Future award winner. Clearly, John Force is among the greatest drivers in motorsports history. He has dominated professional drag racing putting together one of the most impressive runs in any form of sports. He has mastered the art of launching a 10,000 horsepower nitro fueled race car and navigating it down a narrow stretch of asphalt at amazing speeds that have to be seen, heard and in both nitro categories, felt to be believed. //

JUNE 2015

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PAGE 41

Cannon Power Sports

31633 64TH AVE

31633 64th Ave CANNON FALLS Cannon Falls, MN 55009 507-263-4532 MINNESOTA www.cannonpower.com

*Offer valid at participating U.S. dealers to U.S. residents on new and unused 2010–2014 Arctic Cat Side by Side models excluding rental, government and special services models. See dealer for details and program dates. 4.9% FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS valid on 2010–2014 models. Financing provided through Sheffield Financial or FreedomRoad Financial and is subject to credit approval; not all applicants will qualify for credit. Savings vary by model purchased. Based on available inventory. Offer subject to change without notice. Excludes tax, freight and dealer setup. Always wear a seat belt on ROVs. We recommend all ROV operators have a valid driver’ s license. Never carry a passenger in the cargo box; the passenger must be able to place both feet on the floor while keeping their back against the back of the seat. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders take a training course, and that they read and understand their owner’ s manual. For safety or training information, see your dealer or visit http://rohva.org. ©2015 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701.

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2014

43.5 MPG

A ll-New FZ -09

Estimated*

Welcome to the Future of Naked Sportbikes

• All-new 847cc liquid-cooled, in-line 3-cylinder, DOHC, 12-valve engine with fuel injection • “Crossplane Crankshaft Concept” provides linear torque development in response to the rider’s throttle input • Primary coupled-force balancer to reduce vibration • New 6-speed transmission adopted to match the new engine. • YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) • Yamaha D-MODE, variable throttle control system allows rider to choose optimum engine character

CANNON POWER SPORTS INC 31633 64TH AVE CANNON FALLS MN, 550094265 507-263-4532

Welcome to the Future of Naked Sportbikes

CANNON POWER SPORTS INC

31633 64TH AVE CANNON FALLS MN, 550094265 *Fuel economy estimates are based on US EPA exhaust emission certification data obtained by Yamaha. Your actual mileage will vary depending on road conditions, how you ride and maintain your vehicle, accessories, cargo, and operator/passenger weight. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long-sleeved 507-263-4532 shirt, long pants, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely

and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. Professional rider depicted on a closed course. ©2013 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaMotorsports.com

31633 64TH AVE

CANNON FALLS

MINNESOTA

JUNE 2015

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PAGE 43

PHOTOGRAPHY by DCP

POWER BOAT RACE

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RACE RESULTS \\ GT PRO //

\\ SPORT C //

\\ SST 200 //

Steph Hansen [419]

Allan Hunting [8]

Al Tucker [29]

\\ HOBBY STOCK //

\\ SST 60 //

\\ F 150 //

Paul Hyser [33]

Dean Hansen [194]

\\ VP75 //

\\ SST 120 //

Steve Tabara [23] Tyler Welch [59]

Andy Wachholz [X]

Brian Tabara [5]

36414 HWY 52 BLVD | CANNON FALLS, MN AUTO REPAIR SERVICE SPECIALIZING IN IMPORT & 507-271-7996 | mdhtrailerrental.com

DOMESTIC VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR

SERVICING ALL MAKES & MODELS FROM

TUNE-UPS TO COMPLETE REBUILDS

1709 Hwy 20 N. Cannon Falls, MN | 507-263-2120

www.cannonautorepair.com JUNE 2015

30563 DAHOMEY AVE NORTHFIELD, MN 507.645.4555 // gilomeninnovations.com WWW.WHEELSOFTHUNDER.NET PAGE 47

ALL-NEW ALL-NEW FJ-09 FJ-09

TM TM

44 44 mpg mpg estimated* estimated*

TT-R230 TT-R230

THE WORLD’S MOST VERSATILE SUPERSPORT TOURER. THE WORLD’S MOST VERSATILE SUPERSPORT TOURER.

• All-new model • 847cc liquid-cooled, in-line 3-cylinder “Crossplane Crankshaft Concept” engine derived from award• All-newFZ-09 model••Traction 847cc liquid-cooled, in-line 3-cylinderMotoGP-inspired “Crossplane Crankshaft engine derived from system awardwinning Control System • Exclusive YCC-T Concept” ride-by-wire throttle control winning FZ-09 • •Traction Control System • Exclusive MotoGP-inspired ride-by-wire throttle system • Anti-lock brakes Height adjustable windshield, side faring, adjustable ridingYCC-T position, 12V electrical outletcontrol and a large 4.8 • Anti-lock brakes • Height adjustable windshield, side faring, adjustable riding position, 12V electrical outlet and a large 4.8 gallon fuel tank • Perfect for daily commuting, short fun rides and weekend getaways gallon fuel tank • Perfect for daily commuting, short fun rides and weekend getaways

*Fuel economy estimates are based on US EPA exhaust emission certification data obtained by Yamaha. Your actual mileage will vary depending on road conditions, how you ride and maintain your vehicle, accessories, cargo, and operator/passenger weight. Professional rider depicted on a closed course. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF economy course, please call are 1-800-446-9227. Model shownemission with optional accessories. Specifications subject change. ©2014willYamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All how rightsyoureserved. YamahaMotorsports.com *Fuel estimates based on US EPA exhaust certification data obtained by Yamaha. Yourtoactual mileage vary depending on road conditions, ride and •maintain your vehicle, accessories, cargo, and operator/passenger weight. Professional rider depicted on a closed course. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. Model shown with optional accessories. Specifications subject to change. ©2014 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaMotorsports.com

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extremerain.com

/extremerain JUNE 2015

@extremerain

PAGE 49

wheeler

dyno service inc.

WRITTEN by Mylie Lougheed

As summer draws closer and the need for speed nags at you like your high school English teacher, it’s time give Jeff Fiala and the crew at Wheeler Racing Engines and Dyno Service in Blaine, MN a call. Whether it’s a tune-up or a full-blown restoration you’ve been putting off, Wheeler will get you road or race ready. If the name Wheeler sounds familiar, it should. Wheeler is a well known name in the engine business with first class reputation. For over 53 years, Wheeler Racing Engines has been designing and building some of the finest and fastest racing engines around; producing engines for several national record holders, national event winners and NHRA world champions. Today, the business Jack Wheeler started in 1962 while building engines in the basement of his house, is owned by Jeff Fiala. Fiala has been part of the Wheeler team since 1987 and owner of Wheeler Dyno Service since 2002. This past April,

he purchased the Wheeler Racing Engines side of the business, bringing everything full circle. Fiala grew up around engines and racing; go-karts, snowmobiles, motorcycles, stockcars…you name it. From a young age, he learned the importance of a great engine and how to get the maximum performance from a vehicle. Back then, he probably didn’t realize the engine business would become his profession and his passion. Professionalism, passion and experience have earned Fiala a solid reputation as a guy who knows his stuff and someone you can trust. “Wheeler is a name people recognize,” says Fiala. “We have all worked hard to establish a good reputation.” Fiala’s customers whole-heartedly agree about Wheeler’s stellar reputation. “My dad and I have known Jeff for about 20 years,” says NHRA Super Stock driver Mike Mans. “First and foremost, he is a real honest guy. He is experienced and you can trust him.

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He always has top-notch equipment. He makes sure he has the best stuff in town. We know when we go there we are going to get the best service with the best products. He has everything to make the job quicker and easier.” Another longtime customer, Dan Hennum, says he has never been disappointed in any work Fiala has done for him. “He is extremely knowledgeable,” says Hennum. “In fact, I call Jeff ‘the encyclopedia’ because if you have a question, he has an answer. He has a pretty good handle on everything. He has helped my kids and me through everything from go-kart racing up through outboard drag boat racing and now drag car racing.” Fiala says what sets Wheeler apart from other engine shops is the fact that they do all of their machining and dyno testing inhouse. “It’s always been that way.” Hennum agrees. “Because Jeff performs dyno service for a lot of customers and sees what’s

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out there in the marketplace, he knows what works and what doesn’t. I’d guess he dynos 200-300 motors of all different combinations. People come from all over Minnesota, South and North Dakota, Wisconsin and Canada to have their engines serviced and built at Wheeler.” Along with top quality work, knowledgeable service and great products, Man makes note of Fiala’s willingness to be available for his clients. “Jeff is always flexible with his time, which is not always an easy thing to find. He makes himself available by phone and in person around our hectic schedules.” Fiala and his team could rest easy and “coast” on the Wheeler name and reputation but that’s not in Fiala’s nature. He knows that to stay competitive the shop has to keep evolving and growing while continuing to offer top quality work, knowledgeable service, and great products. To paraphrase Fiala, “Even old dogs have to learn new tricks.” Fiala says that even though he is full owner now, he doesn’t plan to make any major changes, but explains a few changes they are making include upgrading equipment and adding staff to make sure the shop is on pace with the advancements in technology. They have hired someone to rebuild the website, while Fiala’s wife, Marian, manages social media along with office procedures. “Everyone goes to the internet, or Face book, or Twitter when they are looking for information,” acknowledges Fiala. “We know we have to have a social media and web presence alongside our competitors.”

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Another area Fiala is focusing on is efficiency. “We like to take our time with jobs, which is important,” he says. “But we also want to make sure that we are working efficiently so we can control costs and service customers in a timely manner.”

10500 Nassua Street, Blaine MN wheelerracingengines.com CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AT: Wheeler Racing Engines and Dyno Service

Other than that, Fiala says it’s pretty much business as usual. Current staff (besides Fiala) includes Fiala’s son Trent, who focuses on computerized components of the engines and their long-time machinist, Casey, who Fiala simply refers to as, “EXCELLENT!” “We work on a little bit of everything,” he explains. “But our staple is drag racing so we will continue a heavy focus there.” For Fiala, this means heading out of the shop and hitting the drags and circle tracks. “I try to show up at a lot of the different tracks to support customers.” Providing world class customer service and top quality work, having a vision for the future, and putting in untold hours of hard work has made for a winning formula for Fiala. So, as the saying goes, “If ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Here’s to another 53 years! //

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A LOOK BACK AT THE INDY 500 WRITTEN BY Tom Edwards

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, site of the world’s greatest motor sports competition, was the brainchild of Carl Fisher. As coowner of Prest-O-Lite, an Indianapolis headlight manufacturer, he believed that a speedway would be an idea showcase for automobiles and their accessories.

THE

BRICKYARD

It was 1908 and with the “Horseless Carriage” in its infancy, he wanted to establish they were durable and fast. Fisher and his partners invested $500,000 to build the Speedway on 300 acres of farmland. The track opened in June of 1909 with the then unheard of total of 15,000 seats facing the two and a half mile oval paved with more than 3 million bricks. Although the Speedway was open, the track wasn’t ready to host its first race so the initial event held there was a balloon race. The first car race was in August; a 5 mile sprint with the win going to a StoddardDay that had averaged a blistering 57 miles an hour. The following year a series of races were contested at the track with the biggest being held on Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day. Dirt tracks and speedways were establishing themselves throughout the Midwest and attendance at the Indy races was occasionally as few as 1,000 fans. Fisher, an astute business owner who spent a fortune developing a Florida swamp now known as Miami Beach, knew he would have to provide motor sports fans an alternative at his track. He conceived a one day 500 mile event and believed the race would be long enough that fans that paid a dollar for their seats would get their money’s worth. The first Indy 500 was run on Memorial Day, 1911 with $25,000 going to the top 10 finishers and an amazing $10,000, ten times what most Americans earned in a year, to the winner, Ray Harroun. He averaged 74 miles an hour in his only Indy win. The race was witnessed by more than 80,000 fans and was a huge success. At 6 hours and 42 minutes, the pace was just a little slower than subsequent races. Our fascination with fast, colorful race cars in close competition was established PAGE 52

at the first Indy 500. By 1915 a seventh Fisher initially objected. He didn’t want grandstand was added; that was the fourth large manufacturing companies with seating expansion since the 1911 season. substantial amounts of money to offer Tunnels were also installed under the driving away the smaller companies that track to provide an easy access passageway had supported him from the earliest days for fans and their cars to enter the infield of the track. A compromise was reached area of the track. Before the start of the when Delco, among others, agreed to 1915 season, engine size was reduced smaller cash awards. The checkered flag to a maximum of 300 cubic inches in went to Gaston Chevrolet in the first race an attempt to attract the traditionally with a maximum engine displacement of smaller European race engines. The 182 cubic inches. His winnings totaled Peugeot Motor Car Company responded $36,000 which included money from by entering 3 of their cars. One of them, Firestone for using their tires. They were driven by Dario Resta qualified at 98.47 the first to go 500 miles without a tire miles an hour for a front row position in change and for the next 46 years every the field but just off the pole position, the Indy 500 winner would be riding on premier starting location, held by Howdy Firestone tires. In winning the 1925 race Wilcox at 98.90 miles an hour. Ralph Peter DePalo averaged 101.12 miles an Depalma, driving a Mercedes was also in hour becoming the first Indy 500 racer to the front row and won the race earning a break the triple digit speed barrier. $20,000 check. World War II flying ace Eddie With the dawn of the 1920’s another Rickenbacker, a driver in three 500 grandstand was constructed and a crowd races, joined a group of businessmen estimated at 120,000 was there. An from Detroit and, in 1927, purchased the interesting development that occurred track from Carl Fisher. The now 18 year prior to the race continues to have a old facility was obtained for $700,000 in significant impact on how motor sports bonds and an undisclosed amount of cash. teams are financed. Manufactures of a The new ownership group appointed variety of automobile accessories arrived Rickenbacker president. at the Speedway and offered cash prizes to drivers that used their products. Carl

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winner Louis Meyer drank a bottle of milk, a tradition that has carried on throughout the history of the race. Two power plant options were available for the 1939 contest witnessed by 145,000 fans. Racers could use either a supercharged engine with a maximum displacement of 183 cubic inches or nonsupercharged engines of no more than 274 cubic inches. Wilbur Shaw, who had won the race in 1937, finished about two minutes ahead of runner-up Jimmy Snyder. Shaw, who had won the race in 1937, finished about two minutes ahead of runner-up Jimmy Snyder. Shaw, driving a supercharged eight cylinder Maserati, averaged just over 115 mph to claim the $20,000 winner’s check. The race “1912 Indianapolis 500, Joe Dawson winning” by Bain News Service, publisher marked the first time since 1931 that the speed record had not been broken, and it was the first win by a foreign car since As the Roaring 20’s came to a close, ‘the the big auto makers, Studebaker, Ford, 1919. Having kissed actress Gene Tierney largest band ever assembled’, 1,500 Chrysler and General Motors back to in the Victory Lane, Shaw vowed that in musicians from throughout the Midwest the 500 and it proved to be a winning 1940, he would become the first driver to played for race fans on a warm, clear strategy. A 38 car field, the largest since win back to back 500’s. Memorial Day. With $20,000 to the 1911, positioned themselves to roar into winner, $20,000 available in lap prizes the first turn shortly after the start of the The rules concerning engine (drivers earned $100 for each lap they lead) race. The winner, Billy Arnold, finished configurations for 1940 were unchanged and $15,000 in manufacturers money, more than 7 minutes ahead of runner up from the previous race. In averaging the 1929 race had the potential for the Shorty Cantlon. Harry Miller’s influence 114.27 mph, Wilbur Shaw did in fact largest purse in auto racing history. The was still evident; seven of the top ten become the first to win the race in first place finisher, Ray Keech collected finishers used his engines. consecutive years. His victory placed more than $40,000 for five hours and him with Louis Meyer as the only three seven minutes of driving. In 1928 he was Famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart attended time winners. As rain began to fall, clocked at 207 miles an hour on the sand the 1935 race and was the honorary accentuated by an occasional flash of at Daytona. That was considerably faster referee. The victory went to California’s lighting through the dark clouds that had than the 97.58 he averaged while winning Kelly Petillo a 27 year old who drove the enveloped Indianapolis, the yellow lights at Indy. The big winner at the 1929 race Gilmore Speedway Special with a four were turned on at the 375 mile mark. At was Harry Miller; seven of the top ten cylinder 262 cubic inch engine that had that point, the cars, in the terminology finishers had driven cars he built. In ten been assembled by Fred Offenhauser of those who built and raced them, ‘went years his cars, a minimum of $25,000, had at Harry Miller’s facility in Los Angeles. touring’. Locked into position at 80 Second place finisher Wilbur Shaw also gone to Victory Lane five times. mph, Shaw cruised the last 125 miles used an ‘Offy’. The remainder of the top in his maroon Maserati and made good The 1930 race was held on a cool, overcast 10 all were powered by Miller Engines. It on his promise from the previous year. Memorial Day. The first race of the was the first race to use yellow flashing Speedway historian Al Bloemker wrote” decade saw a number of changes Eddie lights to signal the drivers of a ‘caution-no ‘Most driver’s respected Indianapolis-and Rickenbacker had implemented. For the passing’ situation. The lights were some feared it. Wilbur loved it’ “ first time since 1922, two seat cars were activated when a rain storm began to soak back on the track with mechanics along the track, and stayed on until it was dry. With precedent setting back to back for the ride. Also new was the allowable Even with those conditions, a new speed victories serving as his backdrop, Wilbur engine size at 366 cubic inches. The record of 106.24 mph was established. boldly announced that the 1941 race minimum weight was 1,750 pounds. The It was the fourth consecutive year the would be his third win in a row. The day new rules were established to attract mark had been reset. After the 1936 race, before the race, he noticed that one of his JUNE 2015

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spare tires appeared to be out of balance. averaging 135.87 mph, former Army pilot the previous day. At the green flag, Jones In order to differentiate it from the other Roger Ward earned $106,850 for his first again pulled away from the pack. With a 11, he marked it with chalk. As the sun place finish. substantial lead and only eight miles to rose on Memorial Day, a light rain fell on go, Granatelli was convinced his years of the speedway as fans streamed through The 1960’s continued a trend that had misfortune at the Brickyard were finally gates at the 6:00 a.m. start of the day’s been established in the previous decade, over. They weren’t. Suddenly the car shook events. About an hour later, fire began to Offenhauser engines powered the top 10 itself out of gear and coasted in the pits. engulf a row of garages on Gasoline Alley cars. World Grand Prix Champion Jack when a welder’s torch ignited the fumes Brabham driving the rear engine designed A $6.00 ball bearing in the gearbox had from a fuel tank. In spite of the damage, Cooper-Climax Special, broke the Offy failed. Foyt, who had predicted the only one car was unable to start the race. Reign in 1961 with a ninth place finish. The car wouldn’t finish the race, took the Shaw did notice however that water from checker flag for the race went to a driver checkered flag. For the first time in history the fire hoses had washed away the chalk whose name has become synonymous with only one driver completed all 200 laps. from his questionable tire. As fate would the Indy 500, A.J. Foyt. The 1967 race was Foyt joined Wilber Shaw, Mauri Rose have it, his crew used it as a replacement the first to be staged over two days. Andy and Louis Meyer as the only three- time tire at a key point in the race, and he Granatelli’s Pratt and Whitney turbo had winners. The decade closed with the win didn’t finish in the top 10. As confident as been considered by many to be the car to going to Mario Andretti, a driver whose ever, Wilbur announced that he would be beat. Foyt had estimated that the 12 foot son would eventually compete in the 500. back next year and a fourth victory would long, two foot high car was developing The 1970’s opened in dramatic fashion. be his. Although he didn’t know it at the about twice as much horsepower as any Track owner Tony Hulman established time, it was to be Shaw’s last 500, and of the piston entries. The car, driven by Parnelli Jones, streaked past Mario Andretti auto racing’s first million dollar purse. ‘next year’ would be a World War away. in the first turn and averaged a record 154 Apparently he wanted to celebrate his It was 1946, and the first post war 500 was mph for the first lap. After 17 laps that silver anniversary as the owner in style. held on a track that required some serious saw the bright red speedster establish Also new was the upgraded seating repair work after years of inactivity during several records, the race was halted by capacity, now more than 225,000. Once the war. Eddie Rickenbacker had accepted rain. After a five hour delay, the race again the victory went to a driver whose the position of president of Eastern Air was postponed until the next day. Under son would compete years later. This time Lines and sold the track to Tony Hulman, considerably better weather conditions, that driver was Al Unser. As America was a millionaire from Indiana. Hulman, an the race was restarted with the cars in a celebrating its bicentennial, the 1976 race athlete at Yale during his college days, had single file formation in the order they were was history making, a woman took the one grandstand torn down and replaced it with a double-decked steel and concrete structure. Painters and carpenters repaired the remaining seven grandstands, and the speedway was back. Many of the cars that had started the race were from the late 1930’s, and only seven cars were still on the track when the checkered flag went to George Robson. The 1950 race had something in common for the top 10 finishers; they all used 270 cubic inch Offenhauser engines. It also marked the beginning of the end for Indy cars with a ‘front-drive’ design. Only two of the top 10 drivers used the now outdated configuration. A tremendous downpour hit the track and at the 345 mile mark, with no let up in sight, chief steward Tommy Milton gave the checker flag to Johnny Parsons. He earned $57,458 for two hours and 40 minutes of driving. For the second year in a row, the race was televised. The 1950’s closed the same way they opened: Offenhauser engines were used by all top 10 racers. Engine options available in 1959 included supercharged, non-supercharged, diesel and turbine. In PAGE 54

“Mercedes w154 indianapolis” by Samuel H. Stiefel Productions

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driving test for rookies. Janet Guthrie, a The 1990’s opened with a speed record physicist from New York passed the test that stood until 2013. Arie Luyendyk but her car didn’t reach a qualifying speed. averaged an impressive 185.98 miles an Driving a car on loan from A.J. Foyt she hour on his way to a first place finish. He averaged nearly 181 miles an hour. Those returned to the winner’s circle again in who watched her drive agreed she would 1997. The speeds that are being reached have made the field but Foyt had not are not the only numbers associated with planned on running two cars leaving Indy that keep going up. In 1985 Danny Guthrie a footnote in Indy 500 history. As Sullivan earned more than a million has been the case with so many 500’s, rain dollars for his win. That works out to brought an end to the race at the 255 mile about $350,000 an hour for his efforts. mark. The following year A.J. Foyt would Nice work if you can get it. In 1994 Al Unser, Jr. maintained what has become win his fourth and final Indy 500. a family tradition with his victory. He The first three races of the 1980’s saw also won in 1992, his father has three drivers making return trips to Victory wins and his Uncle Bobby has seen the Lane. In 1980 it was Johnny Rutherford checkered flag at two races. Driving for enjoying his third win and the next year A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Kenny Brack closed saw Bobby Unser finish first for the second out the 1990’s with a win. For those that time. The 1982 winner Gordon Johncock, don’t consider race car drivers to be ‘real who won in 1973, would be the last of the athletes’ keep in mind that in addition repeat winners until Al Unser turned the to split second reflexes, their physical trick at the 1987 race. Emerson Fittipaldi, condition has to be first rate. During an a driver I saw at the Times Grand Prix in Indy 500, racers heart rates have been southern California, closed out the 80’s measured at about 195 beats a minute. with a win. Throughout a race, they maintain an

average of approximately 175; that’s comparable to an Olympic marathon runner. They are doing that while driving methanol fueled rockets that accelerate from zero to 100 miles an hour in four seconds. Please don’t try that at home. These racers are professionals. The 21st century opened with a win for Juan Pablo Montoya driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. As the number 1 qualifier in 2013 and 2014, Ed Carpenter will be looking to make it 3 in a row at the 2015 race and Helio Castroneves will try for what would be a record-tying fourth victory. For winning in 2014, Ryan Hunter-Reay earned $2,490,000. For those keeping score at home, that’s about 250 times as much as Ray Harroun earned at the inaugural event. //

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Hello Wheels of Thunder fans! What a great time of year as our attention turns outdoors and all that this amazing region has to offer! You “Wheelies”, you have to admit this is the place to be! So, as you prepare to get after it, this note to thank you Ffr checking out Wheels of Thunder! GameON! is excited to be your weekly TV Sports & Entertainment show that puts the focus on the huge popularity of motor sports in our region.

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