2008 SCHEDULE 

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See: new Classified Ad posted from Bill Ray for two complete cars 

! FALL FINALE !

2008 season concludes with two pavement programs, Sep 13 at Big Country Speedway, Cheyenne and Sep 20 at I-25 Speedway, Pueblo 

Heats and Main + continuous Qualifying in Cheyenne/2 laps in Pueblo

RMMRA and the two racetracks will equalize the purse for each of these two nights: $300 to Win/$100 Min for any Green Flag  Additionally, Sponsorship partly in place (USA Performance/Others Requested) for $100 to Win ea Heat Race, (2) ea Night; We wiil attempt to have a Fast Heat/Dash and a B Heat/Qualifier each night so all have a chance at the win $  Heat Winners will line up side-by-side at approx mid-field; exact inversion and line-up to be determined by DOC and depends on field USA and possibly other sponsors' decals required ea side of car 

WE NEED A GOOD CAR COUNT FOR THIS SEASON ENDING SERIES 

Support and enthusiasm has been excellent this year, with inquiries already received for 2009; please help us to finish with a strong entertaining two-race pavement series to set up next year!!  

                                                           points/results posted 8-16

Jerry Coons Jr and Zach Daum scored wins in the KornHusker  Klassic Memorial to Ron Hughes Jr and Sr.    On Sun, Jul 27 at Eagle,NE, Coons started on pole and prevailed on a very abrasive and dusty track through two reds and several yellows. The night started early and poorly on a hot, abrasive track and stayed that way, with series sponsor Aaron Kirk flipping right off in the first heat and heading home by way of the hospital. In the second and third heats it was Rick Shuman and Keith Rauch flipping, in the Semi, Robby Ross, and in the Main, it was Scott Fennell going over solo, after a very good run in the Semi, and then Will Pierce, who had been involved in Keith's earlier crash, flipped. A very tough night, but highlighted by Zach Daum's run from thirteenth to fifth, winning the Speedway Motors Hard Charger Award.

The second night of the Klassic was everything the first night had not been. With action moved to fan and racer receptive Butler Motorplex outside of Rising City, NE, the track was well prepped and maintained all evening; a little cooler temp, and a later start helped keep the very fast racing clean and competitive. Daum and Coons both had heat races won from back row starts; Coons however, had a flat front tire drop him out of a transfer. He promptly repeated his run from last to first in a blazing Semi which saw Bob Harr second and Jace Penetta fourth. Bobby would crash out of the main, but Jace raced from last to finish tenth, and won the Speedway Hard Charger Award for night two. The Main was a thriller, with Daum starting and finishing first, but intense racing for the lead all the way with Brad Kuhn in Bill Mentgen’s Fontana, Brad Loyet, Davey Ray, Josh Ford who started deep in the field, and SMRS points leader Jonathon Beason all charging off a racey cushion to pass each other and challenge the cool and impressive Daum.

Thirty-six and thirty-three Midgets checked into the Klassic (the largest count of the Week of Money), with RMMRA and Denver cars accounting for  over a third each night. Highlights included wonderful hospitality by Speedway Motors in Lincoln.   Teams were invited to work on their cars, tour Speedway’s impressive warehouse and shipping plant, enjoy a delicious, free luncheon, and then were treated to as much time as they wanted to be dazzled by Speedy Bill Smith's three storey collection/museum of racing everything. Included there is an entire wall montage of RMMRA photos and history. A great time with great folks, enjoyed by all, with hopes to return for more!

Rauch Doubles Down @ I-76  Starting from the second row, Keith Rauch quickly grabbed the lead Jul 12 and finished with the largest victory margin this year in RMMRA, about a quarter lap. Bobby Harr was second and gaining with a fine drive after starting last. Harr, Todd Plemons, Brent Rees, and Scott Fennell raced under the proverbial blanket for most of the 25 laps, exciting the crowd on Fan Appreciation Night, while Keith slipped away from them. Rauch and Tony Rossi won the heats. Everyone had a good time and now we’re ready for the Kornhusker Klassic in two weeks.

RMMRA assembled on I-76 infield

Robert Hanley Storms I-25 after years of front line competition with, and loyal support of RMMRA, Robert Hanley became the second driver in as many races to win his first Main Event, on July 5 in Pueblo. Congratulations to Robert who started in the front row and led the entire distance. With Tony Rossi on his bumper and nearly in the cockpit with him, Todd  Plemons literally burning up his brakes and bringing out a yellow and a restart as a consequence, and with Keith Rauch and Trophy Dash winner Kyle Rayburn crowding them all the way to the flag, looking for any mistake, it was anything but easy winning the 25 lapper. There were no mistakes, just plenty of professionalism from all, and another exciting Midget Race in Pueblo!  

Joining RMMRA for the July 4 weekend race was Caitlin Shaw of Albuquerque in John McGerigle’s #38. Shaw, 18, showed the talent, fast developing skill, and personal poise which has made her a K&N Engineering Filters Development Driver. Caitlin ran strong all night, finishing fifth on the track. She was scored seventh through no fault of hers, after officials miscommunicated on the restart. Caitlin’s next race will be in her USAC National Series pavement midget, but we hope to see her again with RMMRA. Thanks Caitlin, John, Kelly Shaw, and crew!                 

- photos by Don Holbrook - points and results posted

Brent Rees won a thrilling victory at I-25 Speedway May 31.  Brent joins Russ Harper and Kyle Ray as modern era winners of a main event in their Rookie years. Congratulations, Brent and Ewen, and thanks Brent, Tony Rossi and Kyle Rayburn, who both broke the track record, and thanks to all for making up in performance over what we lacked in car count. If you weren't there, you wouldn't believe what a good main event it was; fortunately, the stands were packed with fans to see it! ...On to Cheyenne. 

results and points posted 6-09

Luke Icke returned to Hollywood Hills Speedway for the High Desert Challenge III and captured the win both nights.    On night one, Icke, starting fifth, spun on the first lap on a heavy track, and was moved to the back for the restart. A tough break, but it didn’t matter. Against a very fast field of Midgets, Luke used just one more yellow, and a red for the roll-over of Julee Jamison, to pass all, some of them more than once do to restarts. RMMRA’s Tony Rossi and Bobby Harr came on strong towards the end to finish second and fifth, with Harr starting from last and Rossi from seventh. On night two, RMMRA points leader, Keith Rauch was back in his usual Todd Henry #71, and started from pole with a blistering pace, while Icke, of Littleton, CO, again started fifth. Rauch looked unstoppable until Icke again found low groove traction and put the family’s Stealth/Singer into victory circle. Rauch was second, with RMMRA team-mate, Greg Schaefer third. A great weekend of racing was enjoyed by all at a great venue. Thank-you Hollywood Hills, Bobby and Kelly Seals (shown with Icke), and all the staff. Special thanks to Paul Wilson, a talented and super-hard-working track prep artist who provided the kind of dirt track we often talk about but rarely see!  full results posted 

 Keith Rauch flew to victory in the RMMRA season opener Sat, May 10 at I-76 Speedway. Tony Rossi grabbed the early lead from row 2, was passed by Rauch, and nearly regained the lead in a fine duel to the 20-lap Checker. The night was still cool and very windy after a week's delay, but the I-76 track surface was the best in a long time, tacky and smooth. The racy condition did contribute to two red flags, one for Bob Harr's flip, and one for a double flip involving Chad Corken and Brent Rees. All were unhurt, and the cars should be ready for next week. For those in doubt, the Rule Book allows for work on a red flag. If a car leaves the track, rules say it cannot return, but this is one of those rules subject to track and race circumstances. Butch announced via PA what was needed for the #2 car during the red, and when a sharp crew provided it by the time the track was ready after the second red, a restart was allowed, with laps lost... Keith shown with wife, Christy, and owner/wrench Todd Henry, and one fast Midget, in photo by Pres. full results posted 

Kenny Merrill in his extremely potent AutoCraft powered Edmunds, the incomparable Randy Roberts, Mike Greg in Terry Klatt’s Beast, and ’91 Champion Jim Beckley pour the power on at an early 90’s RMMRA pavement race at CNS. The RMMRA midgets returned to a pavement and dirt combined schedule in 2005 with their dirt chassis cars, and we will continue this challenging and entertaining mix in 2008;...check the schedule, and Be There!

what a great shot; thank-you Joe Starr (303-452-6333) 

LOWER COST ADDITIONAL ENGINES  have been approved for RMMRA in 2008 The Fontana Rhino Midget engine with restrictions as submitted, has been approved, as have Other Similar Versions which would be even less expensive and which can be built by individuals. It is the express intent of these changes to allow members and prospective members lower cost engine alternatives competitive with, but not superior to, existing engines. The new race engine alternatives are RPM and INTAKE restricted with STEEL RODS only, and use SPEC cylinder HEADS with INCREASED displacements. Our expectation is that the home-built versions of these engines could cost well under $15000, and that all would be more reliable with longer service duty life than current high rev / high dollar motors. There are four engine blocks which fit into this new alternative: Rodeck and Fontana aluminum, and the Kansas Racing Products iron which is available for either the Spec aluminum Fontana/ChevII-Mercruiser-Pontiac iron heads or for the Spec aluminum Brodix SBC head, and finally, the GM/Mercury Marine iron block. Stock Block OEM engines, as approved in 2007, are also available options. Note: rotary intake air valve systems have also been DISallowed. For full rule text, click on Newsletter button. Interested racers are encouraged to call or e-mail RMMRA for points of contact, approx costs, etc on components.

Midknight Video Productions has put together a special DVD, of all the races the RMMRA Midgets ran at the I-25 Speedway, during the 2007 season. This is available to drivers, family, and friends, at a great rate of $25, shipping and handling included.   If  interested,  just log onto website, www.midknightvp.com and go to the DVD Order page. There is a button near the top of the page to order. Even though it's through paypal, you do not need to have an account to order.

The Annual Awards Party on Nov 17^th honored RMMRA’s new Champions, Chris Sheil, Driver, Tony Rossi Owner, and Mechanic, Jim Doyle. The Rossi team took the lion’s share of awards home with them Saturday from Indian Tree Country Club, including Sportsman of the Year for Tony, and Best Looking Crew Award. Other award winners included Jennifer Greenberg, Rookie of the Year, who was in attendance from Albuquerque with her sister, Jr Dragster racer, Rachel, and hard-working father of two racers, Lyle Greenberg. Gary Martelon, RMMRA and Midget historian extraordinaire was awarded a much-deserved Life Membership, while photographer-reporter Don Holbrook won the Ed Jackson Memorial Award for Special Contributions to Midget racing. Hardware for the top awards was in the form of unique Vintage Midget Trophies from the bequeathed collections of past Champions Vern Shaver and Jim LaManna; their thoughtfulness and that of their families is much appreciated. Long time members and newcomers both were present as attendance was up over recent years and many remarked on the excellent service, facility, and food. Top-10 Drivers and Owners all received awards and contingency prizes, and those competing for half the year or more, received point fund money totaling over $4000 from Hoosier Tire Southwest and USA Performance. Award Sponsors and Contingency Prize Sponsors include: Dr Russ Simpson, Jim and Karen Barr and Carol McGraw each of whom also worked tirelessly on the party, Bob Hartman, Mitch Miller, Bill Morten Racing/Peterson Fluid Systems, Speedway Motors, Racing Optics, Redneck Trailer Products, AAI Speed Equipment, Gaerte Engines, Weiland Racing, Cosworth Engineering, Rod End Supply, Spike Chassis, Simpson Racing, Pro Shocks, Fontana Automotive, Penske Shocks, Crow Industries, Paul Bredenberg’s Number 7 Sales, and Kathy Rossi, who generously provided Mary Kay gift packages to all women in attendance. Thank-you all!

Pictured: Chris Sheil with Boysen Loesch, Pres, and Top 10 Drivers Jennifer Greenberg, Bill Mentgen, Todd Plemons, Sheil, Tony Rossi, and Buddy Lowther with Loesch in Don Holbrook photos 

NEWS and NOTES

The election meeting for 2008 resulted in Boysen Loesch being re-elected RMMRA President, the only hold-over from 2007. Vice President elect is Ron Rossi, new to an elected position but not new to RMMRA or to racing. Filing out the Board of Directors are Chuck Simmons and Gene Pastor, who each bring a wealth of experience, including past Directorships, and Scott Fennell, representing the new generation of Drivers.

                   Boysen 303-452-4801        Ron 720-935-3020        

Gene 303-422-8753        Chuck 303-423-2301        Scott 303-979-0621

Sheil Ends RMMRA Season with Win & Championship  Chris Sheil literally smoked the field with an over-heated right rear tire that barely made the end of twenty laps at Colorado National Speedway Sep 15. Chris didn’t know the extent of his lead and pushed it to the limit Sat to wrap up his first RMMRA Championship.  The competition behind him was intense, if not as close to the lead as he thought. Todd Plemons, finishing second in points, and third on track, pressured a cool and determined Jenn Greenberg the entire distance with Billy Mentgen just as close in fourth. Each of the trio was fastest at some point on each lap, with Jennifer pulling a car length on the two Mentgen cars at the entrance to each turn, and Plemons closing up down the straights. Kyle Ray, fast time, exited before getting a chance at the leaders when his tire let go on a lap-one restart after being damaged by the #29 of Rick Ellis. With Ellis’ rear caliper laying on the track surface in turn 1, he found himself without brakes at the end of the back-stretch, which led to the contact and yellow. The season concluded with fans and friends literally mobbing Sheil and the Rossi crew after the races, while the other class winners sat mostly unnoticed in the pits.

Good job, RMMRA; Good job, Chris, Tony, Jim, and crew, 2007 Champions 

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      Copy by Boysen Loesch, Pres / Photos by Don Holbrook, exc as shown

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