Any paved oval racing...Around Phoenix....

Greetings from Arizona...

Maybe a lot of folks don't know this, but Arizona has some pretty significant paved oval racing between Tucson, Phoenix and Flagstaff. The Flagstaff club has a Winter point series that begins January 8th in Cottonwood Arizona. Since Flagstaff is at 7000 feet (cold snowy winters), boasting the highest RC racing in the US, the racing moves to Cottonwood in the Winter, 3000 feet lower with mild temperatures.

Classes will be 4-cell Stock, 4-cell Mod, 19t Mod (5 or more entries) and Novice oval. Turnout and competition should be excellent drawing racers from around Arizona. Over 300ft smooth track, good bite, soft wall technology, AC, drivers stand, good PA and announcing, autoscore, parts- food- restrooms on site. All levels are welcome.

www.finishlinefamilyrc.com

Gary McAllister

I am guessing foams on asphalt Gary....Look like new job will require me to move to the area ...Sometime around march or april.....Just trying to find somewhwere to race ....

Say it ain't so Hump!!!!!

Looks that way ....Moneys to good to turn down....

I just got to teach them how to run cap tires.....

Hey Humpty....How far from Phonex will you be? I think the track in Vegas (smoothest track I have EVER run on) is about 3-4 hours from there...depending on trafic!!

EA

HOLY COW!!!!! Are you taking Ray-Ray?.....lol.... just joking... hate to hear that dude./......

Billy

You'll have a blast in AZ. Foams on flat asphalt is a lot of fun. That's the only thing we run in SoCal besides the Velodrome. Phoenix has a banked asphalt track that looks like it should be fun:
RC Sports Mania Raceway (http://www.rcsportsmania.com/)

I've been hoping to make it there soon as well as back to Flagstaff. Gary and his club put on a great show.

Humpty

Check out www.southwesttour.com

Steve

Humpty - you have a PM

Humpty:



That’s the worst news we have heard all YEAR!! Double bummer!! Now who is going to help all the way-ward Hyperdrive racers?? Phoenix of all places, triple yuck!! Sometimes money isn’t always the answer. We moved from there after 25 years, remember? Actually, in our travels of 20 years around this great country, we found one thing that holds true no matter where you live, cost of living. No matter how much you make, it will take it to live on. Costs always seem to reflect on wages. So, if you make big money in one city, it will cost you big money to live there. Big cities, big money, big living costs and a hostile, big city environment.



There are also some things you will have a hard time getting used to out there. Everyone lives in their own world and don’t cross into it. Don’t expect smiles from strangers and don’t expect a wave from a car that says “hello”. The only wave you will get is the one with a single finger.



When you go to the DMV to register your car, pack a lunch and fully expect to leave, totally pissed off. In 25 years I NEVER went to one and left with a smile. Oh, also be prepared to pay through the nose for your license plates, especially if your car is less than 5 years old.



Electric, that’s a joke. Palo Verde Nuke plant, 50 miles west of Phoenix, built by the APS users at a high kilowatt hour rate. In 2000, less than 6% of the power generated, was used by AZ. It all goes to Calif. It was 17cents KWH when we left, and I’m sure it’s had to go up since then. Our electric in the summer averaged $375 a month, in the winter, it was the same, unless we used the fire place, which cut the heating bill to $150 a month. But, if you live in Phoenix, they don’t allow wood burning fireplaces.



Buy or rent as close to your job as possible. The freeway system in Phoenix has always been outdated, even as they built new ones. The 101 outer loop was outdated the day they broke ground to start it. There are three ways out of Phoenix and surrounding cities. I-17 to the north, to Flagstaff, I-10 to the west to CA. and south to Tucson. I-17 is a parking lot, both north and south lanes ( all 4 of them, with no plans to widen it until 2020) As you get into the city, I-17 does go to 8 lanes of bumper to bumper stop and go traffic, mostly stop. If you live further than 10 miles from your job, take your camper. Plan on 3-4 hours travel a day just to get to and from work. Make sure your job is as close to a freeway as possible, intercity travel is even slower. At rush hour it’s nothing to wait in line for 4-5 traffic lights. The real frustration is they are mostly spaced ¼ mile apart and almost every intersection. We lived in New River, it was 52 miles from Gilbert, where we raced. When we started racing there is took us 45 minutes to get there, when we left, it took us 1hr and 45 minutes. 52 miles in 105 minutes, isn’t that an average of 2.01 miles per hour? Guess that sums up the traffic in Phoenix.

When you look on the map, you will see Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Glendale, Gilbert, Peoria, Deer Valley, El Mirage, Sun City, New River,etc. All of these cities are ONE BIG CITY. The only way you know you left one and entered another is by a sign welcoming you to one of them. The space between is non existent.


The sunsets are some of the most beautiful you will ever see, as the sun sinks behind the mountains to the west. But, don’t expect to sit in your back yard drinking a margarita and watching the sunset. The only thing you will see is your 6’ high cement block wall and your neighbor’s roof. For the most part you won’t be sitting on the swing on the porch anyway, at least 8 months of the year. It will either be to dam hot or too dam cold. The other 4 months are perfect. And, if your one that likes to open the windows and let the fresh air come in, kiss off that dream, there’s no “fresh” air. Everyday is a “smog” day.


If I were to write a Travel Directory for Phoenix, it would be a simple one. It would simply say 3 words…find another city. Yes, this all sounds negative and it’s a shame, because Phoenix and areas were nice. The beauty of the desert is unmatched. You will never tire of the mountains surrounding the valley, they are rugged, but inviting. The people used to smile, as you walked by, the traffic was drivable and the weather was terrific, even in the heat of the summer. Now, all you will find is a smaller version of LA., with all the rude people, un-godly traffic and sweltering heat in the summer. Don’t believe that “It’s a dry heat”. Not anymore. What used to be 3% humidity in the summer is now as high as 30%, and in the desert, that’s not dry! The desert wasn’t meant to have 175 golf courses, 4000 water fountains, swimming pools, green lawns and 2,000,000,000 sq. yards of asphalt and concrete. In the end it all relates to humidity.

R/C car tracks. Your whole world will change in this area. What you know here, won’t apply there. Yes, R/C Mania does have a nice paved track, from what we have heard. If you go there to race, we would highly suggest you pack your Glock, Mini-14 and get a bullet proof vest. Go well armed. When you park you car out front, take off your tires so you have some to get home on. This track is in one of the worst crime areas in the city. This is the area that the drug dealers go to get there supply. Our daughter stopped by there to see a friend. She wasn’t there 10 minutes and had her Christmas tree heisted from her pickup. What kind of low life steals a Christmas tree?? She also had her car broke into twice. We raced there years ago, when it was a dirt oval. The track was always well lit, with the Phoenix Police helicopter. It was nothing to hear rounds being fired from an Oozie. Just duck and stay low. Good thing you aren’t “overly” tall, those 6’ block fences might be your friend afterall..HAHAHA. The last name of the track owner is Dick and he lives up to his name.



Gilbert, it’s just a parking lot track, but the fastest parking lot in the west. Dennis Crippen runs the Hobby Town and track. He is without a doubt the best track owner you will find. Very seldom if ever will you see him without a smile. You could race there one time and not come back for 6 weeks, but he will remember your name, the class you ran and your frequency!! Racing there is still based on fun. It was that way, even when the hot shots called the track home. Most of the old crowd that ran Stock and Mod have moved on, but Dennis still runs Stock, not sure on 19T. Don’t think so.



To the South is Tucson (about 125miles from Phoenix). I think they still race at the Hobby Town. It was run by Adam Crippen, Dennis’s son. It was a fun track and we heard they repaved it, so it should be even better.



To the north you will find Gary Mc’s racers. What he said is true! Fun group and fun races. Cottonwood was a blast in the winter. Defiantly plan some races there, you won’t be sorry. The highlight of Gary’s races are always the drivers meetings..they are worth the trip.



Tires: Leave the capped tires in NC. You won’t have a need for them out there. All tracks are foams tracks. YEAH!!!! Don’t even think about saving them, if you plan to come back, the heat will dry them out.



It’s a sad day for all of us to hear about your move, we can only hope its temporary and if you have any God Given sense it will be. Don’t sell your soul to the Devil for $$$$$$.

Humpty,

Good luck with the move man!!
I lose my job in March so I might be moving somewhere as well. Just not sure where.

The foam asphalt experience will just get ya ready for the 2007 Roar Paved nats !!!

R/C Sprots Maina looks very cool Humpty.... I do believe you can drop a few track records there..

Billy

Yep,i believe 3 pinks and a red lr would work nicely there!

I know all of us here in NC as sure glad to see your trash talkin' AZZ go. We'll make sure to have a "Thanks For Going Away" party! lol lol lol

Just kiddin' bud, yes we all are sad to see ya go, but you'll make the best of it. If this is trully something you want to do, all of us will support your decision and we wish you the best.

We will just have to cherish the moments until you leave.

"Humpty did you SH*T again?"

See ya Friday bud!

Oh just to let you guys know, when I talked with Humpty last night he said:

"I may have to race a car that turns left and right."

Does Humpty know how to turn right? Does his radio even turn to the right?

Things that make you go...........HHHHHHHMMMMMMMMM

Right is not in his vocabulary, come on now tony, lol

I hear ya.........

On a serious note, I want to thank Jeff for all that he has done for PRS, the R/C industry, and for me personally. At times Jeff has taken me under his wing and showed me alot of the "tricks of the trade". Set up info that he has shared and the time he has taken to help fix some of the problems I have endured over the years. Jeff is just a great asset to the R/C community. He will always go out of his way to help other no matter what brand car, flavor motor, or type of racing you are in.

Back in 04' he brought is trailer to the Off-road track so I could pit and get out of the sun. Knowing the trailer would get dirty he did not hesitate one bit. He hauled the trailer to and from the track and even set up the dish so I could watch NASCAR. Not many people would go out of their way to helpa guy out like that.

I know I'm typing like Jeff has died or will never race again, but all of here in NC know what I'm talking about. I mean it's "Humpty", it will be hard for all of us that race every week with him and not see that bright orange car.

Thanks for all you have done day in and day out but most all, thanks for just being a great friend.

Tony Moffre
PRS/Tornado Racing

Humpty,

Good luck with the move man!!
I lose my job in March so I might be moving somewhere as well. Just not sure where.

The foam asphalt experience will just get ya ready for the 2007 Roar Paved nats !!! I hope this is not true!!

Humpty-

Sounds like you will be very missed by your fellow racers if your move comes to fruition. We'll be happy to have a super star in our midst.

I know Judy was a little hard on Phoenix, and I've never lived in Phoenix (not a big city person) but I think you could substitute any modern big city name in her comments and it would still hold true. All big cities have their good side and bad side. As for weather, I'm not sure what's worse, 110 degrees in Phoenix, 100% humidity in Atlanta or 40 below wind chill in Chicago? I guess the only truly perfect place to live is Flagstaff...woops I'm supposed to keep that a secret.

I think you will find good racing facilities, freindly racers and good competition for oval racing around Arizona. You can invite all your buddies out from back east...maybe an East vs West Shootout like the old days of Whippoorrwil and the Thunderdrome.

By the way, since Judy left, I don't run the races in Northern Arizona anymore, The Finish Line Club does that, I just help out when ever I can.

Can't wait to race with you....Gary McAllister

Oh just to let you guys know, when I talked with Humpty last night he said:

"I may have to race a car that turns left and right."

Does Humpty know how to turn right? Does his radio even turn to the right?

Things that make you go...........HHHHHHHMMMMMMMMM

OH yea....Humpty can turn right!! Im sure there are those on here that have been on the recieving end of one of his right hand turns!! LOL

EA

Thats not Nice there blue ..I mean EA....Its actually about 15 miles north east of Phoenix ....And will live somewhere...In the Black Mountain area I think is where his house is ....

HIS house? Something that we should know about? Coming out are we? Or moving away so you dont have to? LOL J/K....

Hate to see ya go....But being out there it should be plenty of places to run TC's!!

EA

Gary: You mean, you don't do the rivers meeting anymore?? Bummer,Sniff, Sniff. Your drivers meetings were the best ever. No where else did we have to bring a chair for a drivers meeting. They were the highlight of the trip north, the highlight of racing, with snow all around the track, but not on the track, we could always count on the best drivers meeting inthe West!!! The highlight of racing in Cottonwood, Gary's Drivers meeting!!!

Humpty: Don't know what to tell you about racing at Cottonwood?? Maybe when you go up there to race, Gary will do you an honor and "host" the drivers meeting for an East Coast racer gone bad...

Black Mountain area: Translates to Carefree, AZ. Highly affluent area, in other words, BIG BUCKS real estate, makes Scottsdale look like homeless area. Don't worry about packing your lunch if your going into Phoenix, or any destination south..pack a change of underwear instead!!! Things might have changed in 5 years (doubt it), so you have three choices to get to the 101 Loop freeway from Carefree. 1. Pima Rd. nice two lane Rd. well traveled, open all year until the Pima Indian Tribe decides they want to charge more for access on the N. bound lane. They have closed this road twice, until the city of Scottsdale paid the price they were asking to allow north bound access for the "White Eyes". 2. Scottsdale Rd., another nice 2 to 4 lane Rd. allowing access to N. Scottsdale. Bottle neck at Bell Rd. Nice scenic drive from Carefree, Cave Creek area. If you can travel at the right speed the dips and rolls are like riding a roller coaster, your stomach will do flips. Doubt if this is possible today.This is the road that housed the infamous "Raw Hide", until the Calforniaites moved into the area and didn't like the traffic and small of horse poop, that accompanied this great landmark and tourist attraction. The first Barret Jackson Auto Auction was held there. No one ever heard of Mud bogs or Big Foot until Raw Hide had the "nerve" to offer this new venue of motor sports to the scene. Numerous Rodeo's, Arabian Horse shows, National Quarter Horse events, were held there. Alas, the owners finally gave up and moved the Western Town of Rawhide south and near Fire Bird Raceway. With luck they will be good to go for another 10 years, before a new breed of city slickers move into the area and complain because there are real live horses living within 5 miles of them. 3. From Carefree you can also head east on Care Free Hwy. to I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway). It's 4 lane all the way, but once you get to I-17, to go S. into Phoenix, be prepared for the stop and go traffic. Going home this way?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. When we left there 5 years ago, it was nothing to see traffic backed up in the paved shoulder area for 1/2 mile, just waiting their turn to get up to Carefree Hwy and turn right to head in the direction of home. Since then, Anthem, and numerous other housing projects have sprung up adding to the traffic.

Sounds bleak, but I doubt if things have changed for the better in 5 years. Knowing Maricopa County and the cities in the county, the last thing they worry about is traffic.

On the upside..Carefree, just a hop skip and jump to Horseshoe and Bartlett Lakes. Horsehoe is at 0% full, only saw that happen once in the 26 years we lived in AZ. When the lake is at 80%, it's one of the best lakes in the area. Small, but boy was the fishing good!! Bartlett, never was a great fishing lake, but have to admit, we caught our largest Crappies there. 3+ lbs. each. One trip in early spring, we even found crappies on a bedding nest. I called the fish and Game and must have talked to one of the game wardens for an hour about what these crappies did on the bedding area. He asked more questions than a 6th grade teacher drilling a student for a math test. They had no idea.

I really hate to rain on the parade, I can only imagine you are being pumped full of ??????? but Phoenix and the surrounding area has lost it's "utopia status" 15+ years ago. It's just a big city, trapped in it's own mire, with little room for expansion north and tons of space to the east and south.

I can say this, your young and it will be a new adventure for you. We can only wish you the best and hope your happy with your decision. You have to live it to experience it, no words will make a difference. Sometimes a change is just what the doctor ordered, and sometimes these changes can make one realize how good they had it.

One last thing..if your one of the true Southern Boys, you like grits. When we left AZ. the only palce to find grits with your breakfast was a Waffle House. The best Waffle House was at Bell Rd. and I-17. If you really want a great breakfast, go to Black Canyon City and stop in the 4B's Cafe, no grits, but the best pancakes in the west!. Order the full stack of pancakes, you won't be sorry!!!

Good luck Humpy """

Lee

Humpty,

Good luck with the move man!!
I lose my job in March so I might be moving somewhere as well. Just not sure where.

The foam asphalt experience will just get ya ready for the 2007 Roar Paved nats !!!

wisconsin right??? you know you want to Eric