What’s New at Lodi?

Well shucks- the last several years we’ve had big long lists of big expensive projects going on and many exciting things to tell you all about. This year, because the last few years have been so busy and so successful, the list is smaller- yippee! Facilities first:

If you’ve ever looked closely at the beer bar/snack shack structure, you’ve probably wondered how that rickety old barn is still standing. We’ve got pictures of the bowl from the late 60’s and that same structure was here then. Heck- we even asked Ralph and he can’t remember when it was built, so you know it’s old! Anyway, the plan is to pull the outer walls down, replace any structural damage, bring the wiring and plumbing up to current code and then re-sheet the old girl. The basic building still serves Lodi’s needs pretty well so we’re going to refurbish and retain.

Have you ever noticed our red and white “flattop” International water truck? That baby is genuine 1959 technology, 6 cylinders of romping stomping power, and try as we might (and we have!), she just won’t die, so this winter she’s getting all new brakes and whatever other running gear she needs to give us another 49 years of service.

If you’ve raced or spectated at Lodi in the last 4 years, you know that our super-zoot sound system has made a real difference in being able to hear and follow the races and other activities, but the system has always been a little limited with the upper pit and parking areas being a bit shy on speaker coverage. The problem has been not so much one of speakers but amplifier power and that’s on this winter’s agenda. The wiring was installed with last year’s pole project, now we have to spend the real money for the amplifier and speakers.

Now for the reason we have this cool facility- events. As you know, the 2 Gene Romero West Coast Flat Track Series races we ran last year were a massive hit- the joint was packed and the racing was awesome. Gene was happy, we were happy and the racers had nothing but good to say about having Gene’s program at the Bowl. For 2008, as of early December 2007, dates and numbers of events are still being planned but both Gene and the LMC agree that we’ve got to put on at least 1 and maybe 2 in 2008. We’re seeking a CARB pollution waiver so that Ralph can bring his Triumph out for the Vint Twins class and Al Webber says that’s cool; he won’t have to finish last again! The LMC is really looking forward to running more races with Gene this year.

2008 will see the West Coast Amateur Nationals at Lodi again. This 3-day event crowns the west coast champions in 8 Premier events and 9 non-premier classes and determines which champions receive financial assistance to travel to DeQuoin for the Amateur Grand Nationals. The event is held in a ST/TT/ST format and is open to all Bowl racers, whether you are vying for a Premier plate, non-premier win or just want to race one or two days out of the three. The racing is heads up, no A/B/C divisions, so if you’re a C rider who want to take on those A riders you’ve only been able to ride with in practice, here’s your chance. The event will be held from Friday May 23 through Sunday May 25. You can’t win a championship class unless you race all 3 days so plan early to decide if you want to ride one day or all 3.

The LMC is in the enviable position of being asked by the AMA to run a GNC shorttrack in 2008! Once again, we going to ponder and scratch our heads because baby, we sure would like to see the GN lads fight for space on the Bowl groove. As you know if you’ve ever driven through our gates, the problem isn’t the track- Eric builds ‘em fast and quick. The pits are fine too, the lighting is good and there are no problems there. Heck- we could rent portable bleachers and probably handle the spectators although it’d be tight. The big problem is parking- there’s just not anywhere as much as we’d need to park the number of spectators who’d come for a Grand National. Every year, we talk to the neighbors and think about shuttle buses but to bus almost every spectator into the Bowl is a big operation and a hassle for the spectators. Let us and the AMA know what you think about the idea!

Of course, or course- we’ll open with a traditional 2-day event, ST & TT. We’ll run our Toby Memorial event, raising money for injured riders and for scholarships. Every rider and every spectator at the 2007 100 National raved about how fast and fun the track was and good the racing went- we love this race and we’ll sure do it again in 2008. Perhaps most importantly, the LMC will continue to provide a safe, well organized and fast venue for kids, amateur adults and pros to learn to race, hone their skills and go just as fast as those skills will let them. Kenny, Kenny Jr. and Kurtis Roberts- Alex Jorgenson- the Bostroms- Rob Damron- Jim Rice- Doug Chandler and Chris Carr- the past 50+ years have seen a lot of talent honed at Lodi. These last few years have seen the likes of Toby Jorgenson- Tony Souza- the Corsettis- Joe Hernandez- Chad Cose- and dozens more, starting young at Lodi and going pro with the skills every rider has the chance to learn at Lodi. That’s the essence of the Bowl and that’s why we keep doing what we do, year in and year out. You are welcome to join us, racing if you have that drive and spectating if that’s your pleasure. Either way, 2008 promises to be another great year for dirttrack at the Lodi Cycle Bowl!