#73 Limited Sportsman
2004&2006 Sportsman Division Champions
Thompson International Speedway
Thompson Connecticut


- 6/12/09 


2009 Results & Points6/4

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6-11-09 Race Report 

Win #2 of 2009 Season and win #53 over-all.  Feels pretty darn good to me!  We had run so well last week (in getting win #1). The plan had been to swap to our new engine, but Nat stated that he had some more parts ordered for the new engine. He said he may not get them in time....Rats, but not a major problem.  The crate engine is doing great for us right now, and knowing that the new engine may be even better, if we take our time and get it right, that feels pretty good too.

 The knee....yes, it sure is uncomfortable, but as long as I keep my leg up and on ice for periods of time, I can deal with it.  I guess it is natural for the rest of the leg to want to tighten up.  That causes more problems right now than the knee itself!  Sitting in the car for twenty minutes was the easy part.  Had some people worried as I sat in my trailer with my leg up on ice several times during the night.  Ok, I admit it, it was a distraction I had to overcome as well.

 The Race:

 The car was not quite as easy to drive as last week, seemed to have a mind of it's own a few times, but maybe the track had some oil on it??  Over-all it was still really fast. We managed to come out on top of a battle at the front, with a pair of Sundeens.  That is not an easy task.  Jay was really moving, and we were all laying down some pretty quick lap times I am told.

 The ole crate motor did not skip a beat, sure and steady, and little fear of it ever blowing up or having issues.  We will put the new engine in when it is good and ready.  Maybe for next week, or the week after.  We may just run it for a couple of weeks, then go back to the crate engine as our primary engine???  I still fully expect the new engine to work much better in traffic, while the crate engine can run lap after lap for 2 seasons with no issues.  Hmmm tough call.  Not certain keeping three engines is feasible for me either.

 Next week the True Value Mods will be at Thompson.  I will be spotting for Mike Holdridge, Todd Ceravolo, and still trying to get the job done in my car.  All without crew chief Jon Chmura keeping a watchful eye on my car.  Could make for a pretty good challenge.  See everyone there.

 Larry

6-4-09 race report:

I had a good feeling as this race approached.

We had hoped we would be doing this race with our New Engine from Nat's, but had decided on the weekend to run one more week (at least) with our crate engine.

So how could we run better than we did on the 21st???  We had the fastest car then, but were not able to make a pass for the lead while chasing Scott Sundeen for the final 15 laps of that race.

The list of answers:

LF camber change, LF ride height, Sway bar adjustment, Different RR Spring, some lead movement, different cross weight.  Same engine, same gearing, same gas, same 4 tires.

The result????

She ran so much better it is hard to believe.  I was able to run anywhere on the track, with the perfect amount of tire spin to keep the engine from bogging down on corner exit.  Not easy to hit the set-up just right, but we sure did.  A perfect night from my crew, and I was able to do the race without messing up the great ride they gave me.

Special thanks to Jon Chmura for all his efforts.  Every engine and drivetrain part had been out of the car and re-installed since the last race.(as we thought we would have new engine, but plans changed).  As some of you have seen, I have been hobled by some torn cartilage in my knee.  Sometimes it was fine, sometimes I could barely stand up. 

As I have tried to say all along, the crate engine can be good if you hit the set-up just right.  It is just harder to get that balance just right.  Slightly tight....it will kill you off the corner.  Slightly loose? and look at some photos from last year! These guys will eat you up!

The race itself??

Just a plain good race!  Moose was fast, but missed the set-up just enough for us to be able to pass him for the win.  The 45 was running well early in the race also.  The 74 was tough once again, but this week we finally had enough handles to out run him.

 This Week:

Knee repaired on Monday. Piece of cake right?  Will it rain Thusday?  And once again not sure if we will have the New engine in or not.  Nat has been trying various parts, and we are learning.  It won't go into the car until he has run it enough to trust it will perform as we demand.  And for right now???  I am locked in at home with an icepack on the throttle knee.

Larry

 

5-15-09 Update:

 

Things are as crazy as ever for me and my Race Team as the May 21st race approaches.

 

The new engine from Nat's Racing Engines may or may not be ready in time. It might come down to a last night install or have to be delayed until the 50 lapper race on May 28th.  May not know until some time Monday??? (there was a few parts issues that caused delays, something about the wrong nitrous fittings???)

 

I will be closing on a new home on Tuesday the 19th. Throw in a new "temporary" position at work so I can do a bit less on my cranky knee.  Spotting for Mike Holdridge on the True Value Mod Tour has been going well. Will continue as Todd Ceravolo's spotter each week (next three races we run back to back at the track).  And just for good measure...some knee repair surgery in a few weeks.  Strapping into the race car, and waiting behind the track prior to going out, may be my best chances to rest!

 

See everyone Thursday night!

Larry

 

 

4-8-09

Due to the rule changes made during the off season, that have penalized all the teams using crate engines in the Sportsman division (OK, it is only the 73 team).

Our entire team agrees that we must sell our crate engine, and go back to playing by the same rules as everyone else.

 

Our entire $9000 investment, along with the extra stuff we figured out, is for sale immediately.  You will not need to buy anything if you currently have the normal engine accessories.  Carb, flywheel, plugs, even the oil in the pan will come with it.  Our loss…$6000. We only used 48 gallons worth of fuel so far running this engine.

 

Contact Larry Barnett

 

This is certainly a financial setback to our team.  We thought we could save lots of money using a crate engine over time. We now look forward to competing against the other teams based on equal equipment and rules.  Win, lose, or draw, we will take the credit for our success or blame for our failures.  We will use our 8.9 compression rules engine if need be until our new engine is complete.  It performed fine for us last season.


-Larry

 

Ice Breaker Race Report.  4-6-09

 

We started near the back, and won our heat race in the rainy conditions on Saturday.  It was fun sliding around on the wet track, but a bit crazy to be trying to race that way.


Sunday we started “ON THE POLE”, but we were no competition for Joe Arena in the very powerful 74 car.  We sailed away form the pack, but had trouble even keeping Joe in sight. The 20 lap race went green to checker.


We have our work cut out to compete with Joe this year it looks like.  We will consider all options on how to make our car as fast as his!  We might be too busy making changes to our car for many comments here on the web.

See everyone in May.

Larry

 
Welcome to a new sponsor this year, TheDriveBand.com                                                                                                           



Car's looking good.                                                                                      Happy Crew :)


Gotta love it!

4-1-09

 

It is Wednesday night and all through the shop….Paint fumes from the race car.  We will be at the Icebreaker, new body from Rayline, Nat's Racing Engine, and planning to get to victory lane somehow!

See everyone there!

Larry

 

1-15-09

 

Happy 2009 everyone.  Good bye 2008, not sure I will miss you all that much.

 

Low lights of 2008. 

 

Jerry Marquis retired from Mod Tour.  It had been such a pleasure working with Jerry as his spotter for the Mystic Missile, then the Brady car.

 

I lost my Pettit engine, after just turning my fastest laps ever.  Was forced to buy a crate engine, and that isn’t turning out quite as planned or hoped.  Then I had the tranny break in the car as about to make pass for the lead when using my 8.9 rules engine for one week.  We finished the season off with a crash, getting t-boned by someone asleep at the wheel.  Rain outs dropped the race schedule to 12 points events.  Fewer and fewer classy guys to race against.  Even Ernie LaRose crashed his car and was gone for the rest of the year.

 

I found I couldn’t jog without my back bothering me.  Then had issues pop up from root canal work.  At first doctors had to rule out the big “C”.  If you ever get passed from 5 doctors in one day, the year following losing your dad, you will understand.  After 3 months of poking, testing, antibiotics, and doctor visits etc.  It got better all by itself.  Then came another lump…..Hernia.  Had to live with it all summer and fall.  Double mesh style repairs done on dec. 3rd.  Not a lot of fun, just beginning to feel closer normal.

 

Street cars etc.  Oh yea, they were fun too.  My 89 truck had engine troubles in Dec. 2007.  Started the year installing a brand new engine, and lots of assorted parts, planning to make it last for years.  Spent $5000 in parts alone.  Then it turns out I could not pull my enclosed trailer up my driveway without 4WD.  Had to buy my new GMC truck.  Still have yet to sell the 89 GMC.

Next issue was getting call from Jenny in January.  The Corsica died on the road.  Had it towed home after finding it broke a lower control arm doing about 10 miles per hour.  Her heart was set on a new corolla.  Cha ching.  Thank you daddy!

Don’t forget the grand prix!  December 17th.  Approaching a toll booth from mass pike.  Looking ahead trying to find that one lane that still takes cash money….  I get side swiped by a tractor trailer rig as he tried to change lanes quickly and didn’t see my car beside him.  Door, fender, mirror, and entire nose of car ripped up before he came to a stop.  One month later and Perry-Lathrops of Waterford is almost done getting insurance approvals to start repair work.

 

There was some good stuff too:

 

Long time Sponsor John Simlick had both of his knees replaced and is doing much better getting around.  Boston Post Road Market joined us as track food sponsor.  That is pretty cool having some great grinders at the track each week.  The new Cargo Express Trailer we got from Wright Trailers of Seekonk MA has helped the team out a bunch.  Now we can load up the car before race day.  It is safe, dry, and secure.  I don’t have to unload everything when I get home on race night either!  The body on the car from Rayline Racing Bodies was holding up great, right up until that last race.

We were the fastest car at the track on many weeks.  Getting 3 victories.  Nat’s Racing engines has been a pleasure to work with. Nice to have the phone answered each and every time I call, and everything done as scheduled.  A fair shake for crate engines was hoped for.  Just maybe if someone else bought one???

The crew….Just when things were getting pretty lean, Chris Michaud headed to Iraq etc.  Along comes Tim, Scott, and Alan joining us.  With some fresh troops along with Jonny, Jim, and Wayne.  Our team was in great shape at home and at the track.

 

Spotting for Todd Ceravolo, the Brady car, and for Dale Quarterley’s team was fun (Lime Rock, and Dover Delaware).  Next best thing to driving for me.

 

Had a chance to drive Todd Ceravolo’s back up car (Sunoco Mod).

 

Michelle Graduated from UCONN in May.

 

Mike Holdridge finished 3rd in points on the True Value Modified Series Tour.  I will be Spotting for Mike in 2009.

 

So with all of that behind us…..I am looking forward to a better 2009 year.

 

Larry

 

12-04-08

 

The 2009 Rules are out: 12-3-08

 

Big question.  Does Thompson Speedway want me to quit racing?

 

 

I cannot believe that I paid lots of money to help try to show some potential of using the crate engine option. (I bought it to save money long term, not get an advantage)

 

Crate engine has a performance DIS-ADVANTAGE!!!!  Not an advantage.  Note that ED Puleo was given a weight break when he used a crate engine and was still unhappy with it.  Three races and his best finish was a 5th.  The crate engine absolutely sucks in traffic.  I could not even get past Eric Grant with the damn thing.

 

So two rule changes for our division happen this year.

 

   1. States that crate engines must use race fuel only???  So I am forced

      to spend more money????  Right on the spec sheets for that engine it

      states that running Super Unleaded is the fuel of choice.

 

   2. And then now I have to add weight (50 lbs) to my car only.  I protest

      heavily!

 

I would love to hear why these rule changes were implemented.

 

I certainly hope that both of these rule changes are somehow mis-typed.

 

It seems that if any changes were to be made for the crate engine option, that it should have been after several teams had raced with them.  OR  That chassis dyno testing would be done to actually compare which set-up puts more power to the pavement.  If it was such a great deal to run one, more teams would have bought a crate engine before now.  I hope that no teams ordered one assuming that the rules would not be changed.

 

I called Nat’s Racing Engines.  Not a single team has even contacted him about buying a crate engine for the Sportsman Division.

 

It seems that the other teams really know the situation.  But boy I bet they whined and cried about my crate engine.

 

I am really surprised that the track wants to put anyone that bought a crate engine at such a disadvantage.

 

If the rules are not corrected, I won’t race a full season.  Why bother.  Unless I sell the crate engine and make enough to build another engine.

 

Larry Barnett

 

10-31-08

 

It has been mostly quiet in our race shop since the last points race.  I (and several crew members) have been working 72 hours per week at our real job leaving very limited time for shop work.

 

I still have not sold the 89 Red GMC truck.  I am down to best offer.   $5000 in new parts this year should be put in service by someone.

 

The race car is pretty beat up.  When the leaders tangled/ bobbled on that famed restart…someone drove into my drivers door area and not only turned me to the right, cut up all of the LS sheet metal.  Next came the shot to the front stretch wall that bent the front horns and motor mounts etc.  Then finally the 38 car t-boned me several seconds after I had come to a stop, and no---no body pushed him into me.  That contact crushed the battery, bent the center section of frame, broke the steering box, cut up the RS of the body……

 

WE have car mostly stripped.  Not certain yet of all of the damage.  Pretty confident it can all be repaired.

 

Future????

 

Very small chance we may try to make the car so it could be run at Wall Turkey Derby.  Probably not enough time to get it ready.

 

2009 season.  Plan to run full season at Thompson, at least so far.  We do wish that another race division, and the new challenges it could provide was available without spending huge amounts of money.

 

We bought a new trailer from Wright Trailers of Seekonk. Then were forced to buy new Truck (GMC 2500 4WD).  Blowing up our Pettit Engine mid season, forced us to buy a Crate Engine from Nat’s racing engines.  Very Expensive Season!!!

 

On the bright side…..we do not even have to touch our crate motor!!!  Good to go for another full season or more!  We have all winter to get the chassis repaired, make spare parts etc.  And attempt build a body that can survive our “anything goes” driving styles allowed lately.

 

Why so few cars that look anything like Ed Puleo’s ride???  They have a great looking car, that sure looks like is has stock body dimensions and angles like the rules mandate.  To The wonder Eric Grant…that is all I asked of the Tech inspectors.  If they run straight to your car to see how far from the rules a car is….maybe that is your problem.  I just want to know if we need to have a 26 inch high front bumper to push your slow car out of the way next year.

 

After driving Todd Ceravolo’s back up car a few laps, I do wish I could drive other types of cars more often.  My dream division right now would be the True Value Modifieds.  That would be cool if I could swing that someday.  Guys that can make tires last longer seem to do well in that division.  I would love to give it a shot.

 

Not sure what spotting duties will pop up by next year.  Working with Dale Quarterley at Lime Rock, Loudon, and Dover was fun.  Weird division that camping world group….. Many of the drivers are barely out of diapers.  The best ones seem to have touches of gray.

 

I have also started a photo site that I will be posting favorite shots I have taken over the last few years at Leadfootsphotos.shutterfly.com  check it out as it grows!

 

Get a subscription to Shorttrack Magazine!  I plan to continue writing tech articles.  Next one will be about the Modifieds we all love to watch.  Can you tell a Spafco from a Troyer???

 

Larry

 

9-25-08 Race Report:

 

Well, what can you say... Bad scoring in the tower resulted in an unnecessary wreck on the front stretch which was also caused by some cars that still don't understand the basics of when you can pass on a restart.  Also those individuals in the back of the pack need to pay more attention to what's going on in front of them, and rather than gassing through the smoke, slow down and make sure you can see what's going on before you keep going.

 

Obviously we are done for the season, you wont see us at the world series.  As it stands right now this car is going to need a lot of work to get it back on the track.  Possibly diamond frame a tad, RF frame rail pushed approximately 1-2 inches to the left, or the whole front is to the left.  May need to be clipped, but we'll know more once we get the motor out and do some measurements with straight suspension parts on it.

 

Quite frankly, Not the way we wanted to end the season.

 

-Jonny

 

 

9-11-08 Race Report:

 

Car was not right.....We must have overlooked some damage that happened last week.  Oh well, we finished 5th.

 

 

Group photo of the 2008 Crew that gets this car to the track every week.


Click to enlarge

 

8-28-08 Race Report

 

An interesting, but aggravating night.

 

On Wednesday eve. while we were busy finishing up preps on the 73 car I got a call from Todd Ceravolo.  The 16 team would bring there Waterford SK as a back up car for their team, and wanted me to drive it.  It is a chance for me to get a few laps driving a modified, and the car will all set if they should need it.

 

It all made for yet a new type of busy night for my team at the track.

 

Sportsman race.

 

I am very confused.  If I was to drive outside a certain car, I bet he would steer his car to the white line at the top of the track (like last year).  Thursday he forced me into the grass.  How wide is that car????  We were forced to settle for a second place finish to a slower car.  Good Luck Ed,  hope you catch him.  We missed the set-up a bit.  Slightly faster wasn't good enough I guess.  I seem to run fastest when I am mad.  We have some substantial changes to the car planned.

 

The 16x mod ride.  I didn't run the car very hard in warm-ups or the heat race.  I had fed back that the car seemed a bit too tight, but was I driving the car correctly?  For the feature I started near the back, was moving up slowly.  Took one restart in 10th.  Was trying to find a spot on the track to make some laps, Looks as though the 00 didn't think the 66 should have been allowed on the track either.  He sent him around, and I could not quite miss all the spinning cars ahead of me.  I found out how to break a tie rod end with a modified.

 

Current plan is for me to make some laps in the 16x again this weekend at Mod Mania.  It will be nice to give it my full attention.  The True Value Series sure would be a great series for me it seems, some seat time in a mod will help me define some racing (dream) goals.  Money, or lack there of, will define the rest I guess.

 

See all of you fender less car fans this weekend

 

Larry

8-21-08 Race Report (and other news / commentary)

Just back from a weekend to Monadnock Speedway to see the True Value mods, Mike Holdridge had another solid run finishing 4th. Sunday KS and I managed to climb MT Monadnock. We had some great views of New England under the sunny skies. We could almost see the light poles from Thompson Speedway....almost.


Win #3 of Season and Career Win #51. This was not an easy one though. We were fast in practice, but made numerous minor changes to the car. I even changed a spring in the car this week!

A vibration went from slight, to much worse in the heat race. We made the call to change both the Tranny and the Driveshaft. The wreck fest heat races by other divisions gave us ample time to complete the job, with plenty of time to spare!

We started the feature in 12th position. I had suggested that more cars being handicapped seemed to make for better races to watch, so I got
handicapped 12th vs 10th. Passing more cars is a lot of fun. Winning from
the front row doesn't prove someone can outrace anyone at all. 12 car handicap seems about right.

A leaky gas filler cap on the 71 car had the track slippery early, helping Jay Sundeen to a spin in heavy traffic. As I was trying to make my way to the front I got hit from behind, driving me into Joe Arena, we both should have wrecked by got them straightened out. I lost several positions back.
I passed several cars again and was drawing a lead on the 97 car when it appears a tire blew and Ernie took a hard shot into the turn three wall. A local paper made it sound like I would have sent him there myself had he not wrecked, but no that isn't true. I was prepared to do a little bump drafting though. 2 send around attempts in 2 weeks is all I allow. Ok, maybe only one is allowed for free.

Following the caution to pick up Ernie's 97 I was up to third. While the
81 was duking it out with the 74, I was able to get position on both of them. Win #51 in the books!

Great job by my crew!

Crate Engine update:
for those that missed it.....we had turned our fastest laps ever right before our Pettit engine expired. The following race we had installed our old engine that made about 280 HP when raced in 2000 season. Installing the intake and carburetor from our Pettit engine may have bumped it up to about 310hp. We were still the fastest car and had reeled in Jay Sundeen as we crossed the stripe with one to go....then the tranny broke.

So then we install the crate engine. A bit less peak power, and due to lower RPMs allowed, it is pretty doggy out of the turns, but does run smoothly everywhere. We have won two out of last three races. Nat has been a pleasure to work with.....but the crew deserves all the credit for just plain old fielding the best chassis out there.

Speaking of crew.....we had lost 2 crew members this season and had fallen behind trying to get our trailer, truck, and race car ready each week.
Along comes Scott, Tim, and then Allan that had joined us a few weeks ago, and we are now able to show up more prepared then before. The recent results speak volumes.

With 4 races to go we will continue to shoot for wins. Any slip ups by the
3 cars ahead of us in points, and we will be back in the hunt for another championship.

50 laps for the Sunoco Mods this week, then a week off for those of us with fenders.

Larry


Click to Enlarge

Sponsor John Simlick/Coldwell Banker has gained increased business recognition as a direct result of his involvement with our team.  He has sold several houses as a direct result of his sponsoring our team!  We also hope his sore knees are not a result of his many trips dashing down to victory lane with us!


Click to Enlarge

The following business helped us purchase nearly 300 team shirts in the 2006 calendar year:

Pauls TV of Groton CT
Sound Medical Associates of Ledyard
John Simlick, Coldwell Banker Realty of Ledyard
Liberty Hill Home Inspections of New London
Dr. Robert Barnett, Gales Ferry Chiropractic

Thanks to the support from these businesses, we have been able to wear the shirts as race team uniforms, give some away to young fans, use as contest prizes, and sell many to raise some pennies to help maintain our performance on the track.

With all these shirts out there…our car, and these businesses names have been dashing all over southern new England!

We still have some of the T-shirts, long sleeve T shirts, golf style shirts, and sweatshirts available. Priced from $10 through $20.

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