No I did not fall off the earth, It’s been way too long since my last posting, Thanks Steve Powell for letting me know that one. Racing has not been a priority for me been lately been doing more family functions this year. However a slight health issue kept me out of the racing scene too. After returning from a vacation in Mexico on the 19^th  It was time to take out our racer and give it a go. Things started out not so great, We had what appeared to be fuel system issues right out of the trailer. Basically, the car would not pick up the throttle coming off the corners making it very hard to drive. We tried a few changes when it occurred to me we may have an electrical issue? So a check of the battery’s voltage showed a low volt condition. We immediately put it on the charger. WOW what a difference! We were back in business,,  The Car ran Great.  After qualifying we started our heat race in the third row outside.  Winning that race, the car was very fast and would hold real good coming off the corners. That would not be the case when it came time for the main event.

What a hand full trying to stay off the wall. This was a big miss on the set up because I could not keep the car off the wall. It would drift towards the wall causing me to bring it in much slower than I did in the heat race. This really sucked because we had such a nice starting spot 4^th position. The main event went 27 laps non stop with out any yellows pretty good for having 17 cars start. Our event would come to a halt due too a very serious accident. One of the cars ran up over another cars tire and got airborne flipping. Although at the time I was not aware the driver was seriously injured. He was taken to the hospital and it was not till the next day I heard he was in a self induced coma. Dallen was in bad shape with broken bones and internal injuries. Last report was that doctors are positive he’ll recover he will be messed up for sometime recovering from a his injuries.  Well once the race resumed from about a 15 min cool off we got started but still did not have anything finishing 9^th place.  Once again I’m happy we did not crash this car with all the struggles through out that main.

 On a nicer side I have included some photos from my Mexico trip. What a wonderful place. I was in Taxco, Gurrerro home to our cousins. Mom & I along with my two Aunts had a Great time. Spent sometime in Mexico City and did do some sight seeing. Just was no comparison to the Sweet little town of Taxco (tasco)  I was only able to take pictures with my blackberry so they did not come out that great. Anyway well be looking to getting back on the track for a two day show at the Lakeport Speedway on  Oct 18^th & 19^th  This has been an unusual racing season for us only running a few events. But along with the overall costs of tires, fuel ,& groceries, it has just been much nicer doing family stuff. Well I do hope to end on a positive note but well just settle for a FUN TIME.

Please feel free to drop us a line anytime Have a Nice Weekend

 Ralph Cortez #31 BCRA Midget

We made the four hundred mile tow through the beautiful hillsides of Sonoma up scenic 101 to the Ukiah Speedway. Right out of the trailer, our car was a top four contender and we just kept getting faster. I was impressed how the car stayed consistent the whole evening and the engine, once again was fast. I guess new tires had a lot to do with our speeds, and the confidence I had all night was just SWEET!! Driving this hot rod was so much fun. We're starting to run new rubber, at least on the right side these last few go rounds, that have helped with our speeds. I can say that every time we’ve been to this track it’s been good and a top runner.  

I had a chance to view our evening (from the) transponder results at Mylaps.com.

Basically, it is a device we put on our cars that record our lap times and is the scoring tool used by the computers. Our fastest lap of the night was a 12.159. That equals 74.019 MPH. The winners fastest lap time was 12.156; equaling 74.038 MPH. That's a difference of 0.161 thousands of a second. This pavement racing stuff is won by just .161 thousands of a second !!  

Well, to give the run down, we were 4^th fastest of a dismal 9 car field. Won the Trophy dash (first ever); was 2^nd in our heat race; and was scored 2^nd in our 30 lap main event. Oh, did I mention we had FUN?! What was most unusual to us was the fact that we made only one gear change with no chassis adjustments. It was incredible how well the car responded especially getting off the corner. Just a well handling car. The official race story can be found at www.bcraracing.com.

We're foregoing this weekends race in Madera simply because were pinching pennies and want to be sure we'll be well funded for our trek way up north to the Redwood Acres Speedway in Eureka, Ca. That will be our most costly event and were making sure the bucks will be there come the end of June. Dave and I will re-group and head to the “Bull Ring” June 7^th to the very nice Lakeport Speedway @ the Lake County fairgrounds.

Hope you like the pictures. It was fun doing the interview after our Trophy Dash win.

Have a nice week and see you when we see you.

Sincerely,

Dave and I were off and running Saturday to our first pavement race of the 2008 season -- traveling to the 3/8 mile at Shasta Speedway in Anderson, CA. What a great feeling to get back in this car to start “Going Fast, Turn left.” It was a pleasure to have two special guests with us this go round; Charlie Roberson and his wife Janice. They brought their motor home up and hung out with us in the pits. Charlie and Janice, of Rocklin Hydraulics, have been supporting us for many years. Just want to say thank you for coming out.

We were pleased overall how things went for us. I like to think it was very good race car preparation that paid off by the end of the night. Our new fuel settings really woke this secso-mopar engine up. Very strong running, along with getting the chassis to work, was a good combination. In our heat race we started number 6 of a 6 car race placing in the 2^nd spot at the checker flag.
 

This was a very good run and heard we looked really good. As my luck would hold true, the pill draw placed us outside of the front row. The goal was to hang on and stay up front of a 17 car field. We got the jump and was in the lead for about four laps. As the laps started clicking down, the car developed a slight push (front end issues) causing some difficulties during the middle of the corners. I found that if I drove this car “harder” into the corner with more speed the push would go away. This kept us up front and I believe we traded places with a few cars throughout the 35 laps of this race. But an aggressive last lap pass move

would come with a price. As I was entering turn three, I could see a pass and took it. However, I would upset the car too much causing the rear tires to break loose resulting in a spinout and getting hit by the car I had just passed the previous lap. The yellow checker was displayed and our night was over. I was told we were scored in the 8^th place. We were very lucky to come away with only fiberglass damage. The front end was safe and in good shape.

Our next outing will be this weekend April 5^th at the Madera Speedway. We're then off until May 3^rd when we return to my favorite track, Ukiah Speedway in Ukiah, CA.

Thanks everyone,

Ralph Cortez #31

Greetings from our garage here in Sacramento. As the days in this month of march  accelerate towards our first pavement race date of March 29^th the racing business is in full swing now.

Some of the updates for this year included upper end inspections, Tolerance measurements taken & recorded, valve spring tensions were recorded, and a general internal inspection found “all” to have a clean bill of health. In addition to engine work, suspension parts were sent out for testing, fuel system components were sent out for testing & the drive line assembly was gone through. New tires will soon be ordered and I expect well fire the engine this weekend. I can tell you the engine is our most biggest concern and our attention to keep this one alive is first priority. If we even suspect some type of malfunction is near well shut down the operation and investigate. 

This year is looking a little different from last year. Our season will consist mostly with the BCRA Pavement Schedule to be posted soon. There may be only select Dirt races if a ride becomes available. As mentioned  Our first 2008 appearance will be on March 29^th at the Shasta Speedway in Anderson, Ca. aboard our own Shores/Cortez sesco/Beast pavement car tackling the fun Shasta Speedway. As the NASCAR season is already off and running watching those races has been getting me fired up as to our possibilities for this year. Concentrating on Strictly a Pavement program will give us full attention toward that elusive first big main event win. As the March 29^th date gets closer were getting more and more excited to take this Hot Rod out and GO RACING !!!!   Looking forward to a Safe & Fun 2008 Racing Season. Thank you all for the awesome support & please let us know if you plan to join us this year,  Well save a cold one for you.   

Your Host

Ralph Cortez #31 BCRA Midget

Contact Racecp

I’m back from the momentary lapse in memory.

Once the car was winterized in the garage, I would just pass by, not even stopping by to say hi. I can now look back at the end of our up-and -down points season and simply say what a ride, Speaking of rides, Total miles logged with our truck & trailer was 7.500 Overall race operation numbers will be interesting to see.

Now I can give some better final thoughts of this past season.

I would first like to give a Big Thanks to the Walkers for the huge opportunity given to us in their dirt car. Chris, I will remain grateful. To my right hand man Dave Powell, once again you have been such a big part in our efforts. Oh so much difference from the first year way back in 1991.

Mark Palmero for the backing and continued support. It sure was fun with this guy around.

And a special thanks to our webmaster Dominic Guerra for all his hours in working with me on our Web site endeavors.  

Our final finishing position in the 2007 points championship chase is 3rd place overall Driver and 2nd place overall in Owner points. On the pavement side, we snagged 2nd in the Driver and Owner points battles. On the Dirt, we managed a 6th place finish in Driver’s points and 5th in Owner points.  

Of course, winning was the main goal from the onset, however our goals had to change as our dirt finishes were just not working out for us. This was very disappointing and thankfully did not flow into the pavement program.

According to the official BCRA Point system, we were credited with three Top 3 runs, four Top 5 placings, nine Top 10s, four heat race triumphs and two trophy dash appearances. Our best qualifying attempts were 2nd and 4th fast at the super cool Ukiah Speedway. This year’s awards banquet will be held at the Best Western Stockton Inn on Jan 26th. Looking forward to getting the money and hardware.

As for what’s next?

I will be heading back to Tulsa for the World famous Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, but will be attending as a spectator and supporting fellow BCRA competitors. I was struggling with going and not competing, but after reflecting on this past season, I thought I would treat myself to just enjoying this event and having fun with all my Tulsa friends --- oh and the boys from Cali too.

What’s the skinny for 2008?

As of now, our plans are to campaign the Shores-Cortez Special #31 Beast/Sesco-Mopar Pavement car at any pavement race we can make. I have been in contact with Charlie Kemp, who would like to team up as we did in 2005 and drive his car in some limited Spec Sprint races when he does not drive and maybe getting into a dirt midget when an owner needs a driver.

Thank you very much to our support line. It was through your encouragement and kind words that helped keep us moving to the next week of racing, always with a great attitude and saying we’ll get ‘em next week.

Sincerely

Sep 8th 2007 - Ukiah Speedway

August 18th 2007 - Petaluma, CA