S&S Motorsports all smiles after third straight title

Tom Silsby and Steve Shaw, co-owners of the Carson City-based S&S Motorsports No. 98 supermodified racecar truly have cause for celebration. The duo recently was confirmed as champions of the ASA Western States Supermodifieds, their third in as many years.

In addition, Troy Regier of Dinuba, Calif., driver of the No. 98 baby blue "Dusty Bunny," won his third consecutive championship with S&S, his seventh in a supermodified.

"We had a rough start (to the season)," Regier said. "But once we got back to the basics we pretty much dominated the program.

"With Tom and Steve having the car race-ready, it's really a team effort to winning."

Regier started the season with a fourth-place finish at Madera Speedway in Madera, Calif. The second race, the Diamond Cup at Meridian Speedway in Meridian, Idaho, Regier finished second at the finish line, but by virtue of overall points, won the coveted diamond ring of the Diamond Cup. The remaining seven races he won outright, finishing the season with a points total of 1,759, 386 points above second place finisher A.J. Russell at 1373.

"You just try as hard as you can," Regier said. "I like to win. I race to win. You have to every time you go on the racetrack."

Winning is the team's philosophy. Why race if you're not out to win?

"Winning the championship was a positive ending to our season," said Shaw. "And it was a great season.

"With us not doing so well in the first race, it made us work harder."

The supermodified racecar is what Shaw calls the "freak" of open-wheel racing. Its wheel base, staggered tire set up, left to right side weight ratio, large top wing and high horse-power engine create the fastest oval asphalt, short-track racecar in the world. "Because they're freaks, everything is pretty much custom made," Shaw said. "And these cars by far, are the most exciting form of racing on an oval track. And the fastest. And we are in the most exciting race series there is."

Shaw said the team is looking forward to 2007. So is Regier. They each want to win races; Regier would like to win them all and set track records at any track he doesn't currently own the record for.

"I want to win every race," Regier said. "That would be pretty awesome. But there are so many variables it would be next to impossible to do.

"But I'm looking forward to next year. A new car and a new engine. Setting some more track records would be cool.

"I would like to give special thanks to Tom and Steve. They work so hard to have the car well prepared (for me), I feel fortunate to be with them."

"It was all good," said Silsby, builder of the No. 98 scream machine. "Next year hopefully it will be better.

"That's why we're building a new car. That's why we're doing all this work."

Chassis No. 98-04, the "new car," was begun Nov. 18 after No. 98-03 was sold to Carson City driver Dale Lamborn, who is eager to return to the series. Silsby said the new chassis should be complete by Christmas; the new motor is expected in early March. S&S uses motors built by Tom Reitz of Fresno, Calif.

"We want racing to be exciting for the fans," Shaw said. "Our goal as always is to win, like it should be. As a competitor, you strive to be the best."

The team of S&S Motorsports includes Silsby and Shaw, John Stewart, Rick Barba, Ed Silsby and Sandy Galpin. Sponsors include: Ron Burdg, Sierra Racing Products; Mike Tiehm, Valley Chevrolet; Capital City Auto Parts (NAPA); Donn Simons, Artistic Fence; Regier Farms; Mr. Gasket; T & D Machine, and Paughco.

"With their sponsorship, and friendship, they allow us to race," Shaw added. "Their help is special to us. They are all local sponsors and we're pretty proud of that. We're all guys who like to do it right."

The ASA/WSS awards banquet will be held Jan. 20 in Reno. Information on the ASA Western States Supermodifieds is at www.wssrl.com. To sponsor the winning team of S&S Motorsports, call Shaw, 722-2388.

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.