Rhonda Costa-Landers/NevadaAppealDale Lamborn
Supermodified Racing Association driver Dale Lamborn of Carson City is competing in the fifth annual North/South Shootout at Concord Motorsports Park in Concord, N.C., Friday and Saturday.
The shootout began as a challenge race for drivers on the East Coast. This year organizers have added an "East-West Supermodified" shootout.
"I've not ever competed in a race like this before," Lamborn said. "But the team is really excited to go."
Lamborn said at last check there were 42 paid entries for the race. Concord is a half-mile paved, tri-oval track.
"I've never raced on a tri-oval like this before," he said. "We'll get set up and get in the show. I don't have a guaranteed in, like with a championship or winning a qualifying race.
"I think we'll make the show. I just have to try not to make any mistakes and get in position to be in the top-5. If I survive for 35 laps or so (out of 50), I could be a threat for the win."
The differences between the supermodifieds of the east and west are considerable. The East Coast runs big block engines not to exceed 470 cubic inches. Many of them average 900 horsepower. SMRA has a 488 cubic-inch max for big blocks, 454 on the small blocks. Most West Coast cars run small blocks.
Each series runs a maximum 68 percent left side weight and each run Hoosier tires, albeit Oswego (N.Y.) cars run a softer compound on the right rear.
The SMRA cars have a maximum 102-inch wheel base; Oswego cars maximum length is 100 inches.
The most notable difference is the size of the top wing. The SMRA cars have a maximum 2,400 square inches, but also run a nose wing no more than 500 square inches. Each SMRA wing is mounted in such a way it cannot be adjusted while the car is in motion.
Oswego cars have a top wing of just more than 5,200 square inches and sit on a mounting system that contains an air cylinder, allowing the wing to lower as the car's speed increases (down the front/back stretches), and lift as the speed drops going into the turns, and is directly mounted to the rear axle allowing for better rear grip on the car.
"They have 7-square-feet more wing than we do, their rear wing is directly connected to the rear axle and they have more horsepower," Lamborn said comparing the components. "But I'm going to focus on me and do the best I can."
Lamborn said he doesn't know what to expect, but hopes the West Coast cars having less weight will be enough to equal it out. Each series is running under their own sanctioning rules.
"I will represent Nevada the best I can," he said.
"I definitely want to thank several people for sponsoring me to get to North Carolina. Everyone who bought T-shirts, the Plaza Hotel, Millard Realty and Construction, Builders Association of Western Nevada, Mountain Aire Heating and Air Conditioning, Copeland Lumber of Carson City, Capital Wholesale Electric of Carson City, and the S&S Motorsports guys - Tom Silsby and Steve Shaw - for the extra parts and help getting prepared."
Lamborn, who recently went back into supermodified racing full time, has a 1995 championship from the former Silver State Raceway in Carson City in the late model division. He began racing in Carson City in 1984.
Other drivers from SMRA making the trip to compete include Jim Birges, Bobby Dalton, Martin McKeefery, A.J. Russell and Ernie Coppo, all of California; Rich Castor Jr. and Harry Stone of Colorado; Jim Pasquin of Utah, and Bryan Warf of Idaho.
Top contenders in the SMRA not attending include former champions S&S Motorsports of Carson City with driver Troy Regier of Dinuba, Calif., Jeff Russell and Kirk Wartman, both of Boise, Idaho.
A "near live" report will be available on www.racingwest.com through the cooperation of C&C Racing Promotions.
Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.