Northern California racing legend returning to the track?

By Matthew J. Sullivan

Saturday July 23rd marks the second of two visits for the Airport Auto Brokers Late Model series at Redwood Acres Raceway. Among the names expected to show up are AABLM points leader and winner of the first race at the Acres just a few weeks ago, Trevor Cristiani, David Miller, Corey James, Howard Ford and Randy Houston among others. There have been rumblings that a particular driver might show up to race his late model for the first time this season. According to two-time Redwood Acres Raceway track champion, Mic Moulton, this driver tested his car last Friday on the 3/8-mile paved oval. His name: Jim Walker.

The name Jim (or Jimmy) Walker is highly regarded and respected amongst race fans all over Northern California and Southern Oregon. For over 40 years the Ferndale, California dairy man has raced a baby blue (aka Walker blue) and silver numerated 48 car first on dirt then later on pavement tracks all over the west coast. The bulk of Walker’s early racing career with the latter stages in recent times has been focused on racing at his home track in Eureka, California, Redwood Acres Raceway.

It is rather unfortunate that younger generations of race fans did not get to see just how great of a race car driver Jim Walker was when he was in his prime. It is even more unfortunate that documentation of so many of Walker’s victories are only left to race fans who were witness. In the 1970s, Walker was a terror on the dirt at the Acres winning numerous main events and several track championships. For a time, Walker was booed by local fans because of his monopolization of race victories. However, that did not last long as Walker’s quiet manner and clean but hard driving won over those who were once not fans of his.

From the mid 1970s on through the mid 1980s, Walker progressed from racing on the dirt to racing on the pavement, a change that occurred seamlessly. Walker’s biggest and most prestigious victory came in the 1976 Permatex 200 at Riverside International Raceway in the sportsman division, better known today as the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Among those whom Walker outlasted that day include Bobby Allison, Neil Bonnett, Ivan Baldwin and Hershel McGriff. Just a few weeks later, Walker made the long trip to Florida to race the Permatex 300 sportsman event at Daytona International Speedway. Unfortunately, he was caught up in a lap 30 wreck and suffered a fractured left knee. Even so, Walker was able to come through to win the NorCal 150 Spring open competition event at Shasta Speedway that year.

Walker turned in two of his biggest race wins in the 1977 season first by holding off Joe Ruttman in inferior equipment and winning the Rose Classic 150 open comp race. Later in the year, Walker took home his only NASCAR Winston West victory winning the Winston 100 at Shasta Speedway in a race that featured the talents of Donnie Allison, Chuck Bown and Bill Schmitt. Throughout the 1980s, Walker continued his winning ways claiming victories in the 1981 Evergreen Speedway leg of Speedweek, the 1981 and 1984 Western 150 events at Shasta Speedway. In 1985, Walker narrowly lost the inaugural NASCAR Northwest Tour event at Evergreen Speedway to Garrett Evans. Keep in mind that these are all events that are documented on the Internet, it does not include numerous other races and wins that happened.

When Redwood Acres Raceway was paved for the 1988 season, Walker moved his focus back to racing locally while also racing open comp and other late model touring events sparingly. Walker fought off Randy Olson in both the ‘88 and ‘89 seasons to win the track championship. Though Walker’s win count was low in the 90s, he was still a major factor in every race he ran. In 1995, Walker took home the Laura Robinson 100 open comp victory at Shasta Speedway. Walker’s two most recent main event victories came in the Tri-State Challenge Series at Ukiah Speedway in May of 2002 and at Redwood Acres Raceway in the second night of the 2003 Fair Classic for the North State Challenge Series.

Since 2006 Walker has raced only four touring series events, all at Redwood Acres Raceway. The major factor in this is likely due to the unfortunate accident Walker endured a few years ago while working on his property when his Caterpillar rolled causing serious injury. Should Walker race this weekend’s AABLM event at the Acres, it quite possibly could be one of the last times that race fans can see the legendary Northern California racer behind the wheel.

Along with the visiting AABLM tour cars will be the regular schedule of real stocks, roadrunners, thunder roadsters and sportsman cars. Do not miss out on what promises to be an exciting night of racing at the Acres!

Rain delays RAR season opener

Rain delays RAR season opener

By Matthew J. Sullivan

For the second straight year, rain forced the cancellation of the season opening race at Redwood Acres Raceway. Thankfully, the delay will only be one week as racing will return to the Acres (weather permitting of course) this coming Saturday night. Along with the five local classes of mini stocks, limited street stocks, real stocks, thunder roadsters and sportsman cars will be the first of three North State Challenge Series late model races held at the raceway for the 2008 season. Crescent City, California driver and Redwood Acres Raceway alumnus Howard Ford won the first race of the North State Challenge Series season two weeks ago at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, California, and he will definitely be among the favorites to win this Saturday night.

Added to all of the racing excitement will be a special memorial for former Acres racer and North State series driver Hank Hilton. Hank passed away earlier this year due to cancer. He was known as Hammerin’ Hank to Northern California race fans, however Hank was recognized as one of the cleanest racers and a true gentleman by his competitors. Hank’s racing experience dated back to 1949 when he raced his first stock car race at age 16, and his blue number 98 car was a familiar sight in the North State series as well as the open competition events that were held at Redwood Acres Raceway and Shasta Speedway in the 80s and 90s.

2007 season concludes with the Fall Spectacular

2007 season concludes with the Fall Spectacular

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 21st season of pavement racing on the 3/8 mile oval at Eureka, California’s Redwood Acres Raceway comes to a close this Saturday night, September 29th with the Fall Spectacular. The night’s events will feature the crowning of the 2007 Redwood Acres Raceway real stock champion, the largest field of thunder roadsters in the United States, a strong field of I.M.C.A./Grand American modified racers from all over the west coast, and the next to last race for the North State Challenge Series late models.

Going into the final night of racing, real stock driver Bill Middleton holds a slim four point advantage over second place Troy Wood. The third place driver, Steve Kimberling is 35 points behind the leader and has an outside shot of winning the title. The real stock division has provided some of the most exciting and most clean racing at the Acres this past season, and Saturday night’s race should be a thrill to watch.

The thunder roadster champion at Redwood Acres Raceway, Paul Peeples, Jr., earned his title at the track’s previous race. With no points on the line, the racing should be even more intense. Redwood Acres Raceway holds the distinction of featuring the largest field of roadsters in the United States, and there will likely be at least 20 cars ready to race. Among the favorites will be Peeples, David Henderson, Troy Combs, Leroy Marsh, Jr., Chris Banfill and defending race champion Randy Olson.

The 2006 I.M.C.A./Grand American modified race was won by Willie Thompson. The Oregon racer led the race from the drop of the green flag to the drop of the checkered. Thompson had to hold off the likes of Jerry Dubach, Scott Winters, Ed Laws and Gary Lowblad to score the victory. The 2005 race winner, Jay Lindstroth set the fast time last year with a quick 16.206 qualifying lap. With many tracks not running this Saturday or not running their modified division, there promises to be another strong field of modified drivers and cars.

2007 NASCAR Grand National West rookie, Ryan Foster came from the tail end of the field to win the Northwood Chevrolet 100 last season. 2007 ASA Late Model Challenge Series rookie Derek Thorn led most of the race and finished second while Mike Doss took third, Howard Ford fourth and multi-time Northwood 100 winner, Mike Sackett fifth. Foster set quick time last year with an amazing 15.184 lap time, almost a full half second over second place qualifier, Ford. The field for this year’s race looks to be very good with more than 20 drivers either entered or expected to show up.

The race weekend begins Friday the 28th with open practice for all cars. The pit gates open at 11:00AM with practice being held from 2:00-6:00PM. Directly after practice, the annual barbeque will be held in the pits for all drivers, teams and officials. Saturday the pit gates open at 10:00 in the morning with practice beginning at 12:00 noon. The front gates open at 4:00PM the same time qualifications will start and all of the night’s racing will begin at 6:00PM.

Redwood Acres Raceway’s Fall Spectacular only a month away

Redwood Acres Raceway’s Fall Spectacular only a month away

By Matthew J. Sullivan

The 2007 Fall Spectacular for Eureka, California’s Redwood Acres Raceway is just around the corner. This year’s final event will mark the close of the 50th year of racing action at the historic facility. Joining Redwood Acres’ local classes of limited street stocks, mini stocks, real stocks and thunder roadsters will be the I.M.C.A./Grand American Modifieds and the late models.

There are some noticeable changes for the Spectacular this year. Instead of the traditional two-day show of racing, all of it will be held on one night. Another difference is that the Northwood Chevrolet 100 is a North State Challenge Series sanctioned points event. The changes should only make for an even more exciting and action-packed night of racing at the Acres.

Last season’s Northwood Chevrolet 100 was won by Redding, California’s Ryan Foster in dramatic fashion. Foster notched an astounding 15.184 lap time in qualifying but started from the tail end of the field. Foster diced his way through the field and wrestled the lead away from Lakeport, California’s Derek Thorn on lap 65 to go on for the win. Mike Doss took third, Howard Ford fourth and Mike Sackett fifth.

A veteran racer from Oregon, Willie Thompson lead all 50 laps of last year’s I.M.C.A./Grand American Modified holding off Jerry Dubach, Scott Winters, Ed Laws and Gary Lowblad to score the victory. One of the great things about the modified race at the Acres is that it attracts numerous drivers from all over Northern California and Southern Oregon. Last season’s race featured drivers who raced at tracks such as Lakeport Speedway, Ukiah Speedway, Shasta Raceway Park, All American Speedway, Stockton “99" Speedway, Madera Speedway, Douglas County Speedway and Altamont Motorsports Park.

Friday September 28th is an open practice for any and all drivers and teams who wish to get their cars tuned to the 3/8 mile paved oval. Afterward, a free barbeque will be held in the pits for all drivers and crew members. Saturday September 29th is race night. The grandstands open at 4:00PM for qualifying while racing will begin at 6:00PM. Don’t miss out on your chance to see some exciting racing at one of the finest facilities on the west coast!

Rain wipes out opening night at the Acres

Rain wipes out opening night at the Acres

By Matthew J. Sullivan

With stormy skies and the wind blowing furiously, Redwood Acres Raceway officials cancelled the 2007 April 21 season opener early Saturday. Unfortunately, that meant that there wouldn’t be any racing action, but fortunately it only meant that there would be a week’s delay until the next scheduled event which is set this Saturday night, April 28 at 6:00 PM.

The weather is looking very good for what will now be an even bigger season opener at the 3/8 mile paved oval. Joining the local classes of limited street stocks, mini stocks, real stocks, thunder roadsters and sportsman cars will be the North State Challenge Series late models. Ironically, the NSCS also had their season opener at Anderson, California’s Shasta Raceway Park washed out, so they too will be holding their first race this weekend. Among the drivers expected to show are Howard Ford from Crescent City, CA, Mike Doss from Lakeport, CA, Luke Hall from Fortuna, CA, Randy Houston from Portland, OR and C.J. Bawden from Carson City, NV. These drivers are just a few of the ones that are capable of bringing home the trophy at the end of the 100 lap feature event.

One of the unfortunate casualties of the April 21 rain-out was the much anticipated Best Appearning Car Contest, as voted on by the fans. That event has been moved to May 12th. Perhaps it will give drivers a bit of incentive to keep their cars clean going into their next race.