ONE CHAPTER ENDS, ANOTHER BEGINS

It is with great saddness that we report that the Red #32 Bandolero has been sold. It almost broke my heart to see it roll out of the driveway. Betty almost cried. It has been a really good car and Connelly learned how to drive a race car in it. Toward the end of the season we really got it dialed in and Connelly was able to drive it anywhere on the track and it would stick. I don't know how much his driving would have improved had we stayed in Bandolero racing for another year. So, we have moved on, and purchassed a Legend.

The car we got was Cody Logan's #88 backup car. We took delivery on the car on Saturday Sept. 25, 2010 at Sunny South Raceway and Connelly got in some serious practice. At first he was Bando driving, but after a lot of pointers from Mr. Joe and Brian he got the line better, his brake points and acceleration pionts started working, his times came down and he got more comfortable. When it was time to go I almost had to "pry" him out of the car. It was a great day. In keeping with the normal weather pattern for SSR it even tried to rain. We look forward to next season already and we only have six months to go.

The new paint scheme has yet to be fully determined, but we are leaning toward a glossy black with orange flames????

Post Season Thoughts

Well the racing at Sunny South Raceway is completed for the 2010 season. Connelly and the entire #32 team has been blessed with an extremely successful season. We won seven races (it would have been eight had Connelly gone through tech for race number seven in a timely fashon) and he had second place finishes in three other races. We won the Bandolero track championshiop by a wide margin of 154 points, which is two complete races. We will probably wind up second in total points for the Louisiana Bandoleros, the car that will probablly win will have 2 or 3 races more than we had. We will most likely finish in the top third of all the Bandoleros in the US with only 13 races to our credit (some cars have over 40). So with all things considered 2010 was almost a perfect season for us, and it was only our second season, with us competing in only 5 events in 2009. We couldn't have asked for more.

I and the entire #32 team would like to thank Joe McArdle and the entire staff at Sunny South Raceway for providing a great venue for racers young and old alike. The track is excellent in that it offers challenges to the crew chief in setting up the car, and the drivers to get the most out of what they have. SSR in truly a unique setting and we want the entire staff to know how much we appreciate their efforts. We are already looking forward to next year.

Sunny South Raceway Results 8-21-2010

Last Saturday was the last race of the season at SSR. It called for a unique fromat in that a double program was scheduled to make up the cancelled race from July 24th due to tropical storm Bonnie. We arrived at the track about 30 minutes late after having to deal with a blow out on the right trailer tire. We got that repaired with the help of the Motorist Assistance Patrol on I-10. The track was very hot, 113 degrees and somewhat loose. Connelly went out and I called him in after only 5 laps, he was sideways coming out of both turns 2 and 4. I didn't want to tear up the car at this point of the season, so I put a half turn of wedge in the left rear to tighten him up. He went back out and said he was too tight, so I took half of what I put in out. He then said he was OK. (should have left it alone as the track came to us and we probably would have been fine if I had given the track time to cool off).

We had a good field of 4 cars for this weekend's event, the #32, the # 39, the #55r, and the #18. Connelly drew the pole to start the first heat race, got a great start and led every lap. The finishing order for the heat was #32, #39, #18, #55r. Connelly reported being a little tight, but the track was still quite hot, but he was turning some dynamite times.

For the feature we started on the pole, followed by the #39, #18 and the #55r. Connelly got another great start and lead every lap. The finishing order was #32, #39, #18, #55r. After driving a great race Connelly made a mistake, instead of going directly to the technical inspector for post race inspection, he inadvertanly went back to the trailer area, where he realized his error and without turning the motor off went back to tech the car but it was too late the damage had been done, he had been disquilified. Connelly was crushed. He desperately wanted to win these last two events. I told him it was just one of those things and to get his game face on and go get the next heat and feature.

We re-registgered the car for the next event, drew third for starting position for the heat race. The program dragged on due to an oil spill in one of the legends races. It got late fast, the driver of the #55r (age 10) was falling asleep in the staging area and his father did not want him up front with the mad dash that was to come at the start with him being so tired, so he moved him to the rear of the field, which by rule moved the whole line up, which put Connelly on the pole again. Connelly got another great start and by halfway had half a straight a way lead. Connelly went on to win the heat by a large margin, folowed by the #18, #39 and #55r. In the second feature the #32 started on the pole due to the heat win, followed by the #18,#39, and #55r. Connelly nailed the start and proceeded to gain a large lead over the #39. The #18 blew another engine, his second of the year while running third and had to retire. He wound up 4th. Connelly went on to win by a large margin, with the #39 second and the #55r third, which guaranteed him the Bandolero Championship of Sunny South Raceway for the 2010 season.

Although we did not go home with the first place trophy for the first feature race, no one crossed the finish line ahead of us all night. We led all 46 laps run in competition Saturday night, but did not qualify for the first place trophy because we did not correctly present ourselves to the track inspector at the required time, even though the "inspection" was nothing more than a drive through. For the last feature of the night Connelly put a piece of tape on the dash board with the words "GO TO TECH" printed on it. I'll bet that he never misses tech again.

Connelly conducted himself in a very professional manner all season, we are proud that he raced everybody clean, was involved in only one minor incident, got spun by the #18, no harm no foul (he still got the win that night). All in all this could be considered a prefect season, 7 wins, 3 seconds out of 14 races

Sunny South Raceway Results 8-7-10

Saturday had finally arrived, Connelly was was going through racing withdrawls. We haven't raced since July 10th because tropical storm Bonnie cancelled the 7-24-10 race date. We arrived at the track at 5:00 pm and the rain arrived at 5:05. It rained one of those southern frog floaters for about an hour then another hour to dry the track. We finally got on the track for practice around 7 pm. Track was green as the rain had washed off all of the rubber put down from prior racing. Car was really good, wicked fast and handling great. Connelly's comment when he returned to the pits was,"don't touch it, it's perfect." He turned a 13.71 in practice.

Another top field of competitors were on hand; the #00, the #55r, the #18, the#39, and of cource us the #32. We drew the 4th starting position with the #39 on pole #00 outside front row, the #55r inside second row, the #32 outside row two, and the # 18 inside row three.

At the start of the heat race Connelly touched bumpers with the #00 and tired to "push" her past the #39, that didn't work so he dove to the inside and went form fourth to second in the first lap. It took him about four laps to get buy the #39 and take the lead and went on to win by about 8 to 10 car lengths. It was a very entertaining race with a couple of lead changes and some real close action. The finishing order for the heat was #32, #39, #18, #55r and #00.

In the feature Connelly started from the pole as a result of winning the heat followed by the #39, the #18, and the #55r, Raelyn Harris in the #00 did not start due to a mechanical problem. Connelly took the lead at the start but in lap #3 got loose and went up high in turns
1 & 2 letting the #39 get under him and take the lead. Connelly didn't panic he just got down to business and ran down the #39 and re took the lead, which he extended to a half straightaway before a spin by the #55r brought out a caution and closed the field up. Connelly got another good start and extended his lead to about 10 carlengths after a few laps of very close racing. These youngsters put on a very entertaining pair of races for the fans. Finishing order #32. #39, #18, #55r.

This was a very good points weekend and we extended our lead to 183 points, which almost locks up the track points championship for us ( we still have the "drop your two lowest points" races to deal with and we don't know how that will impact the final standings.) We'll just keep on racing.

Sunny South Race Results 7-24-10

Tropical storm Bonnie was the winner in all classes and all races on Saturday night. Track Manager Joe McArdle deferred to Bonnie and postponed. A reschedule will be announced shortly.

Sunny South Race Results 7-10-10

It has been three weeks since our last race, Connelly was climbing the walls he was so anxious to go racing. There was a very good field of cars for this weekend's race. The usual competitors were present; the #18, #39, #32, #55r and a visitor who competes at Monroe Raceway the #9. We got in two practice sessions made a slight chassis adjustment and sat tight for the heat race. We drew the #23 chip for starting position in the heat and that was good enough for outside front row. The #39 was scheduled to start on the pole but when he entered the track was only running on one cylinder (fouled spark plug) according to car owner. He missed the heat . The #9 moved up to the pole. At the start Connelly got a great jump on the field and going into turn one had almost a two car length lead. In the second lap the #55r and #9 got together in turn one and took both cars out. After a brief red flag to clear the wrecked cars only Connelly and the #18 remained. Connelly got another good start and proceded to win by about 10 car lengths.

In the feature race, the #39 got his ignition problems straightened out and was ready. The #55r sustained a bent rear axle and a bent spindle and tire rod on the front suspension in the heat race incident. Fortunately they had an entire spare rear axle assembly ready to go, I loaned them a new tire rod and they thrashed for over an hour, but were able to answer the call for the feature. An unbelivable feat by any standards. While the #55r was not up to his uaual speed (no time to set toe or camber) but they were able to make the start and complete one lap which was good for a 4th place finish earning them 82 valuable points toward the track championship.

At the start of the feature Connelly got another good start from the pole and led the first couple of laps. In lap 2 the #18 and #39 got together in turn 2 and spun each other out. They were both able to continue. Connelly again got a good start and led the remainder of the race winning by almost a straightaway. Finishing order #32 1st, #39 2nd, #18 3rd, #55r 4th. This was a very good win for us, as tonight was a double points night (the last one of the season) allowing us to extend our points lead. Only 3 more races remain July 24th, Aug 7th and Aug 21 st is the final race of the season.

Sunny South Race Results 6-19-10

Saturday night's race was quite eventful to say the least. An early rain shower rendered the track green and somewhat slick, setting up some mishaps. There was a strong field of 5 cars set to race, The #55r, #18, #39, #32, and the# 00. The #55r had just completed a one week journey of the southeast making tonight's race his 5th race in one week, whew! In practice the #39 got loose coming out of turn two, overcorrected and hit the wall on the back straightaway very hard. He bent several key components including his rear cassis. The car will probally need a new rear clip. He was unable to race due to the damage sustained. In the next practice session the #55r blew his engine. Something broke internally then it locked up. They had a spare motor with them and were able to change it in time for the last practice and made the race.

The heat race found the #32 on the pole. We drew the lucky chip, I am afraid we are using up all of our luck on the draw. Connelly got a good start and gradually increased his lead to an entire straightaway. The #00, #18 and#55r put on quite a show dueling for 2nd through 4th for more than half the race. The #00 develloped a mechanical issue and retired from the race. The #55r and #18 continued their duel for second until the end of the race with seldom more than a car length separating them. On the last lap the #55r got under the #18 but he couldn't quite pull off the pass. Finishing order; #32, #18, #55r, #00.

In the feature race the starting lineup was the same as the finish of the heat race. At the start Connelly got off to a fair start, the #00 who was starting outside of row 2 appeared to jump the start then turned left running the #55r into the infield, the field was jumbled going into turn one with Connelly running second to the #00. Connelly went up a little too high coming off of turn two allowing the #18 to get under him. Connelly just about had the pass on #18 completed coming off of turn 4 when they got together spinning both the #32 and #18. They became locked together (bumper of #18 under rear bumper cover of #32) and it took some muscle to get them apart. At that point the rains came again raining out the rest of the event. The track officials allowed the heat to count for the feature, giving Connelly his 4th win of the season. As Connelly said on the drive home, this is not the way we wanted to win it, but we will take it. Finishing order; #32, #18, #55r and the #00.

Sunny South Race Results 6-5-2010

Sunny South Raceway? they ought to consider calling it rainy south raceway. Two minutes after we came out of "tech" we had another one of those southern thunderstorms, a regular frog floater. It rained for an hour and a half and it took another hour and a half to dry the track. The first heat race kicked off at around 9:00 pm. We only had four cars tonight the #55, #32, #18 and the #39. We only got 8 laps of practice on a semi dry racetrack, we needed more as we had made a couple of changes and needed to get a feel of where we were. During practice the #18's oil filter vibrated loose, he lost all of his oil and blew his engine. Sounded real bad, probablly broke a crank or a rod. Only 3 cars answered the call for the heat race. I told Connelly to feel out the car before pushing it hard. We ran second for the first 6 laps, then closed to the rear bumper of the 39 but just ran out of laps and finished second with the 55r in third.

In the feature Connelly started outside pole as a result of his second place finish in the heat race. on lap 3 the 39 broke his chain and dropped out leaving Connelly and the 55r. Connelly won his third race of the year with the 55r finishing 2nd, the 39 was given credit for 3rd place. We had a good points night adding to our lead.

Sunny South Race Results 5-29-2010

Saturday was the regional qualifier for the Bandoleros. Overnight three additional cars showed up to run the regionals, in addition to all the cars that ran on Friday the #08, #92, and the local driver #55r arrived. Again Connelly drew the outside pole and did a much better job of holding position in the early stages of the 25 lap race. We had a max load of fuel on board (for 25 laps) so we were loose early in the race. The race started under very threatning skies. we traded positions with a couple of cars and there were a couple of accidents which slowed the process down. on lap 14 the skies openend up causing a red flag situation. After over two hours of hard rain the race was cancelled and considered complete because more than half the laps had been run. We finished 7th but were closing on some of the cars right in front of us as our fuel was burned off and the car started to come to us. All in all a very good learning experience, man those guys drive aggressaively. Our times were mostly in the high 13's with our best lap 13.77, couldn't do an average as I accidently erased the stopwatch. Race results, #83 1st, #40 2nd, #08 3rd.

Sunny South Race Results 5-28-2010

Tonight was the first night of the Memorial Weekend schedule. The normal race format was on tap for Friday, with Saturday running the 25 lap regional Qualifier. An extremely strong field was on hand Friday. In addition to the local cars #83, #39, #32, #18 we had cars from Naples Fl, Atlanta, Ga, Charlotte, NC, and Halafax, Nova Scotia. They included the #40, #5, #13, #03. Connelly started on the outside of first row and got hung out to dry on the outside and was frieght trained on the inside by several cars. He fell to 6th where he ran with the fastest Bandoleros in the south. They couldn't pull away from him nor could he gain on them. Finishing order for the top 3 was, #40 1st, #39 2nd, #83 3rd.

In the feature he started 6th and ran with the other cars, but couldn't pass finishing 6th, however he ran the fastest race of his career. He had 10 laps in the 13 seconds, with his best lap being 13.66. His overall average for the 15 laps was 13.98, not too shabby. All in all we learned a lot and will be better prepared next year. Finishing order for the top 3 was; #83 1st, #40 2nd, #39 3rd.

Sunny South Race Results 5-15-10

Four cars registered for the race on the 15 of May. The #83, 32, 18, and the 55. The weather was threatning and very humid. Track temps were hot 98 degrees at practice. The 32 was loose, we adjusted on it several times, but just couldn't give Connelly that "sweet spot" feeling in the car. All the other drivers had the same difficulty. The #18 had a steering arm bolt come loose which caused him to hit the wall hard. Tore up the front suspension, got that fixed then discovered the rear axle was also bent, which put him out for the night.

In the heat Connelly drew the pole and lead the first half of the race, The 83 finally got by and went on to win with Connelly 2nd and the #55 third.

In the Feature Connelly had his clutch slip at the start and it didn't lock up for a quarter of a lap he fell to third, but within 3 laps passed #55 for second and went on to finish there, with the 83 winning and the 55 third.

In spite of the ill handling car and clutch problems we had a huge points night leading the #55 by 67 points, the 83 by 80 with the 18 falling to fourth trailing by 112.

Sunny South Race Results 5.1.10

Another double points night. Cars participating tonight #32, 83, 39, 18, 55, 00. Car #32 started the heat race on pole with 18 outside followed by 55, 39, 00 and 83. The 83 was flying and took the lead on lap 4 and went on to win by a large margin. Connelly ran second in the 32 followed by 18, 55, 39 and 00.

The feature was quite an eventful race. In the first turn the 18 and 00 got together taking both cars out of the race. On the restart coming out of turn four the 39 and 55 got together, the 55 cutting down a tire and was forced to retire. The 83 got out to a big lead but with 5 laps to go the 32 closed the gap to about 8 or 10 car lengths to finish second followed by 39 in third.

Sunny South Race Results 4.17.10

The Bandolero lineup for 4.17.10 includes cars#32, 00, 39, 18, 55, 66. Connelly started in 3rd position came out of turn 2 in second went on to pass the 00 by end of lap 3 and win going away.

In feature started on pole led every lap and won going away, followed by 00 and 39.

Sunny South Race Results 4.3.10

We replaced a defective brake master cylinder which resolved the brake issue. The third race of the season at Sunny South Raceway brought out another strong field of Bandoleros. Racing that night were the #32, 83, 18, 55, 00, 38. The #83 very strong, we had nothing for him, Connelly finished a distant 2nd in both the heat and feature race.

Sunny South Race Results 3.13.10

Second race of the 2010 season was not a good one for the #32. We got to the track after practice had closed due to crew chief / Grandfather's prior commitment. Very strong field of cars were present. Cars#83, second in national points last season, 4, 39, 00, 18, 32, 55. Connelly drew the pole and led the first lap and a half then spun coming out of turn 2 (cold tires-no practice) went to back of pack started having brake issues and spun once more on last lap losing front bumper. Put on a new bumper bled brakes in prep for the feature.

Feature race, started last spun in turn one brakes locking up, spun in lap 5 same brake issues. rode around with a fast car thet he just coundn't drive. Finished 7th in heat and 6 th in feature. Took a big hit in points since this was a double points night.

Sunny South Race Results: 3.6.10

Sunny South Raceway opened its 2010 racing season on 3.6.10. Connelly drew the outsided pole starting position and proceeded to lead every lap in his heat race. A field of 5 cars were registered. Cars #4, 32, 55, 18 took the green flag, with # 11 not starting. Connelly in his red #32 got the start and led the first lap. The #4 spun while in close pursuit falling back to 4th. After a spin by #55, the #4 ran up to Connelly's back bumper in turn 4 coming to the checkered flag and spun again with Connelly getting the heat win.

In the feature, Connelly's heat race win gave him pole starting position with #18 outside pole and #55 starting 3rd. The #4 did not start as he sustained a bent rear axle in his off track spin in turn 4 of the heat. Connelly led every lap and got his very first win in only his sixth race ever. The race was very closely contested with #18 closing to within 2 car lengths before Connelly pulled away for a 5 car length victory. ( a classic case of mirror driving)