Sapp Racing moves into the 2007 Racing series

 

New Update 11/20/2007 End Of Season...

After the first year on dirt for Sapp Racing, a top 15 in points was not too bad. Well its the end of the season at Bridgeport Speedway and its time to put that Pony down for a nap, atlease until its time for the facelift.  By the 2008 Season the new 80's-ish Mustang II body will be lifted and placed on the car and get strapped in for another Dirt racin' Season at Bridgeport Speedway.  The 2007 year seen alot dings and dents, new fuel pumps, starters, distributors, oh yeah, and a ball joint or two.  Not to mention a few tow truck pushes, pulls, and carries, and a few Black Flags along the way.  But what is the Philadelphia's moto, "theres always next year"...Anyway, until next year, have a great and safe Christmas and a Happy New Year

UPDATED 11/18/2007  Race #14 Turkey Chase Weekend

The 4 cyl Stocks was added to the Saturday's Heat Races for Sundays Turkey Chase Features.  We was running a 10 lap feature on the larger 5/8ths mile track with warm-ups and heats.  We had a full 15 car field, but some of the normal runners were a no show, being that this was just for money and braging rights, not for points.  We finally found out that one of the ignition boxes were faulty and not working properly.  In order not to over rev the motor on the big track I hooked up the tachometer.  However, the tachometer was only hooked up to one of the ignition boxes, and it happen to be the bad one. When all the cars that was planning on racing the weekend was called out on the track for parade laps and warm-ups, I was testing the tach to make sure it was running correctly. I reved the motor up to my shifting point, around 6500 rpm's.  The popping and banging was still there a little bit. I held the throttle at 6500 and switched boxes so I can get use to the reving sounds and not the tachometer, and the beating and banging stoped. I switch the box back and the banging returned so when I went out for warm-ups I used the bad box to hit my rpm marks while shifting up through the gears and then I switched back to the good box so I can run higher rpm's then 3500 in third gear.  The timing went right for a chance on the big 5/8 mile track. However another situation occurred other then the timing, something my dad or myself never really thought of, being only our first year in racing.  Gearing.  The gearing on the car was off, being it was set up for a 1/4 mile track, not a 5/8, and for 2nd gear, not 3rd.  I did however get a chance to race a car for a few laps. Even if it was a girl for last place, no offense.  It seemed like we had the same gearing in the car.  I finally got around her with two laps to go only to go in to turn one on the last lap and have yet another ball joint break on me.  I might of finished last by I had fun doing it.  Anyway, after the damage is repaired, we are giving the car a complete make over.  We're changing the body of the car from the original Pinto body to a Mustang body for next year.  Also, making a few adjustment too, including a paint job, an extra battery, pedal and shifter adjustments, and maybe a new ignition box.  If any one is interested in racing in this series in 2008, please email me.  I know a few guys selling their car, either for a new one or for the reason of not returning to the series next year.  Next to Enduros, 4 cyl stocks are the cheapest form of racing to get into.  Its not spare change cheap, but compared to other forms of motorsports, its fairly inexpensive. 

Well this will probley be the last post until the new year, so Happy Holidays and Happy New Years to everyone out there.

Please check back later in 2008 for any new updates or news reguarding the 2008 season.

 

UPDATED 9/21/2007 Race #13 week 24

Last race of the season was finally here and I wished it was going to turns out better then the last time I was on the 5/8ths mile track.  Thats right, the Buckhorn Restaurant Nigh was here and the 5/8 mile track track was ready to host the 4 cylinders.  Before we thought about getting ready to go to the track, we needed to get the car back running and soon.  The distributor was changed but the car will still not start.  I had a freind of the family come over and see what he could do.  He tried a few things and relized the gears on the distibutor was not matched up to the aux. shaft.  After that was fixed the car started right up.  That was Thursday night before the race.  We headed to the track for the last scheduled race of the season feeling good at my chance to get a good finish on the big track. 

The night did not start out good at all.  The track was very very dry and there was dust everywhere.  I could not see ten feet in front of the car towards the end of warm-ups.  Besides that, the timing was off becuase it was never properly set after we changed the distripbutor.  However, the timing was the least of our problems becuase I hit the wall at the same sport comming off turn two on the same lap of warm-ups.  I did not do as much damage, but I did bend the rear leaf-spring brackets and they had to be fix.  We jacked up the car, removed to brackets beat them out and put them back in.  We did miss our heat race, so had to start in the rear.  Next was the timing.  We had our timing gun with up but it was the type had to be hooked up to the battery, and our extra wires to reached the battery behind the driver's seat, were left at the house.  We know it only have to be turned a few degrees to be good.  We made the adjustments and had the car race ready with just a few minutes to spare before we needed to hit the track for our Feature race.  Once the green flag was thrown, I realize the timing adjustments we made was made the wrong way.  I putted around the track for the ten laps only hitting about 3500 rpm's and finished last of the 15 cars that started the race.  I did not watch much racing that night just the leaders that passed me to put me a lap down.  We went the next night to watch some racing and found out that that added one more race to our schedule on Sunday October 21st.  We will be competing on the 5/8th mile track again with the Big Block and Smal Block Mods, Open Sportmans, GM Crate Sportmans, Outlaw Stocks, Limited Sprints, Demo Derby, and us 4 Cylinders.  This will be my last race for the 2007 racing season at Bridgeport Speedway.

Please check back for new updates after the next race.

UPDATED 9/14/2007 Race #12 week 23

Going into week 23 this will be my fourth race in a row I would try to make.  I felt good going into the race weekend knowing this will be my last race on the 1/4 mile track for the 2007 season.  I got to the track to relize they have me starting on the pole position for Heat race number 1.  I desided that this is the last race for the season on the small track so I gave it a shot.  Now I wish I did not start up front, and I should of dropped to the rear like races in the past.  I started up front on the inside and heading into turn three in 2nd gear, I put my right foot to the floor and held on.  I made it out of turn four being pushed from behind and cars on both sides of me taking the green flag.  I made into to turn one for the first time and got a slammed from someone behind me.  The car shut off and I drifted around turn two and down the back stretch, coming to a rest outside of turn three.  After getting pushed back to the pits, we opened the hood and started checking wires, plugs, gas, anything we could check.  We were getting gas, so that was not the issue.  The car had power and was trying to start, but was not turning over.  We pulled out the distributor and half of the gears' teeth were sheared off.  We did not carry a spare distributor with us, so, for the eighth time this season we packed up and headed home before even getting to the feature race. 

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 9/7/2007 Race #11 week 22

We got a new hose, and a spare, and headed back to the track for another race weekend.  The track was just a little loose and have got drier during the Heats.  I know the feature race was going to have a very dry track.  I was correct, and the track was very very dry.  For the first time in almost two months the car made it to the feature race.  The track was close to being asphalt, and I drove the car the same way.  I finished the Feature race, for the first time in about three months, in the 11 postion out of 14 cars, finishing a lap down behind the leader.  The main thing about this weekend, is that I finished the race, in one peice. 

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 8/31/2007 Race #10 week 22

The car is fixed but not until Thursday night, just hours before my next race.  With my dad being put on night shift and assumed I was not going to make it this week.  I received a call about 11:30 Friday morning at work, finding out my dad did not have to work late and we could go.  We made it to the track, unpacked, and got the car ready for the nights race. I went out for warm-ups and many drivers could not get their car hooked to the dirt, and I was one of them.  I came back from practice, but before I could scrape the mud off the car, we relized the car was gushing fluid out the front.  We popped the hood and relize one of the radiator hose brackets came undone and sent the hose into the fan, cutting a hole in the hose.  Of course the hose we had would not fit the radiator that was on the car now.  So once again we loaded the car up and headed home. 

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 8/24/2007 Race #9 week 21

A little more then a month after my last race I packed the truck and trailer and headed back to the track.  The seaon is all downhill from here and still no major work needed.  Well untill and went out into the track.  We had a special race this weekend, a so-called practice run, on the large 5/8 mile track, for the Buckhorn Restaurant Night at the end season.  I took the car out on the big track for my first time and the track, even with the Mods and Sprints taking their warm-ups, was still wet.  I ran around for about two laps and the car felt good, but comming off turn two for the last time for warm-ups, the car pushed out and I could not save it.  The car hit flush along the back stretch wall and came to a stop.  I had to be pulled back by a tow truck and lifted on to the trailer.  The car suffered a broken right front ball joint, bent rear leaf-spring brackets, and had the rear end pushed to the left about 6 inches.  I did not have the spare parts, nor the time to get the car fixed to make it out for the feature, so we loaded up and headed home. 

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 7/27/2007 Race #8 week 17

This was the begining of the second half of the season at Bridgeport Speedway and Mother Nature took the checkered flag this Friday Night.  We did get the chance to finish warm-ups and Heat Races but before the feature races came around the rain clouds showed up.  Our make up is scheduled for a later week.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 7/13/2007 Race #7 week 14

This is my first race in almost three weeks.  With work schedule and my dads kidney stones, its been tough to make every weekend's race.  I did however, make the trip this weekend, and the race did not go as planned. The track was wet and tacky and it took awhile for even the more experienced drivers to get the car hooked up.  Warm-ups and heats went on without much problems, but when the feature came around it all changed.  The car was very loose and it was tough for me to get the car to stick in the turns.  Once, I spun out by myself, and then again when I tried to miss a wreck in front of me.  About 10 laps in to the race I was spun out from behind and with that being my third spin, I was black flagged and DQ'ed.  I finished last place but had a car that could of finished 7th.  There were a few cars that drop out of the race, directly after I did. I will not be making next weeks race but I will be taking the number 2s Ford Pinto out for another night in two weeks.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 06/23/07 Race #6  Week 11

Another day at the races!!!  We headed up to Brigeport for my 6th race of the year.  At the start of warm up's, the track was gluppy wet, if thats a word, and the car was all over the place.  I turn the wheel left, the car went right. I turn the wheel right, the car went left. The track was just so wet, none of the cars could get any traction at all.  After I made some tire pressure adjustments, and after the Heat Races, the track was coming in good.  I was still all over the track but not as much as warm up's, and I know all would be fine for the feature, after some other races got ran.  I ran the car as hard as I ever did before, and I ran fairly well.  I stayed with the most of the pack until I spun, and drew the yellow flag. Not once, not twice, but three times. The car ran good on the bottom and halfway up, but once I got towards the top the car would just snap sideways.  I was Black flagged on lap fourteen for drawling three yellow flags but I was satisfied the way the car ran.  I ran my fastest lap in a 17.5, and the fastest of the fastest laps, was a 17 flat, so I was not that far off. Anyway, a few more adjustments and changes to the car and we will dig at it some more next weekend.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 06/18/07    Race #5    Week 10

Plenty of racing was in stored this past weekend.  Friday night at Bridgeport, Saturday night at Wall Speedway, and Sunday at Bridgeport again.  Did not run Friday night because I really wanted to run Sunday, and didn't want to chance the car.  After getting off of work saturday, we headed up to Wall Speedway in Belmar, NJ.  There was a total of ten feature races that night.  Two features each for the Sportmans, Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Factory Stocks due to a rain make up. Plus a feature each for the M.A.D. (Modified Affordable Division) and the Legends cars. Next came Sunday at Bridgeport Speedway.  The Micro Nationals, brung not only feature racing but one car qualifying.  I qualified in 8th place out of 9 cars.  Not much happened in the feature race. I was just out there to get some more seat time, which is a key role in dirt track racing.  I'm still trying to get that "you gotta turn right to turn left" thing to work.  The track was dry and tight.  Of course the front wheel drive cars just dominated the field all day.  Finished ninth place out of, well nine, but atlease I finished the race in one peice.  All I have to do now is go home and wait for that $30 check in th mail.

 

UPDATED 06/8/07      Off Week    Week 9

After two weeks off and a weekend of NASCAR racing down in dover, I couldn't wait to get back in the car.  But I had to wait until next week to get my racing fix.  With a tight working schedule close to race time, I had to miss this weekends race.  I had to work until 6:00 p.m. If I get off at 6:00, I would not get home until 6:30. By the time I got changed, packed, and ready, it would be close to 7:00.  I wouldn't be getting into the track until well after 7:30. I would miss warm-ups(6:30), and miss Heat Races(7:00). So I would only show up for the feature race.  I'm not in to it yet for points or money so I choose to just sit out another week.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 06/04/07    Off Week  Week 8

We took another weekwnd off to enjoy some NASCAR racing down at the Monster Mile, Dover Downs.  I got off early, around 10:00 Friday morning and my dad and myself headed down route 1 in my "Tuscani".  We ran in to some relatives down there before the race, so we sat with them for the Truck race. We did get to see alot of racing Friday and Saturday, with the Truck race Friday afternoon and Busch race Saturday.  Sunday, however, the only action we saw was two golf carts running into each other as they drove by us, as we tried to stay dry under our tent.  The rain didn't come down heavy, but enough to keep the cars parked.  Of course the race was postponed until Monday morning, while I was at work.  On the bright side, I have a $92 paper souvenir (the unused ticket)

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 05/29/07   Off Week  Week 7

! ! !Happy 21st Birthday to Me! ! !

We took off this weekends race due to my working hours.  Not planning to get home until to after 6:30, plus all the holiday traffic on ever single road in america, we would not make it to the race in time only to run the feature race.  I did have time to take the car down to the local car wash and gave the pony a bath. Im planning on giving the car a new look by painting the wheels chrome to match the bumpers.  And maybe a new sponsership for the hood.  We got the rebuilt motor back from A.C. MOTORS and work will be made on it to make it race ready if needed. 

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 05/19/07  RACE #4  Week 6

Race number four was under way on May 18th, and the car ran the way it should of once again.  I made it through warm-ups and heats with no trouble.  However, once the Feature race came around, it went out with a BANG. I made it through the first half of the race, but around lap 12 I made some contact with the inside turn 3 wall.  Even with the front bumper and left fender caved in, the car kept on truckin. But I felt I didn't hit it hard enough the first time. I gave the turn 2 wall a try, and that hit finished me off.  Pushing everything further in and the just about killing the left front wheel in, I limped back to the pits, with the help of a 4 wheeler. My dad, uncle, and myself had some work to do to get the car up on the trailer. After about 20 mins. of work, the car was packed up ready to go, but not before taking out the up-rights holding on the lights, cutting the light wires, breaking off the turn signal lens, and busting up the license plate.  Im planning on taking off next week, plus the week after for the Dover race weekend. I will, however, be ready to go in two weeks.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 05/11/07   Race #3  Week 5

All the adjustments made to the car, we headed back to the track. New tire pressures, new fuel pump, new gas octane, new timing degrees, new oil, new oil filter, a clean air filter, and a new breather filter.  With an all new red clay surface, I went out on the track for warm-ups not know what the car would do, and wished for the best. I went down the back and got the car on 2nd gear, and headed towards turn three. The car never slowed down like it done before in the first three weeks.  I went in to turn three thinking "OK, now what do I do?" I made it around that turn and headed down the front and in to turn one. I guest all that crap we did to the car fixed our problems.  The main thing, I think was the electric fuel pump we switch to over the mechanical driven pump. On lap two coming out of four, the car got a little loose and I over corrected the car, then over corrected the correction and ended up sliding into the exit wall of the infield.  I made it through the rest of warm-ups with no more problems.  Went though the first half of the Heat race on track but then a loose battery cable sidelined me for the rest of the Heats.  Tighted her up then hit the track again for the Main.  Made it through the whole Feature with little worries.  However, I was accused of cuting a tire that wasn't even mine.  If your reading this,(and you know who you are)Sorry. Anyway, I finished 9th out of 14 witch is not bad for my first race. 

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 05/07/07  Richmond  Week 4

With last weekend off due to weather, this week end we headed to good ol' Richmond International Raceway, for this weekends NASCAR races.  We headed down Friday morning, hitting the track around 1:30 in the afternoon.  We mainly just hung out at the car and the trailers until race time.  Friday nights busch race was a good one, but not only becuase the tickets were free.  The Satuday Nights' Cup race, however, never happened.  We hit the track around 8 in the morning, to halfway good skies, but that all changed.  We walked through the trailers and road side yard sales in the morning and got back to the car around 11:30 and got in right before the rains came.  It rain all the way up to race time and then it stoped.  But then stared once again.  Ninty bucks down the drain.  Well theres always Dover in a few weeks.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 04/21/07   Race #2  Week 2

We went to the track thinking the few changes we did fixed the problems we encountered last week. Unfortuntly race two started and ended the same as race one did.  We went out for warm-ups, sputterness (If thats a word). We didn't even try going out for Heats or the Feature, knowing we are only going to waste the battery power and gas.  We just packed the car up and watched some of the Heats in the bleachers before heading home for the week. 

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 04/14/07   Race #1  Week 1

Well, race number one is in the books, sort of.  The car went out for the first warm up's for the season and the car was still acting up.  The car got going good, but the warm up's were over. Thats were the problems started, well didn't start.  The car stalled on the track, and when we got pushed back to the pits, we found the problem.  It was the starter that went bad.  Warren and Brian, other 4 cylinder drivers, and good friends, jacked up the car and changed the starter for me.  We had the car back fired up and out on the track for my first heat race to experience the same problems.  We pack up and headed home, not even staying to run the feature race.  The feature race was postpone due to time restrictions.  We have an idea of what is causing the car to act up and must over look a few things before next week, including the fuel, plugs, and timing.  Well, once again, there's always next week.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATED 03/31/07  Practice

Today was the first on track experience for me in a dirt race car. It was the season's first practice for the 1/4 mile and 5/8 mile track.  It did not turn out to good. Unsure of the problem the car was having, I was blacked flag during the 1st practice session.  The car just did not go anywhere.  Is it the car, I dont think so.  Is it the driver, probley.  Either way, I only had a lap or two of practice, at 30 mph.  On a good note, I got the car through inspection, and my pit pass for the year.  Well theres always next week.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATE 02/24/07

The car is up and running under its own power.  I have just now found time to get around to put the seat and harness in place.  I've ordered and received all my nomax goodies, gloves, shoes, and transponders.  I am looking around for some navy blue paint to paint the car, keeping to the Delaware Blue Hens colors.  Anyone know of some inexpensive racing number, please let me know.  I got my first driving experience behind the wheel of a stick shift, by taking the Pinto to an empty School Bus parking lot down the street and doing some shifting.  I still got a lot to learn, and only a few weeks to do it.  It was my first time climbing through a window like a real racecar driver.  It is easy to get in, but a little hard for a BIG guy like myself to get out.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATE 02/03/07

A new car was added to my driveway this pass weekend.  A 1978 Ford Pinto Mini-Stock.  The car has already been set up and used at Bridgeport Speedway by the 2004 and 2006 4 cylinder Champion Warren Stradley.  The complete, turn key, race ready car came with thousands of dollars worth of stocked Pinto parts, including bodywork all around and any and every type of machnical part that's changable on the car. 

New seat, fire retarnant clothes, and other equiptment are in rout to my house and will soon be installed.  I will be painting the car the same color of blue and yellow, Delaware state colors.  I will be, however, changing the number from the 28 of Warren Stradley to Sapp Racing's series of numbers, starting from my Enduro days of 1s, to the new 2s (this is my 2nd race car).

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.

UPDATE 01/17/07

The 2007 series starts the first Mini-Stock Racing series for Sapp Racing and myself.  Starting on March 31, 2007, the 2007 series will begin for the 4 Cylinder class at Bridgeport Speedway.  Hopefully I will be competeing in most of the events being hosted on the 1/4 mile inter track of Bridgeport Speedways' fast 5/8 mile clay track located in South West New Jersey, just minuts outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

The first on-track activity will be the 1/4 mile practice on Marh 31st, followed by the season opener on Friday April 13th.  I will be converting my original 1s number to a 2s, plus getting a new car. 

With the completion of the 2006 season, and my 1992 Ford Escort I will be looking for a new car to run on Dirt.  I have a few cars lined up, including a mustang and an integra, but nothing set in stone yet.

The NEETS at Bethel or the new Mountain Madness Series at Mountain Speedway are not out of question.  Some visits to both may still happen within the 2007 schedule.

Please keep checking back for new updates every week.