December News

Pro Dutch at Performance Racing Industry

It was a cold morning and the weather was forecasting freezing rain for the next three to five days, BUT we were on our way to the airport and sunny Orlando, Florida. We were going to attend the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show for the first time and being in a nice warm place was going to make it even better. Unfortunately to get to Florida there were other airports to pass through and the freezing rain caused a delay of just over two hours, but we made it with no other problems.

The first morning we met up with our engine builder, Billy & Dave Leverenz and "Smitty" of Oddy's Engines, for breakfast and discussed our plan of action for the next three days. We hopped the shuttle to the convention center and let the fun begin. As we entered the center we thought that it looked really big, but that we could probably look at everything there in a single day. Boy were we wrong! After three days we had barely had time to walk down each aisle, and we moved very quickly through some of the areas that were devoted to large machinery and formula racing.

We talked with a lot of people that make some very good products and got to meet face-to-face with many of the people we deal with on the telephone and internet during the racing season. It was really nice to talk directly with these folks and feel the passion that they also have for racing. There were no loud engines or fuel fumes in the air, but the feeling was comfortable and similar to talking with friends and fans at the track.

While we were there we met up with two other Pro Modified teams that are also running with Oddy's Engine power. First we met the folks from Next Generation Racing, Steve Quint (Owner) and George Landis (Driver). They are running Jim Oddy's old Dodge Stratus that he sold when he retired from racing. Jim's son Dave Oddy is the Crew Chief for this car. George drove the car in the NCMA Pro Street class this year and finished in second place and set some NCMA Pro Street records along the way. We also met Ray Vettel of Sunrise Racing and they're running a new 70 Barracuda that is one nice looking machine. They ran a few races in the AMS Pro Mod series and are looking to step it up next year now that they have a handle on the new car. Both of these teams were great and we really enjoyed meeting and chatting with them while we were at the PRI show.

I did mention above about Jim Oddy retiring, but he and his beautiful wife Charleen, came to visit the show. Jim still looks as good as ever and he's still keeping his fingers in racing by being a sounding board for his son Dave on tuning issues. Below you see one very happy guy in the middle with two of the main people responsible for our quick and continued success in Pro Modified racing. (It was really great to see you again Jim!)

Jim Oddy invited us to attend the NCMA Awards Ceremony after the show on Friday. Dave Oddy was a nominee for Crew Chief of the Year. The awards ceremony was great and besides the awards they had some nice footage of the NCMA racing action throughout the year. Dave Oddy did not win the Crew Chief of the Year award (this year), but we were proud to see him up on the stage and representing a continuation of a great name in racing.

On Sunday morning it was an early start to get to the airport and then back home. When we arrived at the airport we found out that some airports up north had been closed yesterday due to the icy weather, but that everything looked good for us getting out on time today. Now, I'm sitting at the airport in a t-shirt and jeans and the weather has been between 76 and 82 Fahrenheit since we arrived and I'm wondering just what the weather will be like when we get back home. No worry though because I did bring a jacket just in case (but it was packed in my luggage).

We arrive back home and the temperature is a cool 21 Fahrenheit and an ice storm has been off and on for the last three days. First thing was to get my luggage and retrieve my coat, it was COLD. After waiting over twenty minutes outside for the bus to the parking lot we get to the car and it is covered with one-half inch of solid ice! The door could not be opened until the ice had been chipped away for the edges. The car started just fine, but it took almost an hour to get enough ice off the windows so the car could be driven (maybe Florida would be a good place to live?).

The weather is still cold and we just got 6 inches of snow yesterday, but thoughts and preparation for next year's racing are well under way. We've got great plans for the coming year and with the knowledge we gained last year along with the changes and improvement we'll make this year we know it's going to be great. Of course many of the other players will be raising their level also, but we feel confident that we have what it takes to be a contender for the number one spot and we that is our goal.

Easter is just around the corner and we're ready to get this party started! Stop by and see us if you're at the track, we'd love to see you.
Dennis.