Morgan racers braved blustery wind conditions, smoke filled air and whiskey-colored skies to participate in the 31st Season Finale with CSRG at Thunderhill Park on October 15-16.

After an anxious traffic stop on Hwy. 5 while a raging grass fire burned past us on either side of the roadway, we hoped the stage was set for a calmer weekend. Calmer emotionally, but too windy to put up our shelters.

Since we weren't using Friday as a test day, we had Red teched and then visited with other participants. Later that afternoon, Dave and Shari Sneary, George and Kathy Tollworthy, David Haines, and Donna and I attended a cocktail party hosted by the NASCAR drivers which featured their famous margaritas and a variety of finger foods and drinks. The party, enjoyed through smoke-filtered sunlight and constant wind, provided memorable weather and an orange-glowing sunset.

On Saturday, the Morgans in group three, with Dave Sneary, George Tollworthy and Red, were on the track at 11:15 for practice with an afternoon race scheduled for 4:30. David Haines, the fourth and only other Morgan race entry, was in group four.

Repeating the popular tradition from the previous year, the Pursuit Race was held at 12:45. George and his trike were flagged off first with Red following 2 min16 sec later trying to catch up before the remaining field of 50 entries were started according to their handicaps. The trikes were the oldest vehicles participating and many cars passed us before I managed to catch up with George in the fifth lap. One NASCAR driver nearly ran me off the track above turn five. (Didn't think I had that many of their margaritas.) Overall, a fun event with no Morgan incidents. After the trikes proudly took the checkered, we had lunch and waited for the afternoon race.

The group three race, run at 4:30, had 27 entries with four no shows. That left Sneary to do battle with the outrageously fast '33 Bugatti driven admirably by Peter Giddings among a flock of Porches, Lotus, Alfas and two trikes. Take off a wheel, Dave, and give the trikes a chance. Dave finished in 9th place 6 laps later, and Red took 19th with George just behind. We had fun dicing with the '49 Cooper JAP driven by Sean Murphy, although his racer is lighter and faster.

In the following group, another 6 lap event with 34 entries, Dave Haines campaigned his '66 4/4 to a 3rd place finish ahead of a mini Cooper S and a A-H Sprite. Good going, Dave!

That evening we attended the annual banquet and awards ceremony at the Veteran's Hall in Willows, enjoying a grilled chicken buffet dinner while visiting with friends. Shari Sneary was presented with a beautiful birthday bouquet. The four Morgan drivers and crew (resplendent in tropical attire) were given special thanks for attending this racing event instead of "the other one further south." A special presentation by the NASCAR group along with the customary speeches and CSRG awards, rounded out a pleasant evening.

Sunday was another race day, and Dave, George, and I were out at 8:30 for practice while Haines got to sleep in since his practice wasn't until 11:15, prior to the Mechanical Picnic. Since Red now has a passenger seat belt, Donna had a tour of the track for two laps which got her all jazzed. Rob Squire (whose mechanical MG failure on Saturday kept him out Sunday) also enjoyed a ride in Red and commented on the spindly tires and wheels which flexed while cornering. Really? I've always been too busy driving to notice this! This was his first ride on the track in a trike and he loved it! Rob, you should get a three wheeler and join us.

Our group 3 race was given the green flag at 1:45 and George and I played tag for several laps, enjoying the fact that we had the only two trikes on the track with no competition because the other drivers were running their own race within the group. Dave moved up a notch from the previous day to finish 7 laps in 8th place. Larry and George finished in positions 21 and 22. George had fun despite a cracked radiator tube on Saturday, but Rob effected repairs with epoxy, tape, and a clamp. Red's rear brake shoes became soaked with grease due to my overjealous lube but were cleaned and the brakes held just long enough to finish the event -- meaning in trike language that I didn't have to drag my feet or toss out the anchor (the passenger seat belt with a hook). The hour glass and a sundial for backup, continue to record our times.

Dave Haines raced in the last group at 4:30 and had another invigorating drive, finishing in position 22 in the field of 29. He's getting into the racing zone more with each event gaining driver confidence and machine comfort, if that's possible in a Morgan.

Except for a couple of Green Flag events, the HMSA event at Laguna Seca, and this CSRG meet, Morgan racing was concluded for this Century. Thanks so much to all the MSCC members and to our enthusiastic drivers and crews for their support throughout the year. You've all made the last racing season before the new millennium an outstanding one. We're looking forward to sharing the racing experience again next Century. Don't forget to mark your calendars for Buttonwillow on 6-7 May and come out and join us for this and all the races. See the calendar of events. Your support and involvment are always very much appreciated. Please remember that corner workers are always needed. Would you like to get more involved and participate in the racing experience? If so, let us know. See you in the paddock, on the track, or in the bar. Perhaps all three.

Dave Haines congratulated by Larry Ayers