What was your best moment in racing

Mike Bassin · 11-24-2011, 09:33 AM

Most of you know that my deal in drag racing has been mostly as an announcer in Md. and Pa. though I still occasionally race my street / strip '68 Firebird in the footbrake classes. This spring when I grab the mike in the first event of 2012 it will be my 50th year as announcer or drag racer. I guess the first biggest thrill was sending Ronnie Sox in his '63 Z-11 427 down the track at 75-80 Dragway. He was a local Carolina / Va. racer til Bill Wilcom brought him north for the first time, his career shot upward big time and became a nationally known racer after the '63 season. Here I was, 17 yrs old sending Ronnie down the track in front of a big crowd several times that year. Other cool stuff has been the 4 years I worked at Maple Grove, 2004 to 2007 working the opens and divisionals there, usually with Lewis Bloom, what great racing. The chance to meet so many of you that visit this site has been the best. In 2008 George Case had me come down to Palm Beach International Raceway to announce the Nostagia race on their newly renovated track, what a place! Don Garlits was the grand marshall, I got to spend a good bit of time with him that weekend and give him an award on the starting line in front of several thousand people, that gives me goose bumps just recalling that day. There's lots more but I'll bore everyone if this keeps going. Let me leave it with this. A couple years ago at a dinner out with a group of NHRA tech guys and Stk / Super Stock racers Dave Ley kind of said it all for us drag racers, quote " You know for us this isn't just a hobby, it's not even a passion, it's a lifestyle we live 24 / 7 and we embrace it!" I believe that's us! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Mike Bassin

Lee Valentine · 11-24-2011, 10:12 AM

For me it was my son Bryan winning the Div. race at Orlando in 2002. I was home following the race on DRC, He said I wish you could have been here. Then later that season he won the div. race at E-town and I was there. Special moment for a proud Dad.

The Hawk · 11-24-2011, 10:22 AM

Two things come to mind for me. First was winning the 2003 Summit National Championship in Super Pro. After winning the race and driving back in front of the crowd was pretty thrilling for me.
Second was winning the 1996 Division 5 Stock Championship in my old V/SA Skylark. During the season I went to only 5 races and had a win,two runner ups,a semi and a first rounder. I beat out Kevin Helms by 4 points,376 to 372.

Jeff Teuton · 11-24-2011, 10:30 AM

I have only won two races; the US Class Nationals in Byron IL, and Indy this year: Take your pick.

vic guilmino · 11-24-2011, 11:03 AM

winning class D/S at the summernationals in1973 and winning stock elim. at charlotte this year

tim worner · 11-24-2011, 11:06 AM

A lot like Lee mine was being present when Bryan won @ Charlotte being the first ever champ @ that track. Also when I ran dead on with an egg against Billy Leber @ Norwalk finals. Have yet to be present when Byron wins a big one.

Dick Butler · 11-24-2011, 11:56 AM

1) When Brian , Melissa and I all won Class at Indy the same year.
2) Winning the Indy Points meet without making a time trial.(Used my daughters run to dial)
3)Winning Class at Indy GT/AA over MANY top racers 1996. My last Nationals.
4) Any time I won a Class trophy. ( 30+)
5) Working with Ralph Truppi as a friend and engine builder.
6)Organizing TOP/SS and TOP/Stk in Div 3 and running the events.

Brian VP · 11-24-2011, 12:21 PM

I have quite a few but I would guess that there are 2 that stick out in my mind. The first is a lot more than a moment because it consisted of about 5 weeks but it was 5 weeks that changed my life forever. In 2001 I decided to, all by myself, drive across the country and do the western swing. I drove to the Dallas National, then to the Las Vegas National, Divisional, and then to the Finals at Pomona. Along the way I made some great friends, had some great experiences, and ended up starting a relationship with a friend who would eventually be my wife, Kati. So many key things happened along that trip that changed my life, not just for me but for everyone in my family. It is so hard to believe how one decision can change so many peoples lives.

The second thing was the next year when I won the Cecil Points race. I had won other races before but this was a race that is 35 minutes from my house and everyone was there. For the first time, I won a race that my father was able to stay til the end, my wife, my best friend. It was a great day.

GarysZ24 · 11-24-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hawk

Two things come to mind for me. First was winning the 2003 Summit National Championship in Super Pro. After winning the race and driving back in front of the crowd was pretty thrilling for me.
Second was winning the 1996 Division 5 Stock Championship in my old V/SA Skylark. During the season I went to only 5 races and had a win,two runner ups,a semi and a first rounder. I beat out Kevin Helms by 4 points,376 to 372.

You forgot one Lane, the Div. 5 points race where you rained on Scotty Richardson's otherwise national championship season that year, by beating him in rnd 1 @ the Douglas, Wy. divisional!!!

Stock 608 · 11-24-2011, 03:08 PM

Winning my first round in comp this year!

11-24-2011, 09:33 AM	#1
Mike Bassin Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Berlin PA Posts: 134 Likes: 0 Liked 120 Times in 19 Posts	Re: What was your best moment in racing Most of you know that my deal in drag racing has been mostly as an announcer in Md. and Pa. though I still occasionally race my street / strip '68 Firebird in the footbrake classes. This spring when I grab the mike in the first event of 2012 it will be my 50th year as announcer or drag racer. I guess the first biggest thrill was sending Ronnie Sox in his '63 Z-11 427 down the track at 75-80 Dragway. He was a local Carolina / Va. racer til Bill Wilcom brought him north for the first time, his career shot upward big time and became a nationally known racer after the '63 season. Here I was, 17 yrs old sending Ronnie down the track in front of a big crowd several times that year. Other cool stuff has been the 4 years I worked at Maple Grove, 2004 to 2007 working the opens and divisionals there, usually with Lewis Bloom, what great racing. The chance to meet so many of you that visit this site has been the best. In 2008 George Case had me come down to Palm Beach International Raceway to announce the Nostagia race on their newly renovated track, what a place! Don Garlits was the grand marshall, I got to spend a good bit of time with him that weekend and give him an award on the starting line in front of several thousand people, that gives me goose bumps just recalling that day. There's lots more but I'll bore everyone if this keeps going. Let me leave it with this. A couple years ago at a dinner out with a group of NHRA tech guys and Stk / Super Stock racers Dave Ley kind of said it all for us drag racers, quote " You know for us this isn't just a hobby, it's not even a passion, it's a lifestyle we live 24 / 7 and we embrace it!" I believe that's us! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Mike Bassin

11-24-2011, 10:12 AM	#2
Lee Valentine Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brookfield, CT Posts: 708 Likes: 13 Liked 319 Times in 68 Posts	Re: What was your best moment in racing For me it was my son Bryan winning the Div. race at Orlando in 2002. I was home following the race on DRC, He said I wish you could have been here. Then later that season he won the div. race at E-town and I was there. Special moment for a proud Dad. __________________ Lee Valentine 1661 STK

11-24-2011, 10:22 AM	#3
The Hawk VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Littleton,Colorado Posts: 1,194 Likes: 0 Liked 249 Times in 109 Posts	Re: What was your best moment in racing Two things come to mind for me. First was winning the 2003 Summit National Championship in Super Pro. After winning the race and driving back in front of the crowd was pretty thrilling for me. Second was winning the 1996 Division 5 Stock Championship in my old V/SA Skylark. During the season I went to only 5 races and had a win,two runner ups,a semi and a first rounder. I beat out Kevin Helms by 4 points,376 to 372. __________________ Lane Weber It`s Not What You Drive That Wins....It`s How You Drive It Last edited by The Hawk; 11-24-2011 at 12:23 PM.

11-24-2011, 10:30 AM	#4
Jeff Teuton VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 2,717 Likes: 2 Liked 325 Times in 50 Posts	Re: What was your best moment in racing I have only won two races; the US Class Nationals in Byron IL, and Indy this year: Take your pick. __________________ Jeff Teuton 4022 STK

11-24-2011, 11:03 AM	#5
vic guilmino Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: wv Posts: 884 Likes: 42 Liked 56 Times in 21 Posts	Re: What was your best moment in racing winning class D/S at the summernationals in1973 and winning stock elim. at charlotte this year __________________ Vic Guilmino 1129 STK

11-24-2011, 11:06 AM	#6
tim worner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: duncannon Posts: 837 Likes: 14 Liked 126 Times in 20 Posts	Re: What was your best moment in racing A lot like Lee mine was being present when Bryan won @ Charlotte being the first ever champ @ that track. Also when I ran dead on with an egg against Billy Leber @ Norwalk finals. Have yet to be present when Byron wins a big one. __________________ Tim Worner SS 1747

11-24-2011, 11:56 AM	#7
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: What was your best moment in racing 1) When Brian , Melissa and I all won Class at Indy the same year. 2) Winning the Indy Points meet without making a time trial.(Used my daughters run to dial) 3)Winning Class at Indy GT/AA over MANY top racers 1996. My last Nationals. 4) Any time I won a Class trophy. ( 30+) 5) Working with Ralph Truppi as a friend and engine builder. 6)Organizing TOP/SS and TOP/Stk in Div 3 and running the events.

11-24-2011, 12:21 PM	#8
Brian VP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 144 Likes: 0 Liked 8 Times in 1 Post	Re: What was your best moment in racing I have quite a few but I would guess that there are 2 that stick out in my mind. The first is a lot more than a moment because it consisted of about 5 weeks but it was 5 weeks that changed my life forever. In 2001 I decided to, all by myself, drive across the country and do the western swing. I drove to the Dallas National, then to the Las Vegas National, Divisional, and then to the Finals at Pomona. Along the way I made some great friends, had some great experiences, and ended up starting a relationship with a friend who would eventually be my wife, Kati. So many key things happened along that trip that changed my life, not just for me but for everyone in my family. It is so hard to believe how one decision can change so many peoples lives. The second thing was the next year when I won the Cecil Points race. I had won other races before but this was a race that is 35 minutes from my house and everyone was there. For the first time, I won a race that my father was able to stay til the end, my wife, my best friend. It was a great day. __________________ Brian Van Poppel 1682 SS

11-24-2011, 03:08 PM	#10
Stock 608 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: D6 Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: What was your best moment in racing Winning my first round in comp this year!