SAWIN & KOROSHES TOGETHER AGAIN!
FEAR Results for June 27, 2009 By Ben Chandler

Mid-season Championship night weather was perfect, and the extra laps and trophies made for a special evening of figure-8 racing for BOTH divisions last Saturday. The evening started out with a special Stinger-only pit meeting with Evergreen Speedway’s Eric Mehrer. Eric explained the reasoning behind the DQ of the #30 two weeks ago…and why (somehow) Peters was still “awarded the win”. Other concerns were voiced by those in attendance about rough driving, inconsistent flagging and the “brake-check” incident. I was so pleased with everyone’s attitude afterwards, as we Stingers had our first 40-lap Main event ever, and it seemed like everyone was racing pretty clean, in BOTH divisions, while trying hard to put on a great show for the fans!
Shain Sawin, driving the Vern Dietz-owned #67 Ford (what else?) did a spectacular job as he held off “the Cowboy” John Carlson for the final 37 laps of the Super-8 (40 lap) Main Event! Troy Simianer drove Tim Gapp’s #16 Super-8 car to 3rd. It was “the Grizz” Doug Delfel, in his old #01 Buick in 4th and first half Stinger Champ Seth Funden rounding out the top five in his Super-8 debut, driving Dad Jerry’s #04! Last week’s winner, Ricky “the kid” Dietz had a steering problem early on, perhaps knocking him out of the 2009 Championship battle. His teammate Sawin also took his heat race, over Simianer, for a rare “clean sweep” on Mid-season Championship night.
The evening commenced with the Stinger-8 division starting 16 cars in their 40 lapper. The track was kinda slimey, which always slows things down a bit, and kept half of the field on the lead lap. Jumping into the lead on lap 2 was rookie sensation John Lewis in his #42 Toyota. Lewis held that lead for 30 laps before the fast timer Cody Koroshes, in his #5 Honda Del Sol wrestled it away- but he held on for a fine 2nd place spot on the podium! In 3rd was the #40 Acura of Seth Funden, now with a 100 point Championship lead, followed by Josh Young in his #22 Toyota, and yours truly in the ol’ #99. And thanks Josh for your help afterwards, next up: tranny teardowns? LOL! I did win the “A” heat race however, barely holding off the #74 Toyota of “Hammerhead” Lance O’grain. And it was tall-cool Rob Dykstra taking the “B” heat race in his #51 Civic, followed by fellow rookie John Lewis, for 2 great finishes that evening!
Check out the History section for some cool photos of the Al Hauck “special” memorial lap that took place 5 years ago this summer. And speaking of PHOTOS, several FEAR “gold” members have yet to post pictures of their race cars, or given me the updated info sheets. Also, I just mailed out membership packets to a couple of you that I haven’t seen yet at the races. And plans are starting to come together, along with an exciting potential sponsor, for next year’s big 45th anniversary FEAR picnic and racers reunion. Thank you FEAR members for your support!
If you would still like to join FEAR, and just haven’t found the time, the 2009 “gold” membership for figure-8 drivers, is now reduced to just $20, while the “regular” membership remains $10. Give me a call, or E-mail me at: bchandler@rentonhonda.com if you have any FEAR questions! Have a fun and safe 4th of July, and I will see you on the 11th …for “Pawn X-change Night!” - BC

FUNDEN AND DIETZ FINAL FIRST HALF MAIN WINNERS!
FEAR Results for June 13 & 20, 2009 By Ben Chandler

Seth Funden was eventually awarded the Stinger-8 win last week in a crazy 20-car, 25-lap Main Event that saw just 25% of the field go the entire distance! But first, this past Saturday night a record low count of six Super-8 cars took the field, thanks to the return of “the Pumpkin” David Brandenburg and former FEAR Champ Troy Simianer. Rickey “the Kid” Dietz swept the evening in his new #76 rocketship by taking the Heat, AND the 25-lap A Main Event, over defending Champ John “Cowboy” Carlson. Ironically, the other Team Dietz Super-8 car (#67) driven by last week’s winner Shain Sawin, had mechanical woes, and DNF’d in both races. I’m not sure what can be done to increase the Super-8 car count for the second half of THIS season, but next year they might consider Doug Delfel’s idea of cutting the Super season down considerably, so they can get 2 or 3 weeks off between higher paying and longer “special events”. This would put the exciting Stinger class “front and center” more often, and perhaps increase their pay too!
That said, I wrote to Danni and Marv at the track 8 days ago about the Stinger-8 division. My concern was that it was turning into an “Extreme Contact” type event, and we all know how that division ended up! I have yet to get a response from the track, but have certainly heard from others ALSO concerned about where we are headed. For those of you who don’t know, Steve Peters was given the win, and the trophy – even after getting a black flag for dumping a car (or 2)! Peters then headed into the pits to self-repair a rear fender rub…during a red flag. According to Steve, the track still contends that he came out of the pits in time, went to the proper starting position…and somehow legitimately completed 25 laps and won the race, but then DQ’d him (and Cody Koroshes) for not going to tech afterwards, as the top 3 cars had been instructed to by Eric at our pit meeting. Steve gave the Trophy to Seth that evening, which was the right thing to do. Steve SHOULD have been put down a lap for going into the pits, or for the flag, whichever. He would then be legitimately in 6th or 7th, and not required to be teched. The fact that he was busy with another event (the Gauntlet) right afterwards, or was being aided by the medics after that, or that his car was easily accessible some 15 feet from the tech station, might be considered by the track as well.
We all want to have fun with our cars, whether they are Stingers or Supers. The track wants us to put on a cool show for the fans, of course - and it goes without saying that it’s not the cheapest hobby out there! We all need to work together to make this deal work the way it should. You don’t “brake check” the entire field, force a guy into the “Uke” tires or dump a car trying to stay out of your way. Remember the “racers’ golden rule” and drive the way you would want to be driven against! And it should go without saying that the flagging and teching needs to be extremely consistent, the lap-counting needs to be accurate, the checks timely and good…and rulings made that are fair for EVERYBODY!
Next up is Mid-season Championship night. It used to be a double-point, extra trophies and laps night, followed by the mid-season beerfest/picnic. We would start over with the points after crowning the first half Champion, “back in the day!” But - what the hell - congrats to Seth and “Cowboy” our FEAR 2009 First-half Champions! Now go have a beer and I will see you Saturday. BC

SHAIN AND CODY WERE BOTH CHAMPS TOO!
FEAR Results for June 6, 2009 By Ben Chandler

Last week’s big winners both had tough “full moon” nights Saturday, with “60-Minutes” winner, and former FEAR Champion, Greg Scott ending up in 10th (out of 12) after just ten laps – and a black flag – in the Super-8 25-lap Main event…and Lance O’grain completing 18 of the 22 Stinger-8 Main laps, after tangling up with 6-time Champ, Steve Peters, and ending up in 14th, out of 18 starters. Shain “Rockstar” Sawin, (a Southsound Champ) and last week’s runner up in the (3-time Champ) Vern Deitz-owned #67 Ford, got to take top honors this week over the defending Champion (3-times) #50 “Cowboy” John Carlson, and 3-time FEAR Champ, Glenn Davis in his black #32. Speaking of former Champs, and apparently I am, it was great to see 2-time Stinger-8 Champion Mike Middleton in his first Super-8 race – even winning his “B” heat race! Also great to see was 2-time Super-8 Champ Doug Delfel back at the track, but sadly “the Grizz” was breaking axles all night long! Ricky “the Kid” Deitz won the fast heat race, also over “the Cowboy”, who had fast time again, at nearly 17 seconds flat!
Cody Koroshes is a former (2006) Stinger-8 Champion who also dabbles in the Mini-stock division. He too set a blazingly fast (record?) time of 18.988, in his Honda del Sol, thus had to pass 17 other spinning and crashing Stingers – in just 22 slime and time shortened laps! 2nd place was J.J. Edwards followed by point leader Seth Funden’s #40 Acura, and the backup #22 Toyota of Josh Young. Mike Middleton also won his Stinger A-heat race over Lance O’grain, while the slow one was won by rookie sensation John Lewis.
Next up is “EXTREME NIGHT!” when the Super-8’s finally get a week off, and the Stingers will carry the show! Lots of Hornets and busses, including a Gauntlet, plus I heard Josh Beckel will do his crazy best to kill himself in the bus “domino” stunt, as seen on TV… and the U.S. Army may try and recruit your butt! See you there! BC

SIXTY MINUTES OF GREG SCOTT!
FEAR Results for May 30, 2009 By Ben Chandler

But first…It was 10 years ago (April 24th) that we lost “Big Ed” Ritchie, DURING the “60 Minutes of FEAR” event, of a heart attack. We, the FEAR club, inducted the father of 3 into the FEAR “Hall of Fame” in a somber ceremony at the track later that summer. Big Ed was a Vietnam War veteran, a 20-year member of our Club, a former board member – and the only guy I’ve known who got to go out like that! The track promoter at the time, Mickey Beadle, offered to memorialize “Big Ed” by dedicating this great race to his memory, which happened every year until this one. To his friends, fans and family, I apologize for not catching the slight on the schedule before it was too late. With all that was happening this past winter, it apparently kind of fell through the cracks. My hope and my goal is to remain the vigilant protector of our 44-year old Clubs history and heritage, for many years to come!
This summer (July) also marks the 5 year anniversary of the passing of another long-time racing friend, Al “The Worm” Hauck, who died of cancer. Saturday night reminded me so much of the Hall of Famer who never missed a big figure-8 race at Evergreen Speedway - from Don Eslick’s purple paint job, to Tommy Gapp, again helping me with the #99. Eventual race winner Greg Scott and I were talking about Al’s wife Annie just before the big show got started, and I recalled the cool memorial lap we all put together for him back then. I’m going to post pictures taken of that lap that I recently got from Tommy’s brother Tim on this website. Check for them in our club history section.
That said, it was a perfect day for “The Great” Greg Scott, who led every lap of the 15th anniversary “60 Minutes of FEAR” - and took the young dudes to school, on his way to his second 60-Minute race win! Defending Super-8 champion “Cowboy” John Carlson could barely keep him in sight until a rare black flag knocked him off the lead lap around lap 110 of the 128-lap event. Ricky “the Kid” Dietz hung on to the lead lap until a tangle (or 3) almost took him off the podium, with just 3 laps to go. Four-time 60-Minute winner Steve Cox hung with the boys for the first 37 laps, as Shane “Rockstar” Sawin worked his way through the field, in the Vern Dietz-owned #67. 21 Super-8 cars started the race, and just 10 cars finished, but it was “The Great” in first, “Rockstar” in 2nd and “The Kid” in 3rd. The 20-lap, 16 car, Stinger-8 race was really something - or so I heard - as Lance O’Grain took his second A Main win of the season, just BARELY over current point leader Seth Funden, and former Stinger Champ, Cody Koroshes!

“TeeVee Steevie” Makes it Three…vee!
FEAR Results for May 9, 2009 By Ben Chandler

It was a beautiful day, and a pleasant spring evening, with 20 Stinger-8 cars putting on the show… without the Super-8’s for “support”! The evening started out with a warning at the pit meeting to all drivers regarding “ignoring” the black flag. Sean Peters got a HUGE fine for doing just that last week, it was announced. So be careful and be aware of the various track rules - so they don’t ruin YOUR weekend! We had three smaller heat races this week, and it was the #06 of Joselyn “Jawz” LaFleur in her Honda CRX winning the slower heat from the back row…on ladies night! A black flag was given to Willee Buse, after tangling up with the #51 of “Honda” Rob Dykstra. The middle Heat race was won from the pole by yours truly in the old #99, followed closely by the #42 Toyota of John Lewis. Sean Peters broke down early, and ANOTHER black flag flew, this time for Dave Stewart, after a tangle with the Prelude of Andrew Reavis. No black flags in the “fast” or A heat, as defending Stinger Champ Mike Middleton took the win over the #44 of Dave Collis and current point leader Seth Funden in his Integra. It was just 25 minutes later that the Stingers again took to the 8 track, this time for the 25-lap Main event. The last two Mains had been won by Steve “Battlewagon” Peters, so he was in the back row with “Fast-timer” Josh Young’s #22 Toyota. Josh had an amazing 19.183, but lost a lap early on in the Main event. The first few laps were lead by the #51 of Rob Dykstra, the next five by yours truly in the #99, and lap 10 saw “TV - Stevie” take the lead for good. On lap 18 there was a BIG intersection hit between the #86 of Willee Buse, and the #06 of “Jaws” LaFleur. Her Dad, Dan LaFleur confirmed that that #06 was totaled, but Joselyn (still a bit sore two days later) would be back in a new Honda Civic for the big “60 Minutes of FEAR” night, on the 30th of May! Lots of crashes, spinouts, flags and slime on the track made for a tough main event, especially for an old fart like me! No problem for Steve Peters however, as he sailed his #30 Prelude on to his third Stinger win in a row – and then jumped into a Mini-stocker and finished in the top 5 there as well! It was the #40 of Seth Funden in 2nd followed by the #99 – just an inch ahead of “Iron” Mike Middleton’s #75 Scirocco. So we get a couple of weeks off to rest and repair our stuff…before the BIG night. See you May 30th, at the world famous SIXTY MINUTES of FEAR.org!

A dark and stormy night for “the Cowboy” and “Battlewagon”!
FEAR Results for May 2, 2009 By Ben Chandler

It was a pleasant afternoon in Monroe, and the official “opening day” of boating season on Lake Washington. By 6 pm, however, it was as windy and wet as any Saturday I have EVER experienced at either location! I hid out and enjoyed Pizza with “Mr. Dizzy” Mike Buse, until the rain came in sideways! It was a good thing the “Supers” were not scheduled, so we could finish up early and escape the crappy weather…I was actually back in Bellevue by 9 pm! The “Battlewagon” Steve Peters was exceptional in both divisions, of course, winning the Stinger-8 “fast” heat over Lance O’Grain - and then the 20-lap, 20-car Main Event in his Prelude, from the back row… ahead of #22 Josh Young, “fast-timer” Seth Funden and Dave Collins in his #44 Toyota. Seth took over the point lead in his always quick #40 Integra, closely (2 points) followed by O’Grain in his new Toyota. The “surprise” slow heat winner was Jim Puntenney, followed by “Jawz” LaFleur in her Civic!
Steve Peters in his old #30 Camaro was an early leader of the 25-lap Super-8 Main Event - until lap 10 when John “the Cowboy” Carlson assumed that spot in his #50, and drove off for another win this season! In 3rd was young Jake Repin, followed by Nick Gunderson, in Jerry Funden’s #04. The 10-car heat race was ALSO won by Peters - over the #50. With only 10 cars again starting, it looks like “the economy” is really hurting the car count of our exciting premier division. The defending Champion Carlson is again the point leader and unfortunately, Ricky “the Kid” Dietz blew up another expensive motor. I know Ricky would like to say thank you to Dale Larson for lending him the ”oz” car Saturday night. The Super-8 guys get a few weekends off now as we close in on one of the now 3 BIG figure 8 racing events of the season!
“60 Minutes of FEAR” is coming up on May 30, and should be as EXCITING as ever! This weekend the Stingers will be “holding down the fort” as they say, plus it’s “ladies’ night”…but isn’t it always? See you there when the fun continues! - BC

It’s “the Kid” and “Battlewagon” Taking Week #2
FEAR Report for April 25, 2009 – By Ben Chandler

A pleasant spring day with a few early showers that turned into a very cold clear night … was the background for the final April ’09 Figure-8 event at Evergreen Speedway. The Super-8’s timed in 11 cars, and started 12 this week. The Stinger-8 car count was up to 24, giving us our first B-main “qualifier” of the season! It was the #69 of Nick “Party Boyz” Vanderbosch, over young Willee “Dizzy Jr.” Buse in his #86 Honda, with both earning the move up to the A-Main Event. In that-20 lap, 18-car Main, it was Joselyn “Jaws” Lefleur leading the first 13 laps in her #06 Civic, holding off first Sean Peters and then yours truly, until Steve “Battlewagon” Peters flew by us both in his #30 Prelude. Last week’s winner Lance O’Grain made it to 3rd place after starting in the back row in his new Toyota, which should give him a huge early lead for the Stinger championship battle. In the Super-8 division the point leader might just be Ricky “the Kid” Deitz, after a hard fought win in his new #76 rocketship - with a borrowed engine - over the defending Champ, “Cowboy” John Carlson and Jerry Funden’s #04, driven by Nick Gunderson. The big story of the event for Dietz was the earlier loss of his $15,000 motor! Ricky and car co-owner Paul Peterson both wanted me to mention how, and say thanks to, Jake Repin, driver of the #45 Super-8 car. Jake donated his backup motor so Ricky could race –and win that night! Great Sportsmanship! The 10-lap Super heat race was won by fast-timer (17.2) Greg Scott in his new #08 missle, over Repin’s #45. The Stinger heat race winners were Willee Buse over Rob Dykstra’s #51 Civic in the slow heat, “Jaws” Lefleur over the #77 Ryan Powell in the “B”, and Jon Newbom in his #1 WWRA Prelude over J.J. Edwards in his #84 Acura. See you next week for our last event for 3 weeks, when we return to Evergreen Speedway for “60 Minutes of FEAR!” on May 30th.

“Cowboy” and “Hammerhead” take opening night wins!
FEAR report for April 11, 2009 – By Ben “the Wizard” Chandler 

The crappy weather took a break Saturday evening, as 10 Super-8’s and 20 Stingers showed up for our 44th season opener at Evergreen Speedway! Some cool new cars with some great looking paint jobs made the Super-8 scene, including those owned by both Vern and Ricky “the kid” Dietz, “Slick” Don Eslick and “the great” Greg Scott. But it was the familiar #50 “Heck-built” Chevy of “Cowboy” John Carlson that took the 25 lap season-opening A-Main event, leading “the kid” in (Paul Petersons) #76 from lap 2 on! Finishing in third was Shane “rockstar” Sawin in Vern’s #67, followed by Jerry Funden’s #04, driven by Nick Gunderson. Former season Champions and “old timers” had a bunch of the opening night bad luck, as Glenn Davis broke another tranny, Greg Scott cut another tire – and Doug Delfel busted his driveshaft around lap 16. At least Scott returned to the track (down just 2 laps) and set the fast time of the race! The A heat was won by “the Cowboy” for a clean sweep of the night, while the B heat race was won by the “Battlewagon” Steve Peters in his dependable #30 Camaro.

The Stinger A main was really something, with 20 cars starting…and what seemed like 3 or 4 seconds difference between the slowest and fastest of those that “got to” time in. Not sure why we didn’t get EVERYONE timed in, as there certainly seemed to be an hour or more of NOTHING going on before the pit meeting! What had to be the most exciting event of the night came to its 25-lap conclusion with Lance O’Grain squeaking his new Toyota by the ol’ VW of defending Champ Mike Middleton – after a great battle with the Honda of Cody Koroshes. Seth Funden came in 4th - plus had fast time for the night in his Acura. Coming in fifth was Josh Young who also took the B heat race. Cody took the A heat in his Prelude, over yours truly in what used to be one…We have a week off for the temperature to warm up, and some cars to get fixed, but I will see you on the 25th of April, for round 2!

I neglected to bring enough FEAR membership forms to the track Saturday night, but will have plenty more available on the 25th for those of you that want to help keep our Club alive and well, and thank you! The “basic” member cost is only 10 bucks, and is open to everybody; the “Gold” membership is $25 still…and is open to Evergreen FEAR drivers only! All members get FEAR stickers, a membership card and the cool new 2009 Rule and History book. Gold members also get a profile page on this website, which is coming soon. That updated book includes a profile on 6 - time FEAR Champion Steve “Battlewagon” Peters. Peters was newly inducted and is now listed in the FEAR “Hall of Fame”, based on a vote of FEAR gold members this past winter! Congrats to Steve, and welcome to the Hall!

I have a few embroidered FEAR patches available to Club members for $5 each. Perfect for your driving suit or jacket, I will also have those at the track on the 25th. See you there! BC

2009 MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Evergreen Speedway “membership” meeting took place Tuesday evening Feb.10th, and we had a HUGE turnout of racers joining up for both NASCAR and FEAR. These annual meetings once included free beer, but it was cold enough to be not missed this year! I was pleasantly surprised that 90% of you chose the new, FEAR “GOLD” membership when renewing for ’09, and I thank you for that! The new and improved FEAR Rules and History book should be available in April, just as soon as we have a clear winner in the “Hall of Fame” and “Old-timers” vote! Many of you took the “profile page” and nomination ballot home with you to fill out, and I soon learned some don’t have my mailing address anymore…and I forgot to put it on those new membership forms! My address is still : 1034 165th pl. NE Bellevue, Wa. 98008… If you are including a check, please make it out to me personally, and thanks! If you want me to E-mail you a renewal form (Gold only) I’m at: bchandler@rentonhonda.com most every afternoon!
The ’09 Schedule was released at the meeting, and it (now) looks like the Stingers will start with the SUPER-8’s on April 11th. Vern has posted the entire final schedule for us here on Fearracing.org. The schedule looks pretty much like it has the last couple of years – with the addition of a THIRD BIG FIGURE-8 RACE at the end of July! The Super-8 racers are set to go 100 laps, for ”BIG MONEY!”(tbt) on the same night as the spectacular “Washington 500”! That should wake ‘em up - and be a HUGE and excited crowd!
I got to chat with Mr. Ron Bennett and his wife Gale, over in the Office before the membership meeting Tuesday. He is assuming the role of Competition Director, helping Lex, Danni and Terry with the awesome role of managing all of us idiots! A very nice guy, with a ton of experience, we had first met some 2 decades ago, where I was representing FEAR inc., at a NW promoters meeting. His interest in FEAR was obvious, and his desire to help make Evergreen Speedway the best it can possibly be in 2009 will be contagious. I gave him an ’08 FEAR Rules and history book to peruse, and encourage everyone to take a quick moment to say “hi”, when you see Ron at the races each week – he will be the short, silver haired dude with the glasses, and a smile!
It is always fun to catch up with racing friends each spring. To hear about new cars being built, kids being born, new shops, jobs, sponsors - and friends that want to get involved with figure-8 racing too! Many of the Super-8, and several of the Stinger-8 guys, stopped by to say hello Tuesday night, which was neat! Toward the end of the evening I got to spend a few minutes with long-time FEAR supporter “Pappa” Joe Young, and some of his family members, as well. Marie and Joe Sr. are both struggling with HUGE health issues these days, and could use your prayers and friendship this season. Good people, they certainly have mine.
See you in April… When the FUN BEGINS… AGAIN! Ben Chandler, Club manager

HAPPY 2009 EVERYBODY!

It has now been a year since we “adjusted the focus” of our (now) 44 year old racing club called FEAR. Looking back, it seems like we actually did a lot of cool things as a club still! As promised, we had the much cheaper membership cost, meant to cover “minimal” operating overhead. It didn’t quite do that, it turned out, as the ’08 reunion/picnic was a bit more expensive than it could have been! A great time was had by all who attended though, and FEAR historian Tom Claibourn and I have been discussing whether he can schedule a return visit this coming summer, or hold off for a big 45th anniversary party next summer! The cost to join FEAR will remain just $10 for the “basic” ’09 membership, but I am now going to offer a special optional “Gold” FEAR membership, JUST for Evergreen figure-8 drivers! All “regular” members of FEAR who race, will remain listed in the “Drivers” section of our website (with their numbers), and of course, be mentioned WAY more often in my weekly articles! But “Gold” members will ALSO enjoy extra FEAR stickers, plus a dedicated personal page for your sponsors, pictures and UPDATED profiles! Perfect for sharing with “potential” new sponsors and friends that live out of the area! That additional cost will be just $15, for a total ‘09 FEAR “GOLD-MEMBER” package price of only $25… And yes, YOU provide the website photos!
“Hall of Fame” members who want the ’09 “Gold” membership can join for just $10, saving $15… FEAR “Old-timers” can join up for just $15, and (obviously) save 10 bucks!
Also new for ’09 will be probable induction (or 2) into our FEAR “Hall of Fame”, and into our “Old-timers” club! It has been a couple of years since former Promoter Mickey Beadle and Steve “Mr. Excitement” Cox were both inducted into our “permanent history”, and a membership induction vote will be tied into the ‘09 “GOLD” club membership renewal form, and eventually displayed in the new 2009 FEAR “history and rules” book, due out in April!
See you at the membership renewal meeting. Ben Chandler