MONDAY,JUNE 3, 2008

This is truly one of the really great stops in the world of Sport Compact Drag Racing. The fans are always fun and the competition on the track is always fierce. Unfortunately the weather played a factor again and we were rained out for the Saturday qualifying.

In fact, the storm was so severe that a California native like me was in awe of the torrential downpour. If that had happened in Southern California we would have to endure endless "Storm Watch 2008" updates from the news services but the New Jersey faithful just shrugged their shoulders and laughed it off and said "Welcome to Jersey!"

Sunday rolled around and the weather decided to cooperate and we got it all in by about 7 pm. We had a really good weekend qualifying #3 with a 9.80 @139 mph. First round we had a rare bye round so we decided to just put it down the 1320 to save parts as we only had 1 transmission this weekend after our little "mishap nose stand" in New England. The Semi-Final round was going to be a battle as I was matched up against the always tough Norris Prayoonto out of the Clutch Masters camp. He held a little performance advantage over me during qualifying so I knew I needed to cut a good light against him and I was able to pull out a .021 but unfortunately he turned the big red eye on and the race was over before it got started. It would have been neat to see if my .021, 9.80 @ 140.44 package would have stood up against best. That put us in the final against our fellow Toyota competitor Leslie Armendarez.

Like in the semi's I knew I had to cut a good light as the Scion team also held a performance advantage as they had that tC really humming all weekend. In the final we both tuned on the stage beams and when the light turned green I did my job and cut a .063 light and had the Bullet out in front of Leslie for most of the race but she just got by me at the stripe and took the win by a scant 7 hundredths of a second. What a race!

Next stop on the BOTI series is Budds Creek, Maryland. I am really looking forward to running this venue as it will be my first visit there in my 18 years of drag racing. If the first three BOTI events this year are any indication of how it will go then it should be a real barn burner!

MONDAY, MAY 19, 2008

Well last minute change of plans allowed us to attend the BOTI New Hampshire event. The event started with a disappointment as the rain showed up and washed qualifying away on Friday forcing us to squeeze it all in Saturday. The weather cooperated as planned and we got our first qualifying lap laid down on a spectacular track. It was a great shake down lap and we qualified #2 at a 9.85 @ 140 mph.

The second qualifying attempt however turned out to be the weirdest thing I have ever seen in 18 years of driving a race car. Shortly after shifting into second gear we had a massive transmission failure causing the front tires to lock up. Now in a front drive car with very little weight in the back it caused the car to literally endo forward lifting the rear of the car about 4 feet off the ground. All I could think about in that split second was … "Keep the car off the wall Scott". Fortunately I was able to get the car to a safe stop and we were able to change the broke transmission in time for eliminations.

In the Semi Final match-up I was paired up with Jason Yerby out of the Clutch Masters camp. It went as planned as I left the starting line first with a .023 light but he was just to quick on the top end and I lost by a fender and a scant .07 hundredths of a second … RATS! Overall the event was a great success as the BOTI staff really put on a great show for everyone and now I can't wait for out next event in Atco, New Jersey in three weeks. I also want to thank everyone for all the kind words you have sent me through the My Space page. Keep 'em coming and I will see everyone in Jersey!

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008

Well I have to say that the first official Sport Compact event went about as good as to be expected. We found some good horsepower over the winter and it paid off as we ran really good right out of the box. We managed to get by some tough competitors in the early rounds but that Norris guy was just to quick in the final and we lost by about a half car length. ARRRG! One of these days I am going to figure out how to beat him. Anyway, next race we are planning to run is BOTI in Atco, New Jersey so be sure I am going to bring the A game and see if we can wiggle the Corolla into the winners circle here in 2008.

Stay tuned …

MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2008

Hello all! Well it is late January and the "Off Season" is finally drawing to a close. The holiday break is always nice but come early February I am itching to jump back in the seat and start mixing it up with my fellow All Motor Competitors.

We have been feverishly tweaking on the old Corolla this winter to squeeze a few more ponies out for the 2008 season and the hard work looks like it going to pay off! We will definitely be in the mix this year to win a few races and if the luck holds up maybe a championship.

Aside from the normal race car stuff I have been able to mix in a few rounds of golf and I have added a new obsession … Guitar Hero. I know what you are thinking, come on now Scott, Guitar Hero REALLY? I know but it just so addicting that I can put it down, especially the 80's version.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing everyone on tour this year and remember … Toyota Rules!

Scott Kelley
Anaheim, CA, United States