[CRE]

Originally posted by TRE Cup
Ego Challenge at Saugus Speedway: There was a 1/4 mile basically flat oval bull ring just north of L.A. where the stock cars, demo derbies, figure 8, and "train" races would take place on weekend nights. One of the POC guys told us about the Ego Challenge. For $10 you got to do 2 laps and set a time. They would send the cars out one at a time. The fastest of the evening receives a trophy.
My brother took his 911 RS clone- 3 liter RSR style engine, R compound tires, set up suspension. Fast tight car as we had taken 3rd overall in the 86 Tribute to Le Mans enduro. I took one of our Mini Cooper S's. You arrive well ahead of time before the real events , so the promotor helps fill the stands and patronage of the ever present smell coming from the Fried Chicken Stand. (Dang announcer just could not shut up pushing that chicken! )
Anyway, we perused the competition in the paddock prior to lining up. Amongst the cars were some sports cars, Honda Civic, and some Americun Iron. One of which was piloted by this woman that had apparently invested a LOT in her EGO Challenge car: 69 Z 28 all set up with offset rims on one side, weight jacking, automatic with quickshift, suspension, totally stripped and lightened.
Hmm... Ya' think she took this seriously? You betcha! We found out she was the reigning overall time lap champion and had not been defeated.
So we line up, I go out first in the mini. It does not like long flat turns at all. I was pushing (gotta use the right terms considering where i was) huge! Alas- you only get 1.75 laps from a dead start so that was it for me- I sucked

My brother, Jim, was further back in the line and went out to do his lap(s). The stock car racers were watching from the pit fence and immediately recognized something fast was on the track. I overheard comments like " Da*n fast corner speed" and " He's gettin thru there pretty good" . Jim was indeed doing a terrific job; the rear end was hanging out just right for the second lap. The announcer then told everyone that this lil porch set a new track record for the Ego Challenge ! Oh this was soooo.. cool !!
Well, the lady in the set up Camaro was visibly upset. This teutonic back motored back a** dragging car had whupped her. It came time for her to run. The announcer was making something of it to- " Will she take back her record?"
So out she goes- she drove straight across the track to the other side so she could get the turns 3/4 and the whole straight to warm up (Apparently this was allowed in the rules, but as novices we knew nothing about it)
She ripped and snorted thru the turns, sliding the back end out just right. Not good enough ! Porsche came and whupped a**

To celebrate we took Little Tujunga back to the valley and had a great time "road racing" . Something we understood a whole lot more than just turning left

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HEY, I remember seeing a few of those at Saugus. Mostly we saw a lot of ego's being truly 'crushed' as that track was flat or maybe a little OFF CAMBERED. Got to see a lot of wannabes back their pride and joy's into the turn 3 outer wall.

Much to the delight of the fans.

--CRE