KROC PART2

I had the chance to talk to Ken Landerman this afternoon. Maybe you know Kenny, maybe you don't but he was the guy behind the scenes for many years at Raceway Park. He has since turned over the reigns of managing the track to Rich Schmidt. Kenny and I were talking about the history of the annual Race of Champions. Before Kawasaki there was the Forsgate Country Club sponsoring the year end event. Then Kawasaki came along and started to bring in the big guns. Over the years just about every Kawasaki rider competed at the Race of Champions. Jeff Ward, Ron Lechein, Mike Kiedrowski, Jeff Metiasavech(sp) and top privateers Keith Bowen, Doug Henry John Dowd etc. The race has always held a special part of my heart. My family and I started going as a present to me for my birthday and the event has always lived up to expectations. From full on rainy events in the beginning to the 2 day weekend it has now become I can't imagine an October with out the Race of Champions. Not like any other normal race day the track always looked a little better for that October weekend. Track designer Jay Irwin always had that little secret up his sleeve and passed that along to Rich Zupko and now to Mickey Kessler. Who knows what Mickey and the rest of his stff will come up with this year.

Ken, Thanks for teh trip down memory lane. All I can say is that this years race should prove to be another exciting one. I can't wait.