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MANDRA Racers

The season is officially over, the Awards Banquet is done and it’s already time to prepare for the 2020 season. The Awards Banquet was a great success thanks to Kim Picone, Allison Bloom, Bonnie Walker and others who helped put everything together.

There were over 100 attendees including some of MANDRAs’ founding members including Carl Bucks, Steve Moyer, Paul Majerich, Don Wood, Tom Pohorilla, Tim Hansberry and Matt Walker.

Tim Hansberry and Matt Walker were honored as the only two founders who have been members since MANDRAs’ founding in 1999, referred to as our senior members.

Special awards went to Cliff Sebring as Rookie of the Year, Charlie Innerest as Sportsman of the Year , Randy Campbell’s car was voted Favorite Car for 2019 and Bob English won the Low ET for 2019.

In the early days of MANDRA there were the “Ralphys” awards, in 2019 they have become the “Tonys”, awarded by Tony Picone, I can’t begin to remember all of them, but John Harris received a spare trailer tire so the next time he gets a flat race slick, he can put a trailer spare on both sides of his race car. How thoughtful.

If you have an odd occurrence at the race track, or you screw up in 2020, the “Tonys’” may be watching you.

Congratulations to all our winners in 2019, and thank you to everyone for coming out and celebrating with us at the MANDRA Awards Banquet.

May all the up coming holidays be safe happy and the best ever.

Thank you,

Merritt

Points members in attendance Josh Nevells, Carly Boyer, Tim Hansberry and girls, Justin McKinsey, Bruce Thomas, John Hake

Pete Boyer, John Wise, Ralph Ferraro, Marc Longacre, Jim Shearer — with Peter Boyer.

Anthony Picone, Mike Volpe, Charlie Innerst, Charles Cockerham, Bill Wert

Brian Yarrison, Ray Bloom, Bob English, Marc English

Bud Poust, Christopher Righetti, Randy Campbell, Bob Maulick, Mark Santee (Hold it out far...it makes it look bigger (quote from Wendy Randy Campbell)

Second place winner and Team Spirit Award winners Bare Bones Racing team (Bob Maulick, Wes Maulick and crew)

Third place in points Randy Campbell and family

2018 Points Champion and MANDRA Rookie of the Year Mark Santee and crew. Congratulations!

MANDRA Membership Meeting December 8th

Hi folks,

I want to thank everyone who attended the annual awards banquet at the Revere Tavern. We had a great evening of fellowship, good food and fun times. Wendy and I both thank you all for the kind words and support you have extended to me as your president; we value your friendship.

If you were not at the banquet you may not have heard, but I announced that I will not be on the ballot for president for 2019. After serving four years as president and two years as vice president, I have decided it is time for someone else to take the reigns. I have thought long and hard about my decision and think it is best for me and my wife personally at this time in our lives.

Merritt has scheduled our first membership meeting to be held on Saturday, December 8 at EMMR (Eastern Museum of Motorsports Racing) at 2PM. This is an important meeting where the slate of officers for 2019 will be presented, the 2019 schedule will be discussed and other items of business that anyone may have will be discussed as well. I am still your president and will preside over the meetings until the new president is elected. Please give deep thought and consideration if you would like to step into a leadership position with the club, be it an officer or one of the board of directors. This is your club and everyone is entitled to a chance to serve.
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Have a great Thanksgiving and we'll hope to see you all on December 8.

Randy

Update July 25th 2018

Hi folks,

Just a few bits of info and an update on what has been happening with MANDRA and our racers/families...

I'm doing fine and getting better every day. I hope to be racing by Maple Grove. I do plan on attending the South Mountain race this Sunday as a spectator.

Josh (and Paul) Nevells had an unfortunate incident at BSD this past weekend. Josh lost his brakes on top end. Josh is okay, but the car is not. We wish the Hilltown Shaker team lots of luck in rebuilding the car and hope to see them back on the track soon.

Continue to keep Rebecca Yarrison in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations to Mark Santee on his victory in the Nostalgia Super Stock class at the York US30 Reunion at BSD. Mark is currently leading our points and is doing very well with MANDRA this year, although the "win" with MANDRA still eludes him.

This weekend's race at South Mountain is still on at this time. Remember, cancellations are decided by the track, not by me. Gates open at 8:30 AM with time trials to start at 10:30AM. FWG Racing is our sponsor for the event. I will keep everyone posted through email and facebook if there is a change in plans. In case of a rain-out this event will be run on Sunday, Sept 9 (South Mountain's Glory Days event). Check out the South Mountain website and take a look at the poster for the Glory Days event. Our own Ray Bloom's "Despicable" Willys is the poster boy!

FYI: South Mountain uses the "RainedOut" app which you can subscribe to (use the keyword Mandra racing). You can link to the app through South Mountain's facebook page. Notices are sent directly to your phone or email as soon as there is a cancellation made by the track.

The entry fee for this weekend is $50 per racer. This is an increase, but Mike is returning extra to the club. Many of the tracks are struggling this year with the loss of up to 50% of their races due to Mother Nature. MANDRA is finally back to our regular schedule after making up two rain-outs; I consider that to be good luck on our part and hopefully we can stay on schedule from here on out.

Updated points are attached. There has been some changes with a new leader and lots of close competition.

See you all Sunday!
Randy

MANDRA Meeting March 10th

Hi Folks!

The finalized 2018 MANDRA racing schedule is out. There are a total of 14 races scheduled. We will discuss each race at our next membership meeting. I have also included a schedule of some other non-points events that may interest you all.

Our next membership meeting will be held on Saturday, March 10, at 1:30PM at EMMR (Eastern Museum of Motorsports Racing), Latimore, PA. This is an important meeting where we will discuss the business at hand and elect officers for the coming year. I hope all of you can make plans now to attend the meeting.

I apologize once again for the delay in the finalization of the schedule. I hope to see many of you this weekend at Motorama; even if you are not bringing your car, it is a great event with all kinds of activities. Come either Saturday or Sunday and plan to stay for the entire day. If I don't see you there, I'll see you on the 10th of March!

Randy

MANDRA 2018 Membership Meeting

Hi folks,

The first membership meeting for 2018 will be held on Sunday, December 10, at 3PM at the Ranch House Restaurant (3456 Susquehanna Trail, Duncannon, PA 17020). We will have the meeting first at 3PM sharp, and then for those who would like to stay for a bite to eat, we will do that afterwards. It is nice to support the restaurant because they do not charge us for the room. So I encourage you to stay afterwards and at least have a piece of pie or cup of coffee, if not a meal.

At this meeting, we will have nominations for officers for the coming year and discuss any rule changes or bylaws changes for the upcoming season. Since we only have two membership meetings a year, it is important that you try to attend and have your voice heard and your vote count. Membership dues for 2018 can be paid now. I am working on a preliminary schedule, but nothing is set in stone yet. It will be finalized after the new year.

I hope to see you all there.

Randy

South Mountain

"Our final race of the year will be on Sunday, October 15 at South Mountain. Gates open at 8AM and time trials start at 11AM. This will be a big show and you need to be there! It is the Mountain's John Potocki Memorial Race (John was a former member of MANDRA); and it will be points championship show-down for MANDRA with several of the top three or four drivers still in contention for the 2017 Points Championship. Better Half Racing is our sponsor. As a reminder, anyone coming on Interstate Route 81 -- the easiest way to the track -- take the Rt 34S towards Mt Holly Springs exit. Go on 34S to Mt Holly, make a left at the Sheets station, take a right on the first road to the right past the glass plant (Red Tank Road) and follow to the track. The weather forecast is looking good.

Also, it is time to make reservations for the banquet. You can do so at the race on Sunday, or contact Randy or Merritt to reserve your spot. Cost is $25 per person; children under 12 are $12.95...bring your entire family!"

See you all Sunday,
Randy

Numidia Make-Up Race

Just a note to keep you all up-to-date on a few events coming up. The Numidia race was rescheduled for Saturday, June 17 (Fathers Day weekend). We are racing Saturday, so your families can still treat you like a king on Sunday!

This weekend is the rescheduled Thompsontown Fire Company's Springtime Shine....registration from 8AM-12PM; all MANDRA cars are invited (you did not have to pre-register). MANDRA will perform a "cacklefest" at 12 noon for the spectators!

Also this weekend the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) will host the Jalopy Showdown at Latimore Valley Fairgrounds on Saturday. This is always a crowd-pleasing event with the old-time race cars running around the dirt track at Latimore. It runs from 8AM til 6PM. I'll probably go at some point in the day to watch the racing -- it's always been on my bucket list!

Next weekend (Memorial Day weekend) we will be at BSD for our next points race on Saturday and Sunday (with Monday being a rain date). This is one of our bigger car-count events and hope all of you can make a weekend out of it.

Enjoy the great weather....see you all soon!
Randy

MANDRA members....

We are about to begin MANDRA's 19th season of racing! I'm going to bring you up-to-date on the news/changes from our two membership meetings of 2017, for the benefit of those who were not there.

The minutes of the January 8th meeting are on the website, but there was one rule change that needs to be noted. "A mandatory drivers' meeting will be held at every event prior to the first round of eliminations. All drivers must sign in prior to time trials to be eligible for earned, low-reaction-time bye run." This rule was voted on and passed by the membership at the meeting and will be enforced.

The minutes of the March meeting will be posted at a later date, but here is a summary of that meeting. The 2017 slate of officers remained the same as 2016: Randy Campbell, President; Merritt Snyder, Vice President; Charlie Innerst, Secretary; Barbara Sommers, Treasurer. The 2017 Board of Directors are Bob English, Marc English and Ralph Ferraro. Jim Shearer has been appointed Race Director. Frank Giallonardo will continue on as our webmaster and John Wise will be our points director.

There was discussion on whether MANDRA would like to purchase a block in the Racers' Hall of Fame at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing. It was decided to take donations to purchase a block at the facility. Some members have already committed to or have donated. There will be a donation can at the races if anyone wants to contribute. On behalf of the club, thank you to all who have donated so far. EMMR does have a permanent drag racing section in the museum now. The English Brothers' Ghia is on display for this year, with several other cars, and Ralph's crew chief "Kevin". If you get a chance to visit the museum, please stop in.

Darwin Doll from EMMR (Eastern Museum of Motor Racing) is looking for MANDRA cars for the York US30 Heritage Days, Friday, July 7 (show hours 1-7PM) and Saturday, July 8 (show hours 9AM-5PM). Pre-registration of vehicles is required. Entry applications can be found at www.yorknostalgia.com. Download the entry form, print it out, attach a picture of your car, and mail it in. Registration is free, but you must get registered as soon as possible. Sunday, July 9 will be the Nostalgia Nationals at Beaver Springs where you can race. The Sunday event is one of BSD's biggest events of the year with a lot of nostalgia race cars. (A copy of the flyer is attached.)

Another event of interest to MANDRA is the Springtime Shine at Thompsontown Fire Company's Car Show, May 7, 8AM-4PM (raindate May 21). This is always a nice show with lots of cars and the fire company has always been very generous to the club. This year MANDRA will hold a Kackle Fest for spectators. Pre-registration is $12 (day of show registration is $15). We will have registration forms at the first race at Island or contact me or Jeremy Dunn at tfcfirefighter8@yahoo.com. (A copy of the registration form is attached.)

Lastly, and most importantly, our first race of the season is Saturday, April 29 at Island Dragway, with AKL Racing as our sponsor. According to their website, gates open at 12 noon with time trials at 3PM and eliminations at 5PM.

If you have not paid your membership dues, they need to be paid now. They can be mailed to me or Barbara, or paid at the first race.

We are looking forward to another exciting racing season and hope you all have those cars dusted off and oil changed and are ready to go!

See you all soon!
Randy

MANDRA Year-end Wrap-up

As we close out 2016, I want to once again thank all members, crews, families and sponsors for another safe and successful racing season. We had a great turn-out at our banquet on November 19 where we crowned Bud Poust our Points Champion for 2016, with Marc English in second and myself in third. Congratulations to all the top 20 drivers and special awards recipients. Photos can be viewed on the Shutterfly account.

Our first membership meeting for 2017 will be on Sunday, January 8 at 1:30PM at the Ranch House Restaurant (along Rt 11/15) near Duncannon. The room will be available for those wishing to have lunch at 12:30. This is the meeting where nominations are made for your officers to lead you in the coming racing season. You can also present changes that you would like to see in the By-laws and Rules. The schedule might be completed by then; there will be a few changes on the line-up from last year. Many of the tracks are very enthusiastic and finalizing their schedules earlier than usual. This is a club run by its members; please try and attend if you can. You can pay your dues for 2017 at the meeting; the meeting is open to everyone, but you must be a member to vote.

Since this is the holiday season, my wife and I want to extend our best wishes for a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy time with those you love and we'll see you in 2017!

Randy