BIG BEAR CITY, California – Jim Conklin experienced disappointment on the race track, but was optimistic about the future after Saturday night’s (June 18) trip to Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, Calif.
His results during the Late Model competition had been decent, a second in the 4-lap Trophy Dash and a third after leading early in the 40-lap main event on the banked, paved quarter-mile oval. He thinks his MyIrishPride.com/Alpine Slide Chevrolet Monte Carlo is getting “better and better” each time out, too.
What makes him more optimistic, though, is the rule amendment track officials announced Saturday night to try to make older model cars like Conklin’s more consistently competitive with the newer cars.
The amendment, which will be in effect for the next race on July 2, allows the cars using leaf springs on the rear end to have 58 percent of their weight on the left side, instead of 57 percent. The cars with 3-link rear ends, which have more stability and adjustability, will remain at 57 percent.
“A 3-link car comes off the corners better,” said Conklin, whose car is 10 years old. “This change will make a big difference for the older cars. It will help them turn better. It’s a good thing for the track. Hopefully it will bring some of the older cars back to the track.”
Saturday night, Conklin’s continual effort to improve his car’s handling were evident in the Trophy Dash and the main event, where he led the first 11 laps before pulling high on the track in Turns 1 and 2 to let eventual winner Brandon Loverock pass.
Conklin said by that point his car had developed a water leak after some early bumping incidents, and later in the race he was caught up in an incident when Loverock’s car bogged down on a restart and the field slowed abruptly behind him.
“That resulted in the front end being knocked out of line and a leaf spring shackle being bent and the car was junk after that,” Conklin said. “It could have been worse, though. I could have come home with no car. I’ve done that before.”
Conklin Racing is sponsored by MyIrishPride.com, Alpine Slide, Timberline Spas, Conklin Hot Rods, Azteca Grill and Restaurant, Conklin Paints, Domino’s Pizza, VoMar Starfire, Mark Dolan Realty Executives and SND Construction.
For more information, visit www.conklinracing.com or contact Jim Conklin at 909-866-5747.
