Thank you to the 2012 VMRA Volunteers. These volunteers have been dedicated to the members of VMRA for several years, serving with the best interest of the club and its members and yet continue again in 2012.

As you know, being a volunteer in any organization, group, school or even within your own family stepping up to organize a family reunion is a lot of hard work. Dealing with many opinions, agreements and/or disagreements. So at this time, here is a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated people who continue to volunteer their services to keep this wonderful club a fun and family oriented racing club.

Leonard Schmidt is the 2012 board president. Leonard has dedicated his time for the past few years as the board president keeping the club running as smoothly as possible. It isn’t always a happy position to volunteer for, there is a lot of great responsibility being the president of a club. Undertaking the good, the bad and temperaments of everyone and everything involved. Thank you Leonard for your years of service.

Charlie West is the boards vice president. Charlie has been a valuable member of the board, bringing a sense of clam and level headed thinking. Charlie has been a volunteer for the past few years as well. Charlie began racing with VMRA in 1993, he left and came back because racing with VMRA is fun and affordable. Thank you Charlie for your continued support of VMRA.

Maleah Smitham is the boards secretary. This is her second year of service. Meleah has been key in putting together the year end banquet. She secured the facility and overseen the menu. Meleah also volunteers her time in the pits as part of the tech team. Thank you Meleah for your volunteer service to VMRA.

Mike Clother has been a dedicated member of the board for many, many years as the treasurer. A job that would drive most people nuts just dealing with numbers. Being the treasure is no easy task, it is harder then it sounds. The responsibility of money, incoming and outgoing, reporting to the penny to the members is one the biggest responsibilities to the club. Thank you Mike for all of your many, many years volunteering to VMRA.

Tom Smitham volunteers as the Sgt. of Arms to VMRA. Tom wears many hats as the Sgt. of Arms. He heads the tech team in the pits during race season, teching the cars before they hit the track and then again teching the top 3 cars at the end of the main events. Sometimes there is a random draw of one or more cars to undergo being teched. When there are differences between teams or members Tom is the one responsible to find a peaceful resolve to any given situation. Thank you Tom for serving on the board.

John Mustered has been a volunteer in two different areas of need. He first began as the board vice president many years ago and from there he stepped up as the clubs promoter. Taking on the scheduling of the clubs racing season. Meeting with the promoters of the various tracks, negotiating pay outs and trying to meet the needs of all members and where they are willing to travel and race. I would also like to mention John Jr. who has so faithfully volunteered by putting together the poster, race schedule. Unfortunately I do not have a photo of John Jr. but his service needs mentioned. The posters are always very creative and sharp looking.

Thank you to one and all for your dedicated service to Vintage Modified Racing Association. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year to all the families, friends, fans and sponsors of Vintage Modified Racing Association. As 2011 comes to an end and 2012 approaching so quickly, here are some memorable photos of the 2011 racing season end.

2011 Season End Banquet

Thank you “Johnny Lightening” for promoting VMRA and getting our 2012 race schedule ready so quickly.

John Mustered, car 26, is a volunteer to VMRA as the club promoter. The job sounds easier then it actually is, working with club officials to schedule race dates and negotiate the pay out for the teams. Being a volunteer to anything is a tough job, so thank you John for your continued support to VMRA.

Drivers, car owners, crew chiefs and pit crews here is the 2012 racing schedule. Plenty of time to plan and get your cars ready. Friends, families, fans this also gives you time to plan; VMRA acknowledges the time and effort you put into following the club from track to track. And to the sponsors, these are dates we need your support, thank you for your financial support.

South Sound Speedway is scheduled as follows:
April 21st - May 19th - June 16th - August 11th and September 15th

Ephrata Raceway Park is scheduled as follows:
July 14th

Evergreen Speedway is schedule as follows:
May 5th - June 2nd - July 28th and August 25th

Updates will be added as the season starts, providing links to the tracks, links to weather information and links to driving instructions.

To view all upcoming events just select the Race Schedule & Events page.

As we end our 2011 season I leave you with the 25th anniversary logo and a link to past racing seasons. Enjoy!

Video prepared by Rhonda Smith, car 50, Racing Seasons of the Past.

At the 2011 year end banquet the Vintage Modified Racing Association members voted on their peers for the Hard Luck, Best Appearing, Most Improved Driver, Sportsman, Rookie of the Year and Most Inspirational Non-Driver Awards

Robert Rux, car 88, took home the Hard Luck Award for the 4th year in a row. His luck has got to change for 2012. This year Robert blew two motors, one of which was his old faithful. Robert came in 4th place, ending the season with 511 points. Thank you to John Mustered, 26 who ran Robert’s number for the last few races.

Chuck Peterson,cars 23 & 28, took home the award for the best appearing car. Both the 23 car and the 28 car came out this year looking sharp. However, the award went to car 28, driven by Chuck’s son Jeff Peterson. Jeff brought car 28 in 3rd place, ending the season with 586 points. It was a very good year for the 23 & 28 teams.

John Mustered - Johnny Lightening, car 26 was voted by his peers as the Most Improved Driver for season 2011. Johnny Lightening put forth 100% into driving this season, including but not limited too, running the 88 number to help out the Rux team. John has been racing with the Vintage Modifieds for 6-years. John has had his fair share of hard luck through out his racing career, but he came out this year with a fantastic attitude and earned the Most Improved Driver award for 2011.

Chuck Peterson, car 23, is always ready and available to help out a fellow driver and team with spare parts while in the pits. Chuck is known for his calm manner and good fellowship. Chuck was voted in by his peers as the 2011 Sportsman of the Year. A great honor to be had and strongly felt by his peers. Chuck is one of the original members of Vintage Modified Racing Association, this being the 25th anniversary for VMRA. Chuck is well respected and admired by his peers and is all-in-all a Good Sport.

Mike Moum - Big Mike, car 83, took home the Rookie of the Year Award. Mike decided it was time to get into racing so he joined VMRA this year. Mikes beautiful 83 car is a 1941 Chevy Coupe with a 350 motor. We all hope to see a lot more of Big Mike in season 2012. So if anyone is looking to lend a hand and looking to be part of fun pit crew contact Mike before the race season begins.

Tom Smithiam, board member Sgt. of Arms, was voted in and awarded the Most Inspirational Non-Driver. One of Tom’s responsibilities is being the Tech Official, he is considered to be honest and fair. Tom never has a bad thing to say about anyone or anything. Tom is owner and operator of Nu-Tread Tires in Tacoma. He is very generous and sponsored 3-races this year. Tom is a good hearted man who takes his responsibility to the members and on the board very seriously. Most Inspirational Non Driver award is very deserved.

It was a great year of racing for Bobby Wheeler, Jr. car 22 and his crew chief Ken Wolf and pit crew Phung Pran. Bobby took home the 1st place trophy, ending the season with 693 points. Bobby began racing in 1973 with A Quarter Midget class. He came to VMRA in 1994. Bobby’s car is a 1939 Chev. Congratulations to the 22 team, this is Bobby’s 3rd VMRA Championship. The 22 team took home the championship trophy in 2004 and 2005. Pictured below is Leonard Schmidt, VMRA board president presenting the 1st place trophy to Bobby, Ken and Phung.

Mike Clother, car 7, took home the 2nd place trophy; ending his season with 661 points. Mike has 7 VMRA championships over the years of racing. Mike began racing in 1981 with the Demo Derby on Mother’s Day. He came over to race with VMRA in 1994. Mike races in a 1948 Buick. Congratulations Mike on another year of excellent racing. Pictured below is Leonard presenting Mike Clother his 2nd place trophy. Mike is the board treasurer.

Jeff Peterson, car 28 came in 3rd place for the 2011 season. Jeff ending his season with 586 points. Chuck Peterson, Jeff’s dad, is pictured with Leonard receiving the trophy for Jeff. Chuck has been a VMRA member since the club first began 25-years ago. We had the honor of seeing Chuck race this year with his son Jeff and his grandson Kelton. Congratulations to the Peterson team and family for this 3rd place trophy.

Robert Rux, car 88, took home the 4th place trophy ending his season with 511 points. A very big THANK YOU to John Mustered, car 26, for helping Robert maintain his 4th place position this year. Robert has been racing since 1984 with the Compact class and came to VMRA in 2000. Robert races in a 1937 Ford, which was built by Chuck Peterson in 1992. Les Yeager is part owner and crew chief for the 88 team. Congratulations Robert for your 4th place trophy. Good luck for the 2012 season. Leonard is presenting Robert with his trophy.

Dave Trapp, car 51, known as “Cheater Dave” received the 5th place trophy ending his season with 458 points. Dave is also a Charter Member with VMRA. Dave began racing with the Figure 8 class in 1969. His crew chief, Todd McCartney, keeps that 1935 Green Dodge looking and running good. Another great year of racing for the 51 team.

Congratulations to our top 5 drivers for 2011. Thank you to all of the sponsors who help make racing possible. This is the 25th year of racing for Vintage Modified Racing Association. Thank you to all the teams, their family and friends for making the 25th anniversary a great year of racing.