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| Last up dated - ( December 3, 2008 )
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Hay !
This is where all the news that is the news makes it to you. | |
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" Mad Cat " Was here !
Here is the latest from the desk of Alex " Mad Cat " Leschenko . Dec. 3, 2008 OMG ! has it been that long ? Yes, We have been racing every year and full schedules since 2005. Had a nasty big wreck in 2006. And switched to the Pro-Truck division in 2007, ran Pro-Truck in 2008 and plan to run a full Pro-Truck Schdule in 2009 too. We have plans to run some Super Late modle races in 2009 as well, just need to get the funding in place. We are bringing the SLM " Mad Cats Revenge " back to life . We will post pictures of the reconstruction as well as the reason it needs reconstruction. Thanks to the Team - Vern Gwin , Darci Gwin , Andy Mckay ,Jerry Regier and Michelle Regier . AND A BIG THANKS TO THE SPONSORS FOR WITH OUT THEM WE WOULD BE JUST A THOUGHT . Love you all and really appreciate every ounce of support . " FROM the ASHES ". Oct. 23, 2005 Hidy Hi there neighbours . Well finally got some time to leave you some info . We ( the local racing association ) are building a NEW RACE TRACK ! 3+ Million dollars invested in SASKATOON . Things are going well, weather has delayed the construction a little . The business community have been getting on board and the local media are getting excited . The plan is to be racing on the new track JUNE 2006 . The Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association will be making some big announcements in the next few months . I will try to keep you posted here . Since Broda Construction has come on board our team has been able to pick up the program a bit. In the later part of the year things got exciting . Good hard racing by all the hard core racers in the SLM division. We got some wins this year . The second last race of the season we EXPLODED a clutch assembly in the first race of the night . That was a rain date two days before our points final event . We took the car home early that day to see if we could get it repaired. That Friday night we gave up things looked too bad . The next day early I got a few phone calls ( other teams offering parts ) . I decided to take a look and see what we could do . If nothing else we could reassemble the damaged parts and put the car on display to support our sponsors. As things went together , it started looking good enough to race . So we did . Raced the last event and finished in the top three two of the three races . Leading 90% of the Last race of the year, finishing second . WOW what a come back !!!! Thanks to the Team - Vern Gwin , Darci Gwin , Ed Arnt , Andy Mckay ,Jerry Regier and Michelle Regier . AND A BIG THANKS TO THE SPONSORS FOR WITH OUT THEM WE WOULD BE JUST A THOUGHT . Love you all and really appreciate every ounce of support . The SSCRA had their Banquet last night there where over 600 people there every one in town was there . Media personallitys and the stars of motorsports . It was a great time . Hay ! , We finished the season points in 5th place and we got the Phoenix award too. The Phoenix award is for the team who keeps coming back battling adversity . You know " FROM the ASHES ". June 12, 2005 Hello again, we have been racin or buts off. But not getting to the front yet. Our late model program has had a few ups and downs - we are still on the under side of good. I have been racing a Street Stock for car owner Neil Schnider ( # 29 ) . Neil purchased this car from a dirt track team and is in the process of getting it set up for the pavement. Team 29 is making the right moves and will have the Dirty camaro moving towards the front by mid season. I would like to welcome Broda Construction as one of our sponsors. Thanks to Gord Broda for being a Stock car race fan and choosing to support our team. The info on this page will be updated regularly for the rest of the year. Really I mean it. Talk to you soon. Alex. March 13, 2005 Well here we are 2005 has been here for almost three months . We have been looking for Sponsors since October 2004. As of yet we have only finalised two of last years supporters . Hoping to solidify more very soon . We are ready to go to the race track now . Our association has announced the 2006 season will be opening at our NEW Track just north of Saskatoon . Easier access for everyone . A 5000 seat 3/8 mile fully paved facility . You can look at the proposed layout at www.bridgecityspeedway.ca . Check it out ! If you or any one you know would like to help our team by sponsoring let us know , just go to the contact us page and send us a note . We would appreciate any assistance . Aug 27, 2004 Ok here we go , it's Friday , race night. If you remember we had a tough night last race with the super . " Bad shock = MANY spins " . Here we are back on all fours - ready to go . Our first race we started on the pole and finished fifth . You could say the car was loose . We changed the right rear tire and went out for the second race , where we started mid pack . Finishing third , not a great run but a good finish . Now the Feature . . . Started on the pole , lead maybe one lap and got passed by # 47 and # 5 setting us in third . A caution came out for # 38 Dave Bone who broke a pan bar and spun . We restarted the race and one lap later I found myself spining off the track between turns 1 & 2 . Did I get help ? Not shur - but the car spun so fast that I could not hold on . Spun off the track and came right back on with out stopping . No caution came out .From Third to Seventh in one corner . Ran some reasonable times in the last part of the race , which led us to beleave we found our chassis problem . Now we just need to get some good tires under the Green Monster and we can get back to some hard racing . See you next week , Sept. 3rd . Aug 23, 2004 The Street Stock Invitational - Saturday Aug 21 Was a less than stellar night for Team Lesko. But was a great show for the fans - 36 cars showed up to qualify for the 24 car field that would start the feature . We got the car to the track late after stuggeling to get the car together. We have to thank the officials for holding the time triles so we could get a time . Team Lesko qualified well and ran good but never finished one race! In our first heat , we got a good start right behind Shawn Hill. When the green dropped Shawn and I where racing 1st and 2nd untill I noticed the oil pressure dropping in the corners , so I slowed down and costed to the end of the race to save the engine . The next race was a 50 lap "B" main , We started at the back and needed to be 10th or better to qualify for the main . This race started good too . We moved up through the field to 9th possition , where I noticed a wheel hop starting ( guess I was over driving the car ) then the engine lost power ( felt like a plug wire fell off ) and if that wasn't bad enough . With only 8 laps to go the left outter tie rod came off . Oh ya , the hopping rear end was because of a blistered right rear tire . The show car and the crew where also at the Canada Remembers air show . Thanks to Vern Gwin and the gound crews for there help . Lots of people mentioned they saw the car . We had fun at the Paragon / Innovation Stone Show and Shine Sunday . There where all kinds of classic cars , race cars and show cars . Plus you could tour the two businesses who put it on . Wow , How you ask ? How can we be in so many places at one time ( cause we are good ) and we have a crew who are dedicated along with a show car . By the way we are the only team in the west to have a car dedicated to promotions . I would like to say thanks to the Team Lesko crew : Andy Mckay Jerry Regier Michelle Regier Robin Hawrysh Ed Arndt Vern " I'm the shop manager " Gwin Thank you all for your support . See you all at the track next Friday . Special note : Aug 18, 2004 This week end is the Street Stock Invitational - Saturday Aug 21. NIGHT RACING. GO TO THIS RACE , IT'S ONE THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY for competition . Team Lesko will have an entry there ! It may have the number 01 on it and we will be trying to get to the front . We will be on display at the Canada Remembers Air show on the Saskatoon Airport, Saturday and Sunday . We will also be at the Paragon / Innovation Stone Show and Shine Sunday . Wow , How you ask ? How can we be in so many places at one time ( cause we are good ) and we have a crew who are dedicated along with a show car . By the way we are the only team in the west to have a car dedicated to promotions . Great Hu . Aug 17, 2004 What a day. Friday the 13th. They say it's a bad day, but I usually don't see it that way . I believe you make your own luck. Well we set out to prove that last Friday, we started the day in fair shape car wise. First heat we noticed the handling was off . So we made some minor changes to the set up and looked for any possible chassis problems . We got the pole for that race and slid our way back to 4th. In the qualifier we started last on the out side and struggled to stay there ( the car getting harder to drive . ) . In the pits Jerry , Michelle , Robin , Ed , Andy and I worked harder and more than ever before at the track , changing set up and looking things over searching for what ever was ailing the car or me . The Feature came and we where in the pole position . Leading the field to the Green Flag . Proudly we accelerate into the first turn edging Doug Biena for the lead only to be second , third , fourth ETC. until I spun out on my own and then again a few laps later . Angered by the cars wows or my lost talent I drove the wheels off the slowest car in the field . All the way to last place . What a day . But we had fun , the crew and I worked together well and enjoyed the days events no matter how FRUSTRATING they where . At the end of the event a few fans asked what was wrong ? I couldn't say - we didn't find the problem . Until last Tuesday when we took the car apart and checked all the suspension components . Now I can say with out a doubt the right front shock failed . Look out ! the Mad Cat is back on all fours and raring to go , see you at the next race . Aug 8, 2004 Racing ! Saturday , Aug. 7, 04 - The CASCAR Western Series show , with Street Stock and Super Late Models as back up classes. The day looked like a great day for racing at 6:AM but around noon the clouds rolled in and it started to drizzle . I lost my mojo at that point . So depressing when you can't see the end to the clouds , especially when there is water falling out of them . Got the new cam install finished and loaded for the track about 4:PM . We need to be at the track for 5:PM so we look up at the sky and . . . nothing but clouds ( we haven't been told the races are canceled ) so we go . Get to the track , IT'S DRY DRY DRY ! Clouds over head but no rain at all . Now we prepare for racing the meanest group of competitors this side of Manitoba . CASCAR qualifying goes off on time , the National anthem is played and we hit the track. Green is out ! We start in pole position with # 14 out side and he beats me into turn one . We finish in second place , the car ran grrreat but # 14 had more . The second heat we started at the back of the out side line and the race was fast . I thought that we could buzz though the pack but instead got tied up in traffic and finished 7th . Now the feature . . . We # 01 started on the pole ( thank God , track position is needed ) . We had been trying all event to tighten up the car . Used tires and the new cam have made the handling looser than expected . First lap first turn with # 09 out side we won the charge to turn one . Lead a few laps before getting passed by # 14 and then a couple laps later by # 55 . Struggling in third with # 5 hounding us at the end . We finished Third , thanks to # 5 backing out of the throttle after minor contact that turned us side ways . Loaded the car under its own power and only one tire mark . Now we can check the set up and be prepared for next race - Aug. 13, 2004 . See you there !. Aug 2, 2004 Well , its been a long time . Here at Team Lesko things have been very busy . Our season so far has been eventful - get it - eventful . Race events , Displays and promotion events that have been keeping us on the go . Racing started off good and went to great until on the second event of the season where the engine decided to let the oil pump crack off into the pan . The oil pressure dropped and so did my heart , pulled into the pits and sat the rest of the day out . That kicked our points to the basement . Came back with a great bunch of runs until the WRL event in Regina where we finished second in our two qualifiers and where set for the 150 lap feature . Ten laps into the feature the engine failed - man - frustration is high . Through our spare engine into the car while waiting for the main engine to come back from the machine shop . Ran the WRL race in Saskatoon where we finished second again in our qualifier . But the spare engine isn't as powerful as the main engine and we would have been happy to finish . In the 150 things went well . Until one competitor decided to play games and made contact while making a pass on us , we made contact again and he spun . We both deservedly got the black warning flag and when the race restarted from the caution we where in the same positions as before the contact . Very little damage for either of us . Green to the end from there and we finished 8th . Not bad for a spare engine program . Now we are ready for our Aug 7th event , spair engine still in the car and used tires , we are ready to party ! Oh ya remember : YOU KICK THE CAT AND YOU'LL GET SCRATCHED ! Especially if he lounging around . March 3, 2004 I was a guest speaker at the local chapter of the Scouts Canada organization . I first of all would like to thank Darcy Delainey for suggesting myself as a guest speaker and Ron and Bev Creelman for all their help . Last but not least I would like to THANK - The Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Scout leaders Scouter Ron and Scouter Kevin for their kind hospitality . Being a guest speaker for this group was a lot of fun . These folks had some great questions and comments about stock car racing . From the youngest to the noisiest they where all great people . Now as I said at the end of my speech . . . " lets press on ". Feb 9th / 04. Feb. , Already ? ! We have good news to tell you. So far , CJWW 600 Radio , Saskatoon Radiator , Western Sign Works , Perfection Paint & Body and Club stuff have confirmed their support . We are still in negotiation with more sponsors for 2004 . The Team has brought on a promotions manager , Rob Negraeff. Rob is in charge of organizing Support and promotions . He has been working with us since mid 2003 and has put together events for us towards the end of 2003 . Now he is in the process of making 2004 a success for Team Lesko . Speaking of success - Our car is going to be a Rocket , we just hope the " Mad Cat " can handle the added PaZaZ our new program will have . He maybe a little sleepy with all the added promotional load we are putting on him . Well that's all for now , KEEP CHECKING THIS PAGE . . . THINGS ARE REALLY GOING TO BE HOPPING SOON. Oh ! Yah, Did you happen to see our new Intro ? What did you think ? Let us know if you have any suggestions for the site. Dec 1 / 03. Here I am, sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Things are changing for Team Lesko again. We are forever trying to improve our team. I will leave you wondering what I am talking about for now, I will fill you in on this in January. SORRY MUST GO . . RIGHT NOW. . . WILL GET BACK TO YOU VERY SOON. Sept. 12, 03 Not - Rain made this event take place Sept. 14 / 03 . This is the last event of 2003 at Bridge city speedway. We patched the engine together from the piston burning valve bending adventure in Calgary. Started the day with testing. Where we where happy with the performance of the car. Looking forward to the Challenge with Jeff Riemer and starting the first heat. We got the green in the heat and within the first 10 laps we lost some oil pressure. Came in checked out the engine and determined that the bottom was about to fall out. With that thought we agreed to just take the start and pull in just to get points and save the car for the well publicized challenge. In the challenge we ran 5 laps changing the lead four times in five laps. At the end it was the CJWW 600 radio # 01 ( our car ) nosing ahead of Jeff Reimers CTV sponsored # 5. After the challenge the Oil pressure was " 0 " that's right " 0 " , so we sat in the pits the rest of the night. Stay tuned for our report on the year end points positions and our thoughts on the year. Sept. 6 / 03 Calgary WRL 150 and a lack of sleep. Traveled all day 9 am to 4:30 pm to get to the Calgary track. All the crew - Andy Mckay - Michell Regier - Jerry Regier - Ron Fournier - James Sept. 5 / 03 The night before the traveling. Went to the track wanting to keep the car in one piece so we could go to Calgary first thing the next day. In the first heat things went well and we finished 5th. ( no marks on the car ). In the Qualifier the green dropped and soon after Ron Kelly was knocking on my passenger door, and while correcting from the contact I bumped into Ron knocking him off the back straight. We went on to finish 2nd to Dave Bone ( who by the way was running on seven of eight cylinders, because of a bent valve. ). In the feature the race was very aggressive, with the cars pairing up to beat on each other. Our adversary was Jerry Horsely ( my long time buddy ) Who ran some of the smoothest lines I every saw as I was charging with all my might to catch him. But when I got close enough to attempt a pass the number seven got very wide ( it is a wide track Pontiac ) . Battling with Jerry got physical at the end of the race on the track, one the last lap we made contact coming to the checkers and the finish put us in fourth place. Frustrated with the wide number seven I made my way to Jerry and expressed my displeasure with his " blocking " , to which He stated if he was, it was unintentional. So with that we went home to repair the car change gears and get our buts to Calgary . The next night ! Aug. 22 / 03 Home sweet home. After the crashfest in Wetaskewin we hoped the car would be up to speed. Our efforts where well rewarded with good finishes. With a 3rd in the first heat. A fourth in the Qualifier and in the Feature chasing the leader to the checkers 2nd at the end and looking forward to the next event. Aug. 16 / 03 - Wetaskewin , 200 laps of racing with the WRL. In our testing we did good on used tires running as fast as 13.54 . Prepared for qualifying by bolting on four new tires. Lined up and waited our turn. ( no pun intended ) . When sent out to qualify, I geared up to speed and charged down the back straight. As I braked into turn three the car drifted to the out side line. Tried to keep the car down in the groove but it was a hand full. After getting back to the pits with a our fast lap of 13.85, I asked the crew what was wrong with the car " it sure didn't act the same as it did in testing ". Top Qualifier ran a 13.42 . We checked out the tires for pressure and temp, but all was good. So we measured the tires" STAGGER " and found that the stagger had gone away. So we changed the tires to achieve the right stagger and went racing. Our qualifying race had 7 cars and ran 15 laps, We won going away from the field. This set us into the 13th starting position for the 200 lap feature. Now we line up for the Feature race, all 19 cars in order. The Green waves and the race fills the track with cars and the thunder of engines for about 45 laps before the caution comes out for contact causing a spin. The race was a wreck, we got caught up in one which spun the car into the out side wall of turn three. This ended our run but there where so many wrecks we still finished 11th. With the back of the car shorted up and the fuel cell crushed, we went back home. Straightened the car out and reassembled it for the next Friday local race meet. Aug. 8 / 03 - After over heating at the last race we repaired the blowen head gaskets. Today we where happy to be at the track with the car. Finished assembling the engine at 4 PM today. Did some test laps and the car ran good and handled great. In the first heat we lined up second row out side. The green dropped we moved forward and on lap three I drove into turn one, went to pick up the throttle and it was not there. ( I forgot to tighten up the linkage at the carb ) . In the pits the crew was supprised that I was very calm , How could I get up set at anyone - it was my falt. If anything, my crew should have kicked my _ _ _ . But they just laughed and fixed the problem. In the next race we started in pole position inside Jim Gaunt, the race was a bumper to bumper contest with us and Jim Gaunt ending with Jim first and us / me second. Now in the Feature things took a different turn. Jeff Riemer ( Rookie ) started in pole position and when the green dropped Jeff left ! I broke through the pack next and persued the Riemer #5, catching him was very difficult. Worked hard on the out side for many laps . Late in the race wile on the out side of Jeff we caught up to Dave Bone who had a tire going down. As Jeff and I where passing Dave into turn one , Jim Gaunt made the party a foursome. As we passed Dave, Jim brought his car to the bottom line and made minor contact with Jeff. We both went past Jeff wile he was correcting from the contact. With a few short laps left in the race the positions stayed the same to the end. With Team Lesko finishing 2nd. Next week we race in Wetaskiwan Alberta , Just south of Edmonton. JULY 26 / 03 - WRL - Sutherland / AC Delco 150 Was run on a great day for stock car racing. We at Team Lesko came to the track with high hopes and lots of confidence. Ran few ( 6 ) laps to warm up the car before time trials. Timed in at a 15.85 earning 7th fast spot. Top qualifying time was 15.65. Ran our qualifier , stayed out of trouble finished 4th out of 7 starting from the back row. The 150 lap feature started with 22 competitors. The cars took the green flag rounded turn one then turn two and on to the back stretch something went wrong. In the fast four cars at the front # 47 and # 14 touched and went out of control. Causing a huge pile up before the first lap of the race was completed. Our race car sustained significant damage to the front end. The left front suspension got bent and made the car a hand full to drive. Alex disappointed with having the teams efforts wounded brought the car into the pits to have the fender pulled off the left front tire. During the race once it got under way we got to 6th spot at best. On lap 100 - 112 a peace of trash off the track went through the radiator causing the coolant to spill out. The engine over heated and Alex pulled the car back into the pits and that was the end of our race. Team Leskos day ended in 18th position and rather sad. But thanks to our fans and supporters after the race ended we had a great time talking with all who stopped by our pit to say how they saw the days events. The race was a great event that thrilled the fans and we are proud to be part of the Western Racing League and the show. Now looking forward to Aug.8 , 03 and the local event at Bridge City Speedway. July 11, NEW TIRES ? YES what a feeling. No testing - car with the same set up as last race day. First race we started in the second row inside lane. Lap three took the lead and finished at the front. I tryied to tell the guys to let me keep using used tires. Second race was a bigger challange , because of the win in the first race we where placed at the back of the pack for the start of the second heat. The guys where not giving me any more room than nessasary and at times even less. Made contact with a few of the cars getting through the pack. One was Doug # 09 , I did not realize that my buddy was on the out side of me and I made a hard right to make a move and hit Doug who spun and collected Dave # 38 sending them both to the back of the pack. Sorry boys that was my error and I know paybacks are part of the game. Now for the Feature - Started second row inside and made first place by lap 4. Tried to run the second groove hoping the out side lane would be easyer on tires. While I was up there Dave # 38 and Jim # 55 snuck under me in the low line. I had to move down to the low ( faster ) lane to keep up , made a pass on Dave # 38 and spent the rest of the race ( about 20 laps ) trying to get under or around Jim # 55. Finished Second to Jim # 55 with Dave # 38 in third. Spoke to the other drivers after the race and Dave # 38 noted he had been fighting a loose condition. Jim # 55 said to me " You don't let up . " and he is right. This 40 lap race was a great test for the WRL 150 comming July 26 ( Saturday ). Jim was right , We will not let up ! If you want to see the top drivers in western Canada competing for the checkers, come to Bridge City Speedway July 26 , 2003 To see Team Lesko and the Green Monster rattel the competition. July 4 , Ah yes race day finally. Well good to see you here and did you see the races ? The day started with an issue over used tires , the SLM drivers had a meeting and voted to change the min. Depth rule of used tires. This will make the class more cost effective and competitive. Our day started at the back of the first heat and ended there. We made a tire change to other used tires and started the next race on the second row inside. finished third, the car worked better but was a hand full. In the Feature we started out side pole. We got to the lead and lead the 40 lap feature for 4 long laps. When Jim Gaunt got to me I surrendered the position because the car was getting harder to drive every lap ( tires where too worn ). Hung on until Glen Herzky got up too close and gave him the low lane to pass then Ron Kelly. Now fourth I was working the car hard on the worn tires and on lap 27 I spun the car coming off turn two. Causing a caution and getting me to the back of the pack. By the end of the race we worked our way back to 7th . After the race ended I pulled into the pits and talked to the crew about our tire program ( or the lack of one ). We are going hunting for a tire sponsor this week. When all the fans came to the pits we had a great time talking to all who visited and got collector cards. Thank to all for your support ! HAY did any one notice our extra crew guy - Robbin Janson ( # 17 Super driver of 2002 ) is helping out and is he excited about making the Green Monster FASTER, Well we welcome Robbin and look forward to his efforts. For now see you all next week at Bridge City Speedway . June 13 ( FRIDAY ) - Well , today stared interestingly . In the first race I spent more time looking like a dirt track racer than a SLM asphalt racer, had the car sideways every lap and finished last. Tried to run the tires too many events on the same set . Between the races we changed tires and could not find a tech person to stamp/check tires. Ran the second heat and won, continued to look for the tech man unsuccessfully. We had run other tires that where used and over the minimum tread depth by giving up New tires from our allowed allotment . We started the feature second row out side and by lap 2 we where leading Two cautions and the checkers with us winning . In the tech line our used tires became an issue as of this writing we still are uninformed as to the result of that issue. Our points reflect a disqualification but the Tech committee as not made a discussion. We hope we get our points for the win . Yes it has been an interesting day . May 30 - We made some bad choices with tires and struggled . Escaped with out damage and went home to find where our speed went. May 24 - competed at Calgary's WRL 125, Qualified 12th . In the first lap of the our heat race I made contact with Ron Kelly and spun him , which sent us to the back of the pack. finished fourth out of 8 and the car worked well. In the Feature started 12th and by lap 3 was 6th . ran as high as 5th and maintained a clean run no lower than 7th. On lap 113 while trying to pass a lapped car and dueling with #16 lapinas, I got too close to the back stretch wall and bent the suspension forcing us into the pits for the rest of the race. Wind at 100 + Klms and freezing cold temp makes for FANSICKLS. the Friday May 16 races where postponed to Saturday May 17 because of the bad weather. On Saturday the weather wasn't much better but it was a bit warmer and way less windy. Some drizzle that delayed the qualifying but when the racing got under way there was some interesting developments. Like the cloud of smoke that billowed out of our car because of a loose valve cover. We pulled in to the pits to fix it and as the team was opening the hood there was a wreck on the track. Quickly I urged the crew to button up the hood and send me back out which they did and we finished last but still got more points because of the cars that where out from the wreck. In the feature a supposed 30 lap race which got a checkered on the 16 th lap. As we where all pulling into the pit the crews where all waving frantically for us to go back out , the checkered was an error. How I don't know. But we all went back onto the track and restarted the race on lap 17. When the Green came out I was third the leader Glen Hertzky braked harder than usual causing Dave Bone in second to skid the car and me to take evasive maneuvers to avoid Dave. This left me high and dry on the top groove and loosing two positions. For the rest of the race I hounded Jerry Horsley but we both had mishandling cars at that point and we finished fourth chasing Jerry. All in all we had a good day and look forward to the first WRL event in Calgary Next week on Saturday.
Did you know we aquired another car. ITs a
Dodge . . . This car will be our show car and if we can find an engine
, a back up car. See you easter weekend at the Draggins car show
in Saskplace. Keep checkin this here page cuz you jus never know what you will find. |
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