February 26th saw 20 Modified Lites (Dwarf Cars) show up for our first race of the season at DeSoto Speedway in Bradenton, Florida, to tackle the very fast 3/8 mile high banked asphalt oval. We discovered there would be only feature races for everyone after checking in, but several hot lap sessions were scheduled in order for adjustments to be made so the handling wouldn't be so unpredictable our first time at this track. Thank goodness we had them because several cars needed major adjustments. Some cars had just come from their shops after major repair over the winter season and still needed to be dialed in properly.

The Modified Lites were the first feature event of the evening and 19 cars made the green flag. Andre Gagnon of Hollywood was unable to start due to engine problems. The starting order was by inverse order from the points finish of last season with new drivers starting behind them in alphabetical order. The start was clean and fast with everyone charging hard into turn one, making it around clean but in a tight bunch, almost bumping wheels at several spots between a few cars. After about five laps, five cars had retired due to small mechanical problems; Rick "Spanky" McFarland with a missing caliper bolt, George Landis with an oil leak, Marc-Andre Gagnon with ignition problems, Daniel Rene with motor troubles and Mark Landis with "new car blues".

There were only two cautions displayed during the 25 lap feature, one at lap four for oil on the track and one around lap 18 for a spin. I apologize for the lack of details, but its difficult to report on the race you see through your windscreen. We racers seem to have narrow tunnel vision and only see what is directly in front of us. I have the finish, which follows.
1 Michel Fortin #11 Hollywood
2 Mario Giard #1 Hollywood
3 Alain Paradis #40 Miramar
4 Brian Paradis #68 Miramar (Alain's son)
5 Bob Quick #06 Jacksonville
6 Dennis Diehl #20 West Palm Beach
7 Roger Wolfe #3 Sarasota
8 Stan Hope #8 Ft Myers
9 Charles Mogford #15 Boca Raton
10 Claude Guay #56 Venice
11 Richard Andrews #44 West Palm Beach
12 Phil Krauthoff #2 Stuart
13 Mike Landis #41 Boynton Beach
14 Bill Moody #M-00 Lake Worth
15 Mark Landis #22 Delray Beach
16 Daniel Rene #1J Hollywood
17 Marc-Andre Gagnon #02 Hollywood (Andre's son)
18 George Landis #5 Boynton Beach
19 Rick McFarland #49 West Palm Beach
As mentioned previously, Andre Gagnon was unable to start, and Myron Cost was present without his car, which is still under construction. We certainly appreciate every member participating at our events, whether with a car or not. Missing were Wayne Ashton of Ft Pierce and Paul Goral of Hialeah.

Submitted by,
Bill Moody, President
Florida Dwarf Car Federation, Inc.

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