Scribs Performance : Motorcycle - ATV - Personal Watercraft - Repair - Parts : San Diego, Ca

September 15th,2007

Ventura, Ca The much talked about Dwarf Car Regionals were held at my home track Ventura. Fifty cars showed up for what turned out to be a very fast race. It was great top see all of my friends from far away. Quite a few Nor-cal cars made the trip and just a couple of the San Diego cars showed as well as Angel, whom I have raced with for many years. The fields were set by pill draw and mine set me up at the back of heat 4. Knowing how important the heat finishes were I was really going to push hard to move up.

I have not been very happy with my car's performance of late and really worked hard last week to find the problem. After 14 years of racing dwarf cars I was really struggling to find the handle of my car. I called my teacher, car builder, and team advisor Mr. Ed Morris for some help and advise. He was all too happy to come down to my shop and help me get the car more race able. We spent a lot of time re balancing the car. It was way out of balance. I had too much weight on one corner of the car instead of being on all four corners. A fresh look that Mr. Ed gave the car was the ticket.

We started the heat race and I was on a mission to move up. I managed a second place heat finish but the Track only offered a four-car invert so I was going to start 4 rows back tonight! I had very fast cars in front but worse than that Brent Stevens, whom I am in the point’s battle with started on pole. I had to beat him tonight or lose valuable points.

As usual, Jim Naylor, track promoter gave us the very best track you could ever ask for. It was smooth and sticky. I really like that kind of track. The other competitors were very surprised to see such a sticky track as most other tracks run dry slick as the night wears on. That is never the case at Ventura and the biggest reason my team travels to race there.

The Main event started and Angel was putting pressure on Brent early. Brent was strong and held him off for most of the first half of the race. I made great moves early to get in the fifth spot and the top five cars were really flying! I worked on Billy Groves for a few laps and finally got him. My next victim was Kevin Drake. He has always been very fast and allot of fun to race. I was patient and kept pressure on him until he made a mistake and I passed him cleanly. Now Brent and those all-important points were right in front of me. I was gaining slightly when all of a sudden Brent hooked a rut or something and went right across my and Kevin's bow into the infield. He managed to gather his car up and came out right behind Kevin. I did not care where he ended up as long as it was behind me. I was focusing on Angel who was about 3 car lengths in front of me. It ended up with Angel winning and me for what I thought was second but the scorers said Kevin nipped me at the line and gave me third place! I was not happy because I thought for sure I had beaten him. Brent ended up getting tangled with a lap per only to knock his valve stem out causing him a flat tire and he had to pull off the track. He lost valuable spots and points. I ended up gaining 70 more points on Brent and now my lead is 150 with just 3 races to go.

Brent is scheduled to go on a cruise ship trip on Nov 10th and I gave him my word I would miss the same race he did in order to keep our points battle fair! I would not want to win this championship because I went to more races than he did. That means only three to go for the VRA championship and I only have to stay in the hunt to lock it up. Brent thinks it is over but anything can happen as it did to him and I will not count anything as a done deal until it is a done deal.

We are off to the Marysville Nationals in two weeks and I cannot wait to go and race Mike Van Acker for the Western States Senior Title.

- Jim Scribellito

September 1st,2007

Ventura, Ca Labor Day weekend started with a race at Ventura Speedway. It was extremely hot all over the Southern California area but Ventura could not have been more comfortable. The breezes were delightful and I was glad to be racing their verses anywhere else tonight.

After working on my car last week the team felt confident that my car was ready for action. We had found a few little things wrong with the car and were able to get those things fixed so that we could compete.

As the points leader I will start at the back of every heat race this year. I started 4 rows back inside for the heat race and right away found my car good enough to go on and win the heat race for those all important points associated with that win. Brent was only able to get a second place and so I gained another 5 points on him. As long as I continue to gain a few points on him every week I should be able to win the Championship this year. Our team is banking on that theory.

After the promoter graded the track at half time you could not ask for a better track. It was smooth and fast. I was starting 3 rows outside and was exited about my chances. The green flag flew and my car was good! I got so much drive through the corners that I drove my friend Mike Lewis down the backstretch and through turns 3and 4. I could not lift as the racing was fast and side-by-side. I ended up jumping his rear bumper and being stuck on top of his bumper all the way down the front stretch doing a wheelie. I was turning right and Mike was turning left at the end of the straightaway. We finally broke free of one another but by this time we lost a few spots to cars running the inside lane. I must have been back to 7th or 8th by now. Finally we had a yellow flag and I was able to gather up my thoughts and get ready to restart. Just before we went green the track officials put a lapped car in between Brent Stevens and Jeff Shelton. I was just a car or two back of them. We went green and Brent blew by the lapped car of Dillan Hume. Either he bumped Dillan or Dillan just moved up but I was wide open on the high line and had no place to go when Dillan spun up in front of me. I was stopped on the track as well as Brent and Shelton. Brent got into Shelton and they were spun out as well. Now all three of us are in the back of a full field of cars. Brian Saxton showed up as well as Eric Lopez. They both missed that melee and were safe up front.

I felt like we had plenty of time to move up as we were only on lap 5 or 6. I restarted and went right to the cushion. I was on a mission! .I was slicing and dicing through the field and making great moves to move up.I was right on the 4th place cars bumper when the checkered flag flew and ended up 5th tonight. I did not know until Monday the track cut the race to 15 laps. That really hurt as I felt that with those 5 extra laps I could have and would have made up more ground. Brian and Eric were running low and I was running high and I think it would have been a great race with those extra laps. I did manage to gain valuable points on Brent and the big picture is what you have to look at.I have an 80 point lead on Brent now but that is no way a big lead. I have to be strong and consistent the rest of the year in order to win this championship.

The team's Rookie driver Cory Pollock did a good job sat night. He managed a 4th place heat and with the invert was starting on pole tonight! Cory was nervous but did a great job of holding on to the top spot for a few laps when he spun out. He restarted in the back and was running well until right at the end spun again. He finished at the back and the rookie chase has become very tight between 3 drivers.

- Jim Scribellito

August 18th,2007

Barona, Ca After Mr. Ed spent a week designing and installing a power assist system on my car; I had to try it out. I went to Barona for the first time this year on practice night to iron out any bugs I might have. After an hour of waiting in line I was able to run one session of ten laps. I found that I could not find center. That means that I was all over the track and could not get steady. I tried easing up on the steering wheel to no avail. I left the track wondering if I had screwed up the Points leading car. The team and I with a little help from Bob Brown Jr's camber /caster gauge found that I needed more caster to help the car find center. Also I went to a much bigger steering wheel in hope of slowing my reactions down.

Now after all that I needed to make sure the car would perform like I needed it to so off to Barona I went for the race sat night! With my car we had 9 cars for the pro show. The track could not have been any slicker. It was a one-line groove. I managed a 3rd place finish in the heat race starting me third for the Main Event. Groves on pole and Bruce outside pole. Eddie Morris beside me. Bobby Brown behind me. The race started and I left just enough room for Eddie to pass me outside until two laps later I passed him back on the outside. I finally got by Bruce for second and was sizing up Groves when Bobby showed his strength and beat me into the corner and went on to win. I could not get by Groves without causing damage so I settled for third. Most importantly my power steering worked GREAT! I could not be happier. Very smooth and with more caster make the car very drivable. I cannot wait to go back to Ventura in two weeks.

- Jim Scribellito

August 1st,2007

Ventura, Ca found Scrib's Racing once again at Ventura Raceway. Every year they hold a race during the County Fair and the crowds are standing room only. It takes hours to get in and out but to be able to race in front of the biggest crowds of the year is always fun.

This year was not my year however. I could not get a handle on my car all night! I came to the races with my normal setup but just could not get my car to turn. I was tight all night! I fought my car badly during the heat race to finish 4th. I thought for sure I could get it free enough to make a run at the main event but I was wrong. I still could not turn my car and fought the car the whole race. I managed to race up to 2nd place during the race but could not hold on to that spot as my friend Jeff Shelton raced me hard At the end to get 2nd away from me. My other good friend Brent Stevens was on this race. He won the heat race and drove off and left us for the main event.

I cannot remember being so tired after a race as I could barely hold on at the end. After the race I still had to drive the 200 miles home. I was exhausted by the time I rolled into my home at 2:30 AM.

My car is presently at Mr. Ed's for the power steering we have been exited about getting. Power steering would have taken the sting out of that last race and I cannot wait to try it. We are off until Sept 1St when we return to Ventura, home of the best little racetrack anywhere.

- Jim Scribellito

July 24th,2007

Vreka, Ca Scrib's Racing Team was just myself and my faithful crewman Mike Leathers this weekend past at Yreka, Ca for the third round of the Western States Dwarf Car Nationals. The rest of the team helped by prepping the car for the event, as they were unable to get time off from work to go with me.

Mike and I drove 14 hours on Thursday night and Friday to attend. The road I-5 sucks but what great views and there was snow all over Mt Shasta. We arrived to find a mini Bristol tucked into a really pretty setting with lots of trees and hills. The track had as high a bank as any on the west coast and that is really fun to race on. I was told Thursday night's practice was so sticky that most were flat footing it around the track. I love high-banked sticky tracks so I was very pleased by what we saw and heard. We got just one hot lap session before the race and I could see that the track was wet and dry. I thought it would be tacky but it was doing just the opposite! By the time my heat race was going out it was pretty dry slick already.

I pulled a lousy pill and started three rows back inside. I know how important the heat races are so I knew I needed to finish first or second to get right into the Friday night A Main. I made some good moves to get by cars I had never raced with before and finished second to Vuki Wilson, one of the local boys. There were three heats of seniors and the invert pill is pulled by the first heat winner. He evidently pulled a 4 as I ended up on pole for the A Main on Friday. We watched the track go away race after race and now its looking like the parking lot at K Mart! Our Main Event finally came up and after screwing a whole bunch of wedge into my hot rod we were ready.

We got started me on pole and Ted Stinson outside pole. Mike Van Acker was right behind me and I knew he was going to be a contender tonight. Our first start gets underway and Mike's BIG H/P motor pulls me down the backstretch to drive in under me going into turn three. When a car is going too fast to make a turn like that the thing to do is let him go so he pushes out while you have already set the car and are hard on the gas to pass him back underneath. I did just that and smoked back by to lead the first lap. Just then the yellow popped and we went to a total restart. Now I am thinking Damn! It’s on tonight! I knew that if I came off the bottom for any reason at all I was going to lose a spot or two so I gave those guys everything but the bottom and ran lap after lap hitting my marks and getting great drive off the corner. We had a red flag somewhere in the middle of the race that took some time to clean up and we had I think two yellows as well .I made one small mistake around the 12th lap but managed to gather her up and not spin out. Mike was hot on my heels and could have very easily run me over to pass and go on but Mike and I have raced many laps together and I cannot think of one single time we ever ran into each other, so Mike showed me some love tonight, Thanks Mike.

I ended counting laps on my video to get the count of 18 laps run because on lap 18 there was a big wreck that injured a couple of racers including Bill Van Pragg from Ventura and another car. The red was going to take a long time to clean up so the race was called right there and I was declared the winner. Everybody wants to see the race go to the 20-lap mark but in this case we were follow the leader on a dry slick, one groove track. It felt very good to win Friday nights A main and it set me up for Sat night.

Sat night was a whole different racetrack! I felt like I woke up in a different place. The track ripped up and watered the track today. It took a whole lot longer to wheel pack and we had modifieds on the track for hours trying to bring the track in. The fast Dash guys get one hot lap session tonight and Mike and I unscrewed my car from the way we had it last night! I waited until the last minute to do the adjustment because I thought the track would do the same and dry out! I was wrong; the track was sticky and fast. I pulled the two for the fast dash and on a high bank sticky track you cannot have a better starting spot. When the Fast Dash green flag flew I was flying up high wide open! I felt like I would have been faster if my car was just a bit more loose but you get what you get so I drove it as hard as I could and went on to win the Fast dash which besides wins a great gift certificate from Dwarf World and also sets me up on pole for tonight's big show. Now the night has progressed and there has been wrecks and yellows and there was a wreck in town that the track ambulance had to leave for. This set up a series of delays that ran the night much longer. With that longer night you can expect the track to dry out and it did. After the dash and right before our Main event Mike and I re screwed in the wedge and pan hard we had taken out.We dumped any stagger we had and went lower on tire pressures.

Tonight's track had some rutting in it because it was so soft earlier and I was keeping my eye on them. We went green and Mike showed how much power his motor had by sweeping by me and taking the lead. We went one, two for a while until I hit one of those ruts I talked about and lost one spot. The race went yellow and on the restart I smoked back by Lee on the outside to retake second place. I was really pumped now and pulled along side Mike Van Acker a few times but could not quite make it stick. Right about the middle of the race I ran into the back of a lapper when I got drive going into and through turn one and two only to find a lapper going at least 25mph slower than us up front. I ran into the back of him and bumper locked badly. I ran him all the way down the back stretch and just in time wiggled free of him but lost two spots .One to Lee and one to Kelly Gutches. When I saw Kelly go by all I could think about were the 2 measly points I had on him in the point’s series. I knew I needed to get him back. Thankfully we had a yellow flag next and I was poised to regain some ground. Mike Van Ackers restarts are very slow and we all got backed up behind him. I am in low gear to start and when the flag flew I got a great start on Lee and Kelly but so good If I had of passed them before the restart cone I could have been penalized. I lifted and let them make the cone first then went to the higher line and railed back by both of those boys! Not only that but I was right on Mike's bumper and actually showed Mike the same Love he showed me the night before. Remember, love goes both ways. I tried my hardest to get Mike back but He ended up the winner and I got second place.

What A race! I was pumped up for hours! My goal was to go north to get the points lead and on the current points sheet I am leading. My two seconds and sixth trump all others but we still drop one race of the four and with club points and regional points still up for grabs there are chances for others to win the series. Mike Van Acker has two aces to my pair of Kings but I have club points he does not have. I think, as does he, that the Series will be decided in Marysville in late September.

- Jim Scribellito

June 25th,2007

Ventura, Ca Scrib's Racing once again made the dangerous trip through L.A. to reach what has to be the BEST DAMN RACETRACK anywhere. Ventura is worth every close call on the freeway because you know you will get a surface worthy of racing on. This weekend past was no exception.

Forty Dwarf cars showed up Saturday night and the racing was exceptional. We had three heats in the Pro class. I started in the back of heat three, Brent Stevens in the back of heat two and Rob Anderson started in the back of heat one. The higher your points total the further back you start in the heat race. All three of us won our respective heat races so no points gained or lost from the heats tonight. Brent was the last race winner and therefore he pulled the inversion pill tonight. He pulled a 4 giving me the outside pole on a very fast and sticky night.

When the main event started I went right to the very top of this very fast track. I was flying up there and until the first yellow on lap 6 I was pulling away from the pack. My restarts were very fast and I stayed on the top of the track running my high line. I absolutely love to race the high line. I was WIDE OPEN on the throttle in the turns and really having a blast. Marc Lippert started to show his strength and was running the lowest line but showing himself to me on every corner. I would blow past him on the straightaway because the high line momentum was faster. Marc did not give up and we raced side by side for damn near the whole race. It is so much fun racing like that. I was confident my high line was going to be the line tonight partly because I was beating Marc to the flag stands every lap. I felt like I could win from the high line tonight.

Later after the race I was asked why I didn't move down and block Marc? My answer was that I felt like my line was going to get to the flag stand first no matter how many times we were side by side. Also Marc and I have had a couple of close calls of late mainly with Marc coming out on the short end of the stick. The last time Marc got too close he ran over my rear tire costing him the race and many broken parts. I did not want to get anywhere near Marc tonight, I still thought my line was faster. I was going to live or die by the high line tonight! I led the first 17 laps and was told later the crowd was on their feet the whole race cheering us on! That's always fun to watch. On lap 18 I missed the cushion I had been riding up against and pushed up to the wall giving Marc just enough of a lead to go and win his first main event this year. Brian Saxton came from back in the pack to sneak in there for second place giving me a third place finish for the night.

I was disappointed but had so much fun I could not be too upset. I also gained valuable points on Brent and Rob who finished 5th and 6th respectively. I should have gone to the bottom after Marc showed how fast it was buthind site is always clearer and I cannot make any excuses for my race on this night. I raced as hard as always and ended up third! I love racing like we did and cannot wait to go back to Ventura Speedway, home of the BEST RACETRACK anywhere.

- Jim Scribellito

June 25th,2007

Victorville, Ca Second round of the Western States Nationals were held last weekend in Victorville, Ca. The racetrack in the past was terrible because of its one line groove and tire eating dirt. The promoters now have done wonders to fix all that. They have raised the track quite a bit and brought in clay that worked much better. The track has more than one line and it showed by the good racing found this weekend.

My team showed up Thursday in order to get in some practice laps on the new track. After working all week on my car it handled better than it ever has. The first practice session found me wide open in the turns and I was very happy with my performance. The only problem I noticed was that my fuel pressure was lower than normal. After the first practice my team went to work on the fuel system. We changed the pump and checked filters. I went back out to rerun the car but the fuel issue did not go away. I was lined up for the Big Dog contest and my fuel pressure was going down in staging! I withdrew the car from the contest and went to work on my car. I tried everything I could think of but could not solve the problem. The team waited until the morning and tried to fix it then. We tried a different pump and thought wee fixed it. I took the car out for a hot lap session and it was losing fuel pressure. Now I am out of time and withdrew the 57 car from competition.

The team pulled out the 7 car that Cory has been driving this year and went to work swapping the seat out so I could drive it. We had to adjust the belts and basically reset the car for me. The heat races were lining up and I had absolutely no time in the car, no practice and I have not driven this car in over a year! I had no idea how this car would handle the first turn under power but I had no choice but to run it in there and hope for the best. Dave Quigley was on outside pole with me behind him. I followed David through the first few laps until I figured out how to drive this car that was WAY TOO TIGHT! After just a few laps I passed David for the lead and held off Gary Ebeling for the heat WIN! I was in shock that I won that race but happy. We went to work freeing up the car so I could drive it for the main event. The first heat winner pulls a pill fo inversion and I pulled a 1. No inversion tonight, I was on pole. The track was fast and Mike Van Acker was fast also. He had won his heat race and was right next to me on the starting grid. Mike had the preferred line on the outside and set the pace right away. I was racing hard to catch him and doing pretty good. I made a move to the very outside lane in turn 3 and 4 and passed Mike, Gary Ebeling and Walter Boyd in one move. Just then Gary blew his motor and coasted to a stop on the track basically causing me to give back those hard fought spots. With Gary gone Mike took over the point and was very fast. Walter Boyd, over 70 years old has power steering on his car and Walt is fast! I ended up racing with Walt wheel to wheel for most of the rest of the race. This gave Mike Van Acker the win and Walt managed to beat me to the line for second. I took third and was locked in to the big show for Saturday.

After the races on Friday night the CDCRA club had a poker tournament planned. Texas hold em, no limit. For $25 buy in and with 20 players in the group there was $500 up for grabs. I won the money last year playing poker and wanted to repeat this year. We started about 11pm and did not finish until 3:30 AM. I won the poker money again this year and after CDCRA took $100 for the club I pocketed $400. That's more than the Main event winner will get tomorrow!

My team really worked hard on the 57 car on Sat morning but could not seem to find the elusive fuel pressure problem. I was racing the 7 car this weekend. It was very hot at Victorville and every body's cars were running hot. I was coming off the track at 260. That is way too hot but I ran it anyway. The track was not the same tonight as last night and with the IMCA Modifieds in the field the track should go dry. It kind of fooled me as it did just the opposite! I had tightened up my car for the Fast Dash that I won in Phoenix but could only manage a 4th place tonight. I was too tight and struggling to maintain corner speed.

We started the main event in 4th and I like that starting spot. I right away moved up to third as the race started but was drilled from behind by Bobby Meeks. He was on top of my bumper and bogged me and him down as other cars passed us. I am now back around tenth spot and mad but calm. I start going around cars on the highest line available in turns 1 and 2. My car is still too tight going into the corners so it is very hard to drive it like I should. I am moving back to the front and get punted into the infield by an over zealous driver. I am dead last coming out of the infield and really mad now. Were about half way through the race now so I have some time to move up. I was on a terror now. I am putting my car into holes that are barely there and moving up fast. I just passed David Quigley in third when the first yellow flag came out. That gave Dave his spot back and I am in 4th place with probably 5 to go. I went for the win by trying that same high line into turn 1 but missed it and wound up way too high and lost a few spots right at the end. I finished 6th and was upset at my finish. I am second in the series points just 2 points behind Dave Quigley who has a 3rd and 4th place finish for both races. I have a second and six place finish at the Nationals and can win this series but must beat David at the next race.

I want to thank my crew for all the effort it takes to race these deals. They all gave up there time to help me and I can not say THANKS loud enough. I could not even try to race these races without them. Russel and Terry Jones, Terry's boy Adam, Mike Leathers and the newest member Johny Sutherland were all there to make my Nationals a reality. We have just two weeks to get ready for Ventura on the 14th.

- Jim Scribellito

June 18th,2007

Ventura, Ca What makes my team so strong? My team really stepped up to the plate this weekend past at Ventura for our 7th race of the VRA season. After doing our normal service for the race I made just the kind of changes I thought was in order to make the car better than last time.

The race track was as usual very sticky and fast. I was at the back as the points leader for heat # 1. I was still too tight and was struggling a bit to move up. I was running a pretty high line on the track and was moved up just a bit to avoid another car. That caused me to hit the wall on the front stretch and totally destroyed my car's front end! I ripped every part off that makes up a front end on a EEE car. I am glad it is a EEEcar because no damage was done to the frame, just the bolt on parts that make up our front end.

That brings me to the part about how strong my team is as a group. We did not panic or get upset. We just went to work removing the carnage and set about to fixing the car. We replaced all the broken parts and reset the ride heights on a concrete slab at the track and got ready to start the main event from the 19Th starting spot.

The racetrack was regraded and re-watered for the mains so I knew I Had a great chance to motor up through the field and try to win another race.

The green flag flew and I found my car too tight for this very good track. I was making progress and moving up through the field when I put my car in a spot I should have known better than to put it! I moved under another car that I know does not have as good of control as I do but I tried anyway. The moment I made that move I knew I was in trouble! I got chopped into the corner and was spun out. I managed to get the car going again before the yellow flew and was going again. The next lap a yellow flew for another car and I was able to make up some ground on the leader Brent Stevens. Now I had to start in the 19th spot for the second time tonight. On the restart I was really trying hard and found a line that only Jeff Shelton and I were running. It was working for me as I was able to move up. As the race progressed I was getting tired, very tired. I was still too tight and If I hit the turn just right I was aw some but if I did not hit it just right I was too tight and fought it through the turn. I was exhausted when the checkered flag flew for Brent Stevens and Jeff Shelton was second. I managed a third place finish for my worst finish of the year. I consider myself VERY lucky to have finished At all. When we pushed the car into the trailer we noticed a bunch of oil all over the back of the car and dripping out from underneath it as well. Upon closer examination we found the rear end housing cracked 3/4 the way around! I feel it was a miracle that we finished at all. Getting a Third place finish tonight is much better than a DNF.

My team and I have just a few days to get the repairs done and head to Victorville for the second round of the Nationals on Thursday.

- Jim Scribellito

May 26th,2007

Ventura, Ca After winning last race in such an exciting fashion I was really looking forward to racing again. The team did not change any setups on the car from last race, as it was very fast. We did do our regular maintenance to get ready for the race.

I had to ask Cory to haul my other car to the races this time as I had taken my newest custom chopper to Bitchen Seat Company for a new seat that matched the rest of the bike. I was able to pick it up from Rich in Anaheim Early sat morning.

Our team headed to the track with high expectations of the night ahead. We were the team to beat and I felt good about my chances tonight. There were 20 cars in each of the Dwarf fields again tonight. I have been asked why I travel all the way to Ventura Speedway every Saturday to race when there is a racetrack in my own town. The answer is simple, there are full fields of cars at Ventura, the track is always sticky, there is a championship point’s series and our team is well received at Ventura. The Pro Dwarf show at Barona started only 6 cars for the Main event last Saturday! I would much rather drive to race full fields of cars anytime.

The night started with hot laps and as usual the track was wet and sticky. I found my car to be so tight I could not get it to turn at all during hot laps. Russell Jones, my good friend for over thirty years, and the rest of my guys went to work on getting the car more drivable for the races ahead. We freed it up a bunch and started in the back of our heat race. When the Green flag flew I was fast. I managed to pass all others before the end of the first lap and won the heat race for those all-important 40 points. Sour Rob Anderson broke an axle in his heat race and finished way back. This started him way back in the Main event tonight. I only had 40 points over him coming into tonight's race.

Cory Pollock was great in hot laps so no changes were made to his car but in the heat race he was too loose and spun twice to be black-flagged off the track for his heat. He is racing for rookie of the year and is doing great. He is 5th in points and leads rookie points. I am proud of him. He is doing a fine job of learning how to race Dwarf Cars. He managed a 7th place finish tonight.

The last week’s winner pulls the invert pill for the Main Event and I pulled a 4 setting me up second row outside for tonight's action. The 20 car of Fillingame was fast and took the point right away. He was going well up front as I struggled just a bit at the beginning until I figured out how to drive my still too tight race car. The 20 car lead the first 8 laps when a yellow flag flew. I was up to 2nd and right on his rear bumper when the green flew for the restart. He moved up just enough for me to beat him into the first turn and now I am in front. I am still too tight but am in my line with no distractions. I lead the rest of the race but on the next yellow Rob decided he was going to pass me going into turn one! He ran into my back bumper and spun himself out. He recovered but finished 5th. Marc Lippert put on a good show as well. He tried to pass me outside of turn two but cut it a bit too close and ran over my rear tire causing his front end to break and finishing his night in the infield.. Brent Stevens managed a second place finish but it was all us again tonight! I won my 43rd Main Event but more importantly gained a bunch of points in the Championship chase.

I am starting to feel like Kevin Drake did last year when he won so many races. The team even kept quiet about the win and did not celebrate as loudly as we have in the past. I went around the pits and talked to other drivers about how well they performed during the race and generally just tried to be friendly. I think Kevin Drake had no friends last year as a result of him winning all those races because he kept to himself and did not make friends with the other racers. I do not want that to happen. I have gone out of my way to help other racers around us for that very reason.

My friend Mike # 71 was in a big wreck and was taken to the local hospital. I found out the next day he was OK but he ruined his car. I am sure we can help him fix it. I also helped Johnny Lynch with a setup change that worked so well he was able to sweep the senior show tonight as well. He is one fine driver but has struggled just a bit of late with the car. I was happy to share the winners spotlight with him.

Our night finished with a potluck dinner put on by our girls and for that Scrib's gang thanks you. I really enjoy racing at Ventura and look forward to the next race on June 16th.

- Jim Scribellito

May 5th,2007

Ventura, Ca Scrib's Racing made their way to Ventura for the 5th race of the season. After coming off the second place finish at Nationals I wanted to win more than ever.

The weather was hot and the track looked drier than normal for our heat race. Being the points leader means we start in the back of the heat. With a full field of cars tonight that meant we were 5 rows back and had to move up for any heat points. Russell and I watched the track but did not keep up with it as my car was the most ill handling it has ever been. I could not get any bite at all and my car was trying to spin out every lap. I could not advance at all but ended up 6th or so. That put a dent in our points chase as both Brent and Rob finished much better than I and gained valuable points on me.

The reason I have decided to race Ventura this year is simple. It has to be the best little track to race on anywhere in the country. Jim Naylor saw how badly the track was glazed over and made a big decision to fix it. With a 10 pm curfew looming Jim still took the time to rip and regrade the track in order to make for good racing. I commend him on his efforts as the track turned out to be one of the best racing surfaces I have ever raced on!

With my terrible heat race finish I was starting further back than ever and with a full field and shorter time available to us I knew how important it would be to move up quickly. We were told that the race was shortened to 15 laps and I was told if we had a yellow flag it could be shortened to 10 laps! Now I am very worried there would not be enough time to move up. If Jim had not reworked the track I think it would have been damn near impossible to move up on the dry slick track. Thankfully Jim did fix the track and I was very nervous about moving up. The green flag fell and I right away moved to the highest line open. It seems that very few dwarf cars ever run the high line at Ventura. I think it is the best line and almost always faster than the bottom. I was starting 12th tonight and with Rob on outside pole and Brent and Jeff Shelton up front I knew I had to get going early. I made some of the best passes I have made in a while and by lap 3 was in 3rd place! My car was so fast I was wide open entering and through the turns. I was hiking up the left front tire and was flying. With one yellow flag on lap 4 I was poised to get Jeff right in front of me and Rob was next. I beat Jeff into the next turn and swooped Rob on turn 3 and 4 to take the lead on lap 5. Now I was leading and running my line. I pulled away from all others and won my 42nd Main Event by a full front stretch. Coming from the back was way more fun than starting up front and I was very happy.

My team has come up with the SMOKING GUN sign and I flashed it towards them on the first yellow and after the race. We could not be happier with our finish and as a result maintained my points lead over the sour Rob Anderson. He has never forgotten our first night racing incident and still refuses to talk to me or even acknowledge me. He got out of his car and was seen kicking the dirt in disgust. Most of my fellow competitors congratulated us on our win from the back but "THE CLICK" said nothing.

We have been assisting cars around me in the pits with setup or engines and #71 in the senior class has been in need of some help. I offered my help and Mike was very willing to accept it. He has been in contact with me via telephone and we even helped him with his setup at the track. He brought the scales and we helped him find the handle on his car. After his hot laps Mike was very confident in his car's ability and was exited about racing. To me that right there is the key. Be excited about your chances. Mike finished 5th and that was his best finish ever so we were very happy for him.

The win tonight was one of my better races and I cannot wait for the next race on the 26th. My team is ready and very confident about our chances at the next race.

- Jim Scribellito

April 20th-21st,2007

Mojave, AZ found Scrib's Racing team doing battle at Mojave Valley Raceway. Our team arrived on Friday for the first night of competition. I pulled an 81 pill setting me dead last in the second Senior Division Heat Race. Always fast Mike Vanacker was on outside poll and I knew he was the car to beat. The Green flag flew and I went low and was glad I did as the car to my outside pushed into what seemed like a big opening. I could tell right away he was in big trouble as his car drove over the rear tires of another and continued on to the front tires causing one of the most violent side over side then end over end flips I have seen in a while. When the green flag flew again I had my work cut out for me as Mike was running pretty fast. It took about 5 laps to catch and pass him and then pretty smooth sailing to the Heat win.

With the invert pill pulled I started second row inside, for some strange reason have always liked that starting spot, for the Main event on Friday night. The pole sitter was very fast and I had not raced with him before so I just waited to see his next move. He made the mistake I had hoped for and I went into the lead. I led what seemed an eternity and then because I was driving pretty hard I faded my brakes badly. I would pump the pedal all the way down the straightaway just to get anything. I could not hold off That Old Wiley Veteran Gary Ebeling. He had his car working well on the very bottom and he shortened up the track and went on to win the Friday night Main Event. I was VERY DEJECTED. I hate losing but because I killed my brakes that made it even worse. I was however locked into Saturday Night's A Main and that always takes a little pressure off the team.

This weekend’s race included a new friend and teammate John Sutherland. He was generous enough to donate his time and efforts into my race team and for that I thank him. Adam Jones and Mike Leathers were also on board this weekend to make it even possible to race for me. I could not race like I do without these guys.

With most of the Saturday off My team and I took out my boat on Lake Havasu. Lake Havasu is only 40 miles from the track so the team always stays there and enjoys the fun Lake Havasu offers. This years speed runs had the boat doing 74 mph and some serious g-force turns. We were having fun right up until I stuck us in some shallow mud! We were going about 40mph when I felt the bottom and shut down. We all climbed out and pushed the boat atleast 100 yards to the deeper water. After that I stayed in the deeper section of the lake to finish our day off.

Back at the racetrack and the top 6 in this case from the night before pill drew for the Fast Dash starting spots. The order of this finish sets the Main Event lineup. I pulled a 2 and was ex-static! The track was racing on the high line anyway so this was like the poll position. That OLD WILEY GUY GARY was right behind me and earlier in the day I told him he would not beat me tonight. He and I went on to race what allot of people said was THE RACE of the weekend! I led most of the laps and THAT OLD GUY would rub me off of every turn. Not just little rubs, these were big rubs and he wanted by. At mid race THAT OLD GUY even tried a slide job only to get passed back as made a great crossover move to pass him back and go to win the Fast Dash. This set us up on pole for the main but more importantly showed THAT OLD WILEY GUY he was beatable. I was pumped and showed my fist as I drove by THAT OLD GUY'S pit.

The field was set and we went green for the money. I was leading and on about lap 3 or 4 and on a restart, THAT OLD GUY tried to pass the car right behind me and got hooked up and caused a major pileup. It looked like the whole field was involved. My rear view camera shows the start of it all. Lots of blame is always quick to surface but after all the camera angles are viewed it always ends up just being open wheel racing at it's best. I restarted the field and led a few more laps but Kelly from Phoenix passed me. I raced him very hard and he really never got away and one point I was able to pass him back but only for a while as he was just faster off the corner than I was. I could kill him getting into the corner and through the middle but could not get enough bite off the corner with tonight's setup. He went on to win and I got 2nd place. In the big picture I am only 2 points behind Kelly in the series but I hate to lose a race, especially the Nationals.

I am sorry this story is a week late but My family and I were on holiday all last week . We went boating and fishing and generally just took it easy. The videos from the Nationals will be edited this week and I will post them at the earliest opportunity. I have great in-car video of great races and crashes from a drivers view so stay tuned.

- Jim Scribellito

April 14th,2007

After coming off a very strong win at Bakersfield I felt like my car would be just as fast at Ventura this weekend past. Unfortunately I was wrong! I struggled with my cars setup all night and really never found the handle on it.

I started in the back of the heat race as the point’s leader always does. The track was extra wet tonight and I expected a good handling car but found right away that I was almost spinning out in the corners. I must have saved 4 spinouts in the heat race alone! I don't know what happened but I was definitely struggling with the car. I managed to finish 2nd in the heat race but was not happy so far. As the winner last week it was on me to pull the invert card. Three cards are available. The 4,6 or 8 are the cards in the invert pool. After finishing 2nd in my heat race I needed to pull the 4 to put my car on pole for tonight's main event. After considerable shuffling of the cards I was able to pull a card. I pulled the 4 and that's exactly what I was looking for. I was on pole again!

The team needed to find the problem with my car's handling and we went to work on it. We really did not find a reason for the ill handling so we just made a few adjustments to hopefully fix the loose condition. The track was really pushing the program ahead as the threat of rain was on the horizon.

The main event lined me up on pole and Rob Anderson right behind me. Brent had a tire come off in his heat race and he was starting near the back of the field tonight. I run Circle Mighty Bead wheels and that does not happen even if the tire is flat. The green flag flew and away we went but I was still so loose that my car wanted to spin in every turn. I found myself really working hard to stay on course without spinning out. I was really slow in the middle of the turn and was getting beat up by Greg Goodwin and Brent Stevens when he finally got to the front pack. Rob has a nice little sign on his front bumper that supposedly is taunting me but Rob has been unable to even put a bumper on me since "The Wreck" on opening night. I just had to stay on the bottom of the track and that's what I did. I made no mistakes and led most of the race but Brent was faster in the turns and wanted around me badly! On lap 17 Brent started to run the high line to pass me but there just was not enough bite up there and he could not complete the pass. We raced side by side right up until the white flag lap when we rubbed tires effectively slowing us down just long enough for Rob who really never challenged us to pass and go on to win. That just goes to show that the fastest car does not always win the race. I managed to recover enough for second place keeping me in the points lead. Brent finished 4th and with his poor heat race finish fell to 3rd in the overall points. Rob is just 50 points back but I am very confident I can stretch that out as the races unfold this year. Jeff Shelton did not even show up and his point’s chase is all but over.

Cory Pollock had a much better night as he was showing why I picked him to drive my second car. He was very racy and was doing very well and was even up to 5th place before he spun on his own. He managed to recover and finished well up in the field. He has moved into 5th place in the points and leads all other rookies for the Rookie of the Year trophy.

Our team will head to Mojave Raceway this weekend to run the Dwarf Car Nationals. I look forward to the Nationals, as the competition is always very strong.

- Jim Scribellito

April 7th,2007

Scribs Racing team left San Diego at 7 AM in order to get through L.A. and make it to Bakersfield Speedway for what will be VRA's only Bakersfield race this year. I have won races there in the past and pretty much knew what to expect. Other Racers that have been to Bakersfield this year warned of very dry and rough conditions but we found just the opposite. The track was fast and very moist.

Mr. Ed, builder of all my cars over the past 15 years had one more trick up his sleeve this week. Mr. Ed came up with some small spacers that changed the angles of my rear shocks and claimed more forward bite as a result. I admit he is GENIUS! My car had more forward bite than ever before and that was not good for my fellow competitors.

We started out running hot laps and right away my car was FANTASTIC! I could go anywhere and I was on a rail. I was lapping cars in what seemed like a very long hot lap session. I came up on my new rookie driver Cory Pollock and just then he spun out collecting me into him! Now I have a very bent front end and Cory's car is bent pretty badly as well. The other Pro Drivers all thought we were in big trouble. With any other team that wreck could have cost us the night but not this team I have. We all worked together and under great pressure fixed both cars in less than one hour. We replaced Lower control arms, ball joints wheels and hiems in order to get the car back in shape in time for our heat races.

As usual the points leader starts in the back for the heat race and that's exactly where I started. On the start #20 spun his tires and we bumper locked for a moment until I was able to get free. I went into turn one in last place but came out of turn 4 in 1ST! It seemed like everybody went to the high side of the track and I just moved to the bottom, rotated the car in the turn, stood on the gas and drove off to beat everybody. I led every lap until I made a mental mistake on the last lap. I almost spun out after going into turn one too hot. It gave rob Anderson a chance to pass me on the backstretch. I almost ran him back down and thought better of trying any crazy moves to pass him back after our season opener and his crash. Rob won the heat race and I was upset that I gave away those 5 points that are so important right now.

Brent pulled the invert pill for tonight's Main Event and again I ended up on the pole for the Main event. With my car as hooked up as it was that is the last place my competition wanted to see me start. Quite honestly I could have started a 1/2 lap down and still won as my car was GREAT! By lap 11 when the first yellow flag flew I had over a 1/2 lap lead. I was flying and nobody could keep up tonight. We restarted the race and again I distanced myself from the rest of the field. I went on to win my 41st Main Event and gain all-important points on Brent and Rob. Our team will get both cars ready this week for our return to Ventura on the 14th.

- Jim Scribellito

March 24,2007

We found Scrib's Racing once again at Ventura Raceway. After two weeks of abuse by other competitors for what they thought was rough driving I was just going to mind my own business and do what comes naturally! Try to win again.

The in-car video was available this week and after seeing the video most of the naysayers came over to apologize for the negative comments made during the last two weeks. The track officials were very positive as well and welcomed us back.

Ventura Raceway was prepped and ready for action. The track looked as good as it gets and Scrib’s was set up just like last time. The VRA Dwarfs put the point leaders at the back for the heat race line up so Scribs was starting dead last in the 1st heat.

By the time Scribs came off of turn two he was up to second place but his car felt very slow and he was having trouble keeping up with Brent Stevens. Scribs reached down and shifted down only to find out at the end of the heat race that he was in 4th Gear! That was a mistake that cost him 5 points as Scribs finished 2nd.

VRA uses a pill draw to invert the Main event and the last week winner draws the pill. In this case a playing card was used. Numbers 4,6 and 8 were available. Scribs pulled a 4 and that put him outside front row for the Main Event! "You should have seen the faces of my other competitors when the line up came out. It was PRICELESS."

Team member Cory Pollock just made it to the track in time for his heat race as he raced a Go Kart and won earlier in the day in Fontana. Cory started at the back while he sports the rookie flag and he finished where he started. Cory is just trying to get the hang of letting the rear end come around and drive with the throttle. It is just the opposite of Go Karts.

The Main Event was on time and Scribs wasted no time taking the lead and was really going fast. The only car that could keep up was with him was Brent Stevens. At about lap 12 Cory spun out and Scribs straightaway lead was wiped out! Cory will not get the team mate of the week award.

Everyone restarted again.. Scribs was running great right up until Brent started lapping the slower cars. Scribs managed to get around most of the lappers with one exception. Scribs went high and the lapped car was on the bottom right up until he pulled around him when his car pushed right up in front of Scribs effectively trapping him behind me. Brent Stevens took full advantage of this and passed Scribs for the lead. Scribs was running pretty good lap times so it was not going to be easy to pass him back.

Cory ended up spinning out again and was black-flagged for two spins. This set up a restart with Scribs right on Brent's bumper. Rather than try anything stupid Scribs just waited for the mistake that never came and Brent ended up winning the race.

“He was fast and I congratulated him after the race. I came away still in the points lead and will try again in two weeks when the club races at Bakersfield. I like that track and have won there before.”

- Jim Scribellito

March 12,2007

Scrib's Racing started our season at Ventura Raceway this past weekend and what a race it was! Over 42 Dwarf cars showed and split into two divisions. The pro class had 22 cars including Eddie Morris and Ron Dunlap from San Diego.

Jim Scribellito pulled a good pill that gave him the outside front row for the 1st heat race. The #37 car ran very fast and kept Scribs running high in order to pass him. Scribs managed to win his first heat race of the year but more importantly the 40 points that come with the win. This set up the main event. The track uses a pill for inverts and 6 was pulled putting Scribs into the 6th starting spot for the A Main event.

Cory Pollock made his debut in the #7 car and faired well in his first heat race. He raced very clean and earned the respect of his fellow racers and track officials. Cory will run a rookie tag for a few races and that starts him at the back until he starts running without the rookie tag.

The A main started on time and the track, as usual, was perfect! The green flag flew and right away Scribs was moving up very fast. A yellow came out and a full restart was set up. It took Scribs 3 laps to get into the lead and he was running the highest line and hauling the mail!

Scribs led for quite a while through 3 more yellows. On lap 11 Brent Stevens made a nice pass on the bottom only to lose it right back on the back straight as Scribs made a great crossover move to regain the lead. Brent never led a lap, only one turn. More yellow flags followed and Scribs kept the lead using the high line.

On lap 14, Rob Anderson passed Scribs using the low line and it appeared the low line was faster now! Scribs stayed in the high line and was challenged by Jeff Shelton (aka Ricky Bobby) but he managed to hold him off.

On lap 16, Scribs restarted right behind Rob. Scribs made a great move to retake the lead only to run into the turn too fast and give it back to Rob. They ran like that until the white flag lap when Scribs was right on Rob's rear bumper.

Rob made a huge mistake on the last turn with the checkered flag in the air. Scribs passed him off of turn 4 and he moved left to block causing tire rub to the checkered. Rob ended up in the wall doing a huge spin in midair and Scribs won!

It was the closest finish Scribs has ever been in and he has been in over 220 races. He was very excited but the mood was somber as Rob was understandably upset. He walked away but his car was wasted!

“I have some of the best in car camera action I have ever had and it will be posted shortly on our video gallery once we edit out all the yellow flag laps.”

“I came out of Ventura with exactly the result I was hoping for and my 40th Main Event win. We return in two weeks and I cannot wait. My EEE car was very fast all night as the team made NO adjustments at all! Cory did a great job to finish 8th on his first night out and the team could not be more proud of him.”

-Jim Scribellito

Feb 27,2007

Scribs Racing is proud to announce that Cory Pollock age 18 will drive for Scribs Racing in 2007. Cory has experience in go carts and one year in the Sportsman Dwarfs at Barona. Cory will drive my extra car with the zx1200 power plant. This car has only raced 7 races and has won three of those 7. Cory's family is 100% behind his efforts and Scrib's Racing is looking forward to racing with Cory. Scrib's racing will race all of the Ventura Speedways races this year.