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 In my 5 years living in the southwest, I’m sorry I never made it to a “Mortensen” Bug-o-rama, but I did get to attend the first “Bugorama at Phoenix.” The event was an awesome way to kick of the VW show season on the west coast of the United States. The short mild winter was over and it was time to drag the cars out and proudly display them at Firebird Raceway. Whether they were in car show, or on the track, they all looked great in the Arizona sunshine!
My day started extra early with the clock waking me up at 2:40 AM so that I could grab a shower, some breakfast and make the 5 ½ hour drive to Phoenix. While I love all aspects of the hobby, I must admit I am biased toward the performance facet of the hobby. Thoughts of some of the pre-race banter on the various online forums kept my mind turning and my fires burning. Talk of side by side 8 second ¼ mile passes in the Pro Mod class kept passing “imaginary scoreboards” through my mind.
At 8:45 AM I arrived at the Gila River Indian Reservation, where Firebird Raceway is located. I was anxious to see the layout of the show and the condition of the facilities. However, the first thing I noticed were the driving winds upon exiting my truck. How would this play into the racing program? Would the track officials have to change the event to an 1/8th mile event? Where will be the best place to get some killer shots of the cars in the water box and launching?
 Anybody Need a Tranny?
 Beautiful Plum Vert!
The time was now 9:35 and the track announcer was calling the racers to the staging lanes for the driver’s meeting and to begin time trials. I hustled over to the starting lines with my camera bag in tow. I got the distinguished honor to be sharing the spot with Dean Kirsten of Hot VWs The Staging Lanes
Wind or not it was time to start sending cars down the track! I’ve been close to the action before, when a Pro Mod car performs its burnout and comes screaming by, but I never get tired of it! The hairs on my arms were standing up straight! The first pass I saw Eric Madson of Grand Junction Colorado make was a high 8 second pass! It was quite impressive! Unfortunately, the racing was stopped numerous times throughout the morning and afternoon due to track conditions, oil downs, problems with the timing system, a loose wire on the starting tree, and unfortunately an accident. As a result of all the delays, time was running out for me and I needed to leave before the finals were completed. However, I made a couple of phone calls and got the race results.  
 
Pro Mod - Hector Urias
Super Street – Greg Tims
Super Comp – Muffler Mike Sheldon
Super Gas – Corey Sachette
Super Mod - Richard Laitinen
I got a bunch of great photos from the starting line and a few pictures of Ester Hollister’s car after her crash. I packed up my gear and headed home around 3:30 PM, but stopped by Ester’s pit to offer my well wishes and get a better view of the damage to her car. After watching Pat McDermott’s nasty wreck in the Fast Fiat in the fall, it was hard to see Hollister smack the wall. Luckily her accident was no where as bad as Pat’s. She was a little shaken but in great spirits. She’s a tough cookie and is planning to rebuild in time for Sacramento in May! Go get ‘em Ester!  
I would like to close this article in tribute to Rick Mortensen. For over 20 years, Rick Mortensen and his family dedicated countless hours and money to promote the Phoenix Bug-o-rama. His events were hugely popular with VW fans all over the Southwest and West coast. When Rick’s health issues made him refocus efforts, genuine concern poured out not only for Rick and his family, but also for the future of his “Bug-o-rama” based at Firebird Raceway.
Behind the scenes, Rick sought for a way to keep his “baby” alive and going. As if his 20 plus years, weren’t enough, Rick worked a deal with Bugorama Promotions of Sacramento, California to “adopt” his baby! His selfless efforts will continue his legacy within the hobby and insure that all of us VW nuts will have a place to gather in Phoenix for years to come! Thank you Rick for all you’ve done for us over the years and best of luck to Steve Hole and Family of Bugorama Promotions. Your combined effort will allow the largest Arizona VW event for the next 20+ years!
Be sure to click here & view the image gallery for this event or to add your pictures!
Also, join us in the forums to discuss the 2007 Bugorama in Phoenix! Let me know what you thought of this article and my photos. All of the photos that Scott Faivre shot are available for sale! Please contact us here if you are interested in purchasing any of them. |
