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R & R Racing Partnership
Beatrice, NE 68310

Photo by R & R Racing (1998 Season)

Photo by Nick Vrtiska (2000 Season)

Photo by Nick Vrtiska (2005 Season)

New body style and paint scheme for 2007

R & R Racing was born after the 1997 racing season. A Partnership between Ernie & Jan Reiss and Jan's sons, Jason and Jeremy Rosenthal, came together. That is the way this adventure began.

GETTING STARTED

I have worked in the law enforcement field for over 20 years and have a background in automotive mechanics. From 1975 to 1988, I was on Al Humphrey's Late Model stock car pit crew in the Grand Island area. We raced at Hastings, Red Cloud, MidContinent (now Mid-Nebraska), Midwest Speedway in Lincoln, Lexington and Sunset Speedway. Every weekend we raced at least three nights a week. Looking back on those experiences makes me wonder how we kept going come Monday morning!! After moving to Beatrice, I helped work on Peanuts Volesky's flyer car for 1 1/2 seasons.

Al Humphrey - 2004 CNCTA Late Model Points Champion

Having never been on the "money spending" end of stock car racing, our pre-1998 season was a lesson in frugality. All of the so-called "experts" say if you are going out to buy a used race car, to watch the different cars during the season. We had an idea that we might buy a car during the off-season, but didn't know which one we were going to buy. I taped several races at Beatrice during the course of the 1997 season but did not focus on any particular race car. We looked at one car and had an offer to look at another car. We never did look at the second car as the first one was offered to us "turnkey." If we had it to do over, we may have looked around a bit more. Before buying the race car, we had to find a place to keep it, preferrably someplace with a roof and concrete floor. A friend told us of a lady with a 2-stall garage who offered to let us keep the car there. After looking the garage over, we accepted her offer as the price was right - free!!

At this time, we had no trailer, so we had the car delivered for us. Along with a car which ran (mid-70's Monte Carlo - the BIG one!!), we got two spare axles and the four tires which were on the car. During the 1998 season, we aquired several more used tires and rims and at the end of the season, actually bought two NEW tires!! We found more spare parts and tires as the season went on.

The first order of business was to get as much of the (well-used) body off the car as possible. There was a flurry of activity such as had probably never been seen in THAT garage!! We also got the engine and transmission out of the car that same night. In the next couple of days, we had the engine on the stand and began disassembly. The powerglide transmission went under the work bench and we had to trust the racing gods that it would carry us through the 1998 season.

One thing I learned working on race cars in the past is the importance of the front suspension. With the engine in the machine shop, we turned our attention to checking out the front and rear end. All of the front suspension was removed and we immediately found a bent right lower ball joint. All of the control arm bushings were original equipment and in need of replacement. The upper ball joints were still the original equipment and one was bent. All bushings and ball joints were replaced as well as a bent lower a-frame. The trailing arm bushings on the rear end were also replaced. During inspection we found the bushing holes in the left lower trailing arm were worn oblong and not only the bushings but the trailing arm had to be replaced. The right axle seal was leaking profusely and the grease ruined the brake shoes, so not only did the seal need to be replaced but so did the brakes. No problem, we located a parts car which had been raced for several years. Along with the parts car we got the 4 tires and wheels that were on it as well as a spare Monte Carlo frame. We took the rear brakes off the parts car and put them on the race car. We also got the axles from the parts car for spares. It's now pretty well stripped down, but we'll eventually cut the cage off and keep all the interior so we have a start on another car if we make it through 1998!!

We had so many people to thank before our first season had even started. Ron's Automotive in Beatrice allowed us to use his shop to clean and replace parts. Cat's Auto Parts helped out with price breaks on some things. Guy Brollini donated shop lights and, most importantly, a wood-burning stove. Winters in Nebraska get pretty cold, and even it was a mild winter for the most part, we really needed the stove to keep warm. After we looked around for Monte Carlo body parts, a 76 Monte Carlo was located at Northeast Auto Salvage. Elmer Saathoff provided us with whatever body parts we needed. "Flip" Bitting was been a wealth of knowledge and resources, supplying us with fabricating parts and loaning us tools and a trailer until we got one of our own. Herb Wollenburg spent two evenings welding on the car when I'm sure he had better things to do. Gary Genrich of Wymore provided us with tools and equipment.

Jason drove the original car that we bought for the 1998 season. This was a learning time for us and we tried to gain the respect of our fellow drivers. For the 1999 season, we had a car built by Kevin Snyder, who has been building race cars in the Beatrice area for over 25 years. After completing the 2000 season, we decided to take a year off to build a shop. This was completed in the fall of 2001, at the same time I turned 50 years old.

Before the end of the year, we bought a metric car that had been an IMCA stock car at the Beatrice Speedway. We worked on the car through the winter and were on track to start the 2002 season. We brought the car to the Beatrice Speedway for Test & Tune and thought we were ready for the season to start.

Early in the morning after Test & Tune, we were awakened at 2 AM. Jason had been run over by a car and had a broken leg. He was on his way to Lincoln by ambulance.

The next few days were a blur for all of us. Jason had surgery on his leg and a steel rod was inserted in the bone. He eventually healed up, but he would not be driving a race car in the 2002 season.

After a lot of discussion with Jan, I decided to drive the race car myself. I had a couple of people contact me and offer to drive the car, but I decided if it was going to get torn up, I'd do it myself. I made a deal with Jan - I'd go to the track the first week and drive. If I came home and my underwear was still clean, I'd go again the next week.

I have to admit, that entire season I was SCARED TO DEATH!! Every time Saturday rolled around, I was hoping it would rain! However, as the season progressed, I started to feel more comfortable in the driver's seat.

We've always done all of our own work on the car, including putting the engines together. As the years have gone by, we've aquired a lot more tools and equipment so we can do our own work. However, I've also confirmed what I've known for years - racers are always willing to help each other out!

We hope to highlight our sponsors by having the R & R Racing Monte Carlo present at any promotions the sponsors may have. Photos will be taken of the car before the season starts and sponsors will receive a photo of the race car. We had some team shirts designed at the beginning of the 2005 season that came out very nice.

The 2005 season was a busy one as we ended up fielding two cars. At the end of the 2003 season, we were told that the factory stock class would be discontinued at the end of the 2004 season. I was able to buy a Jet Phantom IMCA stock car, which was just a roller. During the summer, I tinkered on it and bought parts to be able to put the car together. Before the end of the 2004 season, it was announced that the factory stock class would run through at least 2006.

We ended up finishing the stock car and raced both cars at Beatrice Speedway each week. At the end of the 2005 season, we ended up 8th in points in the factory stock and 9th in points in the Stock Car. I also got the Most Improved Driver in factory stock.

In 2006, I anticipate that both cars will once again be on the race track - however, I will not usually be in both cars on the same night. It looks like we'll partner up with another owner, who will provide an engine, and he has a driver lined up who is a proven winner.

Our goal for 2006 is to once again be consistent and more competitive. Jan has already told me there will be more trophies in my future! It's also important to present the best possible image of our class of racing and promote it the way it was meant to be - as a family activity. We hope to be able to provide a positive role model for fans of all ages as well as promote our sponsors.

We're looking forward to the season with great anticipation as we are learning what this sport takes to be successful.

Photo by Nick Vrtiska

Beatrice Nebraska Speedway's 2007 Schedule
March 15, 2007 - Practice session for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks and IMCA Sport Compacts, 6 PM - 9 PM
March 16, 2007 - Qualifying for IMCA Modified Spring Nationals & Qualifying and Feature for Sport Compacts
March 17, 2007 - Qualifying for IMCA Modified Spring Nationals; IMCA Hobby Stock qualifying
March 18, 2007 - IMCA Modified and Hobby Stock Spring Nationals Feature Races
April 14, 2007 - WFR Car Show 1 PM to 3 PM at the Gage County FairgroundsWeathered out- Rescheduled to April 28, 2007
NOTE: Races start at 6 PM in April, May and through June 9th; 7 PM for remainder of season



April 14, 2007 - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Compacts, Limited Mods & Factory StocksDue to unseasonable weather, Opening Night is postponed to April 28th.
April 21, 2007 - No Racing
April 28, 2007 - IMCA Mods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Limited Mods, Factory Stocks and Cruisers
May:
Gates will open at 3:30pm; Hot Laps 5pm Races 6pm
5 - IMCA Mods, Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks,Limited Modifieds, and Outlaw Vintage Lites
12 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks and Cruisers
19 - No Racing
26 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds and Cruisers
28 - Memorial Day Special - Super Late Models and Factory Stocks
June: Gates will open at 3:30pm; Hot Laps 5:00pm; Races 6pm through June 9th
2 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks and Cruisers
9 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, Limited Modifieds and Factory Stocks
Gates will open at 4:30pm Hot Laps 6pm; Races 7PM for the rest of the season
16 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks and Cruisers
23 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, Limited Modifieds and Outlaw Vintage Lites
30 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks and Cruisers followed by Fireworks Show

July:
7 - IMCA Mods, SC,HS, LM, FS and Cruisers
14 - IMCA Mods, SC,HS,LM and FS and IMCA Sport Compact
21 - Gage County Fair IMCA Mods, Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks, and Limited Modifieds
22 - Gage County Fair Factory Stocks, Cruisers and Demolition Derby
28 - IMCA Mods, Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds and Factory Stocks

August:
4 - IMCA Mods, Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks
8 - USMTS Modifieds
11 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds and Cruisers
18 - IMCA Mods, Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds, and Factory Stocks
25 - IMCA Mods, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks and Cruisers Championship Night

September;
1 - IMCA Mods, Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks, Limited Modifieds and Factory Stocks Season Championship Night
14 - Fall Nationals with Cruisers, Limited Mods and Factory Stocks
Gates open at 4:30, Hot Laps 6pm and Races 7pm
15 - Fall Nationals with Cruisers, Limited Mods and Factory Stocks
Gates open at 3:30pm, Hot Laps 5pm, Races 6pm
16 - Rain Out Date if needed for Fall Naionals

October:
5 - OctoberFest, featuring IMCA Mods, IMCA Stocks and IMCA Hobby
Gates open 4:30pm Hot Laps 6pm; Races 7pm
6 - OctoberFest, featuring IMCA Mods, IMCA Stocks and IMCA Hobby
Gates open 4:30pm Hot Laps 6pm; Races 7pm
7 - Rain Out Date if needed for OctoberFest


Getting Ready for 2007
Opening Night, April 28, 2007
Results from May 12, 2007
Results from May 28, 2007
Results from June 2, 2007
Results from June 9, 2007
Results from June 16, 2007
Results from June 30, 2007
Results from July 7, 2007
Results from July 14, 2007
Results from July 22, 2007 (Gage County Fair)
Results from July 28, 2007
Results from August 4, 2007

Gearing Up for 2006
Beatrice Spring Fling 2006
Opening Night 8 April 2006
Results from April 15, 2006
Results from April 22, 2006
Results from April 29, 2006
Results from May 6, 2006
Results from May 13, 2006
Results from May 20, 2006
Results from May 27, 2006
Results from June 3, 2006
Results from June 10, 2006
Results from June 17, 2006
Results from June 24, 2006
Results from July 1, 2006
Results from July 8, 2006
Results from July 15, 2006
Results from July 22, 2006
Results from July 29, 2006
Results from August 5, 2006
Results from August 12, 2006
Results from August 19, 2006
Results from August 26, 2006 - Rained out
Nebraska State Fair, Lincoln, Nebraska, September 1, 2006
Results from September 2, 2006 - Rained out
Beatrice Fall Nationals 2006, September 15 & 16th, 2006
Abe Lincoln Memorial, U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus, NE September 30, 2006
Beatrice Octoberfest 2006, October 6th & 7th, 2006

Beatrice Spring Fling 2005
Opening Night April 2, 2005
Results from April 9, 2005
Results from April 16, 2005
Results from April 23, 2005
Results from April 30 & May 1, 2005
Results from May 7, 2005
Results from May 14, 2005
Results from May 21, 2005
Results from May 28, 2005
Results from June 18, 2005
Results from June 25, 2005
Results from July 2, 2005
Results from July 9, 2005
Results from July 16, 2005
Results from July 23, 2005 (Gage County Fair)
Results from July 30, 2005
Results from August 6, 2005 - Kids' Night
Results from August 20, 2005
Results from August 27, 2005
Results from September 3, 2005
Results from Eagle Raceway September 10, 2005

Beatrice Area Weather
RSR 03 Racing, Pleasant Dale, NE
DirtDriver.com
DrySlickRacing.com
Beatrice Speedway, Beatrice, Nebraska
Midwest Speedway (Lincoln, NE) Preservation Society
Nebraska Raceway Park, Greenwood, Nebraska
Eagle Raceway, Eagle, Nebraska
Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, Nebraska
I.M.C.A.
Nascar Online
Belleville High Banks, Belleville, Kansas
Chasin Racin 4M
Blue Knights Nebraska Chapter 1
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