OWH's 2004 Nats "Where's Erkle?" Contest

**oldweirdherald** · 07-28-2004, 05:57 AM

A little something to keep JoeSSS and others busy while waiting for race results from the Nats.....

At the 2004 USRA Wing Car Nats here in Sunny Tulsa Oklahoma, many of you who unfortunately could not be here in person may have noticed when viewing the OWH Nats Photo Gallery, that we're having more then our fair share of fun here.

In fact, maybe it's the late nights, maybe the competition, definately the people.... but it's turned into a bit of downright craziness. I hope that you folks at home are enjoying it at least a fraction as much as we are here. I've had racers crowded around the laptops here late into the night just dying laughing at many of the pictures in the gallery.

In honor of the festivities and fun, we've thought of a fun little game you can all play along with at home.

It's the....

OWH 2004 Wing Nats "Where's Erkle?" Contest!

Check out the OWH Nats Photo Gallery at:
OWH's 2004 USRA Wing Nats Photo Gallery

Here's the challange:

How many times can you find Erkle's mug in the 2004 Nats Photo Gallery???

Winner will get the extreme satisfaction of knowing that you really must love slot car racing way too much, or absolutely have no life outside of playing with expensive and fast toy cars.

Bonus Feature!!!

Be like the pro racers! Dowload and print out your very own USRA Pro Wing Car style drivers!!!

Wing Car Drivers

**retiredracer** · 07-28-2004, 06:17 AM

the pic erkle didnt want to get out lol

**Mr Tim** · 07-28-2004, 06:19 AM

How many times can you find Erkle's mug in the 2004 Nats Photo Gallery???

Too few times for real satisfaction. He is just soooooooo sexy...

PeteV · 07-28-2004, 08:51 AM

Just more proof that we're all nutjobs.

**NFalls** · 07-28-2004, 10:13 AM

....way too much time on their hands!

**SpaceCowboy** · 07-28-2004, 02:14 PM

Since this past Thursday night I have been more than glued to the computer at work and at home just waiting for any information comming through my DSL hookup to the internet about the racing in Tulsa. It has been great looking at the pictures and reading all the postings.

I counted 93 times I saw Erkle in the 612 pictures I ran past. My eyes are at this time being relieved by a bucket load of Visine. I also think i saw two other pictures one of just his arm and one of the top of his head I think so that would make it 95. Man you can really tell I have no life here huh???

Paul thanks for keeping us so well informed on what is happening there. I am back to surfing the internet.

**Half Fast** · 07-28-2004, 04:12 PM

To quote yourself:

"Don't get your Knickers in a twist", its only slot car racing.

Your free ticket to Port Jeff Raceway is canceled.

Bill

**weedracer** · 07-28-2004, 04:13 PM

Ron,

Erkle...or Mike as his name really is, is very well liked and respected in the slot racing community, and is just having some fun. OK...a lot of fun, which is no crime where I come from.

I've been wondering how he found the time to clean house in TWO races in a row with all the shenanigans he's up to with the pics.

Either way, it's all in fun, and everyone else seems to think so.

He's reputedly leaving tomorrow (Thursday) morning, so unless someone has the genius to hold up his picture for the rest of the event's photo opps, it should stop soon.

Paul, print up a mug shot of the "E" man, and keep it handy.

**Half Fast** · 07-28-2004, 08:36 PM

Zip-

Tell us what you really think!

Regarding our public image, the public thinks we are a bunch of aging geeks that love to play with toy cars.

You know something, they are right,

So don't worry about it. Enjoy your hobby its harmless and fun!

Harmless Bill

**Flash24** · 07-29-2004, 05:37 AM

which one IS Erkle? some readers need help (or glasses, right Edsel)

Welcome home NATS champions Mike and Jonathan. We may not have next years NATS on Long Island but we have you two. Well done!

**oldweirdherald** · 07-29-2004, 01:54 PM

you'd think pictures of a bunch of guys smiling and having fun would be good.

I guess i'll shoot everyone with a sour puss face from now on.

thanks for the heads up zip

Roger

ps. g7 warm up ended at 4:30 am paul was posting heat by heat results then. I guess you didn't notice those because you were in bed.
paul is asleep now but will be here before the am 27 main starts

**Bobhardt** · 07-29-2004, 05:53 PM

You are entitled to freedom of speech and your own opinion. I just thought that with your thirst for constant race related pictures that you would welcome them. Even if most of them do have Erkle in them. Are you threatened by his rugged good looks"

**J Diamond** · 07-29-2004, 06:55 PM

If you cant have fun while your racing....then maybe you should pick up a different hobby. The whole point of racing for me is to have fun.

**Chubby** · 07-29-2004, 07:47 PM

gata agreee on teh diamond on this one

sorry zip..lol

**oldweirdherald** · 07-29-2004, 08:23 PM

Ron,

Believe me - there were no winners who felt dissrespected by Erkle's shenanigans. Much of the laughter and funny photo poses was our equivilant of spraying champaign all over as they do at 1/1 scale races, World Series, etc. We didn't have any champaign - but we had Erkle.

You might notice that in the podium picture with Erkle behind the winners, the winners could not restrain themselves from laughing while the picture was taken.

At 3 or 4 AM - we all turn into the bunch of 12 year olds that we really are. I think some of the same things that cause us to still enjoy "playing with toy cars" as adults, also makes us laugh at fart jokes, harmless pranks, and making faces and rabbit ears in pictures.

Obviously, Erkle takes his racing seriously, as does Doug Bauer. As owners of Port Jeff Raceway, and sponsors of the Pro Cobalt 12 race, Doug & Erkle presented the awards with the sincere respect and handshakes they deserved, as well as a smile or funny face for the fun of it.

Evidence of this combination of serious dedication can be seen in the photo of Erkle pitting for a teammate - replacing a motor in mere seconds - while the power was on... no kidding around there! Erkle is as good as they come in the pits. But after the race, follows the handshakes, hugs, backslaps, and yes... the kidding around for the camera - reminding everyone that we do this not only to satisfy our competative desire to win, but also for the comraderie of our good friends, and the great fun of competing both with and against other fellow "grown-ups who still play with toy cars".

Doug & Erkle are as competative as they come - but they also know that we do this for FUN - and help to remind us all to keep it in perspective. If you were able to hear video with sound (as you will be able to if you buy SARN's video of the Nats - although it will be edited) you would be able to tell very quickly how OVERLY serious the racers CAN get when the power is ON. Often, the racers have to be repremanded to settle down and take a breath during races, as it can get pretty ugly at times, so the frivolous and often childish fun after the power goes off is most often a welcome relief from the tensions of racing.

Erkle is home by now - but I'll have to find other means of spicing up the festivities here, or it will just get too boring!

Now.... if we only could make a life sized cardboard cutout of Erkle......