For seven seasons now Green Bay's Ron Berna has been slugging it out in the often costly world of WISSOTA late model racing on eastern Wisconsin's dirt bullrings. Despite not having a major financial backer like a gaming casino, beer company or auto parts chain Berna has managed to put together a competitive machine each season. And 2003 will be no exception. With no major backing to speak of, Berna and his crew will attempt to spread their wings a bit, opting not to run for weekly points anywhere but instead racing different tracks in Wisconsin. "For us we're getting tired of running at Shawano and Antigo for points," said Berna. "We've done it since 1993 and it gets old real fast." Berna scored three straight IMCA modified titles at Shawano Speedway and two in Antigo in the mid-1990's before moving into the late model class in 1997.

Berna and his cohorts have become creative over the years, finding ways to cut corners financially. For instance, they purchased a 1993 Freightliner and worked all winter to create a team transporter. "A unit like we have can sell for as much as $60,000," said Berna. "We've got less than $25,000 invested in our hauler. We did most of the work ourselves." The new transporter, along with a pop tent, provides the team sleeping arrangements. It's much cheaper than a hotel room when traveling.

Berna currently has two late model chassis' at his disposal. One is two years old while the other is six years old. "We only have one motor and our motor builder Merle Childs works with us when times get tight around the middle of the season," said Berna. "In fact, I traded a guy an old chassis for the motor we run. We make our own bodies to save money. My crew chief Jim Kibilowksi takes care of that. Plus we have our own vinyl cutting machine to make our own stickers." It's truly a low bucks racing team. In fact, Berna ran on all used tires last weekend at a practice session at Luxemburg Speedway and during a full night of racing at Shawano Speedway. "We might have to break down and buy a new right rear tire for the Luxemburg show," Berna quipped.

Berna plans on hitting some races this summer at western Wisconsin tracks located in Rice Lake, Arcadia and Cedar Lake. He'll also be a part of the four Luxemburg late model shows, the first of which is tomorrow night. "We ran real well there last year, winning a dash and heat race," said Berna. "I raced there before Antigo opened in my modified and had a lot of fun there. It's a challenging track. We're looking for a win tomorrow night." Racing against the often tougher competition in western Wisconsin and Minnesota can be both a curse and a blessing. "You learn a lot more running against those guys. The downside is if you finish further on down the field you don't make much money at all. We averaged $400 a night in race winnings when we race locally. We don't make even close to that on the road. So you've gotta run well."

Berna's limited sponsorship comes from Action Auto Repair, Stone Hedge Masonry and Witt Ford. Jerry Berna, Jim Gonion, Ken Biral, Paul Delwiche, Steve Macherk and Cory Bukowiec help turn wrenches on Berna's race cars.

MORE LUXEMBURG NOTES - Tomorrow night's WISSOTA late model show sponsored by Woody's Signs will feature a 50 lap feature paying $1,200 to the winner. A full program of IMCA modified, stock car and hobby stocks will be in action, along with the sport fours. Racing gets underway at 7 p.m.

Last weekend's opening night provided it's share of excitement. With the frost still in the ground the surface on the third-mile, clay oval rutted up in turn four, tossing cars through the air on more than one occasion. That problem has been corrected this week. Among those drivers who belted the concrete wall hard were Mike Mashl, Jared Siefert and Dean Maurer. Siefert suffered a headache and split lip, but was otherwise all right. All three will be back, but not after some costly repairs to their IMCA modifieds. Eddie Muenster scored the modified feature win, having qualified for the main event by winning one of two consolation races. Muenster passed every car and survived a violent collision with Mashl to win the race. Muenster was racing with a heavy heart , as his dad Jerry was missing that night. The day before Jerry Muenster had a quadruple bypass surgery. The surgery was a success and Muenster is resting comfortably at home.

WIR OPENS - Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna will kick off it's stock car racing season with a special Sunday afternoon program May 4. Qualifying takes place at noon with racing set to get underway at 1 p.m. The Sunday program will be run under the direction of the Fox River Racing Club. Thursday night racing will resume in mid-May. Late Models, limited late models, street stocks, sport trucks, figure 8's and a new four cylinder class called the Sizzlin' 4's will compete weekly.

SEYMOUR'S READY - Sunday night racing returns to Seymour Tri-Oval Raceway this coming Sunday night. A new earlier start time is in effect in 2003 as racing will begin at 6 p.m. WISSOTA late models, IMCA modifieds, IMCA stock cars, street stocks and 4 bangers will compete weekly at the third-mile, clay tri-oval.

THUNDER HILL READY - Thunder Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay will open it's doors for the new racing season this Saturday night at 6 p.m. IMCA modifieds, stock cars, hobby stocks, street stocks and four cylinders will compete weekly at the third-mile, clay oval.