FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2015
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Steve Francis and his Late Model:
Description of Steve Francis from an Aussie fans point of view

by Ray Hale for LMRWA
PERTH, W.A. (January 19) - We’ve seen him on video at Eldora and Knoxville.

But it is not until you see it in front of your own eyes that you are literally shocked by his mastery, his dominance and his composure.

In the pits and in the car park he is in disguise as a quietly spoken, reserved and gentle man. You could easily mistake him for one of the local men of the cloth.

No flamboyance, no look at me but a definite “I mean business” look in the eyes as he makes his way to the grid.

There are always the obligatory introductions “I love to race here, I love to come down under” but everyone knows he is not here for the holiday. Whether it’s Bunbury, Collie, Manjimup, Albany or Eldora there is a race to be won. It’s time to get down to business.

As it seems is his right he invariably rolls around on the pole leading the rumbling pack of wanabes in the four wide salute to the crowd. They all like to see the spectacle of 20 pulsating weapons chafing at the bit to go racing but there is an underlying yearning to see them get on with the fireworks.

Next lap they line up two abreast with the odd blast as a driver tests the traction or settles their nerves. Not long to wait now as the field snakes its way into turn 3 and the anticipation in the crowd is palpable.

Suddenly the lead cars thingy sideways and the15000HP field explodes into frantic action. The noise is deafening as the cars blast down the main straight with millimeters between them.

Steve Francis charges into the first corner while onlookers stare in disbelief. There is no way he can turn at that speed as he flicks around at the last instant entering the corner.

By the time the last of the field has reached the middle of the back straight Steve Francis has flashed across the start/finish line to complete his first lap. The quick guys stay with him hanging on by their finger tips.

Just a few laps later the lead cars catch the tail enders. With a few car lengths lead Steve has no time to waste. If there is plenty of room the job is passing done on the inside if not he pounces on his prey straight around the outside. No hint of contact, no hesitation and no mercy.

Watching Steve negotiate traffic really is a site to behold. There are no kamikaze runs into gaps that are too narrow. Steve is a professional and he knows he has to finish in order to win.

The lights glint off the roof tops as Steve storms through the field. With outside passes through corners it appears that his car is stuck like a magnet to the track as he scorches past.

With uncanny anticipation the Kentucky Colonel, as he is known, seems to effortlessly yet commandingly consume the opposition. With the sound reverberating in the stands he passes down the straight with such speed that he is likely to scorch the side panels of the hapless victim. He then eases into the next corner faster than anyone else and as straight as an arrow. With a gentle flick to over steer and the inside left front wheel gently pouring the ground he launches off the corner leaving the others stranded like learners on roller skates.

What an experience it is to see his sheer ruthless aggression and ferocity, his precise yet explosive driving style and to hear the almost sonic boom of the howling Chevy.

We as spectators are left in awe as the Kentucky Colonel once again stamps his authority.