Embry-Riddle jet dragster hits the Florida Mall!

September 23&24th the Embry-Riddle team gets a chance to stay close to home. George DeWees with the AMS (Aviation Maintenance Science) invited the team to help them promote the University at Latin Weekend at the Florida Mall in Orlando. This is our second year for this event. Because we live in Central Florida, it is not a surprise that there are people that visit from all over the World, but WOW, I think they were all there last weekend. We had the opportunity to meet people from everywhere. The jet dragster was at the center of attention. We arrived on Saturday morning, and finished up on Sunday evening. There were a lot of people from England asking about their countryman who recently crashed in a jet dragster. I had heard about the crash, and as always it makes you pause, but then you realize that this is a risky business, and things can happen, you just hope that your car handles the situation as best as possible. From what I have heard, the driver is doing well.

Other than the display, it has been kind of quite on the home front. In a previous blog, I mentioned that we were car shopping, well, I purchased a car, and I can cross that item off the list. It was sad to see the PT Cruiser go down the street for the last time. I would own another one anytime, great car.

We are gearing up for a very busy October. We will be testing the dragster one more time before her official debut at Moroso Motorsports Park on October 14&15. Then the weekend after we will be traveling to Gulfport, MS. We haven't been back since the hurricane, and are excited to go back to see how all of the racers are doing.

I guess that is it for now. Catch ya later.

Elaine

Fun on the Beach

Well as I am writing this, we just got home from a great weekend at the beach. George DeWees and his family invited us over for a weekend of fun. We left town Friday when Andrew got out of school. Our first order of business was to check in to the GREATEST cottage in the world. (see attached photo) After hitting the beach for an hour, we met the DeWees's to see their son play a high school football game. After the game we dropped the kids at the house and the adults went out for a night on the town.

The next morning it was back on the beach. The DeWees's met us, and we had a wonderful day. The waves were wonderful, and Andrew is a champion boogie boarder. Later we met up with them again for dinner and a night of fun. We went to the Speed Park in Daytona Beach. It is home of the Nitro Alley, a dragster thrill ride that takes you from 0 - 75 in 3 seconds.

George, Chris and myself lined up in the dragsters, now I must tell you this is my story of how things happened. Obviously George bribed the ticket taker to get the fastest car. Chris and I were left to the dogs!!! When the tree hit, George was off and running, while Chris and I were left in the dust. Now the first time we thought "Wow beginners luck" But on the second time, when we couldn't catch him, we knew something was up. George took the first two rounds of racing, while Chris took the last round. I ended up loosing ALL three rounds of racing. Now I smell a rat!!!

Now I am sure that George and Chris have different versions of the story, but I am sticking to mine!!! We then hit the go karts and had a great time. I rode with Andrew in his go kart and realized that I definitely like to be in the drivers seat.

The next morning Chris and I woke up early and sat down by the beach to watch the dolphins swim in front of the cottages. What a wonderful way to start the day. We then met up with the DeWees's one more time for a picture perfect day on the beach. We loaded up and headed for home. Racing is our life, and we love it, but it is nice to take a time out every once and a while to enjoy family and great friends.

Thanks for listening,

Elaine

Rocking the ERAU campus!!!

The Embry-Riddle jet team was invited to come out to take part of the Student Activities Fair. We were there to help represent the SCAT club (Society of Civil Aviation Technicians) as well as the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) club. It was amazing to see everything that is available to the students at Embry-Riddle. To give you an idea, there is a surf club, skydiving club, rock climbing club, Muscle Car Association club, and many many more. The University never fails to just amaze me with how well rounded and how great the student involvement is.

Back to the day. Chris headed out to do the display the day before in order to meet with some of the staff. I arrived there on Tuesday, Sept. 12th just in time for the set up to be complete. Not bad timing. They had the car out on display and were selling t-shirts as well as auctioning off slicks from the dragster. The SCAT club received all of the profits.


This also was a day for the media to come in and see the jet dragster. A couple of news stations as well as a newspaper came out to video and photograph the car and interview some of the students about the car. We fired her up for everyone, and had a great time.

I left for home to pick Andrew up from school (a mom's job is never done) and Chris went on to be a guest speaker at the High Performance Vehicle's course that has just started at Embry-Riddle.

We met back up at home, and called it a day. We have been real busy back on the home front. Chris is repairing the Miss Ta Fire to be put back in action real soon, as well as continuing to build up another jet dragster. I have new car fever bad. We have taken off the graphics on our crew car, the PT cruiser, and I am starting to go car shopping. Any suggestions????

Our next display is going to be at the Florida Mall in Orlando on September 23&24. It is Latin Weekend, and we will be out representing the AMS (Aviation Maintenance Science) Department of Embry-Riddle. If you are in the area, please make sure and stop by to say HI.

Our next race is at Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach on October 14&15th. Make sure you mark your calenders as they always put on a great show.


SEE YA!
Elaine