Becoming an Alumni

On Friday October 27th, Chris and I headed over to the Daytona Beach Embry-Riddle campus to take care of some business as well as have fun at their homecoming event. Their theme was Super Hero's this year, and it was pretty cool. There was a 15 foot tall Wonder Woman and Superman walking around the campus as well as Batman and Cat Woman. We stayed and watched the parade. It is hard for me to pick a winner, but I have to say that the SCAT club's helicopter was pretty cool.

Later was a special event. Chris and I were scheduled to receive an honorary alumni certificate. This was amazing. To be a part of such a prestigious institution, and in the highest of company, we really appreciate this honor.

After we headed home to pick up Sparkplug at my friends house. This was going to be our first weekend off in a few weeks. It was time to get things ready for the busy weeks to come. See you soon.

Elaine

Gulfport Mississippi

Back on the road. The team didn't get much rest this week as it was time to hit the road again. We had a tire blowout just on the north side of Gainesville. It was so nice to have E. Lowe riding with us so he could help Chris change the tire and get us back on the road. We arrived in Gulfport on Saturday morning. I didn't watch the weather report, and a cold front had pushed its way through, and of course I didn't have a thing to wear. It was off to the store. Chris dropped me off at Walmart to get some supplies while the guys went off to get the tire fixed.

We had a little time to spare, so we decided to head down to the beach to see how they were rebuilding after hurricane Katrina. You could see signs of the damage inland, but that did not prepare us for what we were to see when we drove closer to the beach. Leveled doesn't even describe it. There was an aquarium that was just twisted metal. How anything could survive is amazing. But the best part of all of this was the hope that things will get back to normal. You could see that they will rebuild, and it will be better than ever.

We were here with the invitation of the Ford Performance Club. This is an annual race that we came to in 2004, but they skipped last year because of the hurricane. These guys were ready to race. We were scheduled to do a small show on Saturday night durning test and tune, but mother nature had other ideas. It started to rain, and the track had to cancel the racing for the night. We hung out for a while to see if it would clear up enough for us to do a line show of smoke and fire for the racers and their families that had come to camp for the weekend. The rain cleared and we pulled out the dragster out on the line and fired her up. I did a full track fire show and had a great time.


The next morning we woke up early to go grab some breakfast and head to the track. When we walked outside, it was disappointing. The skies were grey and it had rained A LOT in the night. When we pulled into the track at 8:00 a.m. our pit area was flooded and the track was really wet. But the Gulfport Raceway team and the guys from the Ford Performance Club got it done.


We went up for our first pass at 2:30 and made 3 total passes down the quarter mile. The Embry-Riddle jet dragster did not disappoint. All of the passes went well and I now feel like she is ready to fly.

This race is special, it is what drag racing is all about, I am talking about true grass roots racing. The whole family comes out to the drag strip and camps, kids are running around, moms and dads it was great. This was really cool. Frank, photographer, said that it gave him goosebumps to see the dragracing that he didn't think existed anymore. It was an amazing weekend.

We have to give a BIG thanks to the Ford Performance Club, Bobby and Darrell, for having us come out, the Gulfport Raceway staff, Frankie for taking care of me, ALL of the fans that stopped by, and last but not least my husband Chris for giving me the chance to FLY!!!

Race Day

The Embry-Riddle race team headed for West Palm Beach Friday afternoon to Moroso Motorsports Park. We arrived early so we could set up and get things ready for a very busy weekend. Not only were we there to race, we hired a film crew to make a promotional video for the brand new Embry-Riddle jet dragster.

This was the first official race for our new team, and let me tell you it was sweet success. We had a wonderful weekend.

Now for some of the fun stuff. If you read my other blogs. I had put my back out the Tuesday before the race. Of course I didn't think this was going to be a problem, well let me tell you something, I have a new respect for back pain. I have since been to the Dr. and found out that I have a pinched nerve. Saturday was more painful than Sunday, but I made it through the weekend with a smile.


Now for the visitors, from Embry-Riddles Ft. Lauderdales center staff and students came out, as well as many from the SAE club out of Daytona Beach campus. It was so much fun to see them cheer their car on. I have my friends and fans that always come out to see me, which keeps me coming back year after year. This however was an anniversary for me and a special person. I met Chris and Chuck Foster a year ago. Chris was just diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 15. We made a connection right off, and a year later their family has become my family. So it was a special weekend. Thanks to everyone who came out to see us.

For more info about the race, go to the race recaps. Now we are off to Gulfport, MS. Then to the Embry-Riddle homecoming. and it won't be long when we come back to our home track at Moroso for the Citrus Nationals. Take care and see ya soon.

Elaine

Getting ready for the big day!!!

The Embry-Riddle team tested on Thursday at Bradenton Motorsports Park, and I can report that the car is running great. We could only make 1/8 mile passes, and we ran in the 3's at over 200 mph. Momma is very happy.

Now we are getting things ready for our first official race with the new car at Moroso Motorsports Park this weekend (Oct. 14 & 15) If that was not enough pressure, we will be shooting our new promotional video with the ERAU jet dragster as the star.

We will spend the week getting things ready for the weekend. I will post the weekend results as soon as we get back. Chris is gone this evening, over at Embry-Riddle for meetings, and I am home nursing a bad back. (don't ask) check back soon.

Elaine

Getting Ready to Test

Hey guys, we are getting ready to hit the road to test tomorrow night. We are heading over to Bradenton Motorsports Park Thursday afternoon to try and get a couple of test sessions in. We have a race at Moroso Motorsports Park on October 14&15, so we want to make sure the Embry-Riddle car is ready to go.

I am sure some of you have heard about the recent jet car crashes. It is very sad, and my thoughts are prayers are with everyone involved. I had the opportunity to meet Kendall this past July when we were in Wisconsin for the Oshkosh airshow. The Gladiator team was putting on a show at the local dragstrip, and we went to see some of our fellow jet racers. She was very excited about driving a jet dragster, and it is unfortunate that it had to end in this way.

I will keep you posted on the testing, so check back Friday.

C ya
Elaine