TESTING Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster

Okay it is time to get down to business. The weather in Florida has not been on our side. It seems like we have had so much rain, which is good, but not when you are trying to get you race car dialed in. We got the green light to head to Bradenton Motorsports Park last Saturday on August 26th in the morning for their test and tune. We knew the rain would be there in the afternoon, so we arrived at the track before gates opened at 10:00 a.m.

When we were in the line waiting to get in, a fellow racer walked up to me and said "Hey aren't you that rocket lady on TV?" I heard that the spot I did for Horsepower TV back in March has been playing a few times. It is so cool when people say things like that to me. We work really hard and try to do the best job possible, to be able to share this with others is amazing. So after my head unswelled, it was time to get to work.


We were joined at the track with our friends, Annie, Chuck, Chris and Mose. I really appreciate all of their dedication and help. With the help of my crew, we prepared the Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster go head down the track. The first pass with the humidity very high, we pulled in the staging lanes only planning on making an 1/8th mile pass. The et. was 4.17 with a speed of 191 mph. The car ran straight down the track just perfect, but she was starved for fuel. So when we made it back to the pits, Chris changed the tune-up a little. When we lined up the second time the car reacted much better, she definitely like the extra fuel. The 4.07 et. with the 196 mph showed the potential that has yet to be awakened.

Unfortunately, the rain came as we were pulling back through the pits, so it put a stop to our testing. But it gave us enough data to the car tuned up and ready to fly. Keep posted for the next test session to see how the new car is running.

On the Miss Ta Fire front, we are going to put her back together ASAP. She needs very minor repairs, but until we get the Embry-Riddle Car dialed in, she has to take a back seat.

Now we wait for the path of the current hurricane to see if we are going to be in the path or not. I have gone to the store to stock up on all of the supplies, and we will prepare more as the day gets nearer. Wish us luck.


Elaine

HAVING SOME FUN!!

There is a saying "ALL WORK AND NO PLAY" Well we decided to play this weekend. Some good friends, Don and Vera, purchased a beautiful boat about a year ago, and we have not had the time to go for a visit until this weekend. It is a 35 foot sport fisherman boat. They have it docked in Ft. Pierce, Florida. We left home on Friday afternoon and made it there for dinner Friday evening.

Saturday morning we got up, had breakfast, and hit the water. The weather was overcast, but the seas were nice. We didn't go far, but attempted to do a little fishing. After deciding Publix (grocery store) was the best value, we headed back. We made a quick stop at a cove for Andrew to stop and swim. He found a new pet, a hermit crab, he named Crusty.

Pete, the owners brother-in-law, had just purchased a brand new Corvette convertible. We decided that we needed to go for a ride. When he tossed me the keys I said "no way" but got in the drivers seat before he could change his mind. Let me just tell you I now have "VETTE FEVER" so bad I can taste it. I made every excuse to do errands and take the car.

Andrew is now a great fisherman. He caught 6 catfish, and a head of another fish. It was a great weekend of fun and relaxing. Too bad on the way home there was a exotic car dealer that just happened to have a couple of corvettes for sale. BAD NEWS!!! Now I just have to talk Chris into this....any ideas?????

We will be testing the new Embry-Riddle car this coming weekend August 25&26, so it is back to work. I will post et's and speeds and tell you how the car ran. Have a great week

Elaine

RIDE OF A LIFETIME

Okay, so if you read the last blog. you found out things weren't gong our way. Well when things turn around they really turn around. First I was asked to go for a ride with the Aeroshell guys. They fly a T-6 Texan. Talk about COOL!!!!! I rode with Steve and we were the left wing. Check out the Oshkosh recap for photos and a bigger story. Oshkosh is amazing. It is so overwhelming when you realize what some of the pilots can do with these aircraft. Sean Tucker, if you have never seen him fly there is no describing it. Also the wing walkers, Patty Wagstaff, and the list goes on and on. Every afternoon we were right in the middle of the show. Then the vending area. Anything and everything you would ever want to see is there. I can't wait to see what next year has to bring.

We headed south on Monday morning. Our goal was to make it to Chattanooga, but as we pulled through Nashville, we somehow got in the middle of a police chase. Now some of you might ask, HOW??? Well we were minding our own business and this lady goes flying by us and sure enough it started with 4 cops chasing her, and it ended up with over 15 leading the way through Nashville. It did wake us up. The police finally caught her, and we continued on. Paul Miller was coming home from a race and he waited for us on top of Monteagle. There is this nice Best Western with a country restaurant attached. We spent Monday night there and headed the rest of the way to Pauls shop where he was going to help us with the Embry-Riddle jet dragster.

So as things were looking up, we headed to Paul Millers shop. Tuesday, we got things set up, and on Wednesday at 7:30, she really came to life. With the help of Paul and the guys at the shop, Chris and I hopefully have a fine tuned machine. I can't wait to take her down the track and she what she will do.

We pulled into our drive way on Thursday at 3:30 and had to jump in the shower in order to go to Andrew's orientation for school. All in a day's work.

Elaine