Sunday, August 26, 2007

Racing in North Carolina

We left the truck and trailer in Charlotte, NC after racing last Saturday night and flew home so Andrew could start 5th grade. He had a great first week in school, but the race track was calling. Friday afternoon we flew back to Charlotte for this weekends racing at Wilkesboro Raceway Park.

E. Lowe met up with us after spending a week visiting family and friends. We were up against the Thriller jet dragster and scheduled to make three passes. We pulled into the track and unloaded the car. Okay, so I went over and talked to Dustin and Terry and the guys unloaded the car. After we set everything up it was time for the gates to open. We were expecting Embry-Riddle representatives from our North Carolina World Campus. Mark and his sons came out to cheer on the good ole ERAU car.

The car ran well, and we always have fun running with the Rosburg crew. After the race we threw some hot dogs on the grill and told BIG stories. We are racing in Columbus, OH next weekend, so we left the rig in Charlotte again and flew home. Four days to get caught up and back on the road. Some of my family is coming out to see us, so it should be a fun Labor Day weekend.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said HI at the track. We will see you on the road.

e

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Clay City Kentucky Here We Come!!!

Okay so our plans did not work to fly home for a couple of days, so we made the best and visited Washington D.C. After a couple of days there, we headed to our race in Clay City, Kentucky. We arrived into town on Wednesday evening and met up with Pepi and Danny from the Xtreme Machine. We had dinner with them and then back to the hotel. Thursday we were a bunch of veggies. I laid out in the sun, Chris worked on the race car, Andrew watched TV and Nitro chased his tail. It felt good to just relax for a change.

Friday morning and it was time for some action, so we got in the truck and headed for something fun to do. We had heard that there was this Natural Bridge you could climb up, so we headed in that direction. Wow if you are ever in the area, this is a must see. I wish we would have known about this when we first got into town, as there are cabins you can rent and so many trails to explore. Next time we are in the area, this is the place to stay.

Saturday morning and it is race day. Chris washed the truck and I had to do some last minute school shopping for Andrew as we get home on Sunday evening and he starts school on Monday morning.

We headed out to the track and met up with Fran and Phil Peppler, Pepi, and Danny O'Day. The Bars Leak team was also there to help put on a great show. This race track has been around for over 40 years. We were scheduled to make three runs at 7:00, 8:30 and 10:00 and right on the dot they were pulling us in the staging lanes. We made three passes, no problems, the car ran great and the crowd was standing room only. The stands filled in by 4:00, and the rest of the people lined the fence. Not a bad way spend a Saturday night.

We loaded up everything and headed for the hotel as we had to hit the road by 4:00 a.m. to make our flight out and get some rest before Andrew starts the 5th grade. Wow time is flying.

I want to thank Mike for coming out and filling in for E. Lowe. Also all of the fans that stopped by to see the car and say HI. Next stop Wilkesboro N.C.

See you on the road.

e

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Catching up






Well we have traveled a lot of miles since the last blog. After our great time at Oshkosh it was time to hit the road for Texas. We made it into town a couple of days early, so we hung out and enjoyed the hotel pool. We met up with Mike and Maria from the Interceptor team and head dinner on Thursday evening. On Friday it was show time. We headed to the track and it was time to get down to business. We made two passes on and it was time to load it up and get some sleep. On Saturday we headed back to the track to make two more passes.

Peggie Horton came out to help us on Saturday evening. It was great to see her again. While we were at the track we had a lot of people stop by and tell us about the times Ancel had raced up and down the many race track in Texas. I still miss him a lot, but think he would be proud of what we have accomplished.

We made our two passes and loaded up. It was a long drive home, but I was looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. We made it home Monday morning at 11:00, and it gave me just enough time to do laundry, and repack the trailer to hit the road again on Thursday.

Thursday morning and it is on the road again heading for New Jersey. We were running on of the NMRA (national mustang racing association) races. I had never been to Atco Dragway before, but what a wonderful track. The place was packed and it was going to be a great race.

Friday evening and we had nothing to do, so we headed into Philadelphia to see the sights. We headed to Independence Hall and wow what a great time. We walked and walked up and down all of the old streets.

Saturday morning and race time. We made two passes on Saturday and then two on Sunday. The car ran great at 283 mph. I met a lot of fun people and would love to come back again to race their.

Monday morning and our plan was to fly out and then return on Thursday to head to another race. Well plans changed when we pulled into the airport. There was NO parking for our rig. I had really misjudged the parking situation as it was going to cost us $300 to park for 3 days. YIKES!!!! So I called the airline and canceled the flights and we decided to drive and hang out. As I was looking at the map I realized that we had passed by D.C. three times this summer and never had taken the time to sight see. Well all we had was time. So D.C. here we come.

We found a wonderful hotel just outside of the city that was pet friendly and had a shuttle to the metro, the train that runs into the city. We lucked out. If you ever get a chance to visit D.C. take a couple of days and stop. It was amazing. We tried to see everything, but ran out of time. Next time we are in the area, we are going to stop again and see more.

So now that we are caught up, I am in Kentucky in a hotel waiting to race this weekend. Andrew starts school on Monday and we race again next weekend. What a great life.

see ya,
e