We planned for a full weekend and that is what we got. All of the ups and downs that racing always gives.

 

FRIDAY NIGHT:

 

As said, we were going to take a trip to Rock Rapids in the wingless class. The un-announced part was that we put together Chris's Schnee from last year for this night. Powered by dad's motor and a lot of assembly last week, we made it in time to race. Keeping it short and simple........ the car felt good and a little motor check brought us up to speed and had a good heat race going running 3rd. Only 1/4 lap to go, we had the troublesome drive line problems again and dropped out. This put us in the very back of the feature of 19 cars and we actually moved forward rather quick to about 11th half way through the race. Then is when the bad hit! On a restart I tried to go underneath a car that was not starting good. I think he decided to go low to stay out of the way, but ended up in my way, so I jumped his front tire with my right rear, which is never good. The end result was a flipping car and a destroyed frame. I got knocked a little dizzy, but not as bad as some of my other crashes. The big kicker for this whole night was that the think I bragged about at this race track, bit us in the butt tonight. We started the feature and moved forward........ only to end up with a broken car, dinged up driver, and a "spit in the face" $50.00 check! Don't think we will race there again this year.

 

SATURDAY NIGHT:

 

Parked the broken car and loaded the wing car for our normal Hartford race night. 21 car field again and we have a great starting spot of 2nd for the heat race. I got a good run on the top cushion and took the win of the heat race. Seeing the line up with us on the front outside row for the feature....... I was expecting great things and planned to run the same line as the heat race. When the race starts, I get a good run again and lead the race for the first 2 laps and then get passed. I think that I am still fast and hold onto 2nd spot for another couple of laps, but then the high side went to crap. I got passed by about 5 cars in one lap so I decide that I need to move down to save my position and find what the others have. I did find rubber and a lot of traction in the next turn, so I prepare to press forward. The next corner finds me with a little too low (dusty) spot on the track and I spin out! CRAP!!!! To the back again we go and manage to pass some cars to come back to a 12th place finish. How disappointing to be hoping for a win and get this. Sorry, but at least I did not forget to scale. Potential is there, Just need to eliminate little mistakes.

 

SUNDAY NIGHT:

 

We know the car is strong and capable, so we head to the track again hoping for some luck. She did not like us again this night. I drew a starting number of #75. Just to set the table, they use bingo numbers to align the starting spots and I think that 75 is the worst possible number that can be drawn. Anyway, we press forward and start in the back AGAIN. Made a good move in the start of the heat race, but could not hold the spots as the other cars momentum carried them back ahead. Feature looks bleak and we start and pass a car every few laps. There was no caution or stop in the actions and I feel that we were very close to the pace of the top guys, but just can not make up the difference for a good finish. Took 15th out of 20 car field. Rubber on the track and very little passing. Wrong place to be at the right time. Someone needs to draw a good number for me next time.