Wife's view from the pits - by Lynda Makinson (August 2013)
Disclaimer: This is my view and opinion, not the view or opinion of Bruce Makinson or anyone else.
August 31, 2013
Hi Everybody,
Sorry took so long to post a write up. Well, it was the last race of the regular season. We had high hopes, the car was good the week before and the guys had done more adjustments with hopes of making it better. But the track had other ideas…due to the rain the night before, the track was very different then it’s been for the past few weeks, so the new parts and adjustments went by the track side.
It was a 40-lap race for the Sportsman so time trials were necessary, 21 cars had shown up for the race. Bruce did well but not as good as we were expecting. He started his Feature mid pack, not a great spot but not bad. The Feature was going ok, a few cars here and there going off the track but nothing too bad, at one point Bruce was fighting for 12th and thanks to an inexperienced driver he got hit on the left side to almost be knocked off the track himself, luckily Bruce held on and only lost a few positions. But that’s definitely not what he needed that night. He was sent back to around the 16th spot but was able to get up to 14th. The car was pushing more and more as the race went on and Bruce had to fight to hold off two charging cars from behind. Unfortunately, with only a couple of laps left Bruce could not hold the cars off and they were able to pass him to give him a 16th place finish. I think this is one of the worse finishes he’s had in 2 years.
Let’s just say he wasn’t a happy-camper when he got back to the pit area. Bobby and Bruce worked hard on making changes and adjustments that most likely would have been perfect for the track conditions from the weeks before but the car just didn’t respond to the changes with this past Saturday’s track conditions.
But I'm glad to say…it’s over!! Finally the last regular race of the season! This year has been a long and drawn out year with our team struggling to get things going in the right direction, but with that being said Bruce still managed to finish 10th in points and 8th in the Triple Crown Series Points. Not bad for having a tough year. This is the 3rd year in a row that Bruce has finished top 10 in points and that's pretty good for such a competitive class.
Bruce is hoping to run another race this season, it’s not finalized as to which one it will be but I’ll try to keep you posted.
Take care everyone,
Lynda
Sorry took so long to post a write up. Well, it was the last race of the regular season. We had high hopes, the car was good the week before and the guys had done more adjustments with hopes of making it better. But the track had other ideas…due to the rain the night before, the track was very different then it’s been for the past few weeks, so the new parts and adjustments went by the track side.
It was a 40-lap race for the Sportsman so time trials were necessary, 21 cars had shown up for the race. Bruce did well but not as good as we were expecting. He started his Feature mid pack, not a great spot but not bad. The Feature was going ok, a few cars here and there going off the track but nothing too bad, at one point Bruce was fighting for 12th and thanks to an inexperienced driver he got hit on the left side to almost be knocked off the track himself, luckily Bruce held on and only lost a few positions. But that’s definitely not what he needed that night. He was sent back to around the 16th spot but was able to get up to 14th. The car was pushing more and more as the race went on and Bruce had to fight to hold off two charging cars from behind. Unfortunately, with only a couple of laps left Bruce could not hold the cars off and they were able to pass him to give him a 16th place finish. I think this is one of the worse finishes he’s had in 2 years.
Let’s just say he wasn’t a happy-camper when he got back to the pit area. Bobby and Bruce worked hard on making changes and adjustments that most likely would have been perfect for the track conditions from the weeks before but the car just didn’t respond to the changes with this past Saturday’s track conditions.
But I'm glad to say…it’s over!! Finally the last regular race of the season! This year has been a long and drawn out year with our team struggling to get things going in the right direction, but with that being said Bruce still managed to finish 10th in points and 8th in the Triple Crown Series Points. Not bad for having a tough year. This is the 3rd year in a row that Bruce has finished top 10 in points and that's pretty good for such a competitive class.
Bruce is hoping to run another race this season, it’s not finalized as to which one it will be but I’ll try to keep you posted.
Take care everyone,
Lynda
August 24, 2013
Hi Everybody,
Saturday night at the track was another beautiful summer evening. But a night of cautions at the most inopportune times…at least for Bruce.
In the Heat race Bruce started on the front line in 2nd position, I wasn’t too hopeful considering the pack was stacked with point’s leaders and front runners. But Bruce didn’t waste time taking the lead. And he took the lead in style, he was about a quarter track ahead of everyone with no one able to get to him, then someone hit the wall and kept going only to realize his tire wasn’t facing the right way which brought out the caution. Sometimes a caution is a good thing and sometimes it’s your enemy…guess which it was today?!?? On the restart the point’s leader was right behind Bruce and worked him until he took the lead from Bruce. But Bruce didn’t give it up easily and came in second.
The Heat finish set Bruce up to start 5th in the Feature. Bruce was doing well battling it out in the top five, he did a great job at making the points leaders work to get by him, at least this race they were not able to drive by easily (or drive Bruce off the track). Eventually Bruce was running in 7th position, at this point the top 7 had pulled away from the rest of the pack and it seemed that Bruce was going to finish there. Well, here's the second caution that I didn't really want to see; the pack was able to catch up and the car had started to lose its momentum. Bruce had to fight for 7th only to lose out with a couple of laps to go and finish in 8th.
Not a terrible night, 2nd in Heat and 8th in Feature; we’re happy with a top 10 finish considering this year has been a struggle for us. This has moved Bruce up from 10th in points to 8th.
This weekend is the last regular season race. It consists of a 40-lap Sportsman and 50-lap Modified race. Then there’s the Fall Nationals on Friday October 18th, yes, the Sportsman race is on the Friday night this year.
Well, have a great week everyone and hope to see you out this Saturday night.
Cheers,
Lynda
Saturday night at the track was another beautiful summer evening. But a night of cautions at the most inopportune times…at least for Bruce.
In the Heat race Bruce started on the front line in 2nd position, I wasn’t too hopeful considering the pack was stacked with point’s leaders and front runners. But Bruce didn’t waste time taking the lead. And he took the lead in style, he was about a quarter track ahead of everyone with no one able to get to him, then someone hit the wall and kept going only to realize his tire wasn’t facing the right way which brought out the caution. Sometimes a caution is a good thing and sometimes it’s your enemy…guess which it was today?!?? On the restart the point’s leader was right behind Bruce and worked him until he took the lead from Bruce. But Bruce didn’t give it up easily and came in second.
The Heat finish set Bruce up to start 5th in the Feature. Bruce was doing well battling it out in the top five, he did a great job at making the points leaders work to get by him, at least this race they were not able to drive by easily (or drive Bruce off the track). Eventually Bruce was running in 7th position, at this point the top 7 had pulled away from the rest of the pack and it seemed that Bruce was going to finish there. Well, here's the second caution that I didn't really want to see; the pack was able to catch up and the car had started to lose its momentum. Bruce had to fight for 7th only to lose out with a couple of laps to go and finish in 8th.
Not a terrible night, 2nd in Heat and 8th in Feature; we’re happy with a top 10 finish considering this year has been a struggle for us. This has moved Bruce up from 10th in points to 8th.
This weekend is the last regular season race. It consists of a 40-lap Sportsman and 50-lap Modified race. Then there’s the Fall Nationals on Friday October 18th, yes, the Sportsman race is on the Friday night this year.
Well, have a great week everyone and hope to see you out this Saturday night.
Cheers,
Lynda
August 17, 2013
Hi Everybody,
Well, another Saturday night of racing and two more to go!!
Saturday was a beautiful warm day that turned into a nice cool evening, but the track was a dust bowl.
As for Bruce’s Heat race, it was stacked against him; he started 5th with 4 squirrely drivers ahead of him and one beside him. The good news was he survived it and ended up finishing 4th. Not the greatest position to finish but he finished unscathed.
Before I start about the Feature I must tell you that this past Saturday night might as well have been a full moon night. It seemed that a lot of silly things were happening on track. I don’t believe anyone got hurt (thank God!) but it was a night of accidents and red flags. In Bruce’s Heat race a car went over between turns 1 and 2 to roll his car. It was like the car tripped on the dirt. Just so you understand the type of night it was.
Now for the Feature, Bruce started in the 10th position; it seems lately he’s starting in mid-pack. This isn’t always the best place to be. But within a few laps Bruce had started to move up, he was in 9th and fighting for 8th when it happened. The point’s leader seemed to think stuffing his car in the middle of two cars fighting for position is a good thing. Because Bruce was on the high side he got punted off the track in turn 3. Now, I have to say part of me was cursing the driver who did it and not wishing him well but just wait for my later comment….just wait. So Bruce had to start at the back in 18th. I could see by his driving that he wasn’t impressed and he was on the move up. Then it happened! Coming off turn 4 a pile up of about 5 cars. Only one had to be towed away and the rest were able to continue on in the race. Now here’s my take on it, if this driver I spoke of earlier hadn’t punted Bruce off the track I truly believe Bruce would have been in the middle of this wreck. We all know Bruce has a knack for avoiding accidents but this time I think someone helped him out but keeping him completely out of harm’s way. On this restart Bruce started in 9th. So if you’re following, he originally started 10th, then 18th and now 9th. The rest of the race was good; Bruce was on the move….so I thought. I do feel confused sometimes, I saw Bruce passing cars and only got passed by a couple of cars so to me and Patrick he finished 8th. Well, once I picked up his winnings he was scored as 12th. I really don’t know how that happened but who am I to doubt the computers that are supposed to monitor this.
I know it wasn’t the greatest of nights but I was happy that Bruce and the car didn’t get involved in any major mishap and to me the car looked good out there. He was moving forward and putting up good fights for positions.
This 12th place finish has dropped him in points to 10th. We have 2 more weeks of racing, so let’s hope that he can win one and at least finish in the top 5 in the other to finish his year in the top 10 in points. Oh by the way, we think the motor is ok but I’m sure it will get a good going over this week to make sure all is well.
This coming Saturday will have the regular show plus the Sprint cars. So, if you’ve been thining of coming out, this week will be an exciting one.
Hope to see you at the races!
Lynda
Well, another Saturday night of racing and two more to go!!
Saturday was a beautiful warm day that turned into a nice cool evening, but the track was a dust bowl.
As for Bruce’s Heat race, it was stacked against him; he started 5th with 4 squirrely drivers ahead of him and one beside him. The good news was he survived it and ended up finishing 4th. Not the greatest position to finish but he finished unscathed.
Before I start about the Feature I must tell you that this past Saturday night might as well have been a full moon night. It seemed that a lot of silly things were happening on track. I don’t believe anyone got hurt (thank God!) but it was a night of accidents and red flags. In Bruce’s Heat race a car went over between turns 1 and 2 to roll his car. It was like the car tripped on the dirt. Just so you understand the type of night it was.
Now for the Feature, Bruce started in the 10th position; it seems lately he’s starting in mid-pack. This isn’t always the best place to be. But within a few laps Bruce had started to move up, he was in 9th and fighting for 8th when it happened. The point’s leader seemed to think stuffing his car in the middle of two cars fighting for position is a good thing. Because Bruce was on the high side he got punted off the track in turn 3. Now, I have to say part of me was cursing the driver who did it and not wishing him well but just wait for my later comment….just wait. So Bruce had to start at the back in 18th. I could see by his driving that he wasn’t impressed and he was on the move up. Then it happened! Coming off turn 4 a pile up of about 5 cars. Only one had to be towed away and the rest were able to continue on in the race. Now here’s my take on it, if this driver I spoke of earlier hadn’t punted Bruce off the track I truly believe Bruce would have been in the middle of this wreck. We all know Bruce has a knack for avoiding accidents but this time I think someone helped him out but keeping him completely out of harm’s way. On this restart Bruce started in 9th. So if you’re following, he originally started 10th, then 18th and now 9th. The rest of the race was good; Bruce was on the move….so I thought. I do feel confused sometimes, I saw Bruce passing cars and only got passed by a couple of cars so to me and Patrick he finished 8th. Well, once I picked up his winnings he was scored as 12th. I really don’t know how that happened but who am I to doubt the computers that are supposed to monitor this.
I know it wasn’t the greatest of nights but I was happy that Bruce and the car didn’t get involved in any major mishap and to me the car looked good out there. He was moving forward and putting up good fights for positions.
This 12th place finish has dropped him in points to 10th. We have 2 more weeks of racing, so let’s hope that he can win one and at least finish in the top 5 in the other to finish his year in the top 10 in points. Oh by the way, we think the motor is ok but I’m sure it will get a good going over this week to make sure all is well.
This coming Saturday will have the regular show plus the Sprint cars. So, if you’ve been thining of coming out, this week will be an exciting one.
Hope to see you at the races!
Lynda
August 10, 2013
Hi Everybody,
Sorry for the delay in writing, sometimes I do actually work for a living :)
Saturday wasn’t as exciting as we’d hoped. As for the Heat race, Bruce started second row and quickly got pushed up into the muck that sent him off turn 3-4 backwards. Bruce doesn’t often go off the track but I guess it has to happen once in awhile, he ended up finishing 5th.
Now for the Feature, Bruce started in the 10th position, the track was slick and most people didn’t move up or down much (except for the usual 2 or 3 cars). Bruce fought hard to move forward but was held back due to cars ahead being 2 or 3 cars wide, then was passed by the usual cars and ended up settling for 13th. I have to say Bruce was not too impressed when he got back to the pits. This past week he didn’t want to look at the car or acknowledge it. Finally last night he started to look at it only to find out he was running on 7 of 8 cylinders (hope I got that right). So that explains why he wasn’t able to pass his usual cars, he wasn’t working at full power. Hopefully it’s not something too bad and can be fixed easily this week, keep your fingers crossed for us.
This weekend has the usual full show plus the vintage cars, and only 3 more regular season races left (really…I’m not counting).
Have a Happy Friday Eve and hope to see you at the races!
Lynda
Sorry for the delay in writing, sometimes I do actually work for a living :)
Saturday wasn’t as exciting as we’d hoped. As for the Heat race, Bruce started second row and quickly got pushed up into the muck that sent him off turn 3-4 backwards. Bruce doesn’t often go off the track but I guess it has to happen once in awhile, he ended up finishing 5th.
Now for the Feature, Bruce started in the 10th position, the track was slick and most people didn’t move up or down much (except for the usual 2 or 3 cars). Bruce fought hard to move forward but was held back due to cars ahead being 2 or 3 cars wide, then was passed by the usual cars and ended up settling for 13th. I have to say Bruce was not too impressed when he got back to the pits. This past week he didn’t want to look at the car or acknowledge it. Finally last night he started to look at it only to find out he was running on 7 of 8 cylinders (hope I got that right). So that explains why he wasn’t able to pass his usual cars, he wasn’t working at full power. Hopefully it’s not something too bad and can be fixed easily this week, keep your fingers crossed for us.
This weekend has the usual full show plus the vintage cars, and only 3 more regular season races left (really…I’m not counting).
Have a Happy Friday Eve and hope to see you at the races!
Lynda
August 3, 2013
Hi Everybody,
What a night Saturday night was! Bruce ran two feature races, the mods-lites were there, Dylan Wright was visiting our pit area (up and coming motocross racer), and our friends Patrick and Yves Lanthier brought out their Rookie Sportsman for the first time (Yves – car owner and Patrick - driver).
First let’s start with the first Sportsman Feature (from the July 27th rainout). We were a bit worried about what the track condition would be like considering the race was to be the first one of the evening and the track hadn’t had time to be worn in. Luckily the track had schedule hot laps for everyone first, so that did help pack in the track a bit. As I mentioned, Bruce started 4th, at one point of the race he was up to 3rd and doing a good job at holding it until the two points leaders marched past him as if he was looking for a parking spot at the mall (really, how do they do it?!?!? Is it set up or motor??). Well, all said and done, Bruce finished the July 27th race in 5th position. And yes, I am darn happy about it, that’s another top 5 this season.
Now for the August 3rd races. Bruce started 2nd in his Heat race to take the lead quickly and never look back. He did at one time have someone biting at his heals but he held the lead without much contest. It was a beautiful sight I must say.
And now for the Feature race, Bruce started once again in 4th position. The track was nice and slick by the time a full nights racing had gone before him. Bruce toggled around from 3rd to 5th and once again was passed by point’s leaders like he was on a shopping trip to the mall and ended up finishing 5th. It was a caution free race and it seems most people finished close to where they started as the track was slick and hard to pass on. Only two cars were able to pass 8 to 9 cars and they were the point’s leaders, everyone else just bounced around within 1-2 cars of where they started (again I ask, is it setup or is it motor??).
And now for Patrick’s first experience with a Rookie Sportsman car….well, I think he had the time of his life. His first shot at a practise lap ended up with him bringing back daisies to the pit area but he soon got the hang of it. With Bruce and Bobby’s coaching, he kept it on the track for his Heat race and with convincing from all of us he went out for his Feature. I only got to watch the first half of his race, he was doing well at getting the hang of the car but after I went back to my pit area I heard he got braver and was up to second at one point only to have to leave the track for a flat tire. He ended up finishing 4th of 7 cars. The Sportsman Rookie class is a great place to learn the car without getting into too much trouble. Congratulations Patrick on a job well done!
Well, it was a full night of racing and a busy one. Cautions were limited, no pit brawls, Bruce and Bobby did a great job with the car, and we had a lot of friends around…what else could you ask for on a Saturday night?? Oh yeah, one more thing, this past weekend of great racing has bounced Bruce from 11th in points to 7th!!
So remember everyone, 4 more regular season races left (but who’s counting) so if you’ve been planning on coming out time is ticking away.
Have a great week everybody and take care,
Lynda
What a night Saturday night was! Bruce ran two feature races, the mods-lites were there, Dylan Wright was visiting our pit area (up and coming motocross racer), and our friends Patrick and Yves Lanthier brought out their Rookie Sportsman for the first time (Yves – car owner and Patrick - driver).
First let’s start with the first Sportsman Feature (from the July 27th rainout). We were a bit worried about what the track condition would be like considering the race was to be the first one of the evening and the track hadn’t had time to be worn in. Luckily the track had schedule hot laps for everyone first, so that did help pack in the track a bit. As I mentioned, Bruce started 4th, at one point of the race he was up to 3rd and doing a good job at holding it until the two points leaders marched past him as if he was looking for a parking spot at the mall (really, how do they do it?!?!? Is it set up or motor??). Well, all said and done, Bruce finished the July 27th race in 5th position. And yes, I am darn happy about it, that’s another top 5 this season.
Now for the August 3rd races. Bruce started 2nd in his Heat race to take the lead quickly and never look back. He did at one time have someone biting at his heals but he held the lead without much contest. It was a beautiful sight I must say.
And now for the Feature race, Bruce started once again in 4th position. The track was nice and slick by the time a full nights racing had gone before him. Bruce toggled around from 3rd to 5th and once again was passed by point’s leaders like he was on a shopping trip to the mall and ended up finishing 5th. It was a caution free race and it seems most people finished close to where they started as the track was slick and hard to pass on. Only two cars were able to pass 8 to 9 cars and they were the point’s leaders, everyone else just bounced around within 1-2 cars of where they started (again I ask, is it setup or is it motor??).
And now for Patrick’s first experience with a Rookie Sportsman car….well, I think he had the time of his life. His first shot at a practise lap ended up with him bringing back daisies to the pit area but he soon got the hang of it. With Bruce and Bobby’s coaching, he kept it on the track for his Heat race and with convincing from all of us he went out for his Feature. I only got to watch the first half of his race, he was doing well at getting the hang of the car but after I went back to my pit area I heard he got braver and was up to second at one point only to have to leave the track for a flat tire. He ended up finishing 4th of 7 cars. The Sportsman Rookie class is a great place to learn the car without getting into too much trouble. Congratulations Patrick on a job well done!
Well, it was a full night of racing and a busy one. Cautions were limited, no pit brawls, Bruce and Bobby did a great job with the car, and we had a lot of friends around…what else could you ask for on a Saturday night?? Oh yeah, one more thing, this past weekend of great racing has bounced Bruce from 11th in points to 7th!!
So remember everyone, 4 more regular season races left (but who’s counting) so if you’ve been planning on coming out time is ticking away.
Have a great week everybody and take care,
Lynda