Wife's view from the pits - by Lynda Makinson (Final Update 2022)
Disclaimer: This is my view and opinion, not the view or opinion of Bruce Makinson or anyone else.
October 13, 2022
Hi Everybody,
The time has come.
Bruce has hung up his helmet for the last time.
Bruce Makinson Racing and the iconic # 81 will no longer be racing.
Many of you remember when it was on his dad’s car, with either Roy, Charlie Brown or Bobby driving it. Many people would talk to me in the stands about watching at least one of the Makinson’s race with that number. Some people talked about how they watch Roy then Bobby and wondered if Bruce was Bobby’s son…lol…that’s for you Bobby 😉.
Bruce started racing late in life, I always wondered what if he had started younger, when he was more in his prime. Well, hindsight won’t help us now. But at least he had 20 plus years of getting to do what many people never have a chance to do. He did it all on his own (with the help of some very special sponsors). He had some help in the pits but all the knowledge and tech support was all his own and whomever he was able to connect with to get information. It was never easy. I saw his frustration often and it frustrated me too. Bruce is my man-child and as you mothers know, when your child is frustrated and there’s nothing you can do it upsets you.
I have to say we’ve had some great times and met some great people. We’ve raced at Capital City Speedway, Brockville Ontario Speedway, Mohawk International Raceway, CanAm Speedway, Airborne Speedway and one amazing week at Charlotte Speedway (there may be others but that’s what I can remember right now). And at every venue, we made great friends and met great people. As most of you know the Race Family is a tight and great one. When he won races, he received all kinds of congratulations from fellow competitors and race family. When he had bad wrecks, we received all kinds of help and offers of help from fellow competitors and race family.
I will miss the interactions with the race family. We purchased a motorhome recently and we hope to go to races next year and spend the night so we can actually just enjoy the races and maybe a beverage or two with old friends. (Bruce said he's open to driving someone's car occasionally just sayin').
I know Bruce would too, but I’d like to personally thank everyone for the great years and memories. We will miss seeing you every week. I have to admit I won’t miss the stress I had to go thru for organizing things and seeing him frustrated but like I said, I’ll miss the people.
Check out the Gallery as I have a collage of good and bad times throughout the years and some of the great folks we met along the way. There were a few more friends and race families I wanted to get pics of this year to post but time ran out. Maybe next year I can get some and add them to the site. This site only started in 2013 so I don't have pics or my write ups from Capital City Speedway, if I find some, I'll post them as well.
We are selling off the whole racing package, car, motor, parts, trailer, even my beloved truck. So, if you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in all or parts of it. Please contact Bruce or myself. We’d love to hear from you.
This is my final article, so, this is Lynda - race wife, signing off.
Lynda
(aka: Slap Master L)
To my amazing husband and all the other race car drivers out there. This is for you!
The time has come.
Bruce has hung up his helmet for the last time.
Bruce Makinson Racing and the iconic # 81 will no longer be racing.
Many of you remember when it was on his dad’s car, with either Roy, Charlie Brown or Bobby driving it. Many people would talk to me in the stands about watching at least one of the Makinson’s race with that number. Some people talked about how they watch Roy then Bobby and wondered if Bruce was Bobby’s son…lol…that’s for you Bobby 😉.
Bruce started racing late in life, I always wondered what if he had started younger, when he was more in his prime. Well, hindsight won’t help us now. But at least he had 20 plus years of getting to do what many people never have a chance to do. He did it all on his own (with the help of some very special sponsors). He had some help in the pits but all the knowledge and tech support was all his own and whomever he was able to connect with to get information. It was never easy. I saw his frustration often and it frustrated me too. Bruce is my man-child and as you mothers know, when your child is frustrated and there’s nothing you can do it upsets you.
I have to say we’ve had some great times and met some great people. We’ve raced at Capital City Speedway, Brockville Ontario Speedway, Mohawk International Raceway, CanAm Speedway, Airborne Speedway and one amazing week at Charlotte Speedway (there may be others but that’s what I can remember right now). And at every venue, we made great friends and met great people. As most of you know the Race Family is a tight and great one. When he won races, he received all kinds of congratulations from fellow competitors and race family. When he had bad wrecks, we received all kinds of help and offers of help from fellow competitors and race family.
I will miss the interactions with the race family. We purchased a motorhome recently and we hope to go to races next year and spend the night so we can actually just enjoy the races and maybe a beverage or two with old friends. (Bruce said he's open to driving someone's car occasionally just sayin').
I know Bruce would too, but I’d like to personally thank everyone for the great years and memories. We will miss seeing you every week. I have to admit I won’t miss the stress I had to go thru for organizing things and seeing him frustrated but like I said, I’ll miss the people.
Check out the Gallery as I have a collage of good and bad times throughout the years and some of the great folks we met along the way. There were a few more friends and race families I wanted to get pics of this year to post but time ran out. Maybe next year I can get some and add them to the site. This site only started in 2013 so I don't have pics or my write ups from Capital City Speedway, if I find some, I'll post them as well.
We are selling off the whole racing package, car, motor, parts, trailer, even my beloved truck. So, if you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in all or parts of it. Please contact Bruce or myself. We’d love to hear from you.
This is my final article, so, this is Lynda - race wife, signing off.
Lynda
(aka: Slap Master L)
To my amazing husband and all the other race car drivers out there. This is for you!
