Wife's view from the pits - by Lynda Makinson (July 2018)
Disclaimer: This is my view and opinion, not the view or opinion of Bruce Makinson or anyone else.
July 10, 2018
Hi Everybody,
Bruce update time, he’s doing well, his concussion is basically gone, the doctor was very happy with his progress so that’s doing well.
As for his back, we saw the spine doctor yesterday…well…the recommendations are still in discussion at the Makinson household. The doctor recommends no racing for 3 months, and as you can guess that means the rest of the season. But he has to go back at the beginning of August to get reassessed. Bruce wants to “get back on the horse” before the seasons end. This I can understand but at the same time I don’t want him to have lasting complications. He’s been doing everything the doctors recommended which has been helping with his speedy recovery. But you can see where we’re still in discussion about what to do.
We’ve so far decided to see how August 1st doctor appt goes and make a final decision then. If anything, maybe he can go back for 2 races just to get back in the car but not be too aggressively competitive. Just so he stays away from trouble because a simple accident may have dire results for him right now.
We don’t have a car of our own but we did have someone offer a complete car to use for the rest of the season. If that offer is still available I believe that’s the route he will be going.
I’ve included some pictures in the gallery of the car finally being unloaded into our garage (Bruce and Bobby – mostly Bobby did that this Saturday past. But Bruce was rambunctious and felt he could do a lot of things only to be down for the full day on Sunday. You know how it is, your mind is saying “Yeah!! I feel better” and your body says, “I don’t think so bub!”).
The guys have not yet started to rip the car apart to see the full extent of the damages but they have found at least 5 spots where the frame is broken and on the top of the roll cage there’s rubber marks! Yeah, rubber just above where Bruce’s head was! That indicates that the car that hit Bruce (or Bruce hit, can’t tell by the video) may have hit him right by his head...that’s scary considering the roof wasn’t there! I’m glad the other driver was ok but that must have scared the hell out of him. I’m thankful that it only cracked Bruce’s helmet but that’s a little close for comfort.
I’m still putting it out there to MIR, can you take a closer look at that back wall?? That’s 3 cars that have been completely written off in the past couple of years just from that wall. Earlier this season a 358-Modified destroyed his car on that wall. Your track is usually safe, other crazy accidents have happened (as they can happen in racing) but most of the major damage is from that back wall.
Can it be extended the full length of the back stretch?
Can it be moved back more?
Can the end be tapered instead of a straight blunt edge?
Can you move the billboards and then remove the wall?
I think these things need to be looked at. Maybe Bruce’s accident is a final warning to MIR from the racing Gods that something must be done about this wall. I don't have bad things to say about MIR but this is something that needs to be addressed. Just sayin'...
So, that’s it for now. Yeah, I had to have a little rant in there. Stay tuned and I’ll do my best to keep you updated.
To all you racers, stay safe and take care.
To the rest of you, have a safe week and stay cool.
And thank you to everyone that has sent get well wishes for Bruce. All those positive vibes have also helped in his recovery. It’s nice to know so many people care. Thank you!!
I’ve also included a lovely picture of Dale Earnhardt giving you a raspberry and Bruce receiving home therapy from Dr. Bowie.
Cheers and take care,
Lynda
Bruce update time, he’s doing well, his concussion is basically gone, the doctor was very happy with his progress so that’s doing well.
As for his back, we saw the spine doctor yesterday…well…the recommendations are still in discussion at the Makinson household. The doctor recommends no racing for 3 months, and as you can guess that means the rest of the season. But he has to go back at the beginning of August to get reassessed. Bruce wants to “get back on the horse” before the seasons end. This I can understand but at the same time I don’t want him to have lasting complications. He’s been doing everything the doctors recommended which has been helping with his speedy recovery. But you can see where we’re still in discussion about what to do.
We’ve so far decided to see how August 1st doctor appt goes and make a final decision then. If anything, maybe he can go back for 2 races just to get back in the car but not be too aggressively competitive. Just so he stays away from trouble because a simple accident may have dire results for him right now.
We don’t have a car of our own but we did have someone offer a complete car to use for the rest of the season. If that offer is still available I believe that’s the route he will be going.
I’ve included some pictures in the gallery of the car finally being unloaded into our garage (Bruce and Bobby – mostly Bobby did that this Saturday past. But Bruce was rambunctious and felt he could do a lot of things only to be down for the full day on Sunday. You know how it is, your mind is saying “Yeah!! I feel better” and your body says, “I don’t think so bub!”).
The guys have not yet started to rip the car apart to see the full extent of the damages but they have found at least 5 spots where the frame is broken and on the top of the roll cage there’s rubber marks! Yeah, rubber just above where Bruce’s head was! That indicates that the car that hit Bruce (or Bruce hit, can’t tell by the video) may have hit him right by his head...that’s scary considering the roof wasn’t there! I’m glad the other driver was ok but that must have scared the hell out of him. I’m thankful that it only cracked Bruce’s helmet but that’s a little close for comfort.
I’m still putting it out there to MIR, can you take a closer look at that back wall?? That’s 3 cars that have been completely written off in the past couple of years just from that wall. Earlier this season a 358-Modified destroyed his car on that wall. Your track is usually safe, other crazy accidents have happened (as they can happen in racing) but most of the major damage is from that back wall.
Can it be extended the full length of the back stretch?
Can it be moved back more?
Can the end be tapered instead of a straight blunt edge?
Can you move the billboards and then remove the wall?
I think these things need to be looked at. Maybe Bruce’s accident is a final warning to MIR from the racing Gods that something must be done about this wall. I don't have bad things to say about MIR but this is something that needs to be addressed. Just sayin'...
So, that’s it for now. Yeah, I had to have a little rant in there. Stay tuned and I’ll do my best to keep you updated.
To all you racers, stay safe and take care.
To the rest of you, have a safe week and stay cool.
And thank you to everyone that has sent get well wishes for Bruce. All those positive vibes have also helped in his recovery. It’s nice to know so many people care. Thank you!!
I’ve also included a lovely picture of Dale Earnhardt giving you a raspberry and Bruce receiving home therapy from Dr. Bowie.
Cheers and take care,
Lynda
July 4, 2018
Hi Everybody,
Bruce update:
He had a doctor appt yesterday and he's progressing very well.
The doctor gave him permission to return to work part time but to be aware of any symptoms that may return and to take it easy. The plan is to do one service call a day and not to push it. Still have the spine doctor on Monday to go.
He plans on returning to racing in August...or is that my plan?!?! We want a full recovery before returning to racing...or again, is that me?!?!
The hardest part is no beer. He's hoping to have a beer or two this coming weekend but we'll see how he's doing first. I've been taking that bullet for him, I'm such a good wife 😉
Happy 4th of July and stay safe everyone!
Lynda
Bruce update:
He had a doctor appt yesterday and he's progressing very well.
The doctor gave him permission to return to work part time but to be aware of any symptoms that may return and to take it easy. The plan is to do one service call a day and not to push it. Still have the spine doctor on Monday to go.
He plans on returning to racing in August...or is that my plan?!?! We want a full recovery before returning to racing...or again, is that me?!?!
The hardest part is no beer. He's hoping to have a beer or two this coming weekend but we'll see how he's doing first. I've been taking that bullet for him, I'm such a good wife 😉
Happy 4th of July and stay safe everyone!
Lynda