Wife's view from the pits - by Lynda Makinson (July 2019)
Disclaimer: This is my view and opinion, not the view or opinion of Bruce Makinson or anyone else.
July 19 and July 26, 2019
Hi Everybody,
Sorry I haven’t posted an update in awhile, but I was on vacation last week and stayed as far away from a computer as I could and this week, I’m back at work and was too busy to post something.
So, here’s your update for the last two weeks.
July 19th
This is the first week back to racing after no racing due to scheduling. Racing on Wednesday nights are just not easily doable. If you recall, this was the night every other track in the area cancelled due to the heat. Well, funny how mother nature works because at Can-Am the weather was very pleasant. It was warm but the sun was hazed over by light clouds and there was a cool breeze (short of a wind) that kept us cool. So, it was very manageable. As for the Heat race, again, Bruce started near the back (6th) and finished 5th. He’s still getting to know the track and was a little rusty because he hadn’t raced in a few weeks. As for the Feature, well, again, starting near the back (18th) and getting to know the track only allowed him to get to 16th. At one point he was pushed back to 20th but was able to fight his way back to 16th. Still a very good job considering.
It’s funny how each track has its own characteristics. At Can-Am you have around 30 cars that show up weekly and about 5 are very fast cars, another 5 are very slow cars and 20 of them are the middle runners that are very competitive with each other. Guess where we are right now. So, if you start in the middle of the pack, you have your hands full. But overall, we were all very satisfied on how the car was working and Bruce was doing his job well.
July 26th
Now this week was HOT. That cool breeze was still there but the sun was out in full capacity, so it was hot. Because of missing 2 weeks due to the Wednesday races, Bruce is low in the handicap system and is starting in the back of the Heat races again.
And tonight, the track was well groomed, but it seemed that the Heats were a parade. Bruce started 6th and finished 6th, there wasn't much movement by all the drivers. But I do have to say Bruce had finally figured out the track. The car looked great out there.
As for the Feature, Bruce was starting 24th. But the track had changed (as it will do at times) and the outside line was what was working for him. He had started riding the berm and did it very nicely. He was passing people, some easier than others but still doing it and doing it sometimes on the inside so you know the car was working. At one point he was up to 15th and he could have gone further but in the final laps a maroon (yes, they have them there) did a slide job up into Bruce’s left side sending him slightly off the track on the back stretch (a little déjà vu from MIR but fortunately there’s no wall to hit). Bruce was able to get the car back onto the track, but he had lost a few positions and there weren’t any laps left to make a recovery. In the end he finished 18th. We were all very happy with the outcome because we saw that the car is working well and so was Bruce. Remember he started 24th and was on the charge for at least 15th until he was smucked off the track.
If you check Speedhive, it shows him finishing 17th. It seems there’s a car there that doesn’t have their transponder working. I’m not sure if it’s the same car as last week but if you can’t get it working then you shouldn’t be scored and shouldn’t receive your points, etc. Transponders are mandatory and must be working. We have the hardwired one so there’s no worries about charging it…just sayin’.
Also, for my fans of the Maroon. Well, there are a few at Can-Am, so stay tuned because I’m sure they will make appearances throughout the remaining weeks. I just hope they stay away from Bruce.
And for this weeks Maroons!!
Maroons #1: part way thru the race Bruce had to check up slightly to avoid hitting a car that had checked up and the car behind him rammed him hard. Seriously?!?! If you can’t handle your brakes on the race track, I’d hate to be in front of you on the highway during rush hour. And from what I hear in the pit area, this isn't new for this guy.
Maroon #2: the car that sideswiped Bruce in the final laps. It seems he had gone off the track, by himself, a few laps earlier and was frustrated and did a stupid move which could have been worse but again…. seriously?!?! Keep your attitude and emotions in check when on the track.
Well, that’s it for this week. This coming Friday seems to be a regular show. That’s just fine with me, extra races mean extra waiting times.
Hope everyone has a good week and this coming weekend is a long one in Canada, eh!
Also, our very good friends and sponsor, Sandy Vanier and Gordie Brown will be exchanging nuptials this coming weekend. So, you know we’re going to need the extra day to recover. Congrats my friends!
Cheers and be safe everybody,
Lynda
P.S. don't forget to check out the Gallery and I've added a pic of Roy at Can-Am.
Sorry I haven’t posted an update in awhile, but I was on vacation last week and stayed as far away from a computer as I could and this week, I’m back at work and was too busy to post something.
So, here’s your update for the last two weeks.
July 19th
This is the first week back to racing after no racing due to scheduling. Racing on Wednesday nights are just not easily doable. If you recall, this was the night every other track in the area cancelled due to the heat. Well, funny how mother nature works because at Can-Am the weather was very pleasant. It was warm but the sun was hazed over by light clouds and there was a cool breeze (short of a wind) that kept us cool. So, it was very manageable. As for the Heat race, again, Bruce started near the back (6th) and finished 5th. He’s still getting to know the track and was a little rusty because he hadn’t raced in a few weeks. As for the Feature, well, again, starting near the back (18th) and getting to know the track only allowed him to get to 16th. At one point he was pushed back to 20th but was able to fight his way back to 16th. Still a very good job considering.
It’s funny how each track has its own characteristics. At Can-Am you have around 30 cars that show up weekly and about 5 are very fast cars, another 5 are very slow cars and 20 of them are the middle runners that are very competitive with each other. Guess where we are right now. So, if you start in the middle of the pack, you have your hands full. But overall, we were all very satisfied on how the car was working and Bruce was doing his job well.
July 26th
Now this week was HOT. That cool breeze was still there but the sun was out in full capacity, so it was hot. Because of missing 2 weeks due to the Wednesday races, Bruce is low in the handicap system and is starting in the back of the Heat races again.
And tonight, the track was well groomed, but it seemed that the Heats were a parade. Bruce started 6th and finished 6th, there wasn't much movement by all the drivers. But I do have to say Bruce had finally figured out the track. The car looked great out there.
As for the Feature, Bruce was starting 24th. But the track had changed (as it will do at times) and the outside line was what was working for him. He had started riding the berm and did it very nicely. He was passing people, some easier than others but still doing it and doing it sometimes on the inside so you know the car was working. At one point he was up to 15th and he could have gone further but in the final laps a maroon (yes, they have them there) did a slide job up into Bruce’s left side sending him slightly off the track on the back stretch (a little déjà vu from MIR but fortunately there’s no wall to hit). Bruce was able to get the car back onto the track, but he had lost a few positions and there weren’t any laps left to make a recovery. In the end he finished 18th. We were all very happy with the outcome because we saw that the car is working well and so was Bruce. Remember he started 24th and was on the charge for at least 15th until he was smucked off the track.
If you check Speedhive, it shows him finishing 17th. It seems there’s a car there that doesn’t have their transponder working. I’m not sure if it’s the same car as last week but if you can’t get it working then you shouldn’t be scored and shouldn’t receive your points, etc. Transponders are mandatory and must be working. We have the hardwired one so there’s no worries about charging it…just sayin’.
Also, for my fans of the Maroon. Well, there are a few at Can-Am, so stay tuned because I’m sure they will make appearances throughout the remaining weeks. I just hope they stay away from Bruce.
And for this weeks Maroons!!
Maroons #1: part way thru the race Bruce had to check up slightly to avoid hitting a car that had checked up and the car behind him rammed him hard. Seriously?!?! If you can’t handle your brakes on the race track, I’d hate to be in front of you on the highway during rush hour. And from what I hear in the pit area, this isn't new for this guy.
Maroon #2: the car that sideswiped Bruce in the final laps. It seems he had gone off the track, by himself, a few laps earlier and was frustrated and did a stupid move which could have been worse but again…. seriously?!?! Keep your attitude and emotions in check when on the track.
Well, that’s it for this week. This coming Friday seems to be a regular show. That’s just fine with me, extra races mean extra waiting times.
Hope everyone has a good week and this coming weekend is a long one in Canada, eh!
Also, our very good friends and sponsor, Sandy Vanier and Gordie Brown will be exchanging nuptials this coming weekend. So, you know we’re going to need the extra day to recover. Congrats my friends!
Cheers and be safe everybody,
Lynda
P.S. don't forget to check out the Gallery and I've added a pic of Roy at Can-Am.
July 19, 2019
Hi Everybody,
Well, it’s Friday!
First off, it seems like a lot of the tracks in the area are cancelling due to the heat and humidity. But Can-Am has announced that they are still racing.
Mother Nature is messing with us. The forecast for La Fargeville, NY is humid but not as humid as here and there’s a 50/50 chance of thunder showers. So, what can we say, we are planning on going but who knows what Mother Nature really has in-store for us. If it is anything like last week, we were racing one minute then cancelled the next due to the weather.
Bruce is getting grumpy because of the lack of racing. It’s all been due to weather and scheduling. I hope for his sake we get some racing in soon.
Since I have no racing pictures, I did add some food for thought in the gallery...enjoy!
Anyways, stay cool and have a safe weekend.
Cheers,
Lynda
Well, it’s Friday!
First off, it seems like a lot of the tracks in the area are cancelling due to the heat and humidity. But Can-Am has announced that they are still racing.
Mother Nature is messing with us. The forecast for La Fargeville, NY is humid but not as humid as here and there’s a 50/50 chance of thunder showers. So, what can we say, we are planning on going but who knows what Mother Nature really has in-store for us. If it is anything like last week, we were racing one minute then cancelled the next due to the weather.
Bruce is getting grumpy because of the lack of racing. It’s all been due to weather and scheduling. I hope for his sake we get some racing in soon.
Since I have no racing pictures, I did add some food for thought in the gallery...enjoy!
Anyways, stay cool and have a safe weekend.
Cheers,
Lynda
July 15, 2019
Hi Everybody,
Friday night was a bust. CanAm cancelled due to rain the night before and that morning made the track conditions unsafe. I understand MIR went ahead and the track conditions were said to be “demanding”. If you got caught in the infield you got stuck and many mechanical failures due to track conditions. Not cool, just sayin’.
As for tonight’s race at MIR, we will not be attending. The aura around MIR this year doesn’t seem to be about safety of the drivers. I’m just not feeling the good vibe I used to have there. We still would like to go back but something has to change (besides the back-stretch wall). I’m not sure what’s going on, but I care about my driver, so we may have to wait to hear good things before we venture back.
So, that means we have to hope and pray for good weather for CanAm this coming Friday. Roy really seems to like going there. It’s good to see him enthusiastic about racing again.
Well, that’s it for now. Have a great week and hope to see you at the races.
Cheers,
Lynda
Friday night was a bust. CanAm cancelled due to rain the night before and that morning made the track conditions unsafe. I understand MIR went ahead and the track conditions were said to be “demanding”. If you got caught in the infield you got stuck and many mechanical failures due to track conditions. Not cool, just sayin’.
As for tonight’s race at MIR, we will not be attending. The aura around MIR this year doesn’t seem to be about safety of the drivers. I’m just not feeling the good vibe I used to have there. We still would like to go back but something has to change (besides the back-stretch wall). I’m not sure what’s going on, but I care about my driver, so we may have to wait to hear good things before we venture back.
So, that means we have to hope and pray for good weather for CanAm this coming Friday. Roy really seems to like going there. It’s good to see him enthusiastic about racing again.
Well, that’s it for now. Have a great week and hope to see you at the races.
Cheers,
Lynda
July 12, 2019
Hi Everybody,
It’s race day! Finally!!
We were not able to race the past two weeks because Can-Am was racing on Wednesday nights. Not everyone can race during the week like that, especially 2 weeks in a row.
So, tonight it’s off to Can-Am. I understand old man Makinson is going to join us (I’m not talking about Bruce…no, not Bobby either, I’m talking about Roy!) He seems to be really enjoying the fact that Bruce is racing at Can-Am now.
Tonight’s races at Can-Am are just the regular show…thank Goodness! I really don’t go to the races to see these “special” races that cost us more to go in. I like going to see Bruce race and that’s about it, I understand the fans may want more, but do they?!?!? Just wonderin’ out loud.
I understand MIR is having a special race on Monday night. We are not sure if we will be participating. I think Bruce would like to but it all depends on how tonight goes. I will keep you posted.
Well, that’s it for now, have a safe and good weekend.
Cheers,
Lynda
It’s race day! Finally!!
We were not able to race the past two weeks because Can-Am was racing on Wednesday nights. Not everyone can race during the week like that, especially 2 weeks in a row.
So, tonight it’s off to Can-Am. I understand old man Makinson is going to join us (I’m not talking about Bruce…no, not Bobby either, I’m talking about Roy!) He seems to be really enjoying the fact that Bruce is racing at Can-Am now.
Tonight’s races at Can-Am are just the regular show…thank Goodness! I really don’t go to the races to see these “special” races that cost us more to go in. I like going to see Bruce race and that’s about it, I understand the fans may want more, but do they?!?!? Just wonderin’ out loud.
I understand MIR is having a special race on Monday night. We are not sure if we will be participating. I think Bruce would like to but it all depends on how tonight goes. I will keep you posted.
Well, that’s it for now, have a safe and good weekend.
Cheers,
Lynda
July 5, 2019
Hi Everybody,
FYI – no racing again this weekend. The car is still in pieces getting slowly back together. Bruce found more parts damaged then expected. Nothing serious just time consuming.
I’m sort of glad, with this heat it won’t be very pleasant.
See gallery for some fun pics (of course not of racing, we haven't been racing much! geez).
Have a safe and happy weekend and we should be good to go for next Friday.
Cheers,
Lynda
FYI – no racing again this weekend. The car is still in pieces getting slowly back together. Bruce found more parts damaged then expected. Nothing serious just time consuming.
I’m sort of glad, with this heat it won’t be very pleasant.
See gallery for some fun pics (of course not of racing, we haven't been racing much! geez).
Have a safe and happy weekend and we should be good to go for next Friday.
Cheers,
Lynda
July 2, 2019
Hi Everybody,
This past weekend we didn't race because the car was damaged from the previous week at CanAm, and they were racing Wednesday which is not do-able for us. This week they are racing on Wednesday night again (not do-able again).
Bruce is working on getting the car back together, but he isn’t sure if he’ll have it ready to race this weekend.
So, if you were planning on coming out to see Bruce race, please keep checking back or contact me to see if and where we’d be racing.
Have a good week,
Lynda
This past weekend we didn't race because the car was damaged from the previous week at CanAm, and they were racing Wednesday which is not do-able for us. This week they are racing on Wednesday night again (not do-able again).
Bruce is working on getting the car back together, but he isn’t sure if he’ll have it ready to race this weekend.
So, if you were planning on coming out to see Bruce race, please keep checking back or contact me to see if and where we’d be racing.
Have a good week,
Lynda