Wife's view from the pits - by Lynda Makinson (July 2022)
Disclaimer: This is my view and opinion, not the view or opinion of Bruce Makinson or anyone else.
July 28, 2022
Hi Everybody,
Last weeks race was a washout…literally, no racing, it rained.
Hopefully, we will be racing this coming Friday night at MIR. The weather forecast is looking great, the car has had many new and exciting adjustments to it and Bruce is raring to go.
Remember, there’s not that many more races left before Bruce hangs up his racing helmet.
So, if you want to see Bruce race in person, this coming Friday night at Mohawk International Raceway is the place to be.
Hope you see you there!
Have a great week,
Lynda
P.S.
Check out the Gallery, a nice pic of Dale Earnhardt and the sky.
Last weeks race was a washout…literally, no racing, it rained.
Hopefully, we will be racing this coming Friday night at MIR. The weather forecast is looking great, the car has had many new and exciting adjustments to it and Bruce is raring to go.
Remember, there’s not that many more races left before Bruce hangs up his racing helmet.
So, if you want to see Bruce race in person, this coming Friday night at Mohawk International Raceway is the place to be.
Hope you see you there!
Have a great week,
Lynda
P.S.
Check out the Gallery, a nice pic of Dale Earnhardt and the sky.
July 21, 2022
Hi Everybody,
This past Thursday night we raced at MIR. Yes, it rained here, no it didn’t rain there. Our drive down the 416 was very wet, at one point we had to slow right down because we couldn’t see very much in front of us. And going down the 401 was like we were dragging the rain with us.
But we made it to Cornwall, where it was raining. I contacted a few people at the track, and they said it was fine. Now if you know where Cornwall is in comparison to the track, you might think, like we did, that’s it’s a miracle it wasn’t raining there. But I guess the St. Lawrence can make the weather divide.
Once we arrived it was dry and windy. The wind helped with the humidity. A few dark clouds went around the track but not a drop fell.
Now for racing!
As you may remember, I mentioned we were collaborating with another 358 team. So, Bruce did the changes he was given (at least with what we had) and he ran the Heat race. He started 3rd and finished 4th. The car looked good. Bruce said it felt a lot better than last week (if you recall, it sucked last week).
As for the Feature, there were 19 modifieds, Bruce started 12th. The track was dry, and it showed at the start of the race, within a lap or two the dust that came up was crazy. The stands were getting sandblasted which made it hard to see the cars. So, in turn, it made it hard for Bruce to see the cars too. Luckily there were no accidents, but Bruce backed off because he couldn’t see anything. He lost 5 positions quickly to this. But once the cloud got blown away from the cars ripping around the track the car looked good. Bruce ended up finishing 17th but we were happy with it because we got to see that the changes were working.
It still wasn’t 100% but it was a significant improvement from last week. The track was getting slicked over and Bruce was riding the outside line. Man, it looked good. Except the one lap on the back stretch where Bruce went a little too high and got into the muck, the car wiggled a bit right before “that wall”! When I say that I murmured under my breath “that f@#$in’ wall”; well, if you were around a few years ago, Bruce didn’t fair very well with that wall, you’d understand why I said it. At the same time, Bruce said I bet Lynda is saying “that f@#$in’ wall” (funny how we were both thinking the same thing…lol). The race went 40-laps caution free. In a way I would have liked a caution to tighten up the group to get to see if the car was as good as it looked. I didn’t want anything big to happen, one car did go off the track but he just kept motoring right back on so no caution was thrown. Oh well, I have to say the car looked great and Bruce is loving it. It’s so nice when the car and driver are bonding so well.
After the race we went to our “sponsor” team and got a few more tips.
This coming week, the race is on Thursday night again. Not sure why but it is. So, we plan on being there.
That’s it for now. Hope to see you at the races!
Cheers,
Lynda
This past Thursday night we raced at MIR. Yes, it rained here, no it didn’t rain there. Our drive down the 416 was very wet, at one point we had to slow right down because we couldn’t see very much in front of us. And going down the 401 was like we were dragging the rain with us.
But we made it to Cornwall, where it was raining. I contacted a few people at the track, and they said it was fine. Now if you know where Cornwall is in comparison to the track, you might think, like we did, that’s it’s a miracle it wasn’t raining there. But I guess the St. Lawrence can make the weather divide.
Once we arrived it was dry and windy. The wind helped with the humidity. A few dark clouds went around the track but not a drop fell.
Now for racing!
As you may remember, I mentioned we were collaborating with another 358 team. So, Bruce did the changes he was given (at least with what we had) and he ran the Heat race. He started 3rd and finished 4th. The car looked good. Bruce said it felt a lot better than last week (if you recall, it sucked last week).
As for the Feature, there were 19 modifieds, Bruce started 12th. The track was dry, and it showed at the start of the race, within a lap or two the dust that came up was crazy. The stands were getting sandblasted which made it hard to see the cars. So, in turn, it made it hard for Bruce to see the cars too. Luckily there were no accidents, but Bruce backed off because he couldn’t see anything. He lost 5 positions quickly to this. But once the cloud got blown away from the cars ripping around the track the car looked good. Bruce ended up finishing 17th but we were happy with it because we got to see that the changes were working.
It still wasn’t 100% but it was a significant improvement from last week. The track was getting slicked over and Bruce was riding the outside line. Man, it looked good. Except the one lap on the back stretch where Bruce went a little too high and got into the muck, the car wiggled a bit right before “that wall”! When I say that I murmured under my breath “that f@#$in’ wall”; well, if you were around a few years ago, Bruce didn’t fair very well with that wall, you’d understand why I said it. At the same time, Bruce said I bet Lynda is saying “that f@#$in’ wall” (funny how we were both thinking the same thing…lol). The race went 40-laps caution free. In a way I would have liked a caution to tighten up the group to get to see if the car was as good as it looked. I didn’t want anything big to happen, one car did go off the track but he just kept motoring right back on so no caution was thrown. Oh well, I have to say the car looked great and Bruce is loving it. It’s so nice when the car and driver are bonding so well.
After the race we went to our “sponsor” team and got a few more tips.
This coming week, the race is on Thursday night again. Not sure why but it is. So, we plan on being there.
That’s it for now. Hope to see you at the races!
Cheers,
Lynda
July 15, 2022
Hi Everybody,
This past Friday we were at MIR. It was a nice warm night and another fast night of 358 racing. Only one caution and it was due to a car going off the track (this is why I like this class, it’s all about racing).
Now from the beginning. The Heat race wasn’t what we hoped. Bruce did a bunch of adjustments over the past week, but they didn’t seem to workout like he hoped. Even I could see there was something terribly wrong with the way the car was going around the track. Another team’s crew member said he was amazed Bruce didn’t wreck the car the way it was handling (but that’s cuz Bruce is very skilled and hung on for dear life!).
So, before the Feature, the guys worked hard at changing things again. There were 13 cars in the Modified class and Bruce was starting 12th. The car looked a heck of a lot better but still wasn’t quite right. Bruce did have some fun racing time against a couple of cars in the back, but he ended up finishing 12th. He was making head way but ran out of time. Bruce doesn’t have the set up right yet, but he is actually having fun with the speed. He tells me the car is a “beast” and loves it.
But don’t despair, we have a new plan. Bruce is collaborating with another team to try and get the set up right. We are very hopeful, and I can’t wait for the next race to see if there is an improvement. It’s a tough class to get up front with but if he can at least be more competitive we'll all be happy with that.
This week MIR has a race on Thursday night instead of Friday. Unfortunately, this week is starting off wet, let’s hope that ends before Thursday.
I can’t promise I’ll write if it gets postponed again so, please, if you plan on attending to see Bruce race, call or email us to make sure it’s still on.
Have a great week,
Lynda
P.S. I added some old pics in the Roy section of the Gallery. Some are of Roy and some of Charlie Brown.
Thanks for the pics Yolanda!
This past Friday we were at MIR. It was a nice warm night and another fast night of 358 racing. Only one caution and it was due to a car going off the track (this is why I like this class, it’s all about racing).
Now from the beginning. The Heat race wasn’t what we hoped. Bruce did a bunch of adjustments over the past week, but they didn’t seem to workout like he hoped. Even I could see there was something terribly wrong with the way the car was going around the track. Another team’s crew member said he was amazed Bruce didn’t wreck the car the way it was handling (but that’s cuz Bruce is very skilled and hung on for dear life!).
So, before the Feature, the guys worked hard at changing things again. There were 13 cars in the Modified class and Bruce was starting 12th. The car looked a heck of a lot better but still wasn’t quite right. Bruce did have some fun racing time against a couple of cars in the back, but he ended up finishing 12th. He was making head way but ran out of time. Bruce doesn’t have the set up right yet, but he is actually having fun with the speed. He tells me the car is a “beast” and loves it.
But don’t despair, we have a new plan. Bruce is collaborating with another team to try and get the set up right. We are very hopeful, and I can’t wait for the next race to see if there is an improvement. It’s a tough class to get up front with but if he can at least be more competitive we'll all be happy with that.
This week MIR has a race on Thursday night instead of Friday. Unfortunately, this week is starting off wet, let’s hope that ends before Thursday.
I can’t promise I’ll write if it gets postponed again so, please, if you plan on attending to see Bruce race, call or email us to make sure it’s still on.
Have a great week,
Lynda
P.S. I added some old pics in the Roy section of the Gallery. Some are of Roy and some of Charlie Brown.
Thanks for the pics Yolanda!
July 1, 2022
Hi Everybody,
Sorry I’m late with the update.
This past Friday night, Canada Day, we raced at MIR. It was great getting back there to see our old friends. We were welcomed with open arms. The evening was nice, a bit hot but still a great night for racing. The 358’s were running 40-laps (which we didn’t realize…well Donny did but we didn’t).
Considering it was Bruce’s first full race, it went well. I didn’t draw well so he started at the back of his Heat. But that was ok, it gave him time to get to know his car (finally). He started at the back of the Feature, again, that’s ok remember this is his first real practise/race this season.
There were 24 cars, and it was a good, quick race. No cautions and fast cars. In the end Bruce finished 20th or 21st. Not sure, our payout envelop said 21st but on the website it says 20th. Either way, we were ok with that. Bruce stayed out for the full race and he became up close and personal with his car. In doing this he found out the motor was fast, but he had a front-end issue (springs?!?!?), even though he had some handling issues he had a blast and that’s what counts. This year is about Enjoying the Ride!
He loved the power of it. Like we say in the biking world; it’s not the destination it’s the ride. Well, he enjoyed his ride (except for the front-end issues). I think this will be our moto for the season “Enjoy the Ride.” Of course, he is going to try to win but there is very, very stiff competition in this class. It will be a challenge but I’m thinking he’s going to enjoy it.
This coming weekend there are no 358’s at MIR. CanAm has sprint cars and autograph night; and BOS, well, BOS is BOS and this year we don’t want to break the car just for the fun of racing. So, it looks like we won’t be racing this weekend. Too bad, I was looking forward do to going back to MIR this week. Love that place for so many reasons.
But we will be back at it next Friday night at MIR. With a healthy car, healthy motor, and healthy Bruce.
Remember, this is our last year. If you want to come out to see the retro yellow 81 on track check with us to make sure we will be racing that week. I know MIR has a weekend in August that there are no races. So, check the schedule and check with us.
That’s it for this week, next week I may post something to let you know we are racing for sure, but I don’t see why not.
Hope to see you at the races.
Have a great weekend,
Lynda
P.S.
Check out the Gallery for pictures and also the Roy section. Thanks to Yolande there's a new pic of Roy by his purple car.
Sorry I’m late with the update.
This past Friday night, Canada Day, we raced at MIR. It was great getting back there to see our old friends. We were welcomed with open arms. The evening was nice, a bit hot but still a great night for racing. The 358’s were running 40-laps (which we didn’t realize…well Donny did but we didn’t).
Considering it was Bruce’s first full race, it went well. I didn’t draw well so he started at the back of his Heat. But that was ok, it gave him time to get to know his car (finally). He started at the back of the Feature, again, that’s ok remember this is his first real practise/race this season.
There were 24 cars, and it was a good, quick race. No cautions and fast cars. In the end Bruce finished 20th or 21st. Not sure, our payout envelop said 21st but on the website it says 20th. Either way, we were ok with that. Bruce stayed out for the full race and he became up close and personal with his car. In doing this he found out the motor was fast, but he had a front-end issue (springs?!?!?), even though he had some handling issues he had a blast and that’s what counts. This year is about Enjoying the Ride!
He loved the power of it. Like we say in the biking world; it’s not the destination it’s the ride. Well, he enjoyed his ride (except for the front-end issues). I think this will be our moto for the season “Enjoy the Ride.” Of course, he is going to try to win but there is very, very stiff competition in this class. It will be a challenge but I’m thinking he’s going to enjoy it.
This coming weekend there are no 358’s at MIR. CanAm has sprint cars and autograph night; and BOS, well, BOS is BOS and this year we don’t want to break the car just for the fun of racing. So, it looks like we won’t be racing this weekend. Too bad, I was looking forward do to going back to MIR this week. Love that place for so many reasons.
But we will be back at it next Friday night at MIR. With a healthy car, healthy motor, and healthy Bruce.
Remember, this is our last year. If you want to come out to see the retro yellow 81 on track check with us to make sure we will be racing that week. I know MIR has a weekend in August that there are no races. So, check the schedule and check with us.
That’s it for this week, next week I may post something to let you know we are racing for sure, but I don’t see why not.
Hope to see you at the races.
Have a great weekend,
Lynda
P.S.
Check out the Gallery for pictures and also the Roy section. Thanks to Yolande there's a new pic of Roy by his purple car.