Wife's view from the pits - by Lynda Makinson (June 2014)
Disclaimer: This is my view and opinion, not the view or opinion of Bruce Makinson or anyone else.
June 28, 2014
Hi Everybody,
Sorry for the delay in writing about last weekend but I guess I’m in holiday and short week mode.
Last Saturday night was hot as heck at the track. First we had to deal with the heat then with the mosquitoes….what a life!
Qualifying wasn’t that exciting, it seems the car is not cooperating with its new frame and Bruce is still waiting for a new part thingy to come in to make it better (yeah, that’s about how much I listen to them when they talk about changing parts). Hopefully, it will be in this week.The Feature race was good, Bruce started second last 17th. He looked good out there but on the second lap there was one of those domino effects where someone forgot where the gas pedal was and the line behind them got bunched up, yup, Bruce was at the end of that line. He had to swerve left into the infield to have his right side customized and the car quit on him which brought out the first yellow of the night. (yeah, the BOS site says he spun, well, that isn’t quite what happened, it was a chain reaction…it’s all in the details!) Bobby did gripe a bit about having to fix the only side that was straight but it’s done and once again pretty.
This didn’t stop Bruce; he got back in line and started working. But unfortunately, it seemed he was always working to avoid mishaps ahead of him. By the end of the race I was squirming to get away from the mosquitoes and Bruce finished 8th. Considering they haven’t been too happy with the car lately, in the past two weeks he’s started last and finished in the top 10. I’m thinkin’ that ain’t bad.
Well, it’s almost that time again. This weekend is another Triple Crown race so that means 40-laps for Sportsman and 50-lap Modified.
It’s supposed to be a beautiful Saturday; sun and warm but not humid. This would be a perfect time to come out to the track!
Happy Friday Eve Everybody and hope to see you at the track,
Lynda
Hi Everybody,
Sorry for the delay in writing about last weekend but I guess I’m in holiday and short week mode.
Last Saturday night was hot as heck at the track. First we had to deal with the heat then with the mosquitoes….what a life!
Qualifying wasn’t that exciting, it seems the car is not cooperating with its new frame and Bruce is still waiting for a new part thingy to come in to make it better (yeah, that’s about how much I listen to them when they talk about changing parts). Hopefully, it will be in this week.The Feature race was good, Bruce started second last 17th. He looked good out there but on the second lap there was one of those domino effects where someone forgot where the gas pedal was and the line behind them got bunched up, yup, Bruce was at the end of that line. He had to swerve left into the infield to have his right side customized and the car quit on him which brought out the first yellow of the night. (yeah, the BOS site says he spun, well, that isn’t quite what happened, it was a chain reaction…it’s all in the details!) Bobby did gripe a bit about having to fix the only side that was straight but it’s done and once again pretty.
This didn’t stop Bruce; he got back in line and started working. But unfortunately, it seemed he was always working to avoid mishaps ahead of him. By the end of the race I was squirming to get away from the mosquitoes and Bruce finished 8th. Considering they haven’t been too happy with the car lately, in the past two weeks he’s started last and finished in the top 10. I’m thinkin’ that ain’t bad.
Well, it’s almost that time again. This weekend is another Triple Crown race so that means 40-laps for Sportsman and 50-lap Modified.
It’s supposed to be a beautiful Saturday; sun and warm but not humid. This would be a perfect time to come out to the track!
Happy Friday Eve Everybody and hope to see you at the track,
Lynda
June 23, 2014
Hi Everybody,
Finally, he raced!!
Saturday started as a beautiful 1st day of summer. It was warm but not too warm and sunny. The track and the pits were dry (made for appreciating beverages at the end of the night all the better). Eighteen Sportsman showed up, a good size field, not too many and just enough to keep it interesting.
Now for Bruce, as you may or may not know, he had to change his car over completely to a different chasse after his 2nd race in which he did a tuck and roll with the old one. As I found out, a different chasse means a whole new ball game. There are different weights, different off sets and such. So, some of the setup Bruce was used to doesn’t necessarily apply with this car. Let’s just say, the car didn’t quite look like its usual self out there. Don’t get me wrong, Bruce was driving as he usually does but the set up just didn’t make it. First it was too loose, then pushing, etc.
Bruce started the Feature in 13th out of 18. Now, if all was the same he would have done what he usually does and weave his way up the pack but Saturday night it seemed he was having a harder time doing that. At one point Bruce reached 8th but gave it up to another driver (a wise decision on his part as this driver has a bit of a hard time not bouncing off everything he sees, Bruce allowing him by most likely kept our car in one piece). In the end, Bruce finished 9th. There were a couple of cautions that Bruce avoided nicely so we know Bruce is back in his excellent driving fashion of avoiding incidents but the car setup needs working on.
All in all I feel it was a good night, Bruce got a top 10 and the car was in one piece! This year he is definitely not competing for points. Now it’s just about the win and maybe visiting other tracks…once the car is feeling better that is.
Well, that’s about it for this week. Hope you all have a great week and I’ll keep you posted as to where and when we will be racing.
Take care,
Lynda
Hi Everybody,
Finally, he raced!!
Saturday started as a beautiful 1st day of summer. It was warm but not too warm and sunny. The track and the pits were dry (made for appreciating beverages at the end of the night all the better). Eighteen Sportsman showed up, a good size field, not too many and just enough to keep it interesting.
Now for Bruce, as you may or may not know, he had to change his car over completely to a different chasse after his 2nd race in which he did a tuck and roll with the old one. As I found out, a different chasse means a whole new ball game. There are different weights, different off sets and such. So, some of the setup Bruce was used to doesn’t necessarily apply with this car. Let’s just say, the car didn’t quite look like its usual self out there. Don’t get me wrong, Bruce was driving as he usually does but the set up just didn’t make it. First it was too loose, then pushing, etc.
Bruce started the Feature in 13th out of 18. Now, if all was the same he would have done what he usually does and weave his way up the pack but Saturday night it seemed he was having a harder time doing that. At one point Bruce reached 8th but gave it up to another driver (a wise decision on his part as this driver has a bit of a hard time not bouncing off everything he sees, Bruce allowing him by most likely kept our car in one piece). In the end, Bruce finished 9th. There were a couple of cautions that Bruce avoided nicely so we know Bruce is back in his excellent driving fashion of avoiding incidents but the car setup needs working on.
All in all I feel it was a good night, Bruce got a top 10 and the car was in one piece! This year he is definitely not competing for points. Now it’s just about the win and maybe visiting other tracks…once the car is feeling better that is.
Well, that’s about it for this week. Hope you all have a great week and I’ll keep you posted as to where and when we will be racing.
Take care,
Lynda
June 16, 2014
Hi Everybody,
Well, the car was ready but I guess the track just wasn’t ready for us.
We were a little more than half way there Saturday evening when we could see the sky in the distance looking like rain so I decided to call the track. I guess it was a premonition, as they had just cancelled. Now, yes I wasn’t heartbroken but I felt bad for Bruce who has been working hard to get the car ready and was biting at the bit to get racing. So, we just turned her around and headed back home with chicken in hand (Richmond Firemen’s Chicken BBQ this past weekend).
Bobby was driving Dad out to the track so we all met back at the homestead to have chicken and beverages in the garage.
Along the way back Bruce came up with the new name for the car….Scarlet….as some of you know Steve had named the old one Irene but now Irene is retired, she has done us well.
But now for Scarlet, is it from the Scarlet letter and so named for her beauty and quiet dignity or her adulterous ways?!?!
Or is it from the Scarlet Pimpernel….a master of disguise, an imaginative planner, a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking escape artist?!?!?
We shall soon see J.
This coming weekend is the regular show along with the Patriot Sprints. And hopefully better weather.
Have a great week and hope to see you there,
Lynda
Hi Everybody,
Well, the car was ready but I guess the track just wasn’t ready for us.
We were a little more than half way there Saturday evening when we could see the sky in the distance looking like rain so I decided to call the track. I guess it was a premonition, as they had just cancelled. Now, yes I wasn’t heartbroken but I felt bad for Bruce who has been working hard to get the car ready and was biting at the bit to get racing. So, we just turned her around and headed back home with chicken in hand (Richmond Firemen’s Chicken BBQ this past weekend).
Bobby was driving Dad out to the track so we all met back at the homestead to have chicken and beverages in the garage.
Along the way back Bruce came up with the new name for the car….Scarlet….as some of you know Steve had named the old one Irene but now Irene is retired, she has done us well.
But now for Scarlet, is it from the Scarlet letter and so named for her beauty and quiet dignity or her adulterous ways?!?!
Or is it from the Scarlet Pimpernel….a master of disguise, an imaginative planner, a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking escape artist?!?!?
We shall soon see J.
This coming weekend is the regular show along with the Patriot Sprints. And hopefully better weather.
Have a great week and hope to see you there,
Lynda
June 12, 2014
Hi Everybody,
Good news! The car is ready for this weekend!!
It’s a bit more colourful then before and it’s actually cleaner than ever. Bobby pressure washed the body panels to get all the oil off of it, it’s never looked cleaner. Most of the panels are as straight as they were at the beginning of the year (take that for what it’s worth).
As for mechanically, everything seems fine, I guess it’s going to show its true colours on Saturday.
But as far as I feel, it’s time Bruce gets back into it with a vengeance. This year the car was getting set to run the best it has ever run. This little set back needs to be put in its place….behind us!
So, let’s hope that BOS doesn’t get too wet from this week’s rains and that we have a nice warm, sunny Saturday so we can keep the boys happy (you didn’t have to live with him these past few weeks….just sayin’).
Hope to see you Saturday!
Lynda
Hi Everybody,
Good news! The car is ready for this weekend!!
It’s a bit more colourful then before and it’s actually cleaner than ever. Bobby pressure washed the body panels to get all the oil off of it, it’s never looked cleaner. Most of the panels are as straight as they were at the beginning of the year (take that for what it’s worth).
As for mechanically, everything seems fine, I guess it’s going to show its true colours on Saturday.
But as far as I feel, it’s time Bruce gets back into it with a vengeance. This year the car was getting set to run the best it has ever run. This little set back needs to be put in its place….behind us!
So, let’s hope that BOS doesn’t get too wet from this week’s rains and that we have a nice warm, sunny Saturday so we can keep the boys happy (you didn’t have to live with him these past few weeks….just sayin’).
Hope to see you Saturday!
Lynda
June 6, 2014
Hi Everybody,
Well, it looks like another weekend of rest and relaxation....for me.
Bruce has been working on the car all week trying to get it ready for this weekend but there was a little glitch with the seat belt. It's just been resolved last night but that's put him behind by two days. So, that means we will not be racing this coming weekend.
He plans on working Saturday and Sunday to "just get it done" so he will be ready for next weekend.
Don't worry about me, I made a deal with him, if he works all weekend then we ride some nights after work next week. I do believe in negotiating to make it happy for both of us : )
Since he isn't in contention at Brockville for points this year we may visit other tracks during the season. Bruce has wanted to do this for years and like they say...there's no time like the present.
I will let you know when and where we will be racing. I'm pretty sure we will be back at Brockville next weekend. But stay tuned for details.
Have a great weekend,
Lynda
Hi Everybody,
Well, it looks like another weekend of rest and relaxation....for me.
Bruce has been working on the car all week trying to get it ready for this weekend but there was a little glitch with the seat belt. It's just been resolved last night but that's put him behind by two days. So, that means we will not be racing this coming weekend.
He plans on working Saturday and Sunday to "just get it done" so he will be ready for next weekend.
Don't worry about me, I made a deal with him, if he works all weekend then we ride some nights after work next week. I do believe in negotiating to make it happy for both of us : )
Since he isn't in contention at Brockville for points this year we may visit other tracks during the season. Bruce has wanted to do this for years and like they say...there's no time like the present.
I will let you know when and where we will be racing. I'm pretty sure we will be back at Brockville next weekend. But stay tuned for details.
Have a great weekend,
Lynda
