Wife's view from the pits - by Lynda Makinson (June 2018)
Disclaimer: This is my view and opinion, not the view or opinion of Bruce Makinson or anyone else.
June 28, 2018
Hi Everybody,
A little update on Bruce, he's doing well, still in pain but it seems to be getting better.
He has another doctor appointment on Tuesday and the spine doctor the following Monday.
Don't know when or if he will be returning to racing but will keep you informed. His injuries are minor compared to what it could have been and he should be recovering from them but I'm no doctor.
Don from DL Imaging provided us with a before and after picture, I've posted them in the gallery. He's a sweetie, he didn't want to show them to us because he wasn't sure we wanted to see them. Thank you Don for the photos and your sensitivity to our situation.
Again, I'd like to thank the HAVFD and the MIR staff for their amazing work. In the pic you will see them at work.
Happy Canada Day and stay safe everyone!
Lynda
A little update on Bruce, he's doing well, still in pain but it seems to be getting better.
He has another doctor appointment on Tuesday and the spine doctor the following Monday.
Don't know when or if he will be returning to racing but will keep you informed. His injuries are minor compared to what it could have been and he should be recovering from them but I'm no doctor.
Don from DL Imaging provided us with a before and after picture, I've posted them in the gallery. He's a sweetie, he didn't want to show them to us because he wasn't sure we wanted to see them. Thank you Don for the photos and your sensitivity to our situation.
Again, I'd like to thank the HAVFD and the MIR staff for their amazing work. In the pic you will see them at work.
Happy Canada Day and stay safe everyone!
Lynda
June 22, 2018
Hi Everybody,
Well you may have heard by now but if not, Bruce was in a bad wreck this past Friday night. But as you know, I like to work up to it. I may rant at points but remember, this is my thoughts and view of what happened.
Also for the fans of wrecks, this is a picture I’d like you to see, it’s what you don’t see after the wrecks that the family and crews have to see. I don’t have a video of the wreck, I was recording but when I saw it happening I kinda lost interest in recording. So, now the night….
CanAm wasn’t running so 32 cars showed up for the event. Bruce was in the 4th heat starting 6th out of 8 cars. The car was fast the past few weeks, the track is getting better and things looked good. But unfortunately the same maroon that got in the way of Bruce’s win last week got in the way of Bruce qualifying well. Rant time so move on to next paragraph if you don’t want to read it: this particular driver jumped from, I believe, Bandits right into the Sportsman class. He didn’t take the time to go to the Novice Sportsman to get used to the car. Sportsman and Bandits are two completely different cars and drive completely differently. And now two weeks in a row he caused Bruce grief. Luckily, track officials understand that if Bruce is upset it means something, Bruce isn’t the type to complain for nothing (maybe I am, but not Bruce). Well, they did go speak to him after the Heat race because Bruce was about to do things he wouldn’t normally do. I believe the track should have a rule that you cannot go to Sportsman until you’ve won 3 Novice class races. There are just too many cars in the Sportsman class to allow someone in that just doesn’t know what they got themselves into. Also, if you don’t have a handle on the car you can always request that you start in the back (when Bruce started out he did that often so he wouldn’t ruin someone else’s night). As you have all witnessed, the Sportsman starts can be very hectic to say the least, so starting anywhere but the back is dangerous for everyone if you don’t quite know what you’re doing yet. I know a lot of people say, “I can do that”, well, reality check, no…you can’t just jump in there and do it. And if you want to, you can buy a car, rent the track and hurt yourself, all by yourself so no one else gets the crap you leave in your wake. Ok, this rant is over!
So, Bruce didn’t qualify well. Out of 31 cars that started, Bruce started 27th. By lap 9 caution, Bruce had passed 9 cars, he was in 18th place. He was on the move (he was coming for ya Thomas). The car was working great and we all felt great about it. Then after a restart all hell broke loose. Bruce was going down the back stretch coming up 3 wide when one car moved up on him and pushed him into the muck which made the car go sideways into the backstretch wall which made the car start turning over and rolling. The roof got ripped off in the mayhem and another driver ran into him (no fault of his own, when crap like that happens in front of you it’s sometimes hard to miss). Now, I know the driver that moved up on Bruce and he’s a good guy, I don’t know what happened there and I really don’t know his driving very well, but he’s one of my pit buddies. After the race he came running over to see me and to see Bruce. He wasn’t sure what happened but apologized that if it was his fault he was very sorry (now that’s a class act!). So, red flag, if you didn’t guess that already.
Well, Bruce said the hits were very hard and when the emergency crews arrived he couldn’t speak because he got the wind knocked out of him (so Thomas, when you said it looked like he wasn’t moving, he wasn’t for a minute until he caught his breath, but thanks for your concern). He was able to get himself out, I’m sure with the help of the emergency crews but the ambulance crew felt he needed to go to the hospital and Bruce agreed. Also his helmet had a gash in it so it was a wise call. I want to thank the emergency crews and track people for being there so quickly and making sure he was ok.
Also, the AMA (Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance) crew. They were great and got us to Cornwall. I have to say being Canadian we wanted to be in a Canadian hospital, I’m not saying an American one is bad but we have health coverage here and it’s just simpler.
The Cornwall Community Hospital emerg people were great, I think within an hour he had x-rays, CT scan, and ultrasounds. They were very pleasant, compassionate and helpful. There was a mix up in the CT scan he was to have so he had to stay overnight so he could get it again in the morning. I told them I was staying with him and they found us a room in emergency and provided me with a bed and warm blankets. I didn’t get any of their names but “angels” are close enough. We didn’t really sleep because every time he made a noise I was turning to see what he was doing or how he was.
I also want to thank all the crews that helped Bobby load the car. Alan and Donny, family friends, were also on hand to help and they came to the hospital to see what they could do to help. Bobby told me there may have been around 15 people helping get things loaded. Thank you so much to our great racing community, love you all!
Thank you to everyone that were either Facebooking, messengering or emailing me all weekend to see how he was. Thank you to all of the fans that sent well wishes. It’s nice to know so many people cared.
Bruce will be unable to work for at least 2 weeks, he has a mild concussion and 3 fractured vertebrae. From what I understand the vertebrae that are fracture aren’t very important ones so he should be fine. I just worry about the concussion, mild or not, brain bruising isn’t good. He has to see a spine specialist in a few weeks, at least that’s what the emerg doc said but our GP said it can take almost a year to see one so I guess its wait and see. I spoke to our Chiropractor and she said that those vertebrae are the better ones to fracture.
Thank you to Rod for taking Bruce’s service calls. Bruce is self-employed it’s going to be a little tight but we’ll manage. But it will make a dent in his racing money…. lol…but we still have to see if he will be returning at all.
I’d like to thank Bryan Makinson for checking on and feeding my fur-babies. As some of you know, we don’t have children, they are my children. And for those of you who know me, I choose Bruce!?!? Yeah, surprised me too, I choose to stay with Bruce instead of going home to make sure they were ok, instead I called my brother-in-law, Bryan at 6:30 in the morning to check on them and he did it without a word. Thanks so much Bry!
And of course, Bobby, thanks for being there for us and getting the truck n trailer home and coming over the next day to unhook everything so I had my truck for the week.
Also, thank you Donny and Linda for driving out to Cornwall to pick us up. And Sandy for offering to do that and to make supper and do groceries, etc.
Thank you to the Cook family for offering to pick us up and drive the trailer home and everything else they offered. Also, Hilly at the track for her concern and doing a write up for us on the MIR Facebook page to let fans know he was ok. And Joanne from the track for staying with me when I couldn’t get out to him.
It never ceases to amaze me how people really come together when you need them and without asking or questioning.
I hope I didn’t miss anyone but if I did you know I know and we both thank you for it.
One thing for the track…why is that wall there?!?!? Two years ago I saw the 29 car hit it and have a horrifying wreck too. None of us can figure out why it’s there and to me seems like a dangerous obstacle. But there may be a good reason we don’t know about. Just askin’…
Well, I guess that’s long enough.
I’ll keep you posted on Bruce’s health progress. But there will be no race updates for a while.
If Bruce gets the ok from the doctors then it will be how do we rebuild or get another car, and one just as good as that one. But that’s a question for another time.
Take care everyone and hug the ones you love,
Lynda
Well you may have heard by now but if not, Bruce was in a bad wreck this past Friday night. But as you know, I like to work up to it. I may rant at points but remember, this is my thoughts and view of what happened.
Also for the fans of wrecks, this is a picture I’d like you to see, it’s what you don’t see after the wrecks that the family and crews have to see. I don’t have a video of the wreck, I was recording but when I saw it happening I kinda lost interest in recording. So, now the night….
CanAm wasn’t running so 32 cars showed up for the event. Bruce was in the 4th heat starting 6th out of 8 cars. The car was fast the past few weeks, the track is getting better and things looked good. But unfortunately the same maroon that got in the way of Bruce’s win last week got in the way of Bruce qualifying well. Rant time so move on to next paragraph if you don’t want to read it: this particular driver jumped from, I believe, Bandits right into the Sportsman class. He didn’t take the time to go to the Novice Sportsman to get used to the car. Sportsman and Bandits are two completely different cars and drive completely differently. And now two weeks in a row he caused Bruce grief. Luckily, track officials understand that if Bruce is upset it means something, Bruce isn’t the type to complain for nothing (maybe I am, but not Bruce). Well, they did go speak to him after the Heat race because Bruce was about to do things he wouldn’t normally do. I believe the track should have a rule that you cannot go to Sportsman until you’ve won 3 Novice class races. There are just too many cars in the Sportsman class to allow someone in that just doesn’t know what they got themselves into. Also, if you don’t have a handle on the car you can always request that you start in the back (when Bruce started out he did that often so he wouldn’t ruin someone else’s night). As you have all witnessed, the Sportsman starts can be very hectic to say the least, so starting anywhere but the back is dangerous for everyone if you don’t quite know what you’re doing yet. I know a lot of people say, “I can do that”, well, reality check, no…you can’t just jump in there and do it. And if you want to, you can buy a car, rent the track and hurt yourself, all by yourself so no one else gets the crap you leave in your wake. Ok, this rant is over!
So, Bruce didn’t qualify well. Out of 31 cars that started, Bruce started 27th. By lap 9 caution, Bruce had passed 9 cars, he was in 18th place. He was on the move (he was coming for ya Thomas). The car was working great and we all felt great about it. Then after a restart all hell broke loose. Bruce was going down the back stretch coming up 3 wide when one car moved up on him and pushed him into the muck which made the car go sideways into the backstretch wall which made the car start turning over and rolling. The roof got ripped off in the mayhem and another driver ran into him (no fault of his own, when crap like that happens in front of you it’s sometimes hard to miss). Now, I know the driver that moved up on Bruce and he’s a good guy, I don’t know what happened there and I really don’t know his driving very well, but he’s one of my pit buddies. After the race he came running over to see me and to see Bruce. He wasn’t sure what happened but apologized that if it was his fault he was very sorry (now that’s a class act!). So, red flag, if you didn’t guess that already.
Well, Bruce said the hits were very hard and when the emergency crews arrived he couldn’t speak because he got the wind knocked out of him (so Thomas, when you said it looked like he wasn’t moving, he wasn’t for a minute until he caught his breath, but thanks for your concern). He was able to get himself out, I’m sure with the help of the emergency crews but the ambulance crew felt he needed to go to the hospital and Bruce agreed. Also his helmet had a gash in it so it was a wise call. I want to thank the emergency crews and track people for being there so quickly and making sure he was ok.
Also, the AMA (Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance) crew. They were great and got us to Cornwall. I have to say being Canadian we wanted to be in a Canadian hospital, I’m not saying an American one is bad but we have health coverage here and it’s just simpler.
The Cornwall Community Hospital emerg people were great, I think within an hour he had x-rays, CT scan, and ultrasounds. They were very pleasant, compassionate and helpful. There was a mix up in the CT scan he was to have so he had to stay overnight so he could get it again in the morning. I told them I was staying with him and they found us a room in emergency and provided me with a bed and warm blankets. I didn’t get any of their names but “angels” are close enough. We didn’t really sleep because every time he made a noise I was turning to see what he was doing or how he was.
I also want to thank all the crews that helped Bobby load the car. Alan and Donny, family friends, were also on hand to help and they came to the hospital to see what they could do to help. Bobby told me there may have been around 15 people helping get things loaded. Thank you so much to our great racing community, love you all!
Thank you to everyone that were either Facebooking, messengering or emailing me all weekend to see how he was. Thank you to all of the fans that sent well wishes. It’s nice to know so many people cared.
Bruce will be unable to work for at least 2 weeks, he has a mild concussion and 3 fractured vertebrae. From what I understand the vertebrae that are fracture aren’t very important ones so he should be fine. I just worry about the concussion, mild or not, brain bruising isn’t good. He has to see a spine specialist in a few weeks, at least that’s what the emerg doc said but our GP said it can take almost a year to see one so I guess its wait and see. I spoke to our Chiropractor and she said that those vertebrae are the better ones to fracture.
Thank you to Rod for taking Bruce’s service calls. Bruce is self-employed it’s going to be a little tight but we’ll manage. But it will make a dent in his racing money…. lol…but we still have to see if he will be returning at all.
I’d like to thank Bryan Makinson for checking on and feeding my fur-babies. As some of you know, we don’t have children, they are my children. And for those of you who know me, I choose Bruce!?!? Yeah, surprised me too, I choose to stay with Bruce instead of going home to make sure they were ok, instead I called my brother-in-law, Bryan at 6:30 in the morning to check on them and he did it without a word. Thanks so much Bry!
And of course, Bobby, thanks for being there for us and getting the truck n trailer home and coming over the next day to unhook everything so I had my truck for the week.
Also, thank you Donny and Linda for driving out to Cornwall to pick us up. And Sandy for offering to do that and to make supper and do groceries, etc.
Thank you to the Cook family for offering to pick us up and drive the trailer home and everything else they offered. Also, Hilly at the track for her concern and doing a write up for us on the MIR Facebook page to let fans know he was ok. And Joanne from the track for staying with me when I couldn’t get out to him.
It never ceases to amaze me how people really come together when you need them and without asking or questioning.
I hope I didn’t miss anyone but if I did you know I know and we both thank you for it.
One thing for the track…why is that wall there?!?!? Two years ago I saw the 29 car hit it and have a horrifying wreck too. None of us can figure out why it’s there and to me seems like a dangerous obstacle. But there may be a good reason we don’t know about. Just askin’…
Well, I guess that’s long enough.
I’ll keep you posted on Bruce’s health progress. But there will be no race updates for a while.
If Bruce gets the ok from the doctors then it will be how do we rebuild or get another car, and one just as good as that one. But that’s a question for another time.
Take care everyone and hug the ones you love,
Lynda
June 15, 2018
Hi Everybody,
How do I start…it was a good night and a not so good night.
Twenty-eight cars showed up for the Sportsman race. Our car is working great, the track is still a little under par but hopefully is will improve soon. Bruce did well in his Heat race, he lead a few laps then was over taken early but held 2nd for the remainder of the race. It wasn’t unexpected as this other car is a “strong” runner.
As for the Feature, Bruce once again started on the pole. He took off and because the tracks usual condition it was difficult for others to catch up to him so he lead many laps. But then the dreaded lap cars. Two cars were side by side racing for last. One of them being a veteran of racing knew when he got the move over flag, he did, so Bruce was able to easily go around him. But the other driver either drives with tunnel vision and didn’t see the flag man, frantically, for several laps, indicating to him to move over, or doesn’t like being lapped. He kept racing Bruce and was all over the track. So, yes, this week I have a maroon. Like come on!! Racing the leader when you’re in last place!?!? I think it’s time the track has another driver meeting to explain the flags to people. And when they’re motioned to move over because they are about to be lapped, to just let it go and move over and keep your line! If you can’t, slow down! Sometimes newer drivers don’t understand or veteran drivers just don’t want to be lapped but don’t ruin another driver’s night because of your ego…just sayin’.
So, what happened you ask?!?! Well, while Bruce was busy dueling with this guy, the 2nd place car was able to catch up and pass, then after several laps down the back-stretch Bruce went a little too high and the 3rd place car was able to pass. So, he was running in 3rd for a while. With a few laps left a car hit the tractor tire making it wobble into Bruce’s path, making Bruce get out of his line and the train went by. Bruce ended up finishing in 8th on the final lap. But because Bruce was out of his line, he did try to go high to see if there was anything there…there wasn’t.
Again, another night where we could feel it, we could taste it, but due to the track only having one line we lost it. Other cars were trying all over the track. A few were trying to find a high line which sometimes comes in or is there, but it wasn’t last week. Lap traffic is another thing that is either an advantage or disadvantage. And because Bruce isn’t the type of driver to punt the car into the rhubarb, it’s more often then not a disadvantage to him. Bruce is the type of driver that will race you fair and you can trust having him beside you, but unfortunately, not everyone is like that. Also, if he’s being lapped, if he needs to slow down to control his car so the leader can pass safely…he does!! Maybe a lesson someone should teach to a few of the other drivers.
I still love MIR. Hopefully the track conditions will get better, not just for us but for everyone. I know the guys are getting the car better set up for the conditions but if we could only find a winning lottery ticket we can have a “special” brand-new motor, boy, I’d like to see Bruce then. Oh yeah, new tires every night would be sweet too 😊. Also, I just wish there was a class that all the motors were the same and it was a fair playing field….oh wait….
We have fantastic sponsors now that help keep us going, thank you to all of our sponsors, we hope to bring a checkered home soon for you all.
Anyways, considering we race on a budget and with a legal motor, I think the guys do damn good.
Well, hope everyone has a good week and it looks like we will be back at MIR this coming Friday. It sounds like there may be a lot of cars because other tracks are closed for graduation weekend.
Cheers,
Lynda
How do I start…it was a good night and a not so good night.
Twenty-eight cars showed up for the Sportsman race. Our car is working great, the track is still a little under par but hopefully is will improve soon. Bruce did well in his Heat race, he lead a few laps then was over taken early but held 2nd for the remainder of the race. It wasn’t unexpected as this other car is a “strong” runner.
As for the Feature, Bruce once again started on the pole. He took off and because the tracks usual condition it was difficult for others to catch up to him so he lead many laps. But then the dreaded lap cars. Two cars were side by side racing for last. One of them being a veteran of racing knew when he got the move over flag, he did, so Bruce was able to easily go around him. But the other driver either drives with tunnel vision and didn’t see the flag man, frantically, for several laps, indicating to him to move over, or doesn’t like being lapped. He kept racing Bruce and was all over the track. So, yes, this week I have a maroon. Like come on!! Racing the leader when you’re in last place!?!? I think it’s time the track has another driver meeting to explain the flags to people. And when they’re motioned to move over because they are about to be lapped, to just let it go and move over and keep your line! If you can’t, slow down! Sometimes newer drivers don’t understand or veteran drivers just don’t want to be lapped but don’t ruin another driver’s night because of your ego…just sayin’.
So, what happened you ask?!?! Well, while Bruce was busy dueling with this guy, the 2nd place car was able to catch up and pass, then after several laps down the back-stretch Bruce went a little too high and the 3rd place car was able to pass. So, he was running in 3rd for a while. With a few laps left a car hit the tractor tire making it wobble into Bruce’s path, making Bruce get out of his line and the train went by. Bruce ended up finishing in 8th on the final lap. But because Bruce was out of his line, he did try to go high to see if there was anything there…there wasn’t.
Again, another night where we could feel it, we could taste it, but due to the track only having one line we lost it. Other cars were trying all over the track. A few were trying to find a high line which sometimes comes in or is there, but it wasn’t last week. Lap traffic is another thing that is either an advantage or disadvantage. And because Bruce isn’t the type of driver to punt the car into the rhubarb, it’s more often then not a disadvantage to him. Bruce is the type of driver that will race you fair and you can trust having him beside you, but unfortunately, not everyone is like that. Also, if he’s being lapped, if he needs to slow down to control his car so the leader can pass safely…he does!! Maybe a lesson someone should teach to a few of the other drivers.
I still love MIR. Hopefully the track conditions will get better, not just for us but for everyone. I know the guys are getting the car better set up for the conditions but if we could only find a winning lottery ticket we can have a “special” brand-new motor, boy, I’d like to see Bruce then. Oh yeah, new tires every night would be sweet too 😊. Also, I just wish there was a class that all the motors were the same and it was a fair playing field….oh wait….
We have fantastic sponsors now that help keep us going, thank you to all of our sponsors, we hope to bring a checkered home soon for you all.
Anyways, considering we race on a budget and with a legal motor, I think the guys do damn good.
Well, hope everyone has a good week and it looks like we will be back at MIR this coming Friday. It sounds like there may be a lot of cars because other tracks are closed for graduation weekend.
Cheers,
Lynda
June 8, 2018
Hi Everybody,
It was a beautiful Friday night for racing. But we got to the track at our normal time to find the pits a sea of wings…sprint car wings. The pits were packed tight. Around a dozen of us had to park in the outside pit parking. It wasn’t that bad. For once I didn’t have line up of cars roaring in front of our pit area all night long.
Now for the racing, 26 Sportsman showed up. Bruce was in the 3rd Heat starting on the pole. He took an early lead and was a quarter of a lap ahead of the pack when two cars broke free from the pack and hunted him down in the last couple of laps. Again, this is MY view from the pits; but how can cars that have “equal, sealed” motors be that strong?!?! They were able to close in on Bruce almost like he was parked. Yes, our motor is a few years old but it’s a sealed motor from GM, I do understand that cars can be a bit faster because of set up, but to see how fast they closed in on him…hummmm…just sayin’. I watched the Heat race before Bruce’s and again, there was one car that just seemed to fly past everyone and win the race, and I mean he just flew around people like they were stopped. I guess the majority of drivers don’t get the set up…I guess…just sayin’.
So, in the end, Bruce finished 3rd in his Heat race. This somehow put him on the pole for the Feature. We never understand how the line up gets set but we just smile and go along for the ride.
Bruce was on pole and Billy Cook was beside him. This has happened a couple of times over the past few years and it has been fun in the past. One year, Bruce and Billy battled it out and Bruce came out on top, another time Billy held the lead for awhile and Bruce eventually took over but to only finish 2nd. So, I was hopefully for these two “veteran” drivers to have a good night together (I say veteran because that’s what Tim Baltz wrote about Bruce on the MIR website…lol…nice way of saying old guy). Bruce jumped out for an early lead and was far ahead of the pack for a few laps. Then, you guessed it, the cars that just seemed to fly past everyone in the Heat races did it again and one car was able to pass Bruce on lap 10 (yes Tim, it was lap 10 at the flag because I was watching, I hoped Bruce would lead 10 laps but he only lead 9). Then it started, a few of the faster cars passed Bruce. Bruce tried high, nope didn’t work, then he tried low, nope that didn’t work either. It was like the car suddenly stopped working well, did the set-up go away!?!? (Also lap traffic sure didn’t help). In the end Bruce finished 10th. Yes, we’re happy with a 10th place finish but the car seemed strong at the start so I was hoping for a better finish than that.
Later, Bruce and I were talking and he reported that the motor seemed to be popping when he was driving back to the trailer. On the weekend he started the car to see if it did it again and it did. So, there may be an issue with the motor, maybe that’s why he lost ground?!?!? Here’s hoping it’s just a spark plug issue!
Well, this coming Friday night looks like Mother Nature is going to be kind to us but we’re not sure which track we’ll be at. I was talking to a few people last week and not many drivers are pleased with the condition of the track at MIR, and even the fans are finding it boring. Most races have mostly been parades. The drivers and the fans really like it when there’s real competitive racing going on but when there’s only one line that moves and everyone is in it, well, it’s a parade.
I’ve heard that AJ is preparing the track at CanAm, he used to prepare the track at MIR but for some reason left a few years ago and we’ve seen a decline in track conditions since. We know of one team that has moved over to CanAm because of the track conditions at MIR. And they reported to me on the weekend that the track is awesome there and real racing happens. I'm not crazy about CanAm because it's so big and they go so fast, just a wife thing I guess, I let him race but I don't want him to go that fast. And the facilities aren't anywhere near what MIR has.
I do want to go on record that I don’t want to leave MIR! We have some good friends there and I love the facility over all. But, the driver has to be happy with the racing. Bruce finds it frustrating that there’s usually only one line and if you dare try to go outside of it you get freight trained by all the other cars.
MIR, I hope you’re listening. Many of us love you guys but it’s about the racing. And there’s a few that have already jumped ship, we don’t really want to be one of them but this week we will make a last-minute decision as to where we’ll be.
So, folks, if you’re planning on coming out to see Bruce race, I recommend you call one of us to see where we’ll be.
That's if for this week. See the gallery for a few pics, some are snip-ids from my video.
Have a great week and stay safe,
Lynda
It was a beautiful Friday night for racing. But we got to the track at our normal time to find the pits a sea of wings…sprint car wings. The pits were packed tight. Around a dozen of us had to park in the outside pit parking. It wasn’t that bad. For once I didn’t have line up of cars roaring in front of our pit area all night long.
Now for the racing, 26 Sportsman showed up. Bruce was in the 3rd Heat starting on the pole. He took an early lead and was a quarter of a lap ahead of the pack when two cars broke free from the pack and hunted him down in the last couple of laps. Again, this is MY view from the pits; but how can cars that have “equal, sealed” motors be that strong?!?! They were able to close in on Bruce almost like he was parked. Yes, our motor is a few years old but it’s a sealed motor from GM, I do understand that cars can be a bit faster because of set up, but to see how fast they closed in on him…hummmm…just sayin’. I watched the Heat race before Bruce’s and again, there was one car that just seemed to fly past everyone and win the race, and I mean he just flew around people like they were stopped. I guess the majority of drivers don’t get the set up…I guess…just sayin’.
So, in the end, Bruce finished 3rd in his Heat race. This somehow put him on the pole for the Feature. We never understand how the line up gets set but we just smile and go along for the ride.
Bruce was on pole and Billy Cook was beside him. This has happened a couple of times over the past few years and it has been fun in the past. One year, Bruce and Billy battled it out and Bruce came out on top, another time Billy held the lead for awhile and Bruce eventually took over but to only finish 2nd. So, I was hopefully for these two “veteran” drivers to have a good night together (I say veteran because that’s what Tim Baltz wrote about Bruce on the MIR website…lol…nice way of saying old guy). Bruce jumped out for an early lead and was far ahead of the pack for a few laps. Then, you guessed it, the cars that just seemed to fly past everyone in the Heat races did it again and one car was able to pass Bruce on lap 10 (yes Tim, it was lap 10 at the flag because I was watching, I hoped Bruce would lead 10 laps but he only lead 9). Then it started, a few of the faster cars passed Bruce. Bruce tried high, nope didn’t work, then he tried low, nope that didn’t work either. It was like the car suddenly stopped working well, did the set-up go away!?!? (Also lap traffic sure didn’t help). In the end Bruce finished 10th. Yes, we’re happy with a 10th place finish but the car seemed strong at the start so I was hoping for a better finish than that.
Later, Bruce and I were talking and he reported that the motor seemed to be popping when he was driving back to the trailer. On the weekend he started the car to see if it did it again and it did. So, there may be an issue with the motor, maybe that’s why he lost ground?!?!? Here’s hoping it’s just a spark plug issue!
Well, this coming Friday night looks like Mother Nature is going to be kind to us but we’re not sure which track we’ll be at. I was talking to a few people last week and not many drivers are pleased with the condition of the track at MIR, and even the fans are finding it boring. Most races have mostly been parades. The drivers and the fans really like it when there’s real competitive racing going on but when there’s only one line that moves and everyone is in it, well, it’s a parade.
I’ve heard that AJ is preparing the track at CanAm, he used to prepare the track at MIR but for some reason left a few years ago and we’ve seen a decline in track conditions since. We know of one team that has moved over to CanAm because of the track conditions at MIR. And they reported to me on the weekend that the track is awesome there and real racing happens. I'm not crazy about CanAm because it's so big and they go so fast, just a wife thing I guess, I let him race but I don't want him to go that fast. And the facilities aren't anywhere near what MIR has.
I do want to go on record that I don’t want to leave MIR! We have some good friends there and I love the facility over all. But, the driver has to be happy with the racing. Bruce finds it frustrating that there’s usually only one line and if you dare try to go outside of it you get freight trained by all the other cars.
MIR, I hope you’re listening. Many of us love you guys but it’s about the racing. And there’s a few that have already jumped ship, we don’t really want to be one of them but this week we will make a last-minute decision as to where we’ll be.
So, folks, if you’re planning on coming out to see Bruce race, I recommend you call one of us to see where we’ll be.
That's if for this week. See the gallery for a few pics, some are snip-ids from my video.
Have a great week and stay safe,
Lynda
June 1, 2018
Hi Everybody,
Well, sometimes you make the right call and sometimes you don’t.
This past Friday was very stormy around our house and the radar showed it strongly moving towards Cornwall area. So, we made the decision to not go racing. Some miraculous way the rain did not hit the track?!?!?
I really don’t know how as we were supposedly watching the Doppler radar, at least that’s what we assumed. How could it be so wrong?? Last we checked there was a thunderstorm at Cornwall and it was heading south. We never listen to the weather people because many times they can’t seem to read the radar. Well, this time the radar fooled us.
We thought of going to CanAm but we didn’t have the gears for that track. Hopefully we’ll get them soon so if mother nature decides to threaten one track we can always pop over to the other.
Now that’s two weeks in a row that we didn’t race. This Friday is so far looking promising, weather wise.
I must say Friday wasn’t a waste for me, we had dinner with friends at Royal’s Restaurant in Richmond.
Not only one of our sponsors but an amazing place to eat. They have an appetizer on the menu; Mushroom Cheese fondue….OMG!!! I totally blew my diet but it was totally worth it.
Well, that’s my racing report…or lack of racing report.
This Friday we will be racing somewhere I’m sure, so, if you plan on joining us, give one of us a call or email me to make sure we’re where you think we’ll be.
Have a great week everybody,
Lynda
Well, sometimes you make the right call and sometimes you don’t.
This past Friday was very stormy around our house and the radar showed it strongly moving towards Cornwall area. So, we made the decision to not go racing. Some miraculous way the rain did not hit the track?!?!?
I really don’t know how as we were supposedly watching the Doppler radar, at least that’s what we assumed. How could it be so wrong?? Last we checked there was a thunderstorm at Cornwall and it was heading south. We never listen to the weather people because many times they can’t seem to read the radar. Well, this time the radar fooled us.
We thought of going to CanAm but we didn’t have the gears for that track. Hopefully we’ll get them soon so if mother nature decides to threaten one track we can always pop over to the other.
Now that’s two weeks in a row that we didn’t race. This Friday is so far looking promising, weather wise.
I must say Friday wasn’t a waste for me, we had dinner with friends at Royal’s Restaurant in Richmond.
Not only one of our sponsors but an amazing place to eat. They have an appetizer on the menu; Mushroom Cheese fondue….OMG!!! I totally blew my diet but it was totally worth it.
Well, that’s my racing report…or lack of racing report.
This Friday we will be racing somewhere I’m sure, so, if you plan on joining us, give one of us a call or email me to make sure we’re where you think we’ll be.
Have a great week everybody,
Lynda