Wife's view from the pits - by Lynda Makinson (October 2020)
Disclaimer: This is my view and opinion, not the view or opinion of Bruce Makinson or anyone else.
October 2, 2020
Hi Everybody,
Sorry I haven’t been writing much but it’s just not been a normal year.
This past Friday night we were at Brockville Ontario Speedway (BOS). It was the rain-out race from September 5th. To say the least, it was a very full schedule this past Friday. It started with a rain delay then BOS was very ambitious to have scheduled, in total, 9 Features/classes to race.
But BOS did very well at trying to get the track under control. Of course, we were delayed as they had to get it tamed after the afternoon rains. Then throughout the night they kept trying to get it under control, this also delayed some races.
I didn't mention the cold...oh the cold, I'm getting too old for this. I had so many layers of hoodies and such on that in the end I put one of Bruce's quilted plaid jackets on, I heard that Bobby might have made a comment to the effect of "don't look now, here comes Roy". We did have a heater in the trailer, coffee and some warm food but the cold was definitely a factor for me.
Now for racing, we already had our Heat races back in September, so we were only there for the Feature. It was a 50-lap Feature to boot. Out of 20 cars, Bruce was starting 18th. Our race didn’t start until around 12:30am (yup, we were there around 2:30pm – the day before if you wish). The track was still tacky and rutty (is that a word??). The first few laps were hard to get started; it was caution after caution. I thought the car looked good and when Bruce was able to finally get it going it looked good...then he pulled in!! It was only 5 laps into it.
By the time I got back to the trailer Bruce had his helmet off, I stuck my head into the car to ask, “what’s wrong, you looked good”!! He said all the tear offs flew off at once. Maybe there’s an adjustment I have to do because he’s going faster now in Mods, I really don’t understand how that happened. So, he said the track was too rough and/or maybe he was just too tired to care.
But remember, I told you about all the cautions at the beginning and I mentioned he pulled off on the 5th lap. He still finished 14th out of 20 cars. Not too bad for only 5 laps. We would have liked him to be out there longer so he could get more seat time in the Mod. But it’s his call as the driver and if he had enough, then he had enough. (But I did tell him if this happens again, I will tell him to sit there and shut up while I get tear offs and he WILL be going back out there!).
BOS did try to tame the track, but it was too far gone with the rain and then all the races before us. A-for effort though, they did try.
So, we only got back home just before 3am. Then we had to sit and talk about the nights events and it wasn’t until 5am that I hit the hay, finally. I told Bruce we should go for the full 24, we were up at 7am the day before, if we could last another 2 hrs it would be a full 24 (yeah, I know you, you were thinking beer, weren’t ya?!?!).
That’s it for this season. Or whatever you want to call it. It sure wasn’t a season. But I’m glad it’s over. Here’s hoping that next year will be back to normal and not that new normal crap, I mean good ole normal! Just sayin’…
Bruce and Bobby did learn some things about the car and what needs improvement so they will be working on that this winter.
I'd like to start off with thanking Bobby and Donny for coming out to work on the car and to each race. We have such great
camaraderie...LOL...don't we?!?!
I’d like to thank Sandy Vanier and Jeff at Napa Manotick for their usual fantastic support this year. Very much appreciated.
I’d like to also thank the two new sponsors for this year; TD Canada Trust in Richmond and First General Services in Ottawa.
I hope everyone will be back with us in the coming two years…yes, I said it, only 2 more years of racing before Bruce hangs up his helmet. As far as we know, he will be the last of the Makinson’s racing.
Have a great and safe winter and hope to see you at the races next year.
Cheers,
Lynda
P.S.
I personally would like to thank Top Shelf Distilleries...that Apple Pie Moonshine did help warm us up after the races. :)
Sorry I haven’t been writing much but it’s just not been a normal year.
This past Friday night we were at Brockville Ontario Speedway (BOS). It was the rain-out race from September 5th. To say the least, it was a very full schedule this past Friday. It started with a rain delay then BOS was very ambitious to have scheduled, in total, 9 Features/classes to race.
But BOS did very well at trying to get the track under control. Of course, we were delayed as they had to get it tamed after the afternoon rains. Then throughout the night they kept trying to get it under control, this also delayed some races.
I didn't mention the cold...oh the cold, I'm getting too old for this. I had so many layers of hoodies and such on that in the end I put one of Bruce's quilted plaid jackets on, I heard that Bobby might have made a comment to the effect of "don't look now, here comes Roy". We did have a heater in the trailer, coffee and some warm food but the cold was definitely a factor for me.
Now for racing, we already had our Heat races back in September, so we were only there for the Feature. It was a 50-lap Feature to boot. Out of 20 cars, Bruce was starting 18th. Our race didn’t start until around 12:30am (yup, we were there around 2:30pm – the day before if you wish). The track was still tacky and rutty (is that a word??). The first few laps were hard to get started; it was caution after caution. I thought the car looked good and when Bruce was able to finally get it going it looked good...then he pulled in!! It was only 5 laps into it.
By the time I got back to the trailer Bruce had his helmet off, I stuck my head into the car to ask, “what’s wrong, you looked good”!! He said all the tear offs flew off at once. Maybe there’s an adjustment I have to do because he’s going faster now in Mods, I really don’t understand how that happened. So, he said the track was too rough and/or maybe he was just too tired to care.
But remember, I told you about all the cautions at the beginning and I mentioned he pulled off on the 5th lap. He still finished 14th out of 20 cars. Not too bad for only 5 laps. We would have liked him to be out there longer so he could get more seat time in the Mod. But it’s his call as the driver and if he had enough, then he had enough. (But I did tell him if this happens again, I will tell him to sit there and shut up while I get tear offs and he WILL be going back out there!).
BOS did try to tame the track, but it was too far gone with the rain and then all the races before us. A-for effort though, they did try.
So, we only got back home just before 3am. Then we had to sit and talk about the nights events and it wasn’t until 5am that I hit the hay, finally. I told Bruce we should go for the full 24, we were up at 7am the day before, if we could last another 2 hrs it would be a full 24 (yeah, I know you, you were thinking beer, weren’t ya?!?!).
That’s it for this season. Or whatever you want to call it. It sure wasn’t a season. But I’m glad it’s over. Here’s hoping that next year will be back to normal and not that new normal crap, I mean good ole normal! Just sayin’…
Bruce and Bobby did learn some things about the car and what needs improvement so they will be working on that this winter.
I'd like to start off with thanking Bobby and Donny for coming out to work on the car and to each race. We have such great
camaraderie...LOL...don't we?!?!
I’d like to thank Sandy Vanier and Jeff at Napa Manotick for their usual fantastic support this year. Very much appreciated.
I’d like to also thank the two new sponsors for this year; TD Canada Trust in Richmond and First General Services in Ottawa.
I hope everyone will be back with us in the coming two years…yes, I said it, only 2 more years of racing before Bruce hangs up his helmet. As far as we know, he will be the last of the Makinson’s racing.
Have a great and safe winter and hope to see you at the races next year.
Cheers,
Lynda
P.S.
I personally would like to thank Top Shelf Distilleries...that Apple Pie Moonshine did help warm us up after the races. :)
