Motorcycle Drag Racing in Memphis

Wow! What else can I say? We had a great time (aside from the all night drive there and the all night drive back - sheesh!)

Where to begin...guess I'll start at the beginning.

Friday - We arrived in Mempis mid-morning hoping to get some practice in on the two bikes. "Rain, rain go away, come again some other day." Yep, rain AGAIN = no practice. We NEEDED practice! Rain = more time to sleep. We NEEDED the sleep, so guess it worked out.

Saturday - Time trials. No rain - finally! I wish I could tell you she earned another top qualifier, but not this time. However I can clearly see another one coming very soon. That said, she did very well...I think we will just start calling her the 'Texas Lady Intimidator' - she isn't intentionally intimidating. Line her up against a guy on a sports or wheelie bar bike and it just happens! Can't wait to see how intimidating she is when we get her GSXR 1000 back from Ohio after the engine gets 'super-sported' (then it will be a real race bike :0)) he...he...he!

Sunday - Eliminations (oh that sounds so final). It was a beautiful day with ample sunshine. In spite of that we kept our long sleeve shirts available for awhile. I don't want to bore you with details, but ultimately she went out in the first round in Super Sport and in Street Fighter :0( but put up a real good fight! And she competed through 3rd round in the Street ET and Pro ET classes losing by only 4/1000 of a second in Pro ET. We were very proud :0)

You meet the most interesting people at these events. There are the 'normal' types of people you expect to see -like Spiderman Larry McBride, Tom Perry, and Ricky Gadson. And then there is Wayne, from Wayne's World (aka Cousin Wayne). His last name is Robertson so we are practically related - but believe me when I tell you that is highly unlikely!

Wayne's World is where Roger goes for his morning coffee, where we go for lunch and dinner while at the track, where Jen goes for chocolate milk and cookies, and where we all gather to be entertained. We have found it convenient to park our little hauler and truck next to his motorhome while attending these events (easier to get to the food and entertainment faster). Wayne and his racing buddy, James, are from Virginia. They travel around to races all over the country to do what they love (race, of course). I am sure you will hear more about them throughout our racing adventures.

On the left - Roger stands just outside the door at Wayne's World with one of Wayne's coffee mugs. At right - Wayne cooks for any and all and does a great job (you have to understand - he does this in addition to racing his 2008 Hayabusa!)

Metals for boots - how many races does she have on those boots anyway? Luckily we were able to get some new metals for her boots from the Bates Leather lady at the Memphis track. Carefully, she and Michael removed the worn metals from the boots and installed the new ones. This reminds me of an oil change - okay, not a good analogy, but that is what it reminds me of - you know...after you get the oil changed in your car how much 'better' the car feels (well, mine does!). ANYWAY, those boots were feeling good after the new metals were installed, I am quite certain of it!

And, you can always use a good pair of toe socks to wear under those race boots! Toe socks also work well with slippers on a cool race morning. It must also be noted that all racers are jealous of Jen's unusual varity of toe socks!

Tires sometimes need replaced. Not only did we get two of the bike tires replaced while at the track, we'd also just re-shoed the hauler with new tires before leaving on this trip. It was feeling good too :0)

Flowers grow at the races too

And there was even time to label the pit bike! Glad we did too because there was one just like it at the track :0)

I am not planning to go to Bristol, TN for the June race even though I really would like to go. Off course Jen will be there with her newly super-sported GSXR to give those boys another run for their money. And of course I will let you know how she does, but it is the Indy race August 2-3 that I now look forward to attending. Hope to see you there!