Where Else but the Texas Mile!

March 29, 2007...Day Two - Final day on the Mile

Well, I won't keep you in suspense - top speed for the weekend was a disappointing 215.3 mph. But we had a great time!

AJ on the Turbo busa

Caden's turn to test the busa!

And this is how it's really done...Jen tests the Turbo Busa!!

Kathy, Jen, AJ and Caden chat before one of Jen's 200 + mph runs down the Mile

Caden, Kathy, AJ and Grammy

AJ and Caden find a nifty car on the Mile

Chance and Jen rest on their cots at the Mile

Now, let me ask you...just how fast is fast enough anyway? 300 mph? Would that be fast enough to travel on a one mile stretch of pavement? A humongous burst of hot red flame and a gigantic POOF of billowing gray smoke filled the air as an engine wined and screamed; It sounded as if a military jet was just feet away from me...hey wait, a jet engine WAS just feet away! With a flick and a flash the flaming bright red car encasing the super fast jet engine screamed loudly down the track...and was gone. The Texas Mile has a new top speed - 324 mph!!! and I witnessed it! All I can say is WOW, what was that?!

Where Else but the Texas Mile!

What next? Atlanta...April 4-6 - See ya' there!

Day One of the March 2008 Texas Mile

Tired...wow! We are so tired. It was a very long day with only 3 one mile runs completed and a disappointed top speed of only 207 mph! Her first run was 201 and when she came across the line to pick up her time slip the lady who hands out the slips was all excited about the over 200 mph run. Jen's disappointed face certainly told the story...that those were not the speeds she was looking for.

Well, tomorrow is another day; some adjustments have been made to the bike, the maps change, a gear changed. And the winds should be down a little with only a 10 percent chance of rain. We are looking forward to a very good day :)

More soon with pictures.

Thursday afternoon - Texas Mile less than 2 days away

Sprawled out on the living room floor chewing on a rawhide, Chance appears totally relaxed and completely unconcerned about the upcoming events of this weekend. He has had his dinner and his bath...and I am quite certain he is secretly planning a way to escape through the back door and roll in the grass and dust. Can't smell like a freshly shampooed dog for long if he can help it!

Roger has been working on the turbo busa, loading the hauler, generally preparing to head out to Goliad tomorrow around noon so he can get a good spot on the Mile. I am sure he is beyond excited and terribly anxious, as always before a big event.

Chance and I will be heading out after I get off work tomorrow - I am sure he is ready to see his mommy and will be happy to get back into his own yard and house next week...and I will be glad to shampoo the carpet after he has gone home!

Things left to do this evening include washing the hauler and the truck...we will have to record 'Lost' to be watched at a later date.

I am remarkably calm considering the weekend that is about to happen. Hope I can keep this demeanour throughout (not going to happen though!)

Upcoming April events:

• Atlanta - AMA Dragbike competition April 4 - 6
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Fund Raiser and bike show at Irv Thomas Honda - April 12 (of course we will have Jen's bikes and paraphernalia displayed in royal manor).

Four Days and Counting

Wow, what a week at work - and it's only Tuesday! After a week off for Spring Break, it was pure torture to get the brain functioning again yesterday. As hard as I tried - and I really did try...even stayed late at the office yesterday to prove it to myself - but, as hard as I tried it just wasn't happening. Finally I just gave up :-( and went home :-)

Even though I was fearful that this morning would bring the same brain affliction, I was able to overcome it and move forward. Now that the office is under control, it leaves more room to worry about the upcoming Texas Mile which is only 4 days away. FOUR DAYS! Roger is out in the shop - a bootload of motorcycle 'stuff' arrived on the doorstep today...and I thought he was done!

Six days and Counting

Less than one week - The March 2008 Texas Mile!

As you might imagine things around here are a bit stressed. Things will continue to be stressed on March 29 - 30, as we compete at the Texas Mile ~ and as usual I will report it all right here...the good, the bad and the ugly. We are hoping for fair skies, decent temperatures and calm winds.

Causes of the March 2008 Texas Mile stress ~ to be determined...

Easter Sunday

Some people spend Easter with their Grandchildren by hunting for colored eggs. AJ and Caden have found it more fun to run over the colored eggs – 2 points per egg; 3 points for the ones really close to the house or fence! (Just kidding, of course :o) Sounds like a plan for next Easter though!

Caden gets ready to ride Aunt Jen’s Honda 50 as his Dad gets it started before giving instructions on how to ride.

His Mommy frets as Caden takes his very first laps around the back yard – fretting takes the form of covering eyes (well almost) and holding breath. I’ve given her instruction on how to properly do this so that when the rider goes down, the fall will not be as severe. (And yes, the rider did go down!)

Caden takes a few laps around the yard before learning where the brakes are…he is quite an aggressive rider.

Afterward, Chance gives Caden congratulatory kisses – but his mommy says that Chance is just trying to lick all the Easter candy off Caden’s face!

AJ shows off his Honda 50 riding skills by performing bike tricks.

The Power of Pink

I love pink. I do not 'say' it is my favorite color when asked, but it is a color that lures me. I am currently reading a book by Margaret Atwood called "The Cat's Eye" and in it she describes the power of the color pink. She says that "pink is supposed to weaken your enemies, make them go soft on you..." Hummm - never thought of pink as being a powerful color. She goes on to say that must be why it is used for baby girls. It must melt those daddy hearts...those same daddy's who brag about baby boys.

I remember when my drag racing girl was just a tiny baby. She had as many cutesy pink outfits as I could gather. Pink bows and ribbons in her hair, pink jammies and gowns, pink flowers scattered throughout. She certainly managed to wrap her daddy around her tiny pink little finger!

Maybe it is a good thing that Jen's race bikes are black with pink detailing. Intimidate those boys from the start! From frilly pink dresses, ribbons and bows to black leather with hot pink - how much more intimidating can that get?!

2-Wheel Tuner Magazine - April 2008 Issue

Check it out! My baby girl is in a motorcycle magazine!!

Funny thing happened when I went to Wal-Mart looking for extra copies of the magazine this morning. The young lady checking me out eyed me suspiciously as she scanned the 3 copies of April's issue of '2-Wheel Tuner.' She quickly thumbed through one of them as if she could determine why I needed 3 copies of the same magazine.

She took the 3 magazines and placed them in a seperate bag along with some chocolate-covered marshmallow bunnies (I just love the Easter season!) and held them until all other bags were placed into the cart. I asked for them (afraid that she would just toss them into the cart and possibly mangle the pages...after all, Wal-Mart is the same store that puts my bananas in the same bag as a gallon of milk). I told her they were special and wanted to take extra care with them. Questioning me further, I told her that my daughter was in the magazine. Of course she wanted to see and asked, "Oh! Is she a model?"

Okay, we all know what kind of models those motorcycle magazines have in them! "No," I said as I flipped to page 97 to show her the picture, "she is a drag racer!"

~ PROUD DRAG RACER MOM ~

My 'K' Key

I was laptopping away earlier this week when my letter 'K' got stuck. I tapped on it - no response. I assessed the situation and gave it a little 'nudge.' Off it popped! What an annoyance!

I worked and worked with it. Put on the cheater glasses - no luck. Took off my contacts so I could see up close...no luck. Found a pair of tweezers and carefully positioned the tiny key components into position. Pop! Off it came again. After some Google searches on how to replace laptop keys and several more failed attempts...I am sad to say that I gave up.

Determined not to go on and on about my missing 'K' key, I put my laptop away. Several times I considered opening it back up but didn't want to even look at the mangled keyboard.

Later that night Roger was laptopping away on his trusty Dell. The dear husband had ordered me a replacement keyboard...and I didn't even have to nag!

Our Aging Grandpup, Chance

To watch Chance sleep, play the video...okay, okay, how much more boring can this get!?

Anyone who know us, knows about Grandpup Chance. Chance has a bark that will knock you over...not to mention a tail that will do the same! (Same goes for his farts :o)) He is 150 pounds of bouncing black dog...or 150 pounds of sleeping hound.

He has become quite old in Great Dane years and has problems with his hips - getting up and down. However, there are times you would never know it...when he roars through the house at neck-break speed knocking down everything in his path!

In an attempt to make him more comfortable when he comes for Grammy and Papa visits we found him a cot to sleep on - it is called a Coolaroo (the large size, of course). Found it at Amazon.com - I like Amazon.com better than E-Bay. And, I think he likes it! What do you think?

February's Challenge Book - The Bluest Eye

February's challenge book was The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, book two in the Reading Dangerously Challenge. I desperately struggled with this book even though I went into it hopeful.

I love scary books, but make believe scary-type things that I think cannot really happen. Being raised in a very protected childhood environment, I found the things going on in the Bluest Eye families unbelievable, unacceptable and do not believe this to have been a common occurrence. If anyone begs to differ, please keep it to yourself!

Next up in the Reading Dangerously Challenge is Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood, "a breathtaking novel of a woman grappling with the tangled knot of her life." I will give it a fair chance and if I don't like it any better than the other two books in the 'Challenge' will look for a GOOD book - a book with make believe scary stuff - when does that next Stephanie Meyer vampire book come out? Are we absolutely certain there are no more Harry Potter books yet to be written? And what about another Stephanie Plum bounty hunter book?

Valdosta - Day 3...final day

COMING HOME! 4:30 p.m. - it is over. They are finished and coming home! Jen's final run was in Street ET on the Busa and she lost by going TOO FAST. That's right, 9.5 was her estimated time, but she ran a 9.3...that's the scenario I described earlier when the rider is first to the finish line, then loses by going faster than she said she would. All in all it was a great racing weekend in Valdosta and all are looking forward to her next great racing adventure, "The Texas Mile" in Goliad, Texas on March 29 - 30, 2008, for some fantabulous landspeed racing! (Pictures will be posted later.)

Thanks to Jen's sponsors:
Akuma Helmets
Brock's Performance
Hindle
Suzuki
Dynojet
Tiger Racing
Mom & Dad (aha!)
and of course Michael

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3:30 p.m....I've had two phone calls from Roger, just have not been home to update (AJ has a science fair project due and was helping with that - it's a Grammy thing :o))

So this is what's happening - After the second round of eliminations, she is still in the Street ET on the Busa, but was eliminated from both the 9.5 index on the Busa and the Street ET on the GSXR. Roger said they were both respectable runs, the run on the GSXR was very close, and that she did an outstanding job.

One of Jen's high school classmates who now lives in Florida made it out to yesterday's competition - thanks for the support Jessica! Hope to see you next time we are in Georgia. And Michael's sister, niece and brother-in-law are there today. Is this the makings of a fan club?! If so, I am her #1 fan!

More later...it can't be too much longer!
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10:00 a.m...Okay, first report is in. She has run one round each in the Street ET and the 9.5 index on the Busa - and won both rounds! She is not scheduled to run the GSXR until after lunch. I'll post again after the next phone update.

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SUNDAY Gates Open 7:30am

No Bikes Started Before 9:00am
Chapel Service 8:00am
Pro ET must be in the lanes for pairing 8:45am
1st Rd Pro ET Eliminations (Race 2) 9:00am
1st Rd Street ET Eliminations 9:30am
1st Rd Sportsman Eliminations 10:00pm
Opening Ceremony 10:45am
1st Rd Pro Eliminations 11:00am
1st Rd Semi-Pro Sportsman Eliminations Noon

Already received my morning phone call from the Crew Chief at 6:00 a.m. Spirits are high and looking forward to a good day.

...to be continued

Valdosta - Day 2 cont'd/CC Speedway

One very tired Crew Chief telephoned (right before Kathy, Grandboy Caden and I were leaving to watch Will race) to let us know the final qualifying results.

In a nutshell:

On the Busa - 9.5 index - the 9.52 second quarter mile time will hold - this is good.

Also on the Busa - E.T. - 9.57 (I will correct this later if I am wrong :0)) - this is okay.

On the GSXR - sorry I don't remember what that class is actually called, but am certain someone will correct me soon - she qualified with a 9.5 second run. After the good practice sessions she had on Friday, she was hoping for a 9.2 or 9.3 - however, we will take it.

Tomorrow elimination runs begin; we will hope for the best, take what we can get, learn from it and move forward. All-in-all, the last two days have been good. More tomorrow!
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Corpus Christi Speedway (a.k.a. The Bull Ring)

Tonight was opening night at the Bull Ring. Although car count was low (tough year last year - it will improve), fans poured in and the entertainment began. New management for this 1/4 mile raceway has proven - in my humble well-qualified race fan experience - to be a definite positive!

To begin with, a live band greeted us at the entrance gate. They were singing 'old timey' songs and it was great. Then go-cart racers were right next to the band - kids were allowed to sit in the cars and later we watched as they raced around the speedway during the intermission...this too, was quite good. Then, an excellent female singer sang the National Anthem - sorry I cannot remember her name, but she was outstanding. And finally the races began. The commentators were excellent, really kept the events moving along and the crowd involved. Oh, also they were giving helicopter rides for $5 apiece! (No, I did not ride.)

Race results - well, the only race results I cared about were the Texas Thunder class. Will raced the little Thundering Neon 14 racer in one heat race and in one 30 lap feature race. He began near the back of the pack of 7 cars during the short heat race, but still managed to finish 3rd.

Well, that 3rd place finish paid off because for the feature race they inverted the first 3 finishers putting Will in the coveted pole position. Thirty laps and a couple of cautions later, Will climbed out of the little Thundering Neon 14, accepted his trophy and gave an enlightening speech thanking the new management, his wife, children and of course his mother :0) The track officials had us stand and take a bow after he thanked us! We allowed the crowd to admire what a handsome family he has as we cheered for our driver. He had lapped the entire field of cars. Way to go Will!!!!!

Valdosta - Day 2 - March 1, 2008

Qualifications began today - I tried to be very patient...waiting for a phone call, cleaning the inside of the Mazda, waiting...getting the car inspected, waiting...going to the grocery store (cell phone close at hand)...mowing the yard...waiting, doing laundry...waiting, changing sheets, dusting, vacuuming, waiting.... Finally, at about 11:15 a.m. the phone rang and it was my crew chief husband.

Jen had competed two qualifying runs on the Hayabusa. Both great runs.

• ET class - qualifying time was 9.57 (I think...can't remember exactly) This one you have to estimate how fast you will run the 1/4 mile, place the number on a plaque on the side of the bike, then try to beat your competition to the end of the track without going faster than you said you could go...otherwise, even if you do win by getting there first, you still lose. Qualifying runs allow her to get a feel of the bike on this particular track (as all tracks are not the same), therefore more accurately estimate the time number for the plaque.
• 9.5 index - qualifying time was 9.52 (perfect would be a 9.50) so this one should put her in a good position for the actual competition

There is another round of qualifying for these two classes, and two rounds of qualifying yet to do on the GSXR 1000. I'll update later...

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Oh, I almost forgot; when I was getting the car inspected this lady - I mean woman - reamed me. I had been standing in line with my proof of insurance waiting patiently for the inspector person and chatting with the person in front of me - who just happened to be our family doctor - when a woman and her two com padres walked right past us and into the inspection booth. I said, "Excuse me - there is a line." The woman turned around and practically bit my head off, told me I was rude and didn't know what I was talking about. Granted, I admit I didn't know what I was talking about, however did know that there was a line and I was in it. I profusely apologized and said I was sorry for being so rude, and she told me I should be sorry. She then went on to sit inside the service station and drink coffee.

Soon the inspector man comes to me - because after all I was standing in line - and ask me which car was mine. I told him I apparently was not next after all, that the woman sitting inside drinking coffee was next because she'd told me so in no uncertain terms :0) Then I took him to the window and pointed my finger at her through the window. He went in, got her keys and inspected her car. When he came out from getting her keys he said, "She said thanks." Sheesh!

Oh, and then there was this neat little bouncy woman driving a giant truck. She had bleach blonde hair, was very tiny, little jeans tucked into her cute little boots, and a gold front tooth with a star design in it! Very chatty - she made me forget all about that wicked woman drinking coffee behind the window!

What a morning!