WST wrote:
> OK all you twerps... I want to see some race weekend reports. I'm always
the
> verbose one... let's hear your side of the story before I bore you all
with
> my musings.
Hopping over the highest of the highlights (there were no lowlights) of the
Road America VF weekend with my "three years in restoration, second race
outing" TR6:
1) Discovering a full 3/4" of previously unused accelerator pedal travel . .
. resulting in lap times dropping from 3:25 something to 3:12 something.
Close to my weekend goal of 3:10. Full throttle is good . . . duh!
2) My good friend Irv "The GrassHopper" Korey discovering a broken front
wheel stud on the racecar and, with unbelievably generous help from Ernie
Husmann, dismantling the hub and replacing the stud with about one minute to
spare before the Sunday race. Without their help, the loan of a replacement
stud from Gary Wiezorek and the advice and counsel of the surrounding
Triumph racers and Thickos, there'd be no more highlights.
3) My friend and shock absorber entrepreneur Fred Furrer discovering
excessive rear wheel bearing clearances and, since the problem was unfixable
in the absence of parts and time, reassuring me with the advice that "It's
probably OK to race - what's the worst that can happen?"
4) Frances Drews showing me her stopwatch time on my last lap of Sunday's
race - 3:59.47. Incredible. Jack Drews does indeed build VERY strong and
VERY reliable (and sweet sounding) Triumph race motors! In addition, of
course, to being a major Blues talent (writing AND singing) on the Thicko
circuit:
I got the fourteen corners, Road America Blues
Fourteen corners,
Fourteen ways to lose
(or something close to that - I'd had a few beverages by that time)
5) Finding out post-race that my grown daughter (who'd never before seen a
vintage race), was sitting in the stands at turn 5 surrounded by a gaggle of
fellow Triumph racers cheering her old man on. You meet a lot of great
people in this sport.
6) After the race, being personally presented with a set of Team Thicko
decals, along with a brand new nickname, by The Flounder his own self
(following, or so I'm told, some personal lobbying by Irv K.)
Thanks to everyone, weatherman included, for a wonderful weekend.
Major discovery of the weekend: The bar in downtown Plymouth where you can
lay a ten-spot on the bar and buy three vodka martinis, a Coke, four tap
beers and assorted snacks for yourself and crew, and have $1.25 left over.
Jim ("Runaway Train") Hill
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