Next year.

Last year my race season ended at Elkhart Lake.  This year it looks like this is place it will start.  I haven't taken the California race completely off the table yet.  I have to do a little more research, the race takes place mid-week on a Tuesday and Wednesday.  Don't know why?

If Elkhart Lake is my first event, then I really don't have to start working on the car until May at the earliest.  Otherwise if I change my mind on the Calif. event, I'll start around March. 

With the Watkins Glen event in September, that knocks out my Lime Rock race on Labor day.  One other event I was considering was down in Savannah toward the end of October.  I was looking at participating at 3 events this year.  But who knows?

F5000 Preliminary Race Schedule for 2012

• June 5-6: LSR Invitational at Laguna Seca with HMSA

• July 12-15: Road America – The Hawk with Brian Redman

• September 6-9: U.S. Vintage Grand Prix with SVRA
____________________________________________
 
Back to Watkins Glen in September, I like this schedule.  I think 3 races is more in line with today's economy.

New Zealand F5000

Eric said his first event in January will have over 35 F5000 cars attending.  New Zealand does enjoy it's motorsports. 
His car will start the journey this coming Monday and will be in New Zealand by the first race on January 21, 2012

Sour grapes

Scooter Patrick raced F5000 in the late 60's early 70's.  However his view on historic racing is not to favorable these days. This article was published in Decembers Victory lane magazine.

You can also read the story here.

Eric's trip to NZ

Eric's getting closer.  He dropped off his car and supplies in Los Angles this past Friday.   



The orange container in the background is the one the car will be loaded in.



Oil puddle

As I was walking past the race car, out of the side of my eye I caught a reflection underneath the car.  At first I considered it water, but upon closer examination at was indeed oil.  A fairly large puddle.  The car was only run a few minutes after it was placed on the stands.  I'll clean it up and place a piece of cardboard under the car and see if I can figure where it's dripping from. 

It's back!

Two and a half weeks later the Internet and TV has returned.  The cable repair guy was here for about 2 minutes before the problem was repaired.  Something must have shorted when the electrical went out during the snow storm.
The race car has been on the back burner lately, from the looks of it I don't really see anytime to work on it for the remainder of this year.  With Thanksgiving, the antique show and Christmas on the way, I think January is when I return getting the car ready for 2012.

On our road trips we're always looking for license plates from different states.  My wife gets the prize for spotting this one from Hawaii.  This was parked at the Bloomsburg antique show in Pa.

Long Valley, NJ

Nice to be home. We did find a few things at the antique show. So now it's time to get ready for the Christmas show in early December. The biggest news is Comcast is coming tomorrow to fix the cable for our tv and internet.

Youngstown, Oh

Arrived inYoungstown last nignt and planning on visiting a antique show and antique mall today in PA. The auction yesterday did not reward us with as many items as we had hoped, the prices we're just to high.  Sometimes they work in your favor and sometimes not.

Goshen, IN

Shipshewawa, IN

Converted the truck from race hauler to antique hauler and headed out to Indiana for a auction.

Leaving the hotel in Goshen, IN for Shipshewana, about a 25 minute drive  We've been to this auction a couple of times and have done ok. Hope we find the same success this weekend.

Almost back to normal

With the exception of TV and Internet, everything is back to normal. I do have to say, I really don't miss the TV but the Internet is another story. Basic work can be done on a smart phone, but that's about it.
So far I haven't heard of any F5000 race dates for next year. As for me, I know I'll be back at Elkhart Lake in July. Those hotel reservation have been made.

Storm report Thursday

We're back on the grid, our power was restored yesterday afternoon. But still a lot of folks in town will have to wait a few more days. I have a day of storm cleanup then everything should be back to normal. Still waiting for TV and Internet service to return.