Vegas Photo's...

Ok...so its more like 1...but it makes me laugh so hard!  Mostly because I appear just a wee bit manic...what can I say...I'm a fan...and it was Vegas!

I also made KISS sing to me...and I'm pretty sure I mighta kissed them...but I'm a little foggy on the details ;)!!!

Las Vegas 2009 Blurb Book

In October Mom and I went on away on our annual scrapbooking trip.  I was (am) struggling with calculus at the time, and my brain was too fried to do much actual scrapbooking.  Instead I put together this Blurb book from my Vegas trip last year, its a slightly edited version of the blog posts.  I've been struggling with the cover ever since and finally finished tonight.  I'm pretty excited to see it, if I like it I can see myself making more books like this in the future! 

Sneaky Photographers...

Sasha Stewart & co. are the new photographers for Speedy Creek Raceway, I think they are doing a great job and made a point of tracking Sasha down at Wolff Pack for a quick chat.  Turns out this 'racing thing' is all new for her! 

When I finally had a chance to browse through the Wolff Pack photo's, I found this.  She's sneaky!  Georg Wowk is the creator and a major sponsor of the Wolff Pack Run, he's also an artist...in many ways I hope to follow in his footprints...so this photograph makes me smile.  Thanks Sasha!

Wolff Pack 2010

*I stand corrected on a few things...I'll take it...I'm not above admitting when I make mistakes.

There is a handful of racing weekends I especially look forward to every summer; the Wolff Pack Run is one. It’s hard to explain to ‘non-racers’ what an amazing event this is, the purse of $40,000 is absolutely unheard of for a modified race. This year the feature winner took home $5000…to help put that in perspective, the prize for the Duel in the Desert I went to in Las Vegas was ~$7800. The Duel was attended by ~240 cars, the Wolff Pack draws about 35-40. The sponsor support alone sets this race aside from anything else remotely like it…my favourite part…its my best chance to watch some of the best Canadian modified racers compete against each other.

BCR has hosted this race for the past two years, however, this year Speedy Creek Raceway in Swift Current had the honour…so last weekend a few of us BCR die-hards packed up and headed to Saskatchewan for our long weekend.

The trip started out with a bang…literally! We barely got on the road and took the transmission out of the truck; fortunately we had access to a back-up truck, but it wasn’t the start to the weekend we were looking forward too, as you can tell by Kathy’s face lol!

I am always torn when I don’t have a ‘job’ at a race track…on one hand it is SUPER nice to actually watch some racing. On the other hand, I get fidgety any time I’m waiting for racing to start. By Saturday afternoon I was ready to climb walls, so my camera and I took a little stroll around the exhibition grounds. They have this little heritage village type deal called Doc’s Town, lots of neat museum type buildings.

And then of course I found this…and had to check it out…figured Grandpa would be proud of me:).

This made me smile to myself…I can’t think of better music for during a ‘you may kiss the bride’ moment than the sound of a modified engine in the background.

It was finally time for the ‘Big Event'...

I found myself a quiet place on Frenchie’s car hauler to watch the race.

Sometimes its just really nice not to worry who’s looking when you watch a race through your fingertips…or when you scream at the flagman for a call (I was so mad I wanted to spit when the starter threw the green with a tail car IN FRONT…*I'd like to apologize to the flagman for the 'stupid' comment, it was poor class on my part to cut down someone who volunteers their personal time to fuel my racing addiction.  Thanks for the reminder Jay.  That being said, in my personal opinion it was still a bad call.*  He gave a B car/driver a starting position in the A-main and a $1000). I got to do both that night without fear lol! Rain threatened most of Saturday (not Friday)…but it held off long enough to get through the first heats and the first B-main.

I had to laugh bitterly when I went through my photos on Monday. I caught a couple ESTEVAN cars going through TECH.

Racing is always full of drama, its part of the attraction for me in all honestly.  Sunday the 10A and 21 took 2nd and 3rd (not 1st and 2nd) at the checkered flag…#21 then proceeded to throw a temper tantrum that makes Paris Hilton look like an angel. In front of the entire crowd. What angers me the most…we sat beside these little people…and they picked these cars to win…they were CHEERING THEM ON!!!!! These drivers are someone’s hero…heck, I STILL get hero worship for drivers. And I’ll admit…a few laps into the race I picked the #21 to win the event.  If I'M disappointed, how do those kids feel?

The 21 was disqualified for his unsportsmanlike behavior, then to add to the disgust, the 10A (who is coincidentally the 21's father) refused to let his car be teched.  HE GAVE UP SECOND (not first) PLACE!!!!  These actions lead me to believe they are FREAKING CHEATERS! 

I STILL am confused about this...(non-race fan readers can skip over this next little rant!!!)...I think it was a well known fact any Estevan cars that showed would likely be top contenders.  Surely they knew that as well...and therefore would have known they had a good chance of being teched at the end of the night.  So that says to me they weren't racing for a 'title'.  10A said later in the pits they weren't racing for prize money either...however during the 21's tantrum he accused the flagman of costing him several thousand dollars...so I call BS on that.  I will further go on to say they had to KNOW if they were caught they would disappoint their fans.  So I just don't understand why.   WHY????

Finally, I'm annoyed because I came to watch some racing.  It would have been awesome to see the finish if all parties were running on a level playing field.  Taking that from me is the icing on the cake...and it tastes like crap.

So Team Turnbull...I hope you read this...and I hope you either have the man parts to explain yourself in a way that will be even remotely logical (which I highly doubt is possible), or I hope somehow you learn that winning really doesn't make you a champion.  Shame on you.  

Ok.  I think I'm done now.

Nope...wait...one more thing.  If you think no one caught you smirking as George Wowk left your car hauler...your wrong.  I thought that was really respectful...considering he's the person who made the
entire event possible in the first place.

So that's the people who acted like scum...now let me tell you about a racer who absolutely made me smile from the inside out this weekend. See the #22 leading in this photo?

That car belongs to/is driven by one Wild Wild Wes.  I've been on the fence about this fella for some time now...I can almost never tell if he's actually annoyed, or if he's just pulling my leg.  But I had it on good authority he has a heart of gold...so I've been watching.  This weekend...around a campfire...he started talking about his best friend...who just happens to be his wife.  And then there is his laugh...oh my gosh...but that's another story.

Sometimes I forget why I love this sport so much, and talking to Wes on the weekend triggered one of my 'ponderings'.  Of course I truly do enjoy the actual racing.  And I like helping put on a good show for the fans.  But a huge part is because of the people, usually drivers, I meet.  These guys are living their dream, and its NOT an easy dream to make come true.  I've seen men fund their racing out of an envelope...literally!  (sponsor money + payouts = repairs + entry fee's).  I've seen men juggle swim meets, weddings, and family reunions.  I've seen helmets passed to help a fellow racer in a time of need...sometimes for racing reasons, more often for personal.  I've seen drivers donate their winnings to charity.  I've seen enemies help change each other's tires.  And I've heard drivers talk about their wives in a way that tugs at my silly girl feelings.  Seeing the humanity...that's why I keep coming back for more.

Of course...I can't talk about this sport without mentioning my racing family!!!!  I had a great time with them on the weekend...I'm learning more all the time...its very interesting to hear the stories that make racing what it is in Southern Alberta today.  Ironically, my first racing family memory 13 years ago was of James yelling at me lol.  I had a stupid teenager moment and so totally deserved it.  Little did I know at the time where this racing deal would lead.  Sometimes life is crazy...and I kinda like it.

Was a great weekend!  Fantastic actually!  Only 361 days until Wolff Pack 2011, I can't wait!

July 1st Rednecked Style

I spent July 1st in Vauxhall, they try to put on a demolition derby every year.  Little known Crazy J fact, in high school some of the guys put together a demolition car, and then their mom's squashed their driving dreams...they asked me to drive.  I'd already been in a stock car a couple times, what could my mom really say?  It was fun...but it makes me cringe when I think about the safety of those cars (although not enough to say no, right Mom!). 

Anyways, I knew several of the drivers, mostly friends of my family...and then I was suprised to see one of my truck drivers from BCR has a car there as well!

A little pre-derby auction action!

Scott, a family friend, is in the #7 and Shaun, from BCR, is in the #11.

Brody, is in the green #444 car.

I am very bad (or very good?) at making associations...as soon as I arrived I was picking out car numbers that match racers I know...#13, #69, #44, #11, etc...sometimes its freaking exhausting lol!  This also made me laugh...

This ended up being one of his favorite moves...

I think all the guys we were cheering for made it to the finals.

The last two cars were Shaun in the #11 and the #44...woulda liked to see a pal win...but in the end reigning champ took the trophy.

It was a fun way to spend the day, the evening was also fun...maybe a little too much, right Mom;) lol!

Sprint Car Photoshoot

Saturday was our first Sprint car race of the season, it was so busy I didn't have a chance to take my camera out of its bag!  I arrived at 3pm and it was non-stop until 11pm...crazay!  We had 27 sprint cars and three supporting classes, when I finally had a minute to catch my breath I figured we had 63 racing vehicles in total.  That's pretty cool.

I met up with TSR earlier in the day to photograph the cars.  Before they went to the track.  Just in case they got...dirty lol!

So, I'll let you in on a little secret.  I'm actually not impressed with these pics.  I haven't really been happy with my racing photo's lately...I'm still turning it over in my head, got some idea's.  Now I just gotta make them into plans!

Anyways, introducing TSR!   There's a story behind the paint scheme...its based on Jimmy Spencer's (a retired NASCAR driver) Smokin Joe car...I don't get why that makes it so cool, guess itsa guy thing lol!  I DO think they look pretty flashy though!

Driven by:

#32 - Sean Moskal

 and #23 - Brad Robertson

Brad had the whole family along...I have yet to meet a racer who didn't like a photo of a little person in his/her car.  I imagine your own kid would be extra fun!

SOOO funny, I'm convinced this is what drivers would LIKE to do when things don't go as planned....

Team Shot:  Car owners, drivers, kids and dog included lol!

Oh ya...I said Brad brought the whole family right?  In my opinion, the racing world could use more pink!

Dancing in Corner 2

Well...this Southern Alberta weather has really not been cooperating with my racing addiction.  Its JUNE...and I just finally got to watch my first modified race of the year!  I'm sure I had a huge grin on my face the first time someone fired their engine near me.  And again when I felt the vibrations from the cars as they headed out for their main event.  Normally I sit in the pit stands for the mains...Saturday I watched the race from corner 2...it was a good idea lol...

Anyways, we all knew the track was 'under water' from all the rain...but driving out and seeing it for real was a little jaw dropping.  

The track...well, the infield has been dubbed on the racing forum as "Lake Hadnagy".

These little guys are enjoying the water though!  It is a funny coincidence they hatched on race day!   

Just like the trucks, lots of the mods had make-overs in the off season...

John Barber was one of the drivers I watched race in Vegas last November.  And now I've done it...played favorites...he gets 2 pics...betcha I hear about it my 'gun-shy to comment' reader too!

Ok I lied...he gets three...but this one has a rainbow!  LOL!

I always mean to get more pictures, but then I get busy or I get side-tracked and before I know it the light is gone!  These are a few of my funner (but sometimes still a little fuzzy...sigh) 'random' shots...

P.S.  I didn't forget!  I've got plans for Lime Green's Big Reveal ;)

Season Opener

Man was it ever a freakin LONG winter...seriously, going to Vegas to watch 3 days of awesome modified racing spoiled me...and to go from that high to NOTHING...lets just say there were days I didn't even want to be around myself lol!

We were supposed to have 'Practise Day" the beginning of the month...I was super excited about it...and then it rained.  And there was so much water, the first race of the year was cancelled.  Bummer.  Things finally dried up enough for us to have our first race of the season last weekend!  The pits and infield were still pretty wet, in fact James was pumping water out of the center to water the track.

I headed out a little earlier in the day than usual, spent a little time running errands for Kathy, and then a little time chatting with James.  He had something fun to show me...this is where they normally pump water for the track from.

Its been so wet and the dugout is so full, the water truck has some company!  Some Canadian geese decided to lay their eggs on the dock...silly birds!  James is such a nice guy he's come up with a plan so that they won't disturb the little guys when they have to start pumping from the dugout...no worries!

Speaking of 'wildlife'...my 'wild dog' spent most of her morning hiding on the floor of the truck...chicken!

On Saturday the trucks, hobby stocks and hornets raced, lots of the drivers gave their wheels new paint jobs over the winter.  They looked great!

These guys make me giggle...they have attitude even in the line-up.

I have only watched the hobby stocks race a few times, they are mostly guys from the Calgary area and we had them down a few times (that I remember...eek) last summer.  I also got to work with them in High River when I played up there in August.  They are a fun group of guys and a pleasure to work with...well actually, all the classes were awesome on Saturday...no complaints from me at all!

Why hello there my lil shadow!  What are YOU doing in the photo lol!

That's better lol...

As far as I'm concerned, it was a fantastic opening night!  Great people, great racing...it was a fantastic warm-up for this weekend!  Two day show at BCR...Sprints & Modifieds...its going to be F.U.N.