We haven't been racing much this year, but we are getting lots done on the house!

Look for us Aug 6 to be on Breakfast TV.

November brought the DRAM banquet.  I was ecstatic to have placed 10^th which actually paid.  I was quite happy that will all of my efforts, struggling with a broken throttle stop all season…. I finally brought something in!  J

In December DRAM had their annual meeting in which a new executive was elected.  Grant was voted in as president and myself as secretary.  We really enjoy being involved in the association and hope that it will be a great year.

There were rumors circulating about Super Pro as to whether it would be cancelled or not.  Recently Grant confirmed that Super Pro in fact will not be a class at Gimli Dragways this year.  The new concept for the track is a box / no box class.  The issue for us is the tree.  Super Pro ran a .400 tree while the box / no box category will be a .500 tree.  In addition, I run full electronics (box) while Grant runs no electronics (no box).  At the moment we are not entirely sure what our plans are for this race season.  Interstate Dragways in Fargo has planned to run a .400 tree class for this year.  It sounds as though a few of our fellow racers will be heading to Fargo to keep the .400 tree alive.  When we know where we will be, we'll let you know.

Early January, a group of about 16 of us (mostly) Super Pro racers went to the indoor go-kart racing and then out for supper.  It was so much fun!  I was quite impressed with how a bunch of ¼ mile drag racers could take those hairpin turns!  It was a great night with the best of company, a lot of laughs shared. 

We are also planning to attend a few car shows this year.  Depending on schedules and races we will have to take a closer look at what will be available on our time off.  I know the LilyPad Show and Shine in Petersfield last year was a lot of fun and would love to get both cars out this year.  Also, I hope that we can get to Altona Races.  Once MAAC gets the schedule out we can decide and let you know where to find us.

That's all for now.

Laurie 5433

Grant raced JoJo in the Gambler’s Race on Saturday and ran his best time yet of 8.27.  He jumped the gun a bit in the second round.  (I think this set the stage for the rest of the weekend.)

Sunday was the final points race.  I qualified third with reaction of .4200.  On my third time trial I managed to run my best time of the year… an 8.15 at 163mph.  Unfortunately I was out first round with a red-light.

Our friend Al Roy challenged me to a grudge match, which I thought would be fun for the last race of the season.  It would have been fun if it wasn’t 7 degrees out with a chilling wind…. AND if I hadn’t caught the red again.  I am looking forward to a 2010 Grudge match on a .400 tree and in warmer weather.

Grant and I would like to thank everyone who helped us out this year and especially to everyone who allowed us to participate in the many car shows we attended and always have so much fun being in.

Now to a seven month hibernation….

Saturday turned out to be better in more ways than one.  During qualifying my best light was a .408 which placed me third in the ladder and up against Jill Patterson in first round.  Again I cut a .408 light which gave me a bit on an advantage but not quite enough to take the round.

We had also decided that Grant is planning to run the Quick 16 during the September long weekend therefore needed to license to 8’s to run JoJo in this race.  Grant successfully licensed and ran an 8.30 and 8.28 both at just over 160 mph and took the jokes about being in a pink car very well.  With times like these he should easily qualify into the Quick 16.

Sunday turned out to be a very close repeat to Saturday.  My parents were out cheering JoJo and I.  My best light at .429 put me into 10 qualifying position and again paired me up against Jill for first round.  Unfortunately I was asleep at the light and I was out of the groove a bit which caused me to spin too much and ran a 9.35 on a dialed 9.10.   Now I know the truth about Jill.  She’s young, cute and so quiet… but watch out when she hits the track!  Good job Jill… both times!  J

Also, a huge congrats to Jeff Arpin who took first on Saturday and Sunday.  It was a good weekend for a little shake up of the points.  We will update the points as soon as they are updated on the DRAM site.

Next weekend should be a very interesting weekend.  The Mid West Wild Bunch will be up, the Quick 16 and there is also going to be a couple of Nitro and Pro bikes out.  Sunday and Monday are both point race days.  All we need is the weather to hold out for one more weekend.

Last night was the car show for the A&W - Cruzin’ for a Cause to End MS.  We were hoping to have had a few more vehicles out but those of us that were there definitely had a good time.  We’d like to thank Craig from A&W for allowing us to participate in an event for such a great charity.  Despite the cooler weather… ‘Poncho’ Vern kept us warm with all the laughs.  (Pictures will be up soon!)

This weekend is a two day race day.  My parents are coming up again so hopefully this time goes better than the last… and we actually make it to first round of eliminations.  JoJo is raring to go!

We would like to send out CONGRATS to Calvin and Kelly on their leap down the aisle this weekend.  And to Vinney and Patricia – welcome to the neighborhood!

Here’s to a fun and safe weekend…

Laurie

I am soooo excited about being in the parade.  HRM... I wonder if the Borla's are any good at throwing candy out?

Then on Thursday, August 27/09 JoJo will be participating with DRAM in the National A&W Cruzin' For a Cause to End MS at the A&W on Portage Ave (across from Polo Park).  The show n' shine begins at 5 pm and proceeds go the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

Unfortunately the Daytona is taking a bit longer to fix than we had anticipated so will not be out at either venue.  I'm really beginning to miss her…

Saturday was the Ron Phillip's B-B-Q and Gamblers Race.  Last year at this time I was racing the truck and Grant was behind the wheel of the Daytona... roles reversed a bit.  This year I had the Dragster and Grant was racing the truck, as the Daytona is still at the doctors.  It was the first time using my delay box which didn't really go so well. I've come to really love the Pro Tree (.400) versus the .500 tree.  The delay box is "supposed" to help you out and basically make is very similar to leaving on a Pro Tree… but it didn't.  I think I would have had better reaction times blindfolded without using the delay box.  Grant also red lighted (.496).  So the reaction times got the best of us.  There was a huge oil-down mixed with some rain so it ended up being a very late night.

Sunday was bright and sunny… a beautiful race day.  My reactions again weren't where they have been… for some reason I just couldn't get in the zone.  JoJo was running very consistent which made choosing a dial in time much easier.  Unfortunately first round my .44 reaction time was beat by my components .42…giving him the win by five-hundredths of a second…. doesn't get much closer than that.

Ron was out Sunday along with my aunt Marie and uncle Lynn.  They had never been to the track and were quite interested to see what all the hype was about.  It was a great day as the Mid West Wild Bunch were out as well as a few nostalgia funny cars.  It was a great show put on by this bunch.  We really enjoy having our family and friends out to see what the fuss is all about!

Monday racers were cancelled due to the rain…again.

We had planned to race in Altona this weekend but unfortunately we had to cancel with the Daytona still out of commission and sounds like it might be for awhile longer.  The damaged consists of 2 spun main bearings on #2 & #4.  These main caps have pinched by about .006" which is no good.  A new set of main caps are on order from World Products and will be fitted by Ken Murray.  The crankshaft has been cut .020" on the mains and the block will be line bored when the new caps come in.  Until the next (2 day) races Aug 28 and the 29….