Double Break Out!

Friday I said I was excited to head up to Grand Bend for Windsor Weekend and claimed that it was going to be a great weekend. That would be an understatement. The weekend was a blast, an emotional roller coaster and thrilling adventure all in one. Friday ended up being a beautiful evening for test and tune (I didn't run, but the weather was good and there was lots of commotion on the track). The pit party that night was also nice, with a live band and lots of familiar faces.

A Saturday morning wake up call of the rumble of racing engines is definitely one I could get used to. The low rumble practically shaking you awake is an amazing feeling. Saturday started off great. After running my two time trial races, it was time to decide a dial in.

The math behind my decision wasn't taken lightly as I tried to decide just how fast the truck was going to go and how well it was going to run.

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With my dial in decided (at 17.08), I was able to relax for a little while before my next race. With my Dad's parents and Aunt and Uncle there to watch, it was a family affair, and if I won the race, than my brother and his friends would be there to watch as well. Running 0.286 seconds off of my dial in, I lost the race by 0.019 seconds, my Oma getting a picture at what they believed was the finish line, with me in the lead, and having the other car pull past at the very last moment. Luckily, because the racing had been going well, they allowed buy backs. I was able to buy back in and race again a little later. With everyone there to watch, and ending up on the other side of the track, I was able to race again, loosing by 0.082 seconds. After that I was able to relax and enjoy the night of racing.

Earlier that day and that night they had a Top Fuel Dragster, Nitro Mike with his wheel-stander, and a Jet engine powered funny car. That night, as the jet car went past, they set off a beautiful fireworks display.

The next day there was another 7:30 wake up call of rumbling engines, and with another day of racing ahead, I couldn't wait for it to begin. Sunday is always a single time trial day, so as soon as they called that I was on standby, I started up the truck and went for a drive to try and get it nice and warmed up for the morning run. I obviously didn't get it quite warm enough with another slow time. Then came the debate of what I should dial in again. After much debate and deliberation, we decided on a 17.35, one of the faster times I ran on Saturday. Making sure the truck was even warmer before my first elimination run of the day, I got all set in the staging lanes. Set up next to the only sled in my division, I was ready for a good race. Knowing I got a quicker light as I was the slower vehicle, I was quick off the starting line. Although keeping the majority of my focus on the road ahead, and getting to the line first, there was a slight curiosity about where the sled to my right was. All of a sudden, the line came past, as did the sled. Seeing her slam her fist down slightly, my head was reeling as to whether it was good or bad and what that means for me. Letting her go ahead to get her time slip, she gives me a thumbs up as she walks back, having to wait for her tow vehicle to get back to her pit spot. I waved back and pulled up to get my slip. Grabbing it from the guy through my window, I continue down towards my pit spot, one eye on the path in front of me, one eye trying to find the winner on the time slip. If any of you have ever seen a time slip after an elimination run, you'll understand the feeling the little tiny WIN>> or <<WIN can give a racer, depending on which way it's facing, and which lane you raced in. When I saw the arrows pointing to the right, I had to let out a breath. I didn't make it on. Once I was actually able to stop the truck, and not worry about the people all around, I got to actually look at the time slip. It turns out, I won the race! The way bracket racing works you have to run as close to your dial in time, without going over. I ran 17.008 seconds, 0.35 seconds under my dial in. If one person breaks out, the other wins automatically. The thing is, it was a double break out! The sled went faster than her dial in as well, she just was closer to her time, causing her to win the race. Although slightly disappointed that I didn't get to continue to race, I couldn't have been happier with the way the truck ran on that last run, and overall it was a great weekend.

I had an amazing weekend, and I hope to be able to do it again sometime soon. Thank you to everyone who participated in it, making it just that much better.

Thank you to both my Dad and Uncle Jerry for the photos as I was too busy to take any myself.