Bristol

[Richard and Rhonda]

Rhonda and I suddenly find the nest is empty whilst the younger son visits the elder back in Texas for spring break. One phone call on a lark finds RV parking and tickets for the Bristol demolition derby this weekend. We are not NASCAR nuts but we do follow it a little, and since I grew up in midst of Petty and Pearson racing on dirt, I thought we might sample a little of the modern era.

Plus as some of you know, it will be the first long voyage since the engine repair adventure. Time to blow off the winter dust.

Wish us luck, and we'll cheer for your favorite driver.

I'll let you know how the trip goes.

[rheavn]

Richard,
I am impressed! Never guessed you were a NASCAR guy. I went to my first race when I was 4. You'll have a great time at Bristol--wish I could join you. Can I talk you into joining us at Talladega in April?
Good luck with the maiden voyage. Knowing you, it will be fine. I am still quite impressed that you took on that repair job.

[smagown]

Richard:
Sounds like fun. Keep us posted. Come on down to Alabama!
Steve: I'll also be at 'Dega, camping in Winner's Walk l on California Blvd, Lot 14 (It's behind turn one and the Talladega grandstand on the big drainage ditch.

[Richard and Rhonda]

I'll have to practice before I can run with you big dogs at 'dega. I've heard you can see a whole lot of things you wish you hadn't seen at 'dega.

[rheavn]

It's amazing how old rumors don't die. The only thing you'll see at Dega is the most amazing & closest racing you'll see anywhere!

[HoosierDaddy]

Sounds like a great idea Richard. We took out T-trailer and parked it up on the drag-strip (Thunder Valley) that adjoins the circle track in the late 90's (That was before we bought our first Newell). We got in around 2:00 am so we walked down to the track, jumped one small fence and laid down on our back on those high-banked corners.
Great memory!!

[Richard and Rhonda]

Bristol was fun, and completely different than what I expected. First, the last NASCAR race I attended was in 1975, so a lot has changed since then. I was prepared for the drinking and behavior that goes with it, both in the stands and in the campgrounds. Frankly, the obnoxious behavior just wasn't there. It was almost genteel. The second thing I was unprepared for, and perhaps this explains the first observation, was the total acreage of RV''s. There was a lot of money camped there. The campground we were in, at the end of the dragstrip, was very quiet.

It wasn't nearly as rowdy as a typical college football game. I am not disappointed, just surprised.

The racing is hard to keep up with at Bristol, harder than the longer tracks I had attended before.

The coach ran fine after the great engine debacle. We drove about 600 miles total in some pretty hilly terrain, so the engine saw a handful of long grades with the boost pegged, and also the downhill side with the jakes blasting. I think if it were going to have infant mortality, then one of those conditions would have provoked it. The outside is dry and tight, and the oil and coolant levels stayed just where they belonged. We had pulled the toad just in case, but we didn't use it at all during the trip. I did however generate a pretty good list of to do projects that accumulated since last summer. More on those later.

[chockwald]

That's great news Richard. The first trip after a major repair on any vehicle always has me on edge.

[rheavn]

Glad, but not surprised to hear your maiden voyage went well. We also took our maiden voyage for this year & everything worked great!
Sounds to me Richard that you are ready to "run with the big dogs". I see Dega in your future.................

[rheavn]

Richard,
Just wanted to update you on a great time at Dega. Met with Steve Magown and had a great time talking "Newells". Also not sure what you were referring to when you remarked there might be things you might not want to see. To put your mind at ease I took a picture of a couple of young professionals who were offering women medical services. You missed a great time!

[Richard and Rhonda]

Steve,

Thanks for the update, it was a great finish.

Glad that it was a professional crowd.

R

[smagown]

Steve:
You were right about the close racing. The finish was the closest they have had since they instituted the photo finish.
Enjoyed meeting you and Suzy.