Road America Go-Kart GP

Another chilly and sometimes wet weekend at Road America was offset by the fun and excitement of the SVRA Go-Kart Grand Prix.

Starting grid positions were by luck of the draw and I was fortunate enough to draw #1. I didn't particularly relish the thought of 17 other drivers breathing down my neck into turn one so I traded off my position for #18...dead last. Taking into account my considerable bulk, I thought this would be the pertinent thing to do. As we sat on the start line, dark clouds moved in, the temperature dropped and I am sure I saw snow flurries. Oh for a set of snow tires.

The flag dropped and we were off. As everyone else swung wide for the proper line into turn one, I elected to go up the inside, brake hard and stay tight to the inside. Plan 'A' worked wonderfully until the exit of the turn. Five karts were sideways and all tangled up across the track. I sort of bumped my way through and came out in 7th into turn #2. Ahead...Technical Director, Jack Woehrle. Nothing like getting the chance to lay some good old timber on the boss. After 5 laps I finally closed in on Jack through the chicane. Entering the pit straight we were, nose to tail, bumper to bumper...the chance of a lifetime. Time for the old 'Pit maneuver" and a chance for 6th overall. Well, the best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go astray. The sudden Lack of forward momentum as I hit Jack spun my kart around and sent Jack careening across the fertile plains of Road America. Struggling for control, Jack managed to shorten the track on his off route excursion and in doing so set his fastest lap of his race. Me, I dropped down to 9th as Hugh and Scott whistled by the melee. I sort of lost enthusiasm for the chase as I was so far behind and settled into a moderate pace for the remainder. On the last lap, 20 feet from the finish line I was pipped by a young lady that appeared from nowhere. Damn, I wish go-karts had mirrors. All in all, us old farts did OK. Most of us ran within 2-3 seconds of the track record which was probably held by some 90 pound kid that spends all his free time there. The eventual winner came within a few 10ths of the record. Well done! Myself, I was just happy to survive and was quite happy with 10th overall, but 9th would have been better.


Bill Hurd at speed

The Secret is Out

I have been informed that it is OK to reveal what was to be kept a secret. Well, not really a secret but kept off the internet. Apparently it is OK for me to announce it here because nobody reads my Blog anyway.

We have lost a son but gained a wonderful daughter. Ian and Eileen were married at 10:00am on May 2nd during a small family civil ceremony. This was the wish of both Ian and Eileen. It was a very happy occassion for all concerned. The ceremony was followed by lunch at Jack Astors with some of Ian and Eileen's friends and a family dinner at a local eatery. The complete story in pictures at: http://public.fotki.com/colin1944/ian-and-eileens-wedding/

Sometime in 2009 there will be another ceremony in Ireland, more formal and including both families and friends from both sides of the pond.

I am pushing for late August so that Linda and I can continue on to the Goodwood Festival in the south of England in early September. Time allowing, we hope to also take a jaunt to Europe via the Chunnel. One thing I have to do before I depart this dear old earth is have a dash around the Nurburgring at speed:-) I understand the Nurburg Taxi Service in a BMW M3 is somewhat hair raising and well worth the money.

That is it! Linda and I are both very pleased and wish Eileen and Ian a long, happy and prosperous future. GOOD LUCK KIDS!

Today........

is the day of which we do not speak. Great things are happening today, at around 10:00am, things of which I am forbidden to discuss on the internet. Suffice to say that Linda and I are VERY happy with the event, and at sometime in the near future we will be able to tell all. I am not usually prone to wanting to spill secrets but this is the exception. Stay tuned, all will be revealed soon.