Sorry I was MIA on reporting today, and thanks to Coot for picking up the slack. Barely any signal at Piedmont, so I didn't even work with my phone much today except to watch the radar.
I had originally planned to go to Bradenton for the double-header, but was working til 11pm Thursday night, and my car had some issues last week, all leading me toward the conclusion that I'd be an idiot to make the long haul with a race in the backyard. Glad they got some halfway decent support in FL (and even more glad that Nowicki is keeping the Div. 2 guys at bay in my absence!)
Worked til 4pm on Friday, then made it to the track primarily to deliver decals for a number of customers... brought the car with me, thinkin' I could run the test n tune and maybe get it sorted out enough to be competitive. Didn't even get it off the trailer before the rain started.
I'm pretty optimistic about going racing any chance I get, but even I was thinkining, "I could be at home working right now" while we stood in the rain this morning, with the hourly % chance of precipitation scheduled to seesaw between 40% and 80% from hour to hour all day long. The radar was gloomy and the skies looked worse, but lo and behold, enough bench racing cures anything... the sun broke through and dried things up surprisingly quickly, and we got back to "work". Conditions are slow, nearing 3000' DA, with temps in the high 70's even when overcast, high humidity, and a barometer struggling to top the 29.00 mark on some gauges. It was certiainly a change from the CCRA race a couple of weeks ago, which had a similarly weak barometer, but 52 degrees and low humidity made up for it. Many were off around a tenth from that event. I made a slight chassis adjustment from my baseline, and Tim Sloan and Lee Truell pitched in to adjust the valves. A couple of good lights and good runs for the conditions leave us with a good setup for tomorrow. (I will say no more on here, because I know my first round opponent tomorrow is reading this... LOL! Hi CJ!)
Piedmont does drain exceptionally well. The facility was designed with numerous massive french drains and layers of stone under the grassy areas. It's still really wet over by the back tree line, but I haven't seen an issue with dragging mud to the lanes. The facility as a whole looks great as always. Although it's been a year or two since they did it, more than one person commented on the meticulously tiled bathrooms complete with pedestal sinks, and the powdercoated handrailing leading up the ramps. They've installed a new Winner's Circle sign at the rear of the main grandstand right beside the staging lanes, and there are several other examples of new signage and fresh paint. Glimer Hinshaw and Ron Senecal are simply doing a wonderful job with the facility. Always good to hear Big Mo Dee on the mic, too.
Prior to the big line of heavy storms passing through this evening, I believe all qualifying was completed, and Piedmont treated us to a tasty Racer Appreciation catered cookout with green beans, cheesy potato casserole, pork sammiches, and monstrous cookies that even Brandon Peterson has to tackle with two hands. Thanks once again to all involved! About halfway through chow-down, the wind started picking up, and the temp dropped in a hurry. A few creepy bright clouds mixed with a massive dark front. Chip Johnson caught a pic of it where it looked like the tornado warnings may have some merit, but thankfully no funnel formations came to fruition. We did receive a substantial downpour, but I believe the worst is behind us now.
Got a chance to meet a few new faces this evening, including Brian Seate, and a gentleman I'm guessing was his father? (I'm afraid I'm horrible with names until they've been drilled into my skull.) Always appreciate folks stopping by.
Engines fire at 12 Noon. BE THERE!