Well, here is my first attempt to provide insight into the other life of a Pro Stock Motorcycle racer. I am quite sure it will not be the typical daily activities of many racers; however, it will be dynamic and real. So, during the upcoming weeks, I hope to articulate the normal, and not so normal, daily activities, including the thoughts and perceptions of some of the unforgettable moments throughout my day. I hope the excerpts of my life provide interesting reading and understanding into just what my days are like.
I will back up to closing out the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals, the event that I consider a home race, based on the many times we competed there. I was glad we had done well there this year.
The normal for my husband, Gary, and I would be to go home, unpack, and for Gary to head up to Reno, Nev., for Hot August Nights. This is the largest-attended event in Nevada; 800,000 visitors converge on Reno with hot rods, show cars, old cars, extreme cars, you name it. Gary would spend the week there and I would join him on the weekend. This year was different. My mother and I caught a plane back East to attend my niece’s wedding.
After arriving on the East Coast late Thursday night, it seemed all we did was eat, eat the entire time. Friday we did last-minute shopping for the wedding, and then went to the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner (more food). Saturday there was a brunch for the family followed by hair and make-up appointments. The evening wedding was followed by more food. We were scheduled to return late Sunday afternoon for home but were delayed by storms in the Atlanta area, making our flight about two hours late. The ride home from the airport put us in the remaining cleanup of a major accident, and it further delayed our homecoming. I finally got to sleep around 2:30 a.m. and woke to my alarm at 7 to begin my workweek.
My ride to work from my home in Minden, Nev., is approximately 35 minutes of beautiful Sierra Nevada scenery. I usually spend the time on the phone to the East Coast offices. 7 a.m. is late for me to go through the Sierra Nevada pass; consequently, I was delayed by the repaving of the highway. When I leave by 6 a.m., I miss the construction.
The time I spend traveling home from work is usually my time. I turn off the cell phone and on the radio.
The week before a race, I use this evening travel time to think about the upcoming event. I go over what the track is like and make repeated perfect passes in my mind. That is probably what today’s drive will be -- the Brainerd race.
Well, that is all for now. I will post in a couple of days.