RICK @ the RACES (16/18 Nov 2012)
16 Nov Parts Peddler Show, Syracuse NY
This past weekend, I was once again heading down 181 to Syracuse NY. The annual Parts Peddler Show, was taking place at the New York State Fairgrounds from Friday 16 November until Sunday. This is the show where race drivers and race teams go to see what’s new from the various manufacturers. In the past I’ve gone there on the Saturday, but chose to go on Friday this year, when it was less busy. ( It’s easier to take pics with less people milling around). The other reason, for going on the Friday, was for the entertainment that was laid on that night.
I left my home in Cornwall, Ontario mid morning and crossed the border at Ogdensburg. After dining in the Chinese Buffet in town, I drove the rest of the journey down to Syracuse. I arrived just after 3-00 pm and was pleased to find a parking spot close to the exhibition hall. In previous years when I’ve gone on a Saturday it’s been a bit of an ordeal.
Of course I’m not a race car driver or team owner, so my main reason for being there is for the social occasion and to take pictures.
There were many friends in attendance, and the first person I bumped into was Brockville Ontario Speedway regular ‘Stock Car Steve’ Bilow . After chatting with him I made my way around the hall and spotted another Ontario driver, Chris Raabe who’s car was on display at the Genesis Shocks booth. I managed to get some of the shows ‘personality girls’ to pose beside the car.
I won’t try and mention all the drivers I chatted with, but just to name a few , there was Gary Tomkins, Matt Sheppard and Christine Martin. Although the show isn’t a big one, it’s easy to kill a few hours when there’s plenty of familiar faces to chat with.
I wandered around with John Meloling one of my Syracuse area photographer buddies.
www.rickattheraces.com web master Craig Revelle was there to promote his company Finish Line Web design and yet another Ontario driver Jessica Power had her car on his stand.
At 6-30 pm the entertainment I’d wanted to see began. They had a Johnny Cash tribute being performed by ‘look a like’ Terry Lee Goffee. He was good, and along with his backing group, looked the part and sounded just like the real thing.
I watched this for a while before making my exit and heading back up 181. After a late night supper in Watertowns ‘Tilted Kilt’ I was back in Cornwall at midnight.
Saturday and Sunday were lazy days for me, getting odds and ends done in the house, as well as watching a bit of TV. There were still two big racing events taking place in North America, and I was interested in the outcome from both.
At the Homestead Speedway in Miami, Florida it was the final race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the seasons champion would be decided between Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski.
Mechanical problems beset Johnson and a lowly placing by Keselowski was enough to clinch the title. After last weeks dramatics in the Phoenix race, Jeff Gordon was this weeks race winner.
On the same day as the Sprint Cup finale, the F1 Grand Prix drivers were taking part in their penultimate race of the season at the brand new circuit in Austin , Texas. I’m really pleased that the worlds highest level of auto racing’s , is back in the USA, and even more pleased that it was a British driver who won the historic first race. Congrats to Lewis Hamilton.
Meanwhile, back in the UK , this past Sunday, at the Standlake Arena in Oxforshire, a Brian Holmes Memorial Race Meeting for F2 stock cars took place. Brian who sadly passed away last month, was a long time friend of mine, and back in the 1970`s when I was racing BriSCA F2`s he and I traveled all over England together.
I wish I could have been there at Sundays event where his Grandsons Paul (42) and Wayne Quick were both competing.