Parts Peddler, DIRTCAR Banquet and EARTH QUAKE (November 2015)

12291266_10206417579456815_237506988601335942_oIt’s now been about six months since I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, where I’ve  been unable to return to work since the middle of June.  Since my spell in the Ottawa Civic Hospital in July,  it’s been a long recovery process , and I’m not there yet.

During the month of November, I’ve been back forth between the Ottawa General and my local Cornwall Hospital, meeting with the medics and undergoing more treatment, but overall , I’m pleased to say, that at last , I’m feeling a lot better, and getting closer to leading a normal life again. As I prepare this report , during the final week of November, I’ve just spent two more days having I.V.I.G transfusions.

By the time we got into November, auto racing’s premier division, the Formula One , Grand Prix Championship had already been decided , after Lewis Hamilton , clinched the title in Austin, Texas  on October 25, but there were still three more races go.

On November 1,  I watched on TV , Hamilton’s fellow Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, take the big race in Mexico.

The beginning of November for Dirt Racing fans means one thing, The World Finals at Charlotte, NC. (5/6/7 Nov).12185300_10206319319080367_4089879920782968642_o It’s been a few years since I’ve been able to make it down there, and with all that’s been happening  over the past few months, this year was also a ‘no go’.

Like last year, my good friend Jenay Morin, who along with her boyfriend Derek , run the Deke and Squeaks Bar and Grill, in Cornwall, had arranged to have the live feed showing on one of their big screens. We put the word around and all looked good for a great night of socializing, until Mother Nature intervened down in North Carolina. Wet weather postponed Saturday nights World Final’s to Sunday afternoon, so our planned night at Deke and Squeaks had to be scrubbed. Instead I followed the progress at home via social media. My main interest was in the Modified race and was delighted and shocked to hear that Tim Kerr, from Picton, Ontario , Canada was the surprise winner .

FLASHBACK to 2010 when I photographed Tim in the Charlotte pits
FLASHBACK to 2010 when I photographed Tim in the Charlotte pits

Tim has been a regular follower of the Big Block Modified Super Dirt Series for a number of years , and this was his first win. What a place to do it !  12232947_1095882200422563_5296495264825503345_o 11026290_1095882170422566_9048985825391059122_n

A big thanks to my photographer , buddy John Meloling for the Victory Lane Pics

On Sunday 15 November, I had another TV date, watching the Brazilian Grand Prix, the penultimate race on the Formula 1 Calendar. Once again it was a win for Mercedes , and Nico Rosberg.

The next events on my agenda, were the National Parts Peddler Show and the annual DIRTCAR Banquet, which are both conveniently held in Syracuse , New York on the same weekend. (Sat 21 Nov)

I look forward to these events each year, and with my health issues showing a definite  improvement I was eager to attend.  In previous years I have stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn , where the banquet is held, but on this occasion I decided against it, and to make it a one day road trip.

The Canadian Dollar at this time was only worth about 75 cents, compared to the U.S Dollar, so paying about $150 Cdn for a room,  was out of the question.  I figured I would l leave the banquet early and return home.

On Monday 16 Nov, I had some snow tires fitted to my Chevy HHR at Seaway GM in Cornwall, in readiness for the coming winter. So far, we’ve had no snow in my area , but I know it’s just a matter of time.

That meant, before my drive down to Syracuse at the weekend, I would need to drop back in for a wheel re-torque .

On Thursday 19 Nov, I took a drive across the city,  to my local  Cornwall Motor Speedway to check out the progress of the new extended grandstands.

Among the busy workers, I bumped into 358 Modified driver Chris Raabe who was helping out with the construction. The ground had been landscaped and some of the concrete base footings were in place.12249971_10206404919460323_1344192629493834833_n 12246794_10206404919020312_2106046091982549799_n 12250177_10206404918420297_8127451281429598889_n

First thing on Saturday ( 21 Nov) morning, I was at Seaway GM in Cornwall, for my re-torque, and by 9-30 am I was heading down Highway 401 in the direction of  the Ogdensburg border crossing.

On my way down Interstate 81,  I stopped off at Adams, NY for lunch where I met up with my racing friend, Dawn Kamff for a chat and a catch-up.

By 2-30 pm I was at the New York State Fairgounds, where the Parts Peddler Show was taking place.

DSC_0063 (Large)Although there seemed to be a lot less exhibits at the show this year, there were still plenty of friends present , to socialize with. I didn’t have to walk far before there was someone I knew , that required a stop for a chat. DSC_0007 (Large)Becky Hamel from California , was there tending to her 10,000 RPM  racing clutches booth , where I picked up my 2016 ‘girly’ calendar, and met up with my good friend Chanty Lesage and her pal , Brandy Lynn from Albany, Rob Yetman and other members of his Super Dirt Week winning team.DSC_0015 (Large)DSC_0008 (Large)Doug Young, from Cornwall was there too, tending the KIRKEY booth . DSC_0009 (Large)

DSC_0010 (Large)My good friend Stephane Lafrance was there with his Trick Race Parts booth.

It was also great to see Tim Kerr’s Charlotte winning car on display.DSC_0058 (Large)As always the main attraction on the Saturday of the show, is the live auction of race car chassis. DSC_0019The high light of the auction , as in previous years was for the Bicknell Racing Products car.DSC_0044 (Large)The lucky bidder was one of my local guys, Lee Gill from Lafargeville, NY , with a winning bid of about $ 20,850 , if I’m correct. I had a hard time understanding the auctioneers high speed banter, so maybe I got that wrong.DSC_0050 (Large)After the auction was over , I had  a final wander around the hall, before making my exit.

Without a room booked for the night, I had no where to wash and  change for the banquet, so a quick visit to the local truck stop was in order. After a cup of tea, and looking a bit more more respectable, I made the short trip down the road to the Holiday Inn.

I was there early enough to chat among friends and check out table # 23 where I was sitting and the presentation area.DSC_0083 (Large) DSC_0085 (Large)Before we sat down for the meal, cocktails were held in the adjacent room , where friends mingled and chatted. I linked up once again with the Rob Yetman team, that I’d been with earlier in the day at the Parts Peddler Show. DSC_0115 (Large) DSC_0110 (Large)I also met up with my good friends from Cornwall, Ron Morin and Raine , DSC_0098 (Large)Gage Morin and MeaghanDSC_0111 (Large)as well as Cornwall Motor Speedway promoter Claudette Lavergne. DSC_0094 (Large) (2)With cocktails over I got seated at my table , which consisted of the Dylan Evoy and Brad Rouse Sportsman teams,  As usual the meal of steak, was excellent.

When the presentations began, I joined my fellow specially invited photographers, Alex Bruce, Bill Moore, and Ken Dippell , back stage.

First up was , Claudette Lavergne from the Cornwall Motor Speedway , to pick up an award from World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter , for Promoters of the Year12291266_10206417579456815_237506988601335942_oThis was followed by the various other awards for the four DIRTCAR divisions and their respective champions.

It was a particularly good night for my local divers, where three of the titles came to my area of Canada.

Cornwall’s Dave ‘Bulldog’ Bissonnette, picked up the honors in the Pro Stock division.DSC_0155 (Large) DSC_0167 (Large)In the Sportsman division, Mathieu Dsjardins of Sorel, Quebec, picked up the championship for the second year running, with most of the remaining points contenders, coming from my area too.DSC_0181 (Large) DSC_0175 (Large)In the 358 Modified division , it was Steve Bernard of Granby, Quebec who took the honorsDSC_0201 (Large) DSC_0193 (Large)The SUPER DIRT SERIES Championship , for Big Block Modifieds went to Waterloo, New York’s Matt Sheppard.DSC_0227 (Large) DSC_0241 (Large)The presentations and picture taking were done by 11-00 pm, so I made my exit. Within minutes I was heading northbound on I81, in the direction of Canada. Thankfully there was no line at the border, and the customs guy , was polite and sensible, without the unnecessary  silly questions. A quick stop for a Tim Hortons coffee at the Mallorytown Service Area and I was back home in Cornwall at 2-00 am.

The last week of November was eventful, to say the least !

Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday  involved trips to the Cornwall Hospital , relating to the I.V.I.G treatment mentioned earlier.

After which , I spent the rest of the week relaxing at home. That was until about 12-15 am in the early hours of Saturday morning.

I was just about to go upstairs to bed when there was a very large bang and the whole of my house shook. I thought someone had driven a car or a truck into the side of my house, so quickly went to the front door and  shouted to some people out walking, “what the hell was that ? ” They said, they thought it was an earth quake. !

After going back in doors and checking out social media , I found out they were correct.

Reports were coming in fast from friends in my area confirming the fact.

We had a 3-3 magnitude Quake ! 

Eventually I got to bed, and as you’d expect , on Saturday, the big BANG was the talk of the town.

Saturday night (Nov 28)  I joined my buddy Ron Morin to watch the Cornwall River Kings V  3L Riviere Du Loup Hockey game at the Cornwall City Complex.       Cornwall lost .

I set my alarm clock for 7-15 am on Sunday morning (29 Nov) for my final TV date of the year for the Formula 1 Grand Prix season from the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Soon after getting settled in front of the TV, I got the disappointing news that none of the channels that my satellite TV provider offered, were covering the race.

So, it wasn’t until mid morning I found out the results.

Yet another win for Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes, with team mate Lewis Hamilton second.

As I sign off on this report, we still have no snow in Cornwall , Ontario, Lets keep it that way, for a few more weeks !

 

 

 

 

 

 

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