RICK at the RACES January 2016 REPORT
Another year begins, and I wonder what’s in store for the next twelve months.
2015 turned out to be a difficult one for me, after being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in May. It was something that has affected my life a great deal, but I’m determined to fight it, and get back to some kind of normality.
I’m still unable to work, but happy to report, I’ve been able to continue with my hobby of racing photography, albeit in a much diluted way.
I was lucky to be able to say farewell to 2015 with a Christmas and New Year visit to Austin , Texas , for some quality time with my daughter Carla , her husband Alex and my grandson Benji.
My new year began at their place, relaxing before our New Years Day drive to Austin’s Bergstrom Airport after lunch.
Following the usual flight delay , that I always seem to get at US airports, I eventually took off for Toronto’s Pearson Airport.
From Pearson , I got the connecting flight back to Ottawa, where my buddy Don Simpson, was waiting to pick me up. By now it was past 1-30 am, so instead of heading straight back home to Cornwall, Don and his wife Lise, had offered to put me up for the night, at their place in nearby Russell, where my HHR had been parked.
While I’d been away in Texas, Eastern Ontario had been dealt it’s first big snow storm of the winter, and this was obvious by the snow in their yard.
After a hearty breakfast, of French Toast and bacon, I was on my way home to Cornwall, On.
Lucky for me, my good friend, and local racer, Dave ‘the Bulldog’ Bissonnette, had been along in his truck and plowed my driveway, ready for my return. THANKS DAVE
The early weeks of January were taken up with various hospital visits in Ottawa and Cornwall, meeting up with the specialist docs, dealing with my condition.
As for the racing scene, most of the people I know, were following the ‘Chilli Bowl’ , the indoor Midget Racing spectacular that takes place in Tulsa, OK (9to16 Jan) . I had a lot of friends in attendance too.
My ‘on line’ interest in the event, was with the fortunes of British BriSCA F1 driver Tom Harris and my local New York Modified drivers, Tim McCreadie and Larry Wight.
Thanks to my buddy, UK racing photographer, Colin Casserley for the updates and these pictures of Larry doing a flip.
Once again the big winner at the ‘Chilli Bowl’ was Rico Abreu, with McCreadie coming home sixth.
The following weekend (22/23/24 Jan), many of my friends were down in Philadephia PA. for the Motorsports Racecar and Tradeshow.
The Area Auto Racing News stand featured a tribute to SUPER DIRT WEEK at Syracuse , and my buddy Rob Yetman, the three times Pro Stock winner had his car on show ( complete with it’s RICK AT THE RACES sticker)
Thanks to my photographer friends Alex and Helen Bruce for sending me the picture.
As the final weekend in January arrived, (Sat 30 Jan) , I managed to get out of my house for a few hours , and make a trip with Don to the Ice Racing at the Kahnawake Marina, in the nearby Montreal area.
It was good to see a few of my racing friends, getting their winter fix of action.
The mild temperatures , made it more comfortable than my previous visits, and was helped by the new portable control tower, which I was much grateful to be allowed to use.
I watched it being dragged into place, on a face book posting, prior to the weekend.
https://www.facebook.com/derek.white.315/videos/1294614200565285/
As February approaches, I have no idea of what`s ahead for me as I move forward in the hands of the medics.