1-27-2007

What a weekend, I arrived at Thunderhill Raceway Park about 5:30 Saturday afternoon to show my friend what it is like. It was a very quite afternoon with no racing at all, the only action was a retirement party in the main building.

My friend and I walked along the track and were headed to the bleachers when “Ray” an employee asked if he could help us. I remarked that we just wanted to see the track. Ray responded with, would you like to follow me and drive around the track. Well, encourage me not, I was running for the car. Ray drove the LINE the racers take during a race and my friend followed in a 2005 XC70 Volvo. It was a real treat and a lot of fun.

I returned to the track on Sunday to see if anything was going on and discovered it was a open day for who ever wanted to race A, B, or C class. Most of the cars were Porsche, or Mazda with a Lotus or two. The track was closed so the maintenance crew could clean up the track where a 2006 Dodge Viper had hit the wall at speed and then flipped over. The driver was rushed to the hospital and pronounced OK. The car was ruined and about 4 feet shorter.

The track was re-opened and the racing was on. A gentleman from San Francisco (Larart) asked me if I would like to ride during the race. Again I was elated and announced yes. Larart found me a helmet and cleared me with the officials. We jumped in his silver Porsche and buckled up. What a thrill, speeds were between 80 and 100+ most of the ride. Larart was a class A driver so we ran that track like a bullet on a mission. The car screeched tires on some of the turns but it never broke traction. What a ride.

I did not get much done project wise but the thrill of the run was worth it.

Paul Pouliot