It has been about a month since my last blog, so I thought it was time for an update! As you already know, the COVID-19 virus has altered everyone’s life in some way and the racing community is not immune to the impact. At the time of this posting, the NHRA is tentatively planning to resume their schedule in August, while the IHRA has their Sportsman Spectacular events on the schedule starting in June.
Local events have varied across each state with every track operator delicately determining how they fall under their governor’s executive order. I noticed most tracks local to me are starting to offer private/limited testing events or races with a small car count cap, if they are racing at all. I hope for everyone to be able to safely get back to racing soon, but I think things will be looking a little different for a while to come.
During this unscheduled break in the season, I decided to take on the project of having my “fireturd” repainted. The sun hasn’t been kind to the bird in 25 years, especially the clear coat, therefore it was time for an upgrade.
Someone should have warned me how much sweat, achy muscles, and inhaled paint dust goes into body work and sanding. All I’m saying is the next time you are around an automotive paint professional, you should tell them how much you appreciate their work and talent! Here are a few pictures during the process at Hicks Fabrication.
As always, I was blessed with excellent help from my Dad and Cody. Considering how most of the projects I start end up requiring their assistance, I honestly don’t know how they still put up with me. 🤷🏼♀️😂 Check out how fast I got them working in the video on the Facebook page.
While I was waiting on the bird to get back from the paint booth, we were invited to attend a private footbrake only event at a local dragstrip. It was a beautiful, sunny day and just being back at the racetrack was an amazing feeling!! I swear on the first pass I was grinning the entire eighth-mile. We spent the day talking with some of our racing friends (from a safe distance 😉), burning rubber, and enjoying concession stand bologna sandwiches.
The wagon ran fairly consistent and I was solid on the tree until a .005 red light ended my day. Cody made it to third round before he lost with a red light, but Dad didn’t have much luck. Usually we would be disappointed in not winning many rounds, but I think we were all just happy to be behind the wheel of a racecar again. 😂
I know the pandemic and resulting restrictions it has caused can be aggravating and/or scary, but I hope that it has made us realize some of the things we have taken for granted. Am I saying that I won’t get mad when I red light or mess up on the finish line? Definitely not, because I know losing is my least favorite feeling.
Although after the initial disgust, I hope I will be thankful that I had an opportunity to race instead of focusing so much on the negative. You can feel free to remind me of this if you see me sulking after a loss. 🙇🏼♀️😳
Now I know the moment you have all been waiting for is the “fireturd” to “prettybird” paint reveal! *Drum roll, please*
There is no more scaly and flaky clear coat!! The 38 hail dents (yes, thirty-eight) in the hood have been erased! The cracking front bumper and peeling deck lid look better than ever! Is it show car quality? Of course not, but I’m incredibly happy with how it turned out because it’s 100% better than it was before!! Let me know what you think??
