The drive up this year was much less eventful that last year. I came up from Texas, through Oklahoma and Kansas, stopping in Wichita to visit a friend who was recetly injured in an ATV accident...and to borrow his GoPro. So, looks like we'll have three cameras on the car next week.
Made good time and only had to get through one major thunderstorm and one flat trailer tire. Much better than last year, where we had to fix two flats on the side of the road and replace all four trailer tires in Wichita Falls. This one, I noticed it was pretty low after hitting some rough road in Oklahoma, and we were able to have a shop in Wichita change it out. No problem!
Rolled into Castle Rock, CO a little after 11 last night. Crashed in the cab of the truck with the windows down a bit so I could enjoy the cool, dry Colorado air. Good sleep.
Got up this morning and met one of our sponsors, Steve Bennett, from Bennett Bail Bonds, at Steeles Tire. Steve had the Kumho's they bought for us and Steele's got them all mounted and balanced and put on the car.
Next we met up with another local sponsor, Imagewraps, and unloaded the car at his shop there in town. Shane, the owner, is also letting us borrow some space in his warehouse next week so we don't have to drag three sets of tires, my welder, and all my other junk up to the hotel room every night. I'm sure the management will be happy about that. I know I'm happy. Those 2:30AM wakeups for practice come early enough without having to make six trips to load the truck!
I'm staying with my Brother and his familey here in Greeley for the next couple nights, then Saturday I move into the Hotel in the Springs. It's good to have a visit with family to break up the stress of getting all the last minute stuff done.
Tomorrow I'm back in Castle Rock at Imagewraps. Shane and I will be going over the new design for the hood and roof, and the changes we're making to the bumper, sides and Deck lid. We'll get the car prepped for the new wrap, and by late tomorrow afternoon he'll be printing the new stuff and letting it gas out before laminating. Saturday and Sunday we wrap!
Might be doing some dirt road testing Monday...I think I know a smooth-ish road where the local po-po won't give me much trouble.
Tuesday starts the most exhaustive, rewarding, exciting week of the year. Here's a rundown of the week's schedule for those of you who care!
Tuesday, June 22 (Technical Inspection)
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Competitor Registration
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Technical Inspection
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Press Room Open
5:00 p.m. – Riders / Drivers Meeting
Wednesday, June 23 (Practice Day 1)
3:30 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Upper Section
3:45 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Middle Section (WE ARE HERE!)
4:00 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Lower Section
5:00 a.m. – Start line closes to uphill traffic
5:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Practice (Pikes Peak Highway)
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Press Room / Registration Open
Thursday, June 24 (Practice Day 2)
3:30 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Upper Section (WE ARE HERE!)
3:45 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Middle Section
4:00 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Lower Section
5:00 a.m. – Start line closes to uphill traffic
5:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Practice (Pikes Peak Highway)
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Press Room / Registration Open
Friday, June 25 (Practice Day 3)
3:30 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Upper Section
3:45 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Middle Section
4:00 a.m. – Toll Gate open to Officials and Competitors in the Lower Section (WE ARE HERE!) Also, this is our Qualifying day!!
5:00 a.m. – Start line closes to uphill traffic
5:30 a.m. – 8:30am Practice (Pikes Peak Highway)
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Press Room / Registration Open
Fan Fest – 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 26 (Off Day)
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Press Room / Registration Open
12:00 p.m. – Pikes Peak Highway opens for Overnight Camping
6:00 p.m. - Road Closes to Overnight Camping
Sunday, June 27 (Race Day)
3:00 a.m. – Toll Gate opens for officials and Competitors only
4:00 a.m. – Toll Gate opens
7:45 a.m. – Uphill traffic stopped at Crystal Reservoir
7:45 a.m. - Uphill traffic stopped at Glen Cove
8:00 a.m. – Uphill traffic stopped at Start Line
8:00 a.m. – Uphill traffic stopped at Ski Area
8:15 a.m. – Uphill traffic stopped at Halfway Picnic
9:00 a.m. – Race Begins
RACE DAY RUNNING ORDER
PACE CAR
VINTAGE CARS
EXHIBITION CAR/TRUCK
PIKES PEAK OPEN
RALLY AMERICA
TIME ATTACK - This is us. I'm guessing we'll go off around 11 to 11:30AM
2 – WHEEL DIRVE
4 – WHEEL DRIVE
SUPER STOCK CAR
OPEN WHEEL
UNLIMITED
EXHIBITION POWERSPORTS
SIDE CAR
VINTAGE MOTORCYCLES
450 QUAD
250 MOTORCYCLE
450 MOTORCYCLE
500 QUAD
450 SUPERMOTO
750 MOTORCYCLE
1200 MOTORCYCLE
EXHIBITION BIG RIG TRUCK
That's it! More to follow tomorrow
Ken
