We really don't understand, until we are much older, how people, events, a lifestyle, influence our future. My Dad has always been an auto mechanic, engine builder and drag racer. From a very young age I've been following in his footsteps at the drag strip and at his shops. Dad can be rather old-fashioned, even chauvinistic at times, so my knowledge of auto mechanics is limited, he didn't spend much time teaching me those things. Instead, I was always tasked with the "girl" duties of bookkeeping and tending to office matters. By the time I was in junior high I was doing much of the business' bookkeeping functions, turning over the books at the end of the month to the accountants' office. Is it any wonder that I became a CPA?
I love drag racing and rarely missed a race. We have traveled all over the country, our family vacations were spent at drag strips. Eventually, I was able to get my own race car, following in the family tradition. My son now drives, the third generation in our family to do so.
For the last almost-twenty years I have spent my Fridays at Dad's shop, doing his accounting work, ordering parts, cleaning cars, loading trailers, whatever it took to keep the race operation running smoothly. As he has aged and slowed down, so, too, has the business. My all-day Fridays became an hour or so after my 5:30 a.m. Pilates class. I loved my mornings at the shop, it was quiet and the smell of grease and oil are like the smells of comfort food to me.
Dad is now 84 and we recently sold the shop building. His last race car was sold a few months ago. Today I cleaned out the office, packing things away for storage and shredding. Dad's lifelong career is winding down. My days of working in the shop are over. I'm finding the whole experience to be bittersweet. The sale of the property has more than insured my parents' financial future but an era has ended for my family.
I grew up going to the drag races with my Dad. I went to the races pregnant with my son. Drag racing is in his blood. Last year I retired from the driving seat and turned my race car over to him. When we found out he is having a son I knew the baby shower I hosted would have a drag racing theme! I kept it colorful, incorporating all the colors of a drag racing Christmas tree (yellow, green and red), as well as traditional boy blue. I added some feminine touches with flowers so that it wasn't all car-related. I hung race banners on the fences, giving the party a somewhat racetrack-like feel.
A highlight, for me, was a display of my son's old cars and toys. My Hubbers and I have saved many of our children's special toys and memorabilia. I did a presentation where I gave my son his baby book, first Christmas outfit, quilt, stitched birth sampler and his toys. It got pretty emotional!
A local woman made the cake, incorporating car tools and the drag racing Christmas tree into it. It was awesome! My Hubby made the cake stand out of a tire jack stand.
The table centerpieces were small floral arrangements that I placed in Wix oil filter boxes. I sprinkled the table with tools and spark plugs. At each place setting was a baby buggy sugar cookie and a "wishes for Jacob" card to fill out. I made various banners in the shape of trophies.
We had a wonderful day with family and friends. The parents-to-be got many needed baby items.
Two more months and we get to meet our little Jakey!
My Dad has been a drag racer and engine builder since the early-60's. His specialty is the 426 Hemi motor. In 1968 Chrysler Corporation produced the Hemi Barracudas and Darts. The cars have never dropped in popularity and the Hemi Super Stock class is still the most coveted one in drag racing.
The most prestigious race of the year is held in Indianapolis, over Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Nationals. At this race the Mopar Hemi Challenge is contested. For the Hemi racers that is the race to attend. In 2004, with the quickest car in the nation, we found ourselves unable to get an entry to the race due to points (you must attend a certain number of events to earn points). To have THE car sit at home while THE race was being contested didn't sit well with us. At other races we attended we noticed that Pro Stock driver, Jeg Coughlin, was usually watching the Hemi's run. We approached him about driving our car for that event. As a former world champion the points rules are not applicable. He agreed, went on to be #1 qualifier and won the event. It was a HUGE win for our team.
Jeg & I have stayed in touch over the years. This past weekend the NHRA circuit raced in Sonoma (he is the reigning 2013 Pro Stock World Champion). He was staying over to play golf and sightsee so we made arrangements to have him and his PR guy, Woody, over for lunch. Over a meal of grilled tri tip, tortellini salad, Caprese salad, baked beans and fresh melon we all caught up with each other and, of course, talked racing. For dessert I made a peach-raspberry crisp and homemade ice cream. The guys had to catch an afternoon plane to Seattle, and the next race on the tour, but I sent them away with full stomachs!
At 83 my Dad is retired from active engine building now, just does some small repair jobs to keep himself busy. It was nice to see him smile while reminiscing about a great racing weekend.
My family drag races. Since I was a baby I've been following in my Dad's footsteps at the track. I drove my own car for 20 years before turning it over to my son last year. I still attend the races but my duties now are those of crew chief and cook.
In the "old" days we would be at the track all day, living out of the tow rig, usually a pickup truck. At night we would go out to eat and stay at a hotel. In the last 30 years or so RV's have become a popular tow vehicle. They get the race car there and also provide a home at the track. My parents have had various motor homes over the years, we bought ours 10 years ago. Having an RV at the track makes for a more enjoyable race experience. No more hotel rooms, fighting morning traffic to the track, waiting in line at restaurants. We have an awning to protect us from sun & rain. There is a lot of down time in drag racing. With the RV we can nap, watch a movie, play cards. I get a lot of stitching done during race trips.
Though my RV kitchen is small, there is nothing I can't do in here. I have a 2-burner stove and a combination convection/microwave oven. I can easily stock a week's worth of food in the refrigerator and freezer.
Counter space is limited which is the hardest thing for me to deal with. I'm used to a lot of counter space and my 8 foot island at home! We do have a small dining table that can be used for food prep. On race weekends the table usually becomes drag race central so I lose the ability to utilize this space for food preparation. (There is a lot of record keeping with drag racing, tracking the weather and track conditions, what opponents are running. The data collected becomes very important on race day).
During our most recent race weekend I made homemade ice cream, potato salad, spaghetti. We grilled burgers. For breakfasts we had eggs, bacon, ebelskivers, biscuits and sausage gravy. The refrigerator held fresh melon, yogurt, fruit, items for sandwiches, cold water and, yes, some beer for after-racing relaxation. We had well-balanced meals at the same cost as eating at home. We usually share our meals with some of our fellow racers so it's always a fun time with all the bantering going back and forth!
The only problem with cooking and eating at the track is this, the after-dinner mess and no dishwasher!
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