From my perspective the experience had been the hardest on me. For many the school seemed to present little challenge and with the last of the six sessions concluded most had successfully passed their first or second school. For those with a second school in their novice log the Sunday Regional race awaited. A fellow participant in the school was Augie Pabst III, the son of famous American race driver and brewery owner, Augie Pabst II. Contrasting my one man effort was the many mechanics and support people he had brought with him‚they even had one or two spare cars!! For Frank the long haul home via the Upper Peninsula of Michigan awaited where his reward was the ten days he would spend fixing up and repairing the Houghton house in a period between renters.
A humbling experience? Very much so. After all my efforts and what I had thought my best shot, I and the car were hardly prepared for the school. The car was severely under powered and the suspension and tires proved to be entirely inadequate. Tough to realize that you have prepared the slowest car and not by just a little bit, but a lot.
Took me nearly a year to digest what had happened at Blackhawk, but I came away with a resolve to try and improve the TR-6 and make it what I had set out to accomplish. I entered a second school the following year at Brainard, Minnesota. While there was an early morning frost, the conditions were much better. I still had a very slow car but I completed the school. I related my slowness equally by thirds to the engine, suspension, and my driving skills. After another completed school at Hearland Park, Topeka, Kansas, I competed in my first race. As there were few fellow competitors in my class (to be honest, no other), I won. My next trip was to Road America. The car did well but still proved to be very slow. I finally made it up the hill to the start/finish but in much less than a crowning of glory as there were only two racers in my class and I finished second.
As I struggled with the TR-6 for several more races I could feel driver improvement and the car was quicker with a new engine and better tires. But the TR-6 was not going to make my racing dreams happen. As fate would have it, in late September that year, I was hit by a Porsche on the main straight at Heartland Park sending me into the wall. The car was shattered‚23 inches longer and 17 inches narrower. I saved the trunk lid, the engine and transmission, and the differential but the rest went to the salvage yard. In all, a very humbling experience.
Needham St Pat's Party Info
Concerning what has become the Annual Flatwater St. Patrick's Day Party the following information applies. The party is on Saturday, March 17th, at 3728 Schuemann Dr, Bellevue, NE, beginning 6‚6:30 p.m. and ending in the wee hours as necessary. We're looking forward to a terrific evening of fun, food, friends, frivolity, socializing, music, and possibly even some car talk. Attendees may bring an appetizer, snack, or whatever food item they desire along with a libation of their choice. Also consider favorite music books and instrument, if possible (guitar, banjo, dulcimer, harmonica, etc.). We have extra beds, if needed, by anyone not wanting or unable to drive home.
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