Tornado Nationals!!

AWESOME weekend! Ron & I took the kids out to the AMA Tornado Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka to see some motorcycle racing (yea, I know, shocking!). Really cool to see friends of ours mix it up with the big boys (and girls, in the case of Melissa Paris). John Deuser, Matt Hall & Jamie Hall raced well. They may not have had the big rig set-ups, but they did have some of the biggest cheering sections out there. Ron will be with them on the grid next season. Can't wait!

LOVED that the big name riders were so accessible and friendly. My son got his new hat signed by Jordan Motorsports riders Geoff May and Aaron Yates, and I snagged pics with my faves, Ducati rider Larry Pegram and Danny Eslick, along with Martin Cardenas, Roger Hayden, and Aaron Yates. Pegram even graciously signed T's hat after he won Sunday's Superbike race.

And check this: when we met Pegram on Saturday morning, I mentioned I worked in radio. He asked which station so he could listen while driving to the airport on Monday. When we saw him on Sunday, right after his second big win of the weekend, I said "Wow! Now I've REALLY got something to talk about on Monday." His reply: "On 98.1, right?" With everything he had on his mind, how in the world did he recall that?? Very cool guy. And I LOVE that he calls his wife right after each race. Gotta love it!

Equally cool: we bumped into racing legend Scott "Mr. Daytona" Russell strolling thru the paddock. Ron and our friend Greg Williams (owner of Cafe Racer, Inc) were a bit starstruck. I'm not as familiar with his racing feats as they are, but his commentary on SPEED TV with Ralph Shaheen is great. Quite a coup for us all.

Pretty great weekend all around. How was yours?

I'm Like a Kid Waiting for Christmas Eve!

What is it about a grown-up vacation that makes you feel like a kid again? In a few short days, that will seem like a lifetime, we'll be leaving on a trip to ride motorcycles with great friends.

My husband has the bikes prepped and the trailer is good to go. We're both so excited about our road trip to Grattan Raceway next week that it's hard to sleep. We'll spend three days track-riding and hanging out with club friends. Nothing like great camaraderie and genuinely good people to renew your faith. 

And, as my track announcer friend Charles says, there's something very unique about the bond between people who participate in dangerous activities. 

The best part is that everyone is there to have a good time. No trophies, no racing, just a lot of fun and good sportsmanship. BONUS: I get to spend five days with my husband, doing something we both really enjoy. I'll miss they kids, but they'll be in good hands (and up their ears in craft projects) with grandma.

I promise to post many pictures (and hopefully some video). What are you doing this summer?

My New Track Bike!

A long time ago, on a race track far, far away, this 89/90 Yamaha FZR600 raced and made someone very happy. Then that someone became bored with it's charms, and shuttled it off to a new home. It made it to the track a couple more times, but work and duty called so mostly it sat alone in a dirty, dusty farm building. This past weekend we rescued it from it's hiding place under the tail end of a John Deere Gleaner in a barn in Kansas. Welcome to our motorcycle family, FZR!

With Ron's motorcycle expertise and patience, spare change for parts, and my unflagging encouragement ("Is it fixed yet? What's that part for? When can I ride it? What cha doin' now? Can I sit on it? When can we paint it?"), it will soon join us at track days in and around the midwest. This is my track bike. Yea!

(This project made possible by my husband's inability to shrink from a motorcycle challenge. Thanks, honey!!)

My 1st Motorcycle Track Day

My girl Lauren and me getting ready to tackle the track. Lauren's a great rider and fast! Me, slow and steady wins the race, right?

Me on the grid, engine racing and ready to go. My heart was pounding, but it was so cold I hardly noticed. Nothing hotter than wearing a head-to-toe leather suit and boots.

Learning the track and how to look thru the turn (and not at the ground).

Here's Ron assessing the damage after I crashed his bike because I wasn't looking in turn 10. (Thank goodness he's a patient and loving man) On the plus side, the bike was only scuffed, and I was only bruised. But I may keep the grass that was stuck in my helmet as a souvenir.

The Winner's Circle! Aaron, Lauren, me and Ron taking a bow after a great weekend at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. The crew there is great and the track is a lot of fun. Can't wait until the next time! (I promise not to crash again, OK, honey?)

My Guy Rocks

You know, one of the best parts about being married is seeing your other half do what they love. My Guy Ron races motorcycles and he's really good at it. Yes, it's expensive, and yes, it's dangerous (as my mother keeps reminding me), but he loves it and I love that he loves it. Plus, watching him race is really exciting! The race bike, the leathers, the boots, gloves, helmet...something about all the gear is just kind of, well, manly. The training it involves is fairly time-consuming, but he works hard at it. (I've even polished my pit crew skills a bit.) This past weekend in Omaha he clinched the top spot in one division, and snagged second in two others. He's pretty stoked and I'm so proud!! It's so cool to know he's getting to do what he loves to do, and I get to be there, too. :) Married life is good.