Busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kickin contest

Where in the hell does the time go? Jon and I had so many plans to do what we love the most after last years La Carrera Panamericana... race cars. Nothing new. After all it's what we have done for years. The truth is, a break from racing is relaxing and rewarding especially when we get to spend quality time with our loved ones. (Even if it is only once every 10 years or so.) Jon and his wife have their daughter and My wife and I are having the adventure of a lifetime spending time with our two year old grandson Tyler. Like Jon says, "Sometimes you're the bug... Sometimes you're the windshield."

It seems like every time I have thoughts for a race Jon has something pressing at work and on the flip side of that same coin when he thinks of something good I am busy with something pressing at work. God knows it's good to be busy but dieing from work related stress is not my idea of a great way to check out.

Jon and I have been signed up since the beginning of the year to run the seasons endurance series but family and work have seen to it that was just a whim. Not long ago I was invited to compete in the very prestigious Monterey Historics, an honor not taken lightly by anyone. God willing I will be in attendance at the La Carrera get-together that same weekend. Check out the GT350 cutting thru the morning fog as it enters the famous corkscrew of Laguna Seca. This corner holds the distintion of being the single most photographed corner of any racetrack in the world. A track Jon, Will and I know all too well and have won many races on.


Since I am a member of the North American Eagle which is a challenge of the world speed record, I was asked to attend some 400 plus miles per hour test runs next week at El Mirage Dry Lake, east of Palmdale, California. The bad news is that since it is during the week I cannot make it because of some corporate duties not to mention some of my key team members will be out of town. Serious bummer indeed. What a great bunch of people to hang out with not to mention the growing excitement of getting ready to take the land speed record back from the Brits. Rest assured I will be at that.

In the mean time there has been some good come from all of this. First of all Jon sold one of his race cars and is in the process of doing something very exciting. More on that later but it's good... very good.

Then there is my son, Will. Regardless of what Will does I would be proud of him but he seems to not only have a good handle on life but he's quite the little businessman as well. One of the nicest race tracks in California and the U.S. is without a doubt Thunderhill Raceway in Willows California where Will has taken on his new job title of Marketing Director under the tutelage of CEO David Vodden. Not only is he working full time but he gets a great salary, is buying his first home not to mention he will be attending college as well. Not only is he working with some of the biggest names in racing but he is also allowed to continue his roll as race director and driver and instructor for NASA. On top of this he races full time driving cars and motorcycles with plans of running some motorcycle endurance races later this season.

If that isn't load enough for any young guy who seriously loves racing then check this out. Will is now an official dealer for the awesome FUSION FRC-14. If you want a hair raising ride or would like more information about these one of the fastest growing classes of race cars on the track drop Will a note at will@thunderhill.com or give him a call at the track.





The good news is there is still lots of summer left, lots of racing to do and lots of friends to look forward to seeing and racing again. In the mean time, we still have a large reserve of stories to share so things aren't as bad as they seem.

Happy Father's Day to all you dads from Jon and Gary.