They built it and we came

Well well well, it's race day! For some reason we didn't just jump up out of bed this morning but we got under way never the less. One thing is certain the weather was looking like it was going to be a factor we had sprinkles & clouds. We had brekkie at a local joint (big surprise). Bowes laughed because the Cuban's breakfast jiggled. I could have spackled with my biscuits & gravy but I liked it and my chicken biscuits too!

As we got closer to the track traffic became a factor and I thought we'd miss the start of the race. We just got to our seats when the green flag flew. We had awesome seats and the race was fantastic. Traffic wasn't too bad coming home. We had dinner at Reid's house as the local BAR-B-Q place was closed as was most of the town. As always we had too much including pie. Now back at the room it's time to pack up and reflect on an awesome trip.

Well as you can see we finally made it to the track at Martinsville last night. We were on the Trackside show on SPEED. Front row no less as we arrived I saw Jeff Hammond acted like the fool I am and ran over for a picture. We managed to get our NS flag on TV apparently. After that we rolled back where we crashed. One thing about us on these trips there are "generally" no crazy late nights. Last night we barely made midnight.

This morning we got up and rolled to the track again for the truck race. We even found a short cut! It was cool to finally get inside the track. It is so small. It's the oldest track on the circuit and the smallest. I've been waiting to try a Martinsville Dog since we got here. At $2 each they are a bargain. Not just any dog mind you. Hard to describe it but you order it "all the way". That gets you a dog that's redder than anything God put on this earth topped with chili and coleslaw. It tastes great reallly it does. After the truck race we came back to the Hotel for nap time and then we had to eat more Bar-b-q.

When I found this hotel in Reidsville I also found Short Sugars. It's been around since 1949 serving traditional NC Bar-B-Q. Not bad really. Yesterday we ate it twice once at Andy's (Now Serving Vegetables Place) and last night at Pigs R Us. I've got likes and dislikes about all of these places we've been. What I love the most though is watching the other two get hooked on it like me. That and the most expensive dinner has been $10 with beverage and you are stuffed!

Anyway we arrive for supper and the place is busy. We sit in the back near a group of older guys eating and another couple. I was enjoying listening to them when we joined their conversation. Well they were in awe that we were from Canada. In awe that we liked Bar-B-Q and in awe that we wanted directions to a local dirt track. The guys left and the couple who were sitting next closest cleared up the directions. Simply 4 lights, turn left and "Don't y'all turn till ya get there". I love it here. I have since I first came here years ago.

With dinner out of the way we were off to the dirt track. Non race fans reading this would say weren't they at a track most of the day? Yes we were but this is different. It's dirt we don't have it home. The 311 Speedway is billed as the Daytona of Dirt. Heavy expectations, but we weren't let down. Even some NASCAR guys were around racing or trying to get a car to race. The prices were very reasonable there. For $14 I was able to get the following a Bologna burger, nachos, a pepsi, a redneck t-shirt and a toque. It was freakin' cold there tonight. Anyway long day done. Time for a cholesterol pill and bedtime. Tomorrow it's the Big Race Day.....

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y

Saturday was to be a long day and an even longer night. We went to the track and checked out the sights, sounds and smells. Oh yes and the tastes. Martinsville is known for it's hotdogs. I consider myself somewhat of an expert in the dog dept. Well I've never seen anything that color before the dog itself is bright red, covered with chili and coleslaw. It tastes better than it looks trust me. Well had us some of those and sat in the bright Virgina sunshine catching the truck race. Good race, what a place this is, set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. Beautiful country. We found a shortcut that got us from the track to the hotel in a half hour. That's pretty damn quick as we spent two hours each way last year! We even got to another Food Lion for a little more Coors Light. Why the Food Lion? I being the event planner, logistics dude checked the flyers that week and they had the cheapest beer. $9.99 for 18 Coors!

We stopped at the hotel for nappy time. Bar B Q and off to the dirt track. Good times. I've since decribed Reidsville as visiting Springhill in the 60s. The dirt track was somewhere even more remote. Folks dressed in camo outnumbered the rest of us and they even brought their own propane heaters in the stands. Yes, open flame in the stands. Wow. Hillbilly heaven!

Now serving vegetables

So this is where we had lunch!!!! Wicked Good... Details to follow we are going to the track now watch for the NS flag on Trackside tonight on SPEED!!!!!

Martinsville 06 DAY 1 Will they make it?

Cripes! I booked an early flight to get here. A 6AM departure comes early and of course I can't sleep the night before. So at 4AM I'm rolling. I knew things were going to be interesting when the Cuban forgot he had a knife on when we went thru security. Not good. Anyway we got to TO, he realized that his other boarding pass was in his bag that he checked with the knife. Not good either. That made us late for the bus, which meant we got pushed thru customs good right? No! Bowes encountered a slovakian (no offense) trainee who put him down as a work immigrant not a drunken race fan. So he goes to the little room. I've been there no fun at all. All the while the helpful Cuban tells the nice lady manager to help us spring Bowes. Not good at all. She calls to get our luggage pulled.

Even a novice traveller can see that things are really going to shit now. The clouds parted and he got sprung. From there we return to security, where Bowes now has a knife.

If I was travelling with Grizzly Adams and Big Ben I would have had less trouble.

Finally we head off to our flight that is to depart in four minutes. Not bad, except we had a short 2KM run to deal with literally. Have you seen me run in the past 10 years. No? You are not alone . Well I kick the sneakers down and I'm off. We met friends who were waiting for another flight I heard the chant "Run Robbie Run" or was it "Run Forrest Run"? Fitness met time head on and we were done. I sadly told the boys to leave me behind I'd be ok. And they did! Bastards!

As expected we finally arrived sweaty and near dead only to find out that our flight was delayed! GRRRRRR!

Off we go next thing you know we are in NC. PIck up the rental car and an upgrade to a 300. Sweet! Onward Christian soldiers to Charlotte. We toured Lowes Motor Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports, Rousch and Bass Pro Shops. Busy afternoon.

Tonight we had dinner at our first BAR-B-Q place Lancasters in Mooresville. Full of racing stuff and wicked grub. Now we've arrived in Reidsville, NC time for bed.

Watch for us on SPEED tomorrow night at trackside!

What's for supper - BAR-B-Q
Mood of the moment - Beat
Tune of the moment - Bang your head - Quiet Riot

In the dog house...

Well I'm in deep. Shit that is. I went Friday to Riverside speedway (see above) with Dad and a couple of buddies. Plan was simple. Go to races Friday night. Stay at the Sullivans cabin in Ernville. Some drinks, some eats, some cards. Go to the races and get home late Saturday night.

Friday went to plan. We hit the track, rolled to the cabin, a few drinks, some eats, some cards (beat Dad 2/3 games HA). Saturday was eerily sunny. Went to the track in the afternoon. Some racing and then the rain came. Why does it always rain when I go to the track? I always thought it was the Cuban. He was in Calgary. Must be me.

Anyway, we were invited to stay at Mom & Dad's in Truro as we would have had to go back to Antigonish the next day. Night race in Charlotte, having a good time with Dad and the boys. Seems innocent enough. Other than the fact I leave Thursday for Martinsville, Virginia (second pic). Enter dog house.

Truro was fun I'll admit. The boys even got to meet the legendary Kevin Croft star of many many many stories of "chaos and mayhem". Craig got to tackle a 2LB donair and Lois got to mother four boys.

When you think about it this racing stuff is pretty innocent. There are many places WORSE that I could be hanging out!!!!

So, it's been quiet round here at Chateau Mac and I'm leaving Thursday. There was a funny story Dad told over the weekend about me going to the races when I was 3 and sleeping between the races. Seems I've loved racing a little longer than I've loved girls. Racing doesn't give you everything though does it?(nice save)

We'll be reporting from the races over the weekend. Git r dun!

Mood of the moment ~ Work work work
Tune of the Moment ~ Poets - The Hip
What's for supper ~ Something with veggies lots of BBQ on the way

Only at WALMART

A very loud, unattractive, mean-acting woman walks into Wal-Mart with her Two kids in tow, screaming obscenities at them all the way through the entrance. The Wal-Mart Greeter says, "Good morning and welcome to Wal-Mart .... Nicechildren you've got there - are they twins?" The ugly woman stops screaming long enough to say, "Hell no they ain't, theoldest one, he's 9 and the younger one, she's 7. Why the hell would you think they're twins?........ Do you really think they look alike?" "No", replies the greeter, "I just couldn't believe you got laid twice!"
Mood of the moment ~ Trip prep
Tune of the Moment ~ Turn the page - Metallica
What's for supper ~ Pork Tenderloin, smashed potatoes and broccoli salad