Deb To Kansas City July 8th
Senior Member
Joined: 07-06-2007
Posts: 226
From: Kansas City, Misery
Glad to hear things are going well so far, Deb - I'm just trying to figure out what time I need to have myself up and out the door to get to the speedway and exactly where I'm needing to go once I actually get *to* the speedway. I'll have my cell on me so if anything comes up, I have your # and vice-versa.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 04-19-2006
Posts: 5,065
From: Arvada CO
Sorry for the delay...I'll add a couuple posts with some pics from my trip. These were taken Saturday on our way to KC.
Rollin aka Mark & His 07 Silverstone
Tony (tcstoy) & His Wife Val and 06 Amethyst
The 3 cars together
Rollin aka Mark & His 07 Silverstone
Tony (tcstoy) & His Wife Val and 06 Amethyst
The 3 cars together
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 04-19-2006
Posts: 5,065
From: Arvada CO
A few more pics from the speedway...also have a couple videos, have to get the pics from my grandsons camera as well.
A whole bunch more are in my album
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...peedway%20Trip
Deb in Victory Lane with each type of car.
Look what we saw when we stopped for some snacks. They left before we did and we caught up to them a little later on the highway. When we passed them I waved and the girls in the car waved like crazy.
Nice addition to tcstoy...love the t-handle
Deb and her 2 Ride Along Tickets
Deb trying to get her big butt into the 8 car.
Smoke & Punky
Deb & Jeremy
A whole bunch more are in my album
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...peedway%20Trip
Deb in Victory Lane with each type of car.
Look what we saw when we stopped for some snacks. They left before we did and we caught up to them a little later on the highway. When we passed them I waved and the girls in the car waved like crazy.
Nice addition to tcstoy...love the t-handle
Deb and her 2 Ride Along Tickets
Deb trying to get her big butt into the 8 car.
Smoke & Punky
Deb & Jeremy
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 04-19-2006
Posts: 5,065
From: Arvada CO
Synopsis of Speedway Events
Pulled into Kansas Speedway about 8:30am...had been exchanging a couple emails with VividHHR (Jeremy) just prior to arriving there. Pulled up to the Security Booth and got directions to the portion of the track where this was going to take place. Found our way to the 2nd check in point and had to sign in there. the security lady there was very nice and really liked Smoke. She said she knew someone who was thinking about buying an HHR, but she had never seen one. She said...this is really a neat looking car...I can see why my friend wants to buy one. I'm sure when Jeremy pulled in she was wondering what in the Sam Hill was going on...seeing two in one day, one right after the other.
Pulled into the infield...what an awesome place. We parked right where all the action happens on race weekend and could see everything. What a beautiful site and what an awesome view of the entire track. Hopped out of the car and in pulls Jeremy in Punky...and the fun was about to begin. We gave each others cars the once over and proceeded over to where I had to check in for my ride along.
Once I got all checked in they told us just to hang around and they would call my number when they were ready for me for each ride along. We walked all over, checked out all the great sites and took a bunch of pictures, as you saw in my other posts. There were about 14 or 15 of us doing the ride alongs and about the same amount doing the drive themselves. They let the drivers do their thing and then one by one each of us was called to do our thing with a professional driver who blew past the rookies like they were standing still.
The Indy car ride was first and when they finally called my number I got this eery feeling in my stomach...like OMG...here we go. Went over to where they give you your helmet and they got me all strapped into that and put a neck brace around me as well. The guy said just hang tight, it won't be too long. When it was finally my turn, they brought out a step ladder sort of thing so I could climb up and then slide down into the car. Had to slither into the seat and put my legs on each side of the driver in front of me. My seat sat a little higher than his did so I was able to see everything, just like he did...but just a little farther back. They strapped me into the car with a 5 point harness...boy is that thing snug. Then...it was off to the races.
The Indy car driver hit the throttle and took off down pit road...which caused me to be even tighter against the seat than I already was. Thank goodness they put a steering wheel back there for me to hold on to, cuz there was not much else to hold on to. As he went around the track, I turned the wheel like I was actually driving the car. I'm sure the driver also got a kick out of me whooping and hollering as we went around the track too. It seemed the more I did, the faster he went. The ride was awesome and I loved every minute of it...what a rush!!!
After that one was over, we had some time before the Cup ride, so we just talked and pooped around while we waited for that. Had my picture taken by the track people in victory lane during this time as well. Also bought a really cool t-shirt from their trailer that has a nice picture of Andretti & Gordon on it and their schedule on the back.
When it was time for the Cup ride I wasn't quite as nervous until I saw the first guy go out and the driver peeled out blew down pit road at god knows how fast. I thought to myself...holy stuff, this is gonna be awesome. They finally called my number and we went through the same routine as the other one getting me in the helmet and getting the neck brace on. When it was time for my ride, I climbed over the pit road wall and over to where the passenger side of the car would be and waited as the car pulled down pit road and screeched to a halt. I watched the guy getting out and thought...OMG...I'm never going to be able to do that.
Once he was out of the way, it was my turn to get in the car. The guy from the track said swing your left leg up and into that window and I was like...ok, I can do this. Got that one in and then tried to lift the other one up the same way...not as easy as it looks on television, but I got it in there and slid down into the car and they buckled me in good and tight. The driver opens his face shield and says "How fast do you want to go?" and I said, "As fast as this thing will go."
So...as you saw in the video Jeremy posted he peeled out screeching the tires and hauled the mail down pit road. I would venture to guess we were going at least 90mph by the time we left pit road and pulled up on to the banking on the track. Again...what a rush that was...and then the driver floored it and off we went. On all 3 laps, he pulled down near the white line in the corners and then right up next to the wall in the straigtaways. He would look over me and I gave him the thumbs up, so he'd go a little faster each time. When the last lap was over, I got this overwhelming feeling of sadness, knowing I would have to get out of the car now. Once we stopped, getting out of the car was also an experience. The hardest part was being able to sort of stand up so I could pull myself out thru the windows...my legs were a little wobbly at this point. But...once I got myself partially up, it was pretty easy to get out the window...much easier than it was getting in for sure.
Looked over at the guys and my grandson and they were all smiles...taking pictures and giving me the thumbs up. It was great and I loved both rides. As for which was better...I can't really pick one as each one was a little different as far as ride and view was concerned. I was able to see a little easier in the cup ride as I didn't have a face shield, so the view was crystal clear thru the windshield. But...if I had to pick one, I would have to go with the cup ride, as it's my car of choice.
After this ride, we hung around a bit more and took some videos and walked around the track area. That's when we went to the fuel area, the inspection area and into the garage areas. There are pictures of those parts of the track in my album as well. Then we went back to the cars and Jeremy and I checked out each others rides in more detail and took some pics of them as well. By that time it was around noon, so we followed him out of the track and went to a place called the Mongolian BBQ and had an awesome lunch. After that, we filled up Smoke and began our trek back to Denver.
Well...that's about all I can think of right now...but I'm sure you're saying...wow, she's finally going to give it a rest. Feel free to ask questions on areas you think I may have missed and I'll be happy to answer those.
If any of you ever get the chance to do this...do it. It's something you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Pulled into Kansas Speedway about 8:30am...had been exchanging a couple emails with VividHHR (Jeremy) just prior to arriving there. Pulled up to the Security Booth and got directions to the portion of the track where this was going to take place. Found our way to the 2nd check in point and had to sign in there. the security lady there was very nice and really liked Smoke. She said she knew someone who was thinking about buying an HHR, but she had never seen one. She said...this is really a neat looking car...I can see why my friend wants to buy one. I'm sure when Jeremy pulled in she was wondering what in the Sam Hill was going on...seeing two in one day, one right after the other.
Pulled into the infield...what an awesome place. We parked right where all the action happens on race weekend and could see everything. What a beautiful site and what an awesome view of the entire track. Hopped out of the car and in pulls Jeremy in Punky...and the fun was about to begin. We gave each others cars the once over and proceeded over to where I had to check in for my ride along.
Once I got all checked in they told us just to hang around and they would call my number when they were ready for me for each ride along. We walked all over, checked out all the great sites and took a bunch of pictures, as you saw in my other posts. There were about 14 or 15 of us doing the ride alongs and about the same amount doing the drive themselves. They let the drivers do their thing and then one by one each of us was called to do our thing with a professional driver who blew past the rookies like they were standing still.
The Indy car ride was first and when they finally called my number I got this eery feeling in my stomach...like OMG...here we go. Went over to where they give you your helmet and they got me all strapped into that and put a neck brace around me as well. The guy said just hang tight, it won't be too long. When it was finally my turn, they brought out a step ladder sort of thing so I could climb up and then slide down into the car. Had to slither into the seat and put my legs on each side of the driver in front of me. My seat sat a little higher than his did so I was able to see everything, just like he did...but just a little farther back. They strapped me into the car with a 5 point harness...boy is that thing snug. Then...it was off to the races.
The Indy car driver hit the throttle and took off down pit road...which caused me to be even tighter against the seat than I already was. Thank goodness they put a steering wheel back there for me to hold on to, cuz there was not much else to hold on to. As he went around the track, I turned the wheel like I was actually driving the car. I'm sure the driver also got a kick out of me whooping and hollering as we went around the track too. It seemed the more I did, the faster he went. The ride was awesome and I loved every minute of it...what a rush!!!
After that one was over, we had some time before the Cup ride, so we just talked and pooped around while we waited for that. Had my picture taken by the track people in victory lane during this time as well. Also bought a really cool t-shirt from their trailer that has a nice picture of Andretti & Gordon on it and their schedule on the back.
When it was time for the Cup ride I wasn't quite as nervous until I saw the first guy go out and the driver peeled out blew down pit road at god knows how fast. I thought to myself...holy stuff, this is gonna be awesome. They finally called my number and we went through the same routine as the other one getting me in the helmet and getting the neck brace on. When it was time for my ride, I climbed over the pit road wall and over to where the passenger side of the car would be and waited as the car pulled down pit road and screeched to a halt. I watched the guy getting out and thought...OMG...I'm never going to be able to do that.
Once he was out of the way, it was my turn to get in the car. The guy from the track said swing your left leg up and into that window and I was like...ok, I can do this. Got that one in and then tried to lift the other one up the same way...not as easy as it looks on television, but I got it in there and slid down into the car and they buckled me in good and tight. The driver opens his face shield and says "How fast do you want to go?" and I said, "As fast as this thing will go."
So...as you saw in the video Jeremy posted he peeled out screeching the tires and hauled the mail down pit road. I would venture to guess we were going at least 90mph by the time we left pit road and pulled up on to the banking on the track. Again...what a rush that was...and then the driver floored it and off we went. On all 3 laps, he pulled down near the white line in the corners and then right up next to the wall in the straigtaways. He would look over me and I gave him the thumbs up, so he'd go a little faster each time. When the last lap was over, I got this overwhelming feeling of sadness, knowing I would have to get out of the car now. Once we stopped, getting out of the car was also an experience. The hardest part was being able to sort of stand up so I could pull myself out thru the windows...my legs were a little wobbly at this point. But...once I got myself partially up, it was pretty easy to get out the window...much easier than it was getting in for sure.
Looked over at the guys and my grandson and they were all smiles...taking pictures and giving me the thumbs up. It was great and I loved both rides. As for which was better...I can't really pick one as each one was a little different as far as ride and view was concerned. I was able to see a little easier in the cup ride as I didn't have a face shield, so the view was crystal clear thru the windshield. But...if I had to pick one, I would have to go with the cup ride, as it's my car of choice.
After this ride, we hung around a bit more and took some videos and walked around the track area. That's when we went to the fuel area, the inspection area and into the garage areas. There are pictures of those parts of the track in my album as well. Then we went back to the cars and Jeremy and I checked out each others rides in more detail and took some pics of them as well. By that time it was around noon, so we followed him out of the track and went to a place called the Mongolian BBQ and had an awesome lunch. After that, we filled up Smoke and began our trek back to Denver.
Well...that's about all I can think of right now...but I'm sure you're saying...wow, she's finally going to give it a rest. Feel free to ask questions on areas you think I may have missed and I'll be happy to answer those.
If any of you ever get the chance to do this...do it. It's something you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 04-19-2006
Posts: 5,065
From: Arvada CO
Would have been great to see you again. Jeremy and I sure had a great time. I'm sure we'll probably be making the trip again to actually attend a race the next time...probably one of the races next season. 
