Homecoming and Happy New Year!

My boys arrived home safe and sound with lots of stories to share.  The funniest one that they have shared so far is that on the first leg of their trip home, Viguen was upgraded to First Class.  Being such a great dad, Viguen gave his First Class seat to Alexander....who thoroughly enjoyed the special treatment, blanket, breakfast, wide seats, peace and quiet.  On the second leg, Viguen was also upgraded to First Class....but my boys decided that they wanted to sit together so they made the day of a young man sitting next to Viguen when they asked if he would mind switching seats so that they could sit together.  I can only imagine the expression on the young man's face when they said "our other seat is in First Class"! 

I picked the boys up from the airport and we made a quick stop at Fuddrucker's for yummy hamburgers, delightful conversation, and 'just being together'. 

None of us saw the New Year being rung in....Alexander was not feeling well, so he stayed home while we had a delicious dinner (hopefully a traditional dinner) with close friends.  Then we all called it a night well before even New York's celebration. 

May you and your family enjoy a new year filled with much love, health, and happiness.  And by the way, look what we found when Viguen and I were unpacking all of the racing laundry:

I wonder if these blankets are supposed to be complementary?

On the Grid in Daytona

Alexander only raced Yamaha today.  Viguen and the Team Motorama Kart Parts made a lot of changes to the kart last night. They changed the gears, tires, and made adjustments to the toe, camber, and caster to free up the kart. (This according to my husband....I have no clue what I just typed!) Viguen told me that Alexander had the fastest lap of the week on his 2nd of 3 hot laps and he thought Alexander would be in the top 5 for qualifying.  But, in almost Viguen's words, Zander "messed" up a corner and blew his last qualifying lap.  With all that said, they are both very happy with his 12th-place qualification and have tried to put "what might have been" behind them. 

Twisted Twister

Here are Flinn and Alexander playing Twister.  When Viguen sent me this picture, I was a bit confused...but then he explained it....which made it perfectly clear (???)...so here goes: 

One of the boys throws a screwdriver on the ground and says Right Foot here. Then the other boy puts his right foot where the screwdriver landed, picks up the screwdriver, and it becomes their turn to make the toss.  I guess the object of the game is to "twist" up your competitor.  I must admit, it beats playing video games and at least they are outside.  :-)

Who knew that they were so many uses for a screwdriver?!?  My only hope is that the mechanics weren't looking for this particular tool.



Qualifying Day

The morning began with a practice session and then qualification runs started.  Since Alexander learned the track pretty well, it was time to begin tuning the chassis and engine.  Viguen and Alexander were able to get the combination close, but not perfect.  Alexander qualified 10th out of 45 karts in Yamaha. (According to Viguen, these are some of the fastest drivers in North America.) He qualified 13th in KPV....this kart was apparently not "dialed in" as well. 

Alexander finished 12th in the Yamaha race after getting a bad start.  He lost a lot of positions then worked his way backup to 10th.  On the last lap, he got pushed and banged around and finished 12th. 

In the KPV race, Alexander's axle came loose and shifted from side to side which caused his brakes to drag.  Alexander thought he was about to blow his engine when the chain came off.  Needless to say, he was out of the race.  Zander figured out in the pits (after consulting with his crew chief, Viguen) that the engine was fine but the axle was not right. 

Practice Day

A very busy day for my boys.  Practice laps all day long.  Alexander did a good job learning the track.  As Viguen explained it to me, there are about 10 different classes of go-karts.  Each class takes a turn on the track for a 5-minute practice session and then these sessions rotate throughout the day.  Since Alexander is racing in 2 classes, he was able to get on track twice each rotation all day long.  Needless to say, Alexander will sleep REALLY well tonight.

Here's the track map for Daytona.  I couldn't find a map of just the go-kart track.
I believe that the go-karts race in the middle of the NASCAR track.

Parking Legally

This morning, the Rusty Bucket joined hundreds of others rigs and haulers in a long line to find parking and pit spots at Daytona Beach.  It took a long time to register, set-up camp, and get the team tent set-up and organized.  All necessary things for successful racing. 

Alexander will be racing in two classes:  Yamaha Sportsman and KPV Sportsman.  While at the track, my boys ran in to one of our racing buddies from Cokato...Killian Keveny and his family.  Just goes to show you that it's a small world and the go-karting family sticks together. 

All registered and ready for racing!

Fabulous Time in Orlando

In the morning, my boys drove to Daytona Speedway (which was technically closed for the day) and schmoozed one of the workers there to get a tour of the track. (Okay, I think that there was some exchange of cash as well....Viguen called it a inconvenience fee.) The course worker took them down in a truck to drive the track.  Once there, Viguen asked if they could just walk back to the office.  The course worker agreed....so my boys stayed on the track and walked it a bit just trying to figure out lines and learn the track.  As they were walking back to the office....you guessed it....law enforcement re-appears.  They questioned my boys as to why they were on the track and tried to figure out who took them down to the track.  Viguen conveniently forgot the name of the course worker and they returned to the Rusty Bucket.

In order to get some track time for Alexander, my boys drove to Orlando and hit the Orlando Karting Center to get a chance to see the Rotax engine in action.  Zander's Rotax engine is super fast and is capable of reaching speeds of over 80 mph.  The track at Orlando is a short course with many tight corners, so Alexander reached speeds of 60 mph.  Alexander had a RIOT....he so enjoyed going "wicked fast".  He drove two sessions and could hardly hold his neck straight when he came off the track.  Viguen said that Alexander was grinning from ear to ear and, in Alexander's words, that was "the most fun ever!".

12 turns. 0.7 Miles. PURE Fun!

That evening, the trailer was re-packed and the Rusty Bucket headed back to Home Depot in Daytona Beach for a well-earned night's rest.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Daytona Beach, Florida!  While I was celebrating Christmas with Viguen's family in Minnesota, my boys were pulling the Rusty Bucket into the parking lot at the Daytona Beach Speedway.  Yes, the racetrack that NASCAR uses for their well-attended, famous race.  Daytona Beach is the first stop of the Manufacturer's Cup (Man Cup) racing series. 

After spending several hours in the parking lot setting up the go-karts, organizing the trailer, getting ready for race day, my boys were approached by law enforcement.  Yes, it didn't take long.  Apparently, someone missed the sign that discouraged overnight parking.....I'm sure I would have seen the sign if I were present!  Anyway, Viguen had to repack everything and my boys set up camp at a local Home Depot.

I am SO glad that my boys made it safely and we all are anxiously awaiting the hum of go-kart engines on track.  Definitely the best present this Christmas season.

On The Road Again

Yesterday, my boys and I loaded the RV, lovingly referred to as the Rusty Bucket, with food, fuel, go-karts, and warm clothes.  My boys then launched their winter go-karting adventure and headed out for Florida.  They drove to Indianapolis where they had to stop and spend the night because they were picking up an engine for one of the go-karts.

This morning while in Indianapolis, my boys toured the Team Motorama Parts facility with the co-owners of the go-kart racing team that Alexander is driving for. After touring the "very cool" facility (according to Alexander), the group went out to Denny's for breakfast.  After all of the "business" was completed, my boys hit the road again and made it most of the way to Daytona Beach, Florida.  So far, so good for the Rusty Bucket....it is still in one piece, still pulling the trailer filled with go-karts and tools, and still keeping my boys safe. 

As for me, I rang Red Kettle bells with my college roomie and her family.  It was a PERFECT day for bell ringing....the weather was great, the people were in a giving mood, and the Christmas spirit was all around us.  We then went back to their home to watch my beloved Vikings lose yet another game.  YIKES!


I couldn't find a recent picture of the Rusty Bucket, so here's one from a race track in Oklahoma.

Racing Into the New Year

After another successful go-kart racing season, Alexander was asked to join a racing team...yes, sponsorship has arrived!  Hopefully, he will continue to race well and be able to finish the season with the team.  Zander will race on the Team Motorama Kart Parts headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He will race in the World Karting Association's (WKA's) Manufacturer Cup series with races held in Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Illinois.  Some of his fellow racing teammates include Flinn Lazier, son of Indy 500 Winner Buddy Lazier, and Jack Miller, Jr., son of the Indy 500 racing dentist, Jack Miller.

While maintaining that race schedule, Alexander will also be racing in the Florida Winter Tour in January, February, and March....one race in West Palm Beach, one race in Ocala, and the last one in Homestead.

Can you say:  "our retirement age just went from 55 to 65?"  You can't put a price on living out your dream.....and the girls (Leinie, Senna, Maggie) and I are happy to do our part to help make the dream come true.