This is the third time Stephen has attended the Race Against Kids' Cancer sponsored by the the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing club at High Plains Raceway in Colorado. This year, 6 racers from the Southwest Motorsport club in Albuquerque attended. They all parked their trailers in the same area at the track so they could hang around together and help each other with their cars. The SWMS guys were in three different run groups based on the type of cars they were fielding, so they got to watch each other's races, which was fun. Stephen and I stayed in a hotel on the outskirts of Denver and drove to the track each day. We had chairs set up in the trailer and a cooler full of drinks and snacks (and my lunches -- no vegan food at the track).
Speaking of vegan food, we broke up the trip to CO with a stop in Trinidad where Stephen had chosen a vegan cafe for lunch. It was delish!
Before we left Albuquerque, we had to stop at a small airport near Sandia Raceway for aviation fuel, which is what the Formula Ford uses.
Once at the track, it was time to unload the car.
Then the trailer becomes the changing room, hangout spot, computer station, toolbox, lunchbox, etc.
Our neighbors...
Getting into all the gear.
Ready for the first practice.
This race was the first event for the 263 Formula Ford since Stephen has owned it. It ran well for a while, then pushed out the front seal, leaking oil. As is frequently the case, there were plenty of people willing to help with expertise and even free parts, and Stephen was able to replace the seal and go out for another run. Unfortunately, the fix didn't last and the car pushed out the second seal. It didn't hurt the car, and Stephen was subsequently able to redesign the seal so that it won't happen in the future, but that would be a repair to be done at home in his machine shop. The 263 would be finished for the weekend, but the fun was not over.
Another member of the SWMS group offered to let Stephen drive his Formula Ford to get some track time and give his opinion of the set-up.
We also got to watch the other race groups, including a thrilling battle between one of the SWMS guys and an RMVR racer.
And, of course, Stephen used his mechanic skills to help other drivers. This is his friend's car, but he also rebuilt a transmission for a kid who just happened to be parked across the row from us and was going to give up for the weekend until Stephen offered his assistance.
And what was I doing for four days? Well, watching races, getting Stephen strapped into the car and helping him out, taking tire pressures after every run, taking pictures, relaxing in the trailer reading books, talking with other drivers and their family members, attending the drivers' meetings, walking around the track, and enjoying the atmosphere. It is a friendly group of people and a warm community, especially when you consider how competitive all the drivers are! It was a really relaxing way to end the summer before going back to school.
