(I think we should be resting - but we're racing!)

The day dawns - yes, we are awake to see another dawn! - foggy. We're a little worried that it won't burn off in time for us to play on the racetrack. By 9 a.m. we are all out front - and so is Paul in his "ugly" blue 66 coupe. He brings with him two Bristol, Virginia police cruisers as well as the Bristol, Tennessee police cruisers - since the track is over the state border. Paul comes over and tells us to get our cameras ready - Roc is about to be "arrested". One Police officer comes over and asks who owns the 4th car from the end - Roc says he does. He is then informed he's under arrest for owning the ugliest Vette in the lot! Then two officers bring out the handcuffs and pose for a bunch of pictures "cuffing" Roc - who is having a hard time trying to look upset - he's laughing so hard! Mike and Scott told us that at the drag strip in Bowling Green you had to have an empty car - so some of us remove the luggage and return it to our rooms - the hotel says we don't have to check out till noon.

We are joined by 3 Vettes from the Maryland caravan and eight from the Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia area. One black '99 C5 still has temporary tags on it!. Twenty Vettes in all. The police head out and tell us to ignore the traffic signals - we'll have assistance at each intersection!

We start out and it's a blast! We are running stop signs - red lights - even a train crossing signal! Don't worry - it was flashing due to construction - not a train coming :-) The ride to the race track takes about 15 minutes and we're lovin' every second of it! We are photographed along the way and lots and lots of heads are turning due to all the police cars and police officers who are everywhere to stop opposing traffic!

We pull into the main lot at the front of the Speedway and are greeted by the newspaper reporter & photographer. We're also met by Bristol Dragway Manager, Mark Cathell who tells us we'll go out on the oval in groups of 7 to 8 cars at a time with a pace Vette in front. When we are finished playing on the oval - we'll head down to the drag strip to try our hands (and feet) at that! He tells us the facility is ours for as long as we want it!!!! Have we died and gone to heaven???????? Twenty vehicles with two racing facilities at our beck and call and the total cost for each of us has been ZERO!!!

We quickly huddle and decide to ditch our plans to drive a long distance on the Blue Ridge Parkway today. We thought we'd be at the Speedway facilities for a couple hours and on our way by noon or so. Now we'll take Route 81 as far as we can and jump on the Blue Ridge just in time to reach the lodge where we have pre-paid reservations. Believe me, if we hadn't had to send them checks for the lodge - we would have stayed in Bristol another night! Paul calls the hotel - they will allow us to leave our luggage in the rooms longer. The reporter interviews several of us and then hops back into her car to come into the track infield with us.

Mark leads the string of Corvettes around the outside of the stadium - underneath the stands and through a gate that takes us across the track and to the infield. It is a 1/2 mile oval with 35 degree banking in the corners - yes, I said 35!!! It's hard enough to walk up or down - difficult to imagine they want us to drive on this tilt! They sort us into three groups - the C5's, generations 1, 2 & 3, and the C4s. They give us the rules, which are basic - keep up with the pack & no passing. It is another mid-90s day - the fog has burned off and we are in brilliant sunshine.

Group 1 is lined up. Many of us who are not going out with the first group head to the press platform. The news photographer is up here as well as a TV crew and track videographer. We ask if we'll disturb them - and they tell us to feel free to make the platform our own. One thing sure has proven true on this trip - - - time after time, we have seen real southern hospitality! Mark starts to lead the group out onto the track at a nice sedate pace - he keeps them real low - below the running line so they aren't even started up on the banking. As he finishes the first lap - he drifts up above the running line and picks up the speed - probably about 45 mph - which may not sound like much - but you are now going round and round in a small oval and hitting that 35 degree banking. We've got 4 C5s out on the track. Bill and Joan Kaupp, Jerry and Kathy Wickersham, Ray & Ginny Carney, and Jim with Joe Horn as passenger. I'm up to taking pictures. The next lap they are going faster - passengers report by radio that they are about 65 mph and its lots of fun. We observe how Mark hugs the wall on the short straights and then drops down low on the banking - one by one, the Vettes behind him start to follow his path - but NO ONE comes anywhere as close to that wall as Mark does! After about 8 laps, he brings them into pit row - and we all think this is the end of their ride. Wrong! He is showing them the "pit" experience - and then he revs up and takes them out for another half dozen laps at slightly higher speeds. Toward the end of their session, Mark slows them waaaay down but keeps the group high on the banking at the end of the oval. It looks weird to see the cars almost stopped up there - logic tells you they should all fall down! Then he speeds it up - takes them around for another couple laps and brings them into the infield. We notice that Ray is holding back a little bit now. Every driver has a huge smile and look of awe on their face! They all loved it - except Ginny. She looks terrified! I think that little stint on the banking toward the end was just a bit too much for her.

There is a lot of chatter and excitement - everyone is asking how they liked it - and telling them about all the great pictures we think we got of their run. Mark has to go pick up another track official - so while he leaves us in the infield, we start driving the cars into the winners circle for photos! One by one - I think we got each car (and driver) in that circle for a photo - and of course - Gwendolyn was there as well!

Now the solid axle, midyears, and sharks go out . . . . and we quickly discover what element was missing from the first group. ENGINE ROAR!!!!! This group of cars sounds wonderful!!!!! Roc is directly behind the pace car. Scott had invited Captain McCoy to ride with him and McCoy gladly accepted. Mark repeats the same pattern with them - a bunch of laps - pit stop - back out for more laps and the "hanging" on the banking before coming in for a landing. We are surprised to see how well Ted Koehner of Bristol, TN is keeping up in his 62 Fawn Beige. Joe Horn is holding back a bit. Scott and Mike, on the other hand, are nose-to-tail! Actually, Mark has to slow the pack down a couple times to allow them all to catch up - that way the front cars can get another "run" before they catch up to the back car. Don't forget - we aren't allowed to pass! On several occasions - the pace car and Roc are on one side of the track - and the others are on the direct opposite side of the track. We've got more radios in the cars this time. Jim is riding with Roc in the 67 - and he's giving us updates on the speed. Jim was in the first group to go out - and he says the sensation on that banking feels weirder as the passenger than it did as the driver . . . perhaps a "control" issue. Paul has come in early - said he had visions of the morning paper headline reading "Fool Manager Splashes Blue Car Into Wall". Joe appears to be getting the hang of it and isn't holding back so far now. I've been using my NJ Caravan flags and fooling around like a race flagman/starter. We're all in awe of this opportunity we've been gifted with. . . and all because Roc and Paul have been busting each other's chops for the last two years about whose Vette is "ugliest"!!!!! Right now, we are so glad that Paul has a blue coupe and Roc's ragtop is red. The second group comes in and everyone seems just as excited as the first group of drivers. Joe tells us he was real shaky at the beginning - but started to get more confident as the laps progressed. More cars head for the Winner's Circle.

The C4's are lined up for their run. Then we hear that the video and TV crews need to leave soon - so they line ALL of us up to go out in two rows - side by side - for some publicity shots. We do a bunch of laps at various speeds - including that wall hanger! I'm driving the 98 this time with Jim as passenger - and I was torn between feeling a bit scared and wanting to see how far I could push it. I was in the outside row - so there was always a little blue C4 tucked down below me - I wonder if he was worried about me being above him. That slow part on the banking was spooky. Mark had told the group that just before the big races they like to park a car on the high banking and demonstrate just how unstable a vehicle is without any speed - - - using just two fingers he pushes the car and it tumbles right down the banking!!!!! He never stopped us - just kept us going realllllll slow. I was loving this - and we weren't even going beyond 50 mph since we now had 20 Vettes out there two by two! The photographers signal that they want us to wave and we oblige - going around this 35 degree oval with one hand on the wheel !!!!

Mark brings us in and has the C4's stay in pit row - then he takes them out for their run. No one from our group is on the track now. We start egging Captain McCoy on - telling him he should take the cruiser out on the track with his lights flashing. It didn't take a whole lot of egging - he hops in his cruiser and turns the lights on - and just as he actually hits the track - he hits the sirens!!!!! We are howling!!!! Lord, I wish I had a video camera so it would have captured the sound! He does two laps like that - then drops in to the pits and infield. He shouts over to Paul "Do I still have a job?" and at Paul's nod to the affirmative - Captain McCoy jumps back out onto the track for more laps!

At last - it's my turn. Mark sets up one more group for those who didn't get a chance before. It starts out with only 3 cars but once we are on the track - another 7 or 8 jump on as well. Scott is riding shotgun with Mark in the pace car and I'm right behind them. I try to follow the pace car's path as much as I can - but there is no way on earth I'm going to get anywhere as near to the wall as he comes! I wonder aloud to Jim if Scott is flinching each time Mark brings that car up to within 4 or 6 inches of the wall! I'm very proud of Jim - he didn't try to backseat drive :-) He was looking at the speedo to let me know what we were doing - I'm too busy watching the pace car. At one time - we hit close to 80 and even before Jim tells me the speed - I'm feeling a little freaked out. I was contemplating dropping out at the pits so I wouldn't hold up the other cars, but before we reach pit row, Mark has backed it down again - we've caught up to the cars that jumped on the back of our group! I found it amazing what a difference I felt at 70 and 80. I guess I learned my "comfort limit" on this 1/2 mile 35 degree track. 70 was cool - 75 was iffy - and 80 was creepy. Too much speed and not enough room for MY comfort. Roc's been right on my tail the whole time - and he doesn't seem phased by any of it. I know that somewhere behind me Kathy and Joan are now driving with Bill and Jerry as passengers - and they can't be doing badly at all - since we're only catching up to Joe and the 62 on occasion. We repeat that going real slow and high on the banking - and I'm glad when we hit the gas again. I admit I was sorry when he took us in to the infield. I enjoyed myself enormously.

Mark, Paul, and Roc hold a brief pow-wow and decide we should break for lunch - it is now 12:40. We'll get a police escort back to the hotel to get our luggage. Those who have their luggage with them are escorted to a nearby BarBQ restaurant for lunch. We'll all meet back at the Drag Strip at 2:00 for some straight line fun!

. . . to be continued . . .

Captain McCoy led Roc & Nancy, Ginny & Ray, Kathy & Jerry, and Jim and I back to our hotel to check out. The others had taken all of their luggage with them - so they were directed to a BarBQ Restaurant near the racetrack.

Once we had packed up our cars we headed to a local Wendy’s to catch a quick bite and return to the track for an afternoon at the drag strip. Roc decided that the drag strip was not going to be a good thing for his 67 - it had been touch and go for a large part of this trip - and he knew if he went to the strip, he’d be tempted to try it at least once or twice. So, to prevent the temptation and to protect the 67 - he and Nancy decided to head straight for the lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. They once again promised to keep in touch via the cell phones. The other three C5s headed back to the Drag Strip to see what was up.

The Bristol Dragway is tucked behind the oval track - we had to drive ¾ of the way around the track to find the drags. They were completely renovated just last year and are a world class facility. The control center is a four story high building which is about 125 feet wide. With the drag strip stretching eastward, the tower cast a huge shadow that allowed all of the cars to wait in shade and there was a decorate wall that was just the perfect height for sitting and cheering. We did try to get a “wave” started - but nothing ever came of it :-(

The enormous main grandstand is nestled into the side of a mountain - literally! Mark told us that when they were blasting on the mountain to accommodate the new grandstand - the contractor had assured the track owners that there was absolutely no danger to anyone or anything in the area. They even blasted during an event at the oval. Unfortunately - they underestimated the power of their blasts - 24 cars in the parking lot at the oval track were damaged by debris from one blast alone! That very day the track owners fired the contractor and hired a new one!

It took quite a long time for Mark and his workers to get all the electronics adjusted properly. We would have all the same amenities that a sanctioned event would have - staging lights, multiple split times and print out sheets for each run, and the large time displays at the ¼ mark. While all these preparations were going on - we posed Gwendolyn on the barrier at the staging area so you can see the staging lights behind her, and off in the distance - the result boards. The paramedic truck that was with us at the oval was now parked nearby at the drags - we were being watched over very carefully. Mark had us all gather at the staging area so he could give a brief explanation of the best way to stage and take off for drag racing. You gotta win at the start and at the finish - he told us to take off as soon as you see the 3rd yellow light - not the green. He told us we could do this as long as we wanted - and we could go down tandem with a selected opponent - or solo, if that’s what we preferred. Some of the convertible owners still had their tops down from earlier in the day - but once they saw a couple of us put the tops and windows up - they caught on to the idea of decreasing the resistance. The other phenomenon that became contagious - - - unloading luggage onto the sidewalks. Within 4 minutes there was so much luggage stacked around that it looked like an airport baggage carousel! Lighten the load, boys.

Two guys quickly decided to test their skills and their Corvettes. They staged - the Christmas tree lights came down and they were off! The 67 red big block got loose and was sideways as much as forward during the first 2 seconds - but he finally got himself under control and pointed his nose straight down the track. I’ll be honest - I don’t remember who was racing him at the time - my attention was on his wonderful roar and the scariness of the way he started off.

Two by two we lined up - Scott and Mike often went against each other. Jerry took on Bill. Jim went up against Ray and Ginny rode shotgun (try THAT at a regular drag event). Then we mixed things up and went down the strip a few times solo and a few times against the other Vette owners. Bill wasn’t too happy with his times - so he didn’t push it. Jerry was having fun and getting respectable times - and his first run’s reaction time was outstanding! Instead of a booth at the end for time slips, he has the printer set up at the staging area so we get our results when we come back to the staging area. Mark has been asking the drivers their names and writing them down as he stages the cars - then when the timing slips pop out of the printer, he writes the appropriate name on top. We’ve been walking up to him between runs to get the slips and handing them to the appropriate drivers. Both Scott and Mike were in their glory (remember the gleam in their eyes the other day???) Ginny took the Magnetic Red down the strip and turned an 85+ on her first try. I think I saw Ray go down the strip once solo.

Jim turned off the traction control on his first run - big mistake - smoke and rubber everywhere and so was the car. After that run - he just left the control on. Joe went down the track a couple times and turned some good speeds as well. We even got Paul to run his car down - - - once! By the time you do your second or third run - Mark isn’t asking names anymore - he knows! Scott now challenges the police cruiser - so he and McCoy stage and blast off! Scott took him easy - so much for the performance of the modern day cruiser :-)

Now it's my turn - I take the 98 up to the staging area and Mark tells me to roll down my window. He tells me to go when he says so - that we’re gonna pull a fast one on the guy in the right-hand lane. It just happens to be a C5. I remembered to turn of the AC but now I’ve got an open window - I guess the object this time was to take the black car at the lights - and let whatever happened down the strip determine the winner. I’m watching the staging lights - but listening to Mark as well - he yells go and I blast out of there - I’m having a ball - shift to second - more speed. The buffeting noise from that open window is driving me wild. Take her to third - through the timing trap and off the gas . . . I look in my mirrors and there is no sight of the C5! Where did he go? I did good -100.34 - but I’m not THAT good! I turn back down the service road to the staging area and learn that the guy blew up his engine! The car had less than 200 miles on it! What the devil was he doing at a race track and the drags in a car that hadn’t even been broken in yet????? I wonder what his dealership is going to have to say? Next time I go down the track against Mike - I shift a little smoother and shave a little off my time. Now Jerry wants to take me on and when I stage Mark tells me I shift damn good (“for a girl” was implied) and that they’ve nicknamed me the Drag Queen. I’m not sure that carries a lot of good connotation - but I accept it with a smile. OK - Jerry and I get staged and the lights come down the tree. I’m proud to say he now claims I ruined his day! I don’t think it was me vs. Jerry so much as a stick vs. an automatic.

Most of us had decided by now that we had played enough - and it was best to quit while we were ahead (and intact!) We told Mark that we were going to call it a day. He asked if we were sure - they’d stay as long as we wanted - but we really needed to get on the highway toward the Blue Ridge. We all said thanks to Mark and his staff and to Paul. They tell us that they are working on turning this into an annual event. If they do - I know 20 car owners who will be returning to Bristol!!!!! Joan doles out the “reds” to get us by on this newest leg of our continuing journey. Paul then led us back to 81 north beyond where there was construction going on. We all wave goodbye and toot the horns as he pulls off at his exit and we continue on the highway.

Now it's about a 3 hour push up to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. My cell phone rings - and I of course assume its Roc or Nancy - wrong! Its Elaine Becker telling us she just saw us fly by her on Route 81. She and Harry are at the Shoney’s right alongside the interstate. They are just finishing dinner with Peter and Jeanne Botta. The Bottas helped coordinate the lunch re-staging at the Carlisle Fairgrounds and while down in Bowling Green they purchased another Corvette so he is driving their 98 pace car and she their new Grand Sport Convertible. They have decided to follow our route up through the mountains - have called ahead to secure rooms at the Peaks of Otter Lodge - so they will try to catch up to us along the way. The rest of us are still chattering about what a great time we had today - one by one we admit to the adrenaline rushing through our systems. We jokingly ask one another if we’ve “crashed” yet. But just talking about it keeps the feeling alive. We’ve been on the road for about an hour when I get a call from Roc saying they’ve arrived at the Lodge. He is calling from a pay phone - there is no cell phone signal up there - and there are no phones or televisions in the rooms! I tell him what mile mark we are at - and we begin to think we might not make it to the lodge in time for dinner which I’ve got written down as ending at 8:30 p.m. Our radios are busy as we discuss the possibilities. We’re looking for a likely town to stop along the way for dinner and there are lots of places near where we are now - but not much opportunity once we get within an hour of the lodge. I’ve talked to Elaine two or three more times - they are closing the gap - but still behind us. I call the lodge to see what suggestions they have to make for us - and find out the LAST SEATING is at 8:30. We chat on the radios again - and decide to push on - at our current pace - we should arrive about 8 p.m.

I guess we’re slow learners - time after time over the past 8 days, one or two cars have dropped off for gas and then tried to catch up to the main group. We may be slow - but we aren’t totally stupid. We have finally learned that the only way to really keep together is to ALL get off if one of us needs gas or a pit stop . . . and that’s what we do on this run, and finally the Beckers and Bottas join us at a rest area. We arrive at the lodge at precisely 8 p.m. The dining room is in the main lodge - right next to the registration desk - so we pick up our keys and find Roc & Nancy sitting in the dining room. Their nice intimate little table for two is quickly stretched out to accommodate 8 with another for 7 parallel to it. We are wound up from our exciting day and then the long ride to the lodge, so things get a bit noisy.

We hop back into our cars to drive down to the lodge building we are in. Finally, we are all in a row!!!!! The accommodations are very basic - but we’re up in the mountains - so what do you expect. After I put my suitcases in the room - I open the back door to let the fresh air in - and am greeted with a “come on over” from my left. There is a balcony running the length of the building - and a concrete wall breaks the balcony into smaller sections for every two rooms with two rocking chairs for each of the rooms. Jerry & Kathy have climbed over the railing to get over to the balcony shared by the Kaupps and Scott. Now they suggest I do the same. OK - I don’t have the sense the good Lord gave me - so I climb over. Jim is more sensible than I - so he refuses - stands by the wall and chats around the barrier when the mood strikes him. A bit later we hear Roc - and challenge him to climb - which he does. He has to climb over two barriers since his room is about 5 down from where we are. Scott’s been sending more rockers around the barriers so we now have 6 in front of a single room! We chomp on more reds and some chocolate chip cookies. Harry is down on the lawn with a flashlight trying to find deer. We are laughing a lot and having a ball as we re-hash details and tales of the day’s events.

Finally - we start to break up and return to our rooms - some over the railings - and some via the front doors. Its not until I’m back in my room that I see the sign that says “Quiet Requested from 10 p.m. until 9 a.m.” Well, heck! It's already after 11:30 and we’ve been anything BUT quiet. I guess it's a good thing they have us all in a row :-)

G’nite, Roc; Good night, Jewel; Good night, Jerry; ‘nite, Scott; Good night, Jim; ‘nite, Elaine; Shhhh - Joe’s asleep - the Carneys and Mike, too!