HSMS Three Race Northwest Tour

Lara and I left Oklahoma City on August 10th headed out for 17 days on the road...our first "tour"! We had never been gone from home for that long before so we were a little hesitant... but it was racing so what better vacation could we have? The first leg of our trip started in Boise for the Nightfire Nationals at Firebird Raceway. After a weekend of racing ups and downs including a fire on Friday, number 3 qualifier Saturday, and out in the first round due to ignition problems on Sunday, Lara, Roger and I headed to Bonneville Monday morning. We met up with Sam Chastain after getting into Wendover and we all headed out to the salt....in 117 degree air! Needless to say, afternoon is not the time to go out to the speedway so we planned an early morning arrival for Tuesday. In much cooler air, we had a great time experiencing part of historic "Speedweek".

"The Salt"

We then began a trek from Bonneville, back up through Idaho, Oregon and Washington and into Seattle. Along the way we made a stop in Salem, Oregon to see some of Lara's family who she had not seen in 17 years. We arrived in Seattle late Wednesday night and got up Thursday morning and headed out to one of our corporate sponsors headquarters, Silverthin Bearings, for a display and BBQ. On Friday Lara, Roger and I headed to downtown Seattle for more sight seeing. We were scheduled for a Saturday night match race at Pacific Raceways but rain settled in Saturday morning and decided to stick around all weekend so we got rained out. Our Crew Chief, Brett Johansen and I got 9 holes of golf in Monday morning before heading to our third and final destination....Canada!

After crossing the border into Canada Monday afternoon, we headed to the race track to drop off the car and get a good look at what we were up against for the next weekend. After spending Monday night in Mission, we headed out Tuesday morning on a 3 day adventure through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Roger McMartin and the other Canadian scenery.

As we arrived back in Mission on Thursday afternoon, the team headed to the track for a relaxing afternoon, and then out for a nice dinner that night. On Friday morning Brett and I met up with Sean Bellemeur, who had flown in with Todd Shappie to help us out for the weekend. The three of us headed out for a morning of golf at a very nice but very challenging course...at least it was for me! Brett and Sean seemed to do just fine!

The team also went bowling - a little less painful (to the ego) than golf.

We made our way to the track Friday afternoon for a test run. On a planned 1000 ft shut off the car ran a 6.12 at 195 mph. Very nice clean run...we were really looking forward to Saturday qualifying! Well, rain had found its way to Mission Saturday morning and all day. Saturday was a washout.

Mission on Saturday

Sunday did not look much better. As we woke on Sunday morning, rain was falling. We headed to the track to await a decision. Around 11 am the rain stopped and the track was dried and we began our raceday! We were given one qualifying session in which we were able to run a 5.96 for the number one qualifying spot. After defeating Bill Dunlap in the first round we went on to face John Shoemaker in the final. In what turned out to be a pretty wild final, we were able to hold off Shoemaker and collect the win!

We had a great time being on the road...I think I could get used to it! Not sure about Lara though! Our next scheduled stop is in Sacramento September 21st and 22nd. Please stop by and say hello!

Til next time, Troy & Lara

E-mail: Top Fuel Troy