I was in a big rush for the mains. 13.5 and 17.5 were only 5 races apart. Thanks to my placement in the mains, all my races were within the hour. I would have my race day finished by 8am (yes I said AM) No worries! I came to have fun. With this race schedule, I would have plenty of time to do just that.
My 13.5 main was first. I still had the 17.5 motor in the car and it was my plan to run it again in 13.5. I wasn't the fastest car on the track with it, however, I wasn't moving out of the way too much with it either. I was comfortable and happy with the setup and the way the car was handling. Right now I'm thinking "Git R Done!" (I saw that phrase on the back of a Ford F150 and it stuck with me. I've been in Wisconsin way too long)
What I did do was Git R Broke! I ended up braking the right front of the car. When I collected my wreckage, I noticed that I was missing my out-drive to the front spool.
Panic!
I now have about 30 minutes to fix the issue and have the car ready for my 17.5 race. This is the race that I put all my effort on and I would love to walk away with some hardware at the end of the day. Ok, breathe, lets go!
Ok, AmpDraw don't fail me now! They have everything you could ever want in RC parts. Its every RC racers dream. I got Kevin the bearing tester tool that he wanted. In fact, I almost got the HUDY Tweek System from them, I think they were selling them at a discount. I've always wanted that. I just can't clear the $300 price tag with my accountant/wife. The also had the X-ray chassis weights that I can screw onto the car instead of using double sided tape like I had to in the past.
Alas, AmpDraw didn't have the part.
Ok, Let us see if Paul has the part available. No problem, he always bails me out when I am in a bind. Heck, he is responsible for setting up my car for the IIC. Paul is such a class act! Helpful, funny, focused, determined and as "down to earth" as they come. There was only one time where I was afraid to ask Paul a question and it was when I first met him. Until then, I only knew him from the magazines. Since then, he has set up my car and saved my butt more times than I can count. And I thank him for it.
But he didn't have the part I needed.
What to do now? without this part the car will not stay together, much less turn when I want it to turn. Also, If I did get the part somehow, since this was not an easy part to install, I would be in quite a rush to get everything fixed and running again.
There was another X-Ray driver (Steve I think) that had the part that I needed. This was a very expensive part so I had every intention to give it back after my run. I only needed it for five minutes. (maybe less)
Rush Rush Rush! Get the part in. Rush Rush Rush. Get the car ready. Rush Rush Rush! get the car past Tech! There! I did it!
It all fell apart on the first lap. Apparently I was rushing too much. I lost another inner part to the car. It was very hard to get to and required me to take the front end apart again to fix it.
An thus ended my day :(
I took a long "cooling off period" to reflect on the day's events. Afterward, I stopped in to help Scotty Ernst and the rest of the crew dismantle the track. There was talk of a small party after clean up. However, I spent too much money on the track and had none for the "Extras" Las Vegas had to offer. So I respectfully declined.
I'll get it right next year! Just you wait :)
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