Dion Team fails to qualify for White Mountain race
10/17/07: A note from Dave...
I guess every time you load up and head for a race you know the risks involved and sometimes the disappointment that comes with a bad day at the track. Going into the White Mountain race we knew we had as good of a chance at victory as any of the other teams competing. With a near win at Seekonk the previous week and a good chassis set-up for this track we deserved to be somewhat confident of a good finish. I would like to blame our problems on bad luck but like many things this year it was self inflicted once again.
Practice went well and the car was well set-up to compete for a good finish and possibly our first victory. As we were preparing for our heat race we noticed an oil leak in the engine and I thought the dry sump tank vent was showing more blow-by than normal. With the show moving along quickly due to the weather it was decided that maybe a little less gear was our only option for a quick fix.
An outside pole starting spot in our heat should guarantee a starting spot in the feature with any luck but that didn't work out too well. The lack of a competitive gear hurt our performance and for some reason the new tires never hooked up so I found my way to the back fairly quickly. With quick turn around time we found ourselves in the consi fighting for a qualifying spot in the feature. Well, that didn't go much better and for the first time in over fifteen years the Dion Team got to watch from the sidelines. The "Pass" officials offered us a provisional starting spot in the feature (which we are grateful) but we decided it wasn't meant to be and excepted our fate as not deserving to be part of "the big show" this particular day. We as a team and a family have never pretended to be any more than we are and excepting our fate and yes, embarrassment, was the honorable thing to do. Are we down and out? Not hardly. A good slap now and then has always made me a better person so I'm sure I will be more careful building the next engine and a stupid oil leak won't ruin our next race. Funny how hindsight has always been my best teacher.
It's been a long time since I stood on the sidelines (I don't go to many races to watch) and watched a race I normally compete in but I was impressed with the show my peers put on. I only get to see my competition from the driver's seat so watching them from behind a fence was a totally different perspective. I found the "Super-Late-Model" racing to be pretty exciting with good talent throughout the field.
It looks like our season is over and we won't be going to the "All-Star" race this weekend. Without sponsorship the cost to go to these races, especially the high cost just to get in the pits, is starting to take it's toll. I will try to keep the web page updated with any team news throughout the winter months so feel free to write with any questions or comments. Take care and enjoy any of the races you attend.
Yours truly,
Dave