Back to Michigan

From Denver Colorado we took a 2.5 hr flight east to Grand Rapids Michigan.  As many of you know we were based here for a year in 2006 travelling the speedway circuit crewing for Jeep Van Wormer and his late model saloon car.  It had been 6 years since we last saw everyone so we were pretty excited to be returning.
Michigan's tree lined freeways and farms with large barns and silos was a welcoming sight and we headed north to meet up with everyone at a speedway meeting. 

Jeep's car is similar to a super saloon raced at the dirt tracks in NZ but the tracks here are mostly privately owned and can be found sitting in the middle of farmer's corn fields throughout the country.  They are normally around a 3/8th mile oval dirt track and can be quite steeply banked.  The Baypark stadium type are few and far between.  Many of the drivers compete professionally and follow certain series where huge sums of money can be won at each nights racing.  The large semis (sem-eye in American) are really huge Motorhomes that come complete with 2 TVs in the lounge ( so you can watch from wherever you are sitting while travelling), as well as TVs set in the ceiling above every bunk bed, full kitchens and bathrooms.  These tow the haulers which house complete workshops, 2 race cars, spare engines, tyres, panels and parts.  All up the rig is 75ft long.  The rear door of the hauler folds down then lifts up in order to retrieve the race car which is stored up in the top compartment. The World of Outlaw series of race meetings was in town and even though Jeep wasn't following this circuit this summer he decided to show up and have a run.  A great qualifying run meant that he automatically made it through to the main feature race a the end of the night, its always a good thing to have no damage and just wait for the main race.  Jeep started in 3rd spot as the flag dropped to signal the start of the 50 lap race.  By lap 6, he was in 1st place and remained there to take the $10000 win. They reckoned it was kiwi good luck and so the boys all went down to the winners circle for the presentation and photos after the race.  A great reunion evening!