Open All Night

While our memories certainly skew certain elements of our past and its relative significance, I focus on one today – namely the NFL draft.   I know it happened once, likely twice, but seemingly annually – but that is that team halfbakedschemes would end up taking a break from working in the garage to have lunch at Zebb’s.  This was during the racing pre-season – and for whatever reason – always coincided with the NFL draft.   Tonight is the first round of the draft, so it is only apropos that I provide some updates!   – The Neon has its new powerplant – and is residing in Phil’s garage.  He is finishing prep work before the season opening event.  New rubber arrived, vinyl is on order, and the model of car was recently named as one of the 10 happiest cars. http://jalopnik.com/the-ten-happiest-cars-ever-made-480926254   – The Michigan modified I am campaigning is in a down to the wire crunch, but only because team owner M. Stenberg decided on a new body (something talked about but never done on the Mod-Lite).  He is going to shake it down tomorrow evening, 15 days before Michael straps in for the first time under race conditions.   – New Jersey – still in the works and should be firmed soon.   Happy spring (regardless of the Michigan weather – snow – on April 24???), -Michael

It has been a tumultuous off-season, but halfbakedschemes racing is excited to get after it in the coming year.

We procured a Spec Neon, with the intent for Michael to take his drivers school and subsequently spend the season competing at Waterford Hills racetrack in Michigan. Waterford features 6 race weekends, so it would be an ideal introduction to having to (consistently) turn right. Two things have conspired against this plan however. Michael is unable to make the drivers school (which leaves him unable to compete), and more importantly he has landed a ride piloting a Modified at Springport Motor Speedway just outside of Lansing, MI. Michael will be driving the #12x at Springport, while car owner Mike Stenberg drives it at Spartan Motor Speedway. In addition, the plan is to run a few Legends races again this season. And if the details can be ironed out Michael will be running a Wall modified at Wall Stadium multiple times in the second half of the long NJ racing season.

Because we didn’t want the new car just sitting there, Phil Mather (http://philmatherracing.com/) has graciously stepped in to run the Waterford season. He is an accomplished racer, and snagged a podium in his first Pro race last season. Personally I just hope he adjusts quickly to a car that is driven by the front wheels!

A tentative schedule will be posted soon, along with more updates during the build process. Just think – two more days till spring!
-Michael

It has been a tumultuous off-season, but halfbakedschemes racing is excited to get after it in the coming year.   We procured a Spec Neon, with the intent for Michael to take his drivers school and subsequently spend the season competing at Waterford Hills racetrack in Michigan.  Waterford features 6 race weekends, so it would be an ideal introduction to having to (consistently) turn right.  Two things have conspired against this plan however.  Michael is unable to make the drivers school (which leaves him unable to compete), and more importantly he has landed a ride piloting a Modified at Springport Motor Speedway just outside of Lansing, MI.  Michael will be driving the #12x at Springport, while car owner Mike Stenberg drives it at Spartan Motor Speedway.  In addition, the plan is to run a few Legends races again this season.  And if the details can be ironed out Michael will be running a Wall modified at Wall Stadium multiple times in the second half of the long NJ racing season.   Because we didn’t want the new car just sitting there, Phil Mather (http://philmatherracing.com/) has graciously stepped in to run the Waterford season.  He is an accomplished racer, and snagged a podium in his first Pro race last season.  Personally I just hope he adjusts quickly to a car that is driven by the front wheels!   A tentative schedule will be posted soon, along with more updates during the build process.  Just think – two more days till spring!  -Michael

The calendar has finally rolled over to a new year, which means one thing.  I spend my free time anxiously refreshing track websites waiting for schedules to be published and then excitedly update my master matrix when one is. ***** This off-season has been particularly curious.  I will update when things are firmed but there should be some diversity in the schedule.  A road racing Neon has been added to the stable.  It is eager to be flogged but needs some work, and in typical HBS fashion will be thrashed on in the last minute.  At a minimum I want to get through the licence school and do enough races to get my full licence.  There are also two local oval track series that are running a single race on a road course circuit.  I have had serious conversations to line up a ride for each.  Lastly…well I cannot divulge the final aspect of the plan yet but it would involve some cutbacks to road racing, but for a good reason. ***** More to come…soon I promise, -Michael

The Legends racing season has wound down out in Michigan.  I had been slated to run in back to back events, one at Flat Rock Speedway and the successive weekend at Springport.  The latter was canceled, so Flat Rock ended up being the last jaunt of the season. ***** The weather was perfect.  The Legends and street stocks were on the oval, with plenty of “crash ‘em up” activity slated for after our races.  The crowd filed in early – and did not stop filing in.  In fact, our heat was delayed 15 minutes to allow for more people to come in to the venue.  The heat race was awful.  I started 3rd of 6, and the efforts to loosen the car up from the first sessions apparently continued unabated.  I spent more time sideways than going forward and proceeded to last in the finishing order.  This meant a shotgun on the field start for the feature. ***** Tightening the car up for the feature was a prudent move.  I was able to move forward and managed to get up to 7th place, the last position gained after a nearly 10 lap side by side battle.  My teammate Sean McPherson had a spirited battle for the lead and ended up finishing 2nd.  We got done in plenty of time to catch the Figure 8 hijinx, including a boat race and a schoolbus race.  Despite all of my race travels I had never seen a schoolbus figure 8 race, and now have seen one – with three buses flipped over.  Overall, it was a great way to finish the outdoor season in Michigan. ***** There will be some updates posted on the website soon.  This will be two-fold, part to cover the season ending races that I will be driving in NJ, and secondly to discuss the plans for next year.  They could be a little different, especially after spending a morning watching road race cars up at Waterford Hills racetrack this past weekend. ***** Vroomingly yours, -Michael

• Last Michigan Legends race of year, started 11th finished 7th. Pleased with that. And…got to watch multiple rollovers in schoolbus fig-8 #

• I am not a writer,thankfully for each of your sakes. But @louisahthomas is & she penned a great article about Roddick http://t.co/8NXY2Hcm #
• Clapping from the couch – you are an inspiration – will miss watching you @andyroddick #nothingbutheart #