2003 Calendar
6th - Last day of Christmas Vacation. Went to Fun Zone in Montgomery, Al. A day of video games, roller skating, pizza, and fun.
10th - Monster Trucks at Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, Al. Good show, included Bulldozer, and Maximum Destruction. Also featured Tim Arfons (of the Art Arfons family) in a jet powered Jeep.
11th - Go Kart Racing at Wilson's Motorsports Track in Santuck, Al. Kristian is looking into purchasing a champ kart. Cold day, low 24 - high 50.
18th - Visit to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega. We've been there a couple times, but this time got to take my folks for their first visit. Left there and went to get a look at the Talladega Gran Prix (road course track - mostly for motorcycles) which is just north-east of the city. Then went over to the Natural History Museum in Anniston, Al. They had some new displays since we were here last a couple years ago. Very good museum.
19th - Went to Talladega Dirt Track for the 13th Annual Ice Bowl. It was cold, but not as cold on Sunday as it had been on Saturday. We bundled up in 3+ layers of clothing and had plenty of blankets (and plenty of food). Very good racing, just wish we could have stayed for the entire event, but it was about 90miles back home and we wanted to get back before it got too late. We'll be heading back up there during the regular racing season to catch some weekly racing action.
25th - This is a 'stay at home' weekend. Too cold to do much outside stuff like hiking or camping. Went to the movies with our neighbor friend Mitch. Saw 'Kangaroo Jack'. It was pretty good, but I probably wouldn't have gone to see it if it didn't have a couple Land Cruisers in it (nice FJ-45 troopie).
7-9th - Sand Hills/Sand Blast Rally - Cheraw, SC. We're worked as Course Marshals for this Rally. Basically blocking off a side road so no 'civilian' vehicles entered onto the race course, keeping goofball spectators out of the road during the races and making sure things are safe and secure in our 'zone'. We both had a great time, even though it was cold and windy most of the day. Pizza Party after the Rally allowed us to meet and talk with the drivers and race teams. We each received a free Rally T-Shirt, they paid for our motel room (2 nights) and paid for our gas there and back home. You can't beat that. Pics for event here.
19th - Kristian's Champ Kart finally makes it's way here after a long trip from Nokesville, VA; after a layover in Dallas, NC. Going to get started working on it as it will need to be ready when the Summer racing season starts in May. He now has his own web page for info on his Kart/racing career.
24-27th - I'm headed to Biloxi, MS for work. Kristian will be hanging out here at the house with his 'Oma' (grandmother for those that don't speak German).
1st - Rattlesnake Rodeo - Opp, AL. We didn't attend any of the festival festivities mostly due to rain all day. However, we did attempt to see the 27th Annual Rattler 150 Super Late Model, plus 20-lap Roadrunner Feature and 20-lap Mini Sportsman Feature. Got to watch the two 20 lap races, but the main feature got rained out on us. They ended up running it the next day, but we were unable to attend. They also ran races in the other classes on Friday night, but we didn't get there in time to go.
12th - Finally got us a tow vehicle! It's a very clean 1993 F-250 Ford, turbo diesel, 5spd. Two-tone brown/tan, extended cab. Drives nice and comfortable. Pics here soon.
15th - The plan to work the SCCA Race at the new Barbers Motorsport Complex (Road Course) in Birmingham, has fallen thru. Started serious work on the trailer, between the rain showers. Got it put up on blocks and the wheels off. Cleaned up under the wheel wells and now ready for some heavy duty sanding. Hopefully finish sanding this week and paint this weekend.
22nd - Southeastern Winter Asphalt Pro-Divisional Series kart race, Wilsons Motorsports Track, Santuck AL
24-28th - Spring Break, so far, nothing in particular planned. Possible trip up north for KVT to visit relatives. Stuff scheduled for the weekend prior/after, but nothing really planned for the week days. Probably more work on our individual projects (see 15 Mar) as time to have them complete is quickly running out.
29th - Cajun Sprints at Southern Raceway in Milton, FL. Day started out nice, but by the time we got to the track, it had turned cold, windy and started to rain. After sitting out in it for about 2 hours or so, we called it quits and headed home. Race was later called due to the bad weather. Did a little fishing that morning and caught a couple bream. Had a nice fish supper that night.
5th - Tennessee Valley Region SCCA RallyCross (cancelled), Huntsville Speedway, Huntsville AL. We have pre-registered, but still may back out. Long haul/first time jitters. Trailer almost finished, will update trailer page with new photos when done.
Kristian had his season opener soccer game against the Millbrook Hotshots. They were coached by his soccer coach from the Fall Season. The Dragons (Kristian's team) was victorious, winning by a score of 3-1. Kristian played really well, much better than during the fall, but that was his rookie season. He played fullback and stayed in for a majority of the game. (Fullback is a defensive position in soccer). Both offense and defense worked well.
12th - Kristian's soccer team loses for the first time today. See the details under the Sports link. Also went to the Pro-Divisional Kart race at Marbury. Kristian took up with a race team and worked most of the night in their pits. See his web page for more details on this.
19th - Chattanooga Region SCCA RallyCross, Resaca GA. We entered!!! For details and pictures, go here. Good time. Left on Good Friday and returned home late Saturday night. There were no soccer games scheduled for this weekend.
26th - Spent weekend at the 'Swamp Home' (parent/grandparent home in Fla). Went rock collecting (school project) during the day, later Kristian 'called' a small 4 ft alligator up to the bank of the pond and scratched his back with a short stick. Don't know if the gator liked it or if it just kept sitting there waiting for us to feed it something. That night went to watch racing, including the 'Cajun Sprints' over at Southern Raceway in Milton, Fla
May:
3rd - Not much happening, rain cancels soccer games and races. Plus I had to work all weekend.
10th - No rain this weekend, so we made up for lost time. Saturday went canoeing on the BlackWater River near Milton FL. Took the 'day' trip, eleven miles. Besides a little sunburn, no problems. Stopped to swim a couple places and had a good time. That night we went to the dirt track races in Milton. Stayed at a nearby motel so we could get a early start the next day.
11th - Rode down to Santa Rosa Island and from there into Pensacola. Many of the things we wanted to do were closed because it was Sunday and Mother's Day. Missed 'Historical Pensacola' and the 'TJ Wentworth Museum'. Rode out to UWF and looked around, lots of changes since I was there about 20 years ago (hard to believe it's been that long). Campus is at least twice the size it was then. Even there, everything was closed or didn't open till 1pm. Before it got to 1pm though, we were getting hungry, so we headed down the McGuire's Pub; at least one thing we wanted to do was open and the food was great. Kristian is fond of his Irish Rally buddies from up North, so that's why I wanted him to go to McGuire's. Sad note is that we found out that one of his best buddies was killed in a Rally accident on Saturday.
14-17th - (postponed till September 4-6) Cherokee Trails International Rally - Cherokee National Forest - Ducktown TN. Same Rally event we worked last year. Looking forward to it again this year. Since we didn't get to go to the Rally, we also had to cancel our plans to drop in on the Great Smoky Mountain Trail Ride (Land Cruisers) that was being held in Tellico, TN at the same time. Two great events only about 40 miles apart.
17th - Busy weekend. Left out on Friday afternoon heading to Huntsville. Checked out the 'new' RallyCross site there. It was incredibly muddy, slick red mud. Almost stuck the F-250, and we were still on the dirt access road. Spun tires like crazy climbing the small hill back up to the blacktop. Spent night near Decatur where they had a heated indoor pool. Kristian said it was worth the trip.
Next day we picked up a U-Haul trailer (I mean 'auto transporter') and while tornado warning sirens wailed and the rain came down, we loaded up our new and improved RallyCross vehicle. No details will be given out yet. A lot of work to be done on it to make it into a off-road racer. Stay tuned for a web page, however it may not hit the race circuit until next season.
Went by 'Sci-Quest' in Huntsville. It's a hands-on science museum just down the street from the Space and Rocket Center. It was pretty good and Kristian liked it. It was comparable to the McWain Center in B'ham. In some ways better, in others not as good. Got home late, watched it rain all day Sunday.
24th - Didn't attend the Tennessee Valley Region SCCA RallyCross in Huntsville as scheduled. Went to visit the folks instead. On the way there, we ran across a SCCA Solo I event being held outside Enterprise, AL. Pics are here.
June:
7-8th - Worked this weekend. Kristian still in Florida; Couple beach trips and hitting the creek swimming hole almost every day.
21st - Tennessee Off-road Challenge (cancelled), Monteagle, TN
Just heard about a 'Road Race' to be held on the campus of a Children's Home in Franklin, TN. 40-60 entries expected. We're considering entering, even though it will be our first 'asphalt/tarmac' event. Narrow, twisty roads thru the tree-lined site, giving the orphan and abused kids a thrill with the RallyCross Truck. Sounds like tons of fun, if we don't get rained out. Drive up Friday evening after work and return home on Sunday.
Ended up taking 3rd in our class and 27th overall, beating out a new Mustang Cobra and a 2002 Corvette in the process. Thought we had a pretty good showing, not bad at all for narrow street tires and a completely stock pickup truck. First went to a Lotus, with a variety of Nissan 350Zs, Porsches and Miatas edging us out.
28th - Chattanooga Region SCCA RallyCross, mid-season event in Resaca. We're registered for both the RallyCross and the Road Rally that evening back into Chattanooga. Also registered at a local campground there for the big mid-season party. Another long distance weekend, drive up on Friday night, return home Sunday.
Came in 3rd in Class (PS) and 16th overall. Problems with timer resulted in having to be 'stopwatched' for most of the event, not to mention the delays as they tried to get the timer working. Tried a few 'techniques' this time, but not enough runs to see the results.
Placed 7th in the RoadRally. Kinda difficult event, being our first time. Kristian was in panic mode most of the time, until he finally got the hang of reading the questions in advance of the next route direction. He's gung-ho to do another one and vindicate himself as a 'navvie'.
Summer Shootout party at the Campsite was fun. Lots of good food, more than anyone could eat. Even had 3 different cakes to represent each of the 3 different rally/race events. Camped there overnight in a small cabin (2 bunk beds, a little fridge, a a/c unit - that's all). Kristian spent time there riding his bike with the 'neighbor' kids, but mostly spent his time in the big pool.
July:
3rd - Went to the Montgomery Motorsports Park (Drag Strip) on Thursday for their annual "Night of Fire". Fireworks, Jet-engined Dragster, and some wild Pro-Mods were scheduled. Parked on the back side of the strip, watched a couple Pro-Mods practice, then walked over to the concession stand for a cold drink. While there, it began raining. After about 30-40 minutes, the loudspeaker announced that the event was being cancelled and rescheduled till 9 Aug. Only got to see about 5-6 cars run in practice. Oh well.
4th - Went over to Ft. Toulouse where some friends were camping for the holiday weekend. We were invited to camp, but with thunderstorms forecast all weekend, I decided I'd rather sleep indoors. Got there just after lunch and spent the rest of the day with them, just talking, touring the park, bike riding, and a rousing game of "cheater's baseball" (make up rules as you go, like: 5 strikes, hiding the bases, etc.). Headed home about the time the mosquitoes started coming out.
Had planned on watching Wetumpka's fireworks, but they were cancelled due to flooding on the river and at the river park (where they shoot the fireworks). Two fireworks shows in a row cancelled. Ended up riding around town, looking at fireworks being shot off by folks in the neighborhood.
5th - Rainy day. Needed to do yard work, but too wet. Went to the movies instead and saw 'Finding Nemo', which Kristian enjoyed.
6th - Sunday was finally a little drier, so we had our 'official' July 4th cookout. Big ol' steaks on the grill and cold watermelon for dessert. Only thing missing was corn-on-the-cob, which I forgot to pickup at the store.
12th - Kristian has caught a ride to NC with his grandparents to visit relatives and to take in some dirt track racing in the mountains (near Murphy NC), meanwhile, I'm stuck at home with a case of pneumonia.
19-20th - RallySprint event (cancelled) Resaca, GA. on Saturday. We'll probably work at this event. Sunday will be the RallyCross event, which we plan on entering. Kristian returned home Sunday, which made me very happy.
4th - School starts. Kristian moves up to the Middle School this year, he's a little apprehensive since the Middle School and the Jr. High are side by side and share some facilities (lunchroom, etc.).
9th - (see 3 Jul) Night of Fire at the Montgomery MotorSports Park. This time around my Ma and Pa went with us. No rain. Good turnout of Pro-Mod cars, very fast and very exciting. Got to see the Jet Dragster run. Mosquitoes like to have carried us off.
17th - Had free tickets to the Montgomery Zoo. Had been a while since we last went. Really enjoyed it, seeing all the animals again. Got to see a Lion roar. If you've never stood real close to one when they do that, then you really don't know how impressive it sounds, much deeper and fuller of volume than what comes across on TV shows. Ate lunch there, road the train, and visited the 'new' Mann Museum now located at the Zoo.
23rd - Headed down to Dothan to sightsee and visit my sister (and her family). Went to the WaterWorld water park where Kristian rode the "Great White". He didn't want to do it at first, but I finally talked him into it. He said it was scary at the start. Later went to Landmark Park and looked around there. Made it to the 3pm Planetarium showing and really enjoyed that. Was going to the races at Dothan Raceland that night, but we were too tired.
27th - Labor Day Weekend - Headed to Bonifay with Kristian's Champ Kart. Worked on it all weekend. Pretty much stripped it down to the frame, cleaned it, welded some spots, fixed some stuff, sanded the frame/chassis, then gave it a coat of black paint. Will let it cure for a week while we send the motor off for re-working. Also have some miscellaneous parts to get before we work on it again.
4-6th - Cherokee Trails Rally - (cancelled) After being rescheduled 3 times, the event was finally cancelled due to lack of entries and loss of sponsorship. We had been waiting on this one all year, going to make it a nice mountain vacation for us. Oh well.
Instead we headed back down to Bonifay to continue working on the Champ Kart. Got a good bit done. Made a massive parts order on Monday from 4 different Kart places (Bandit Karts, Comet Karts, TSRacing and Crow Enterprizes). Motor should also be in the shop on Monday.
13th - Spokes Road Race - Franklin, TN. (see 21 Jun entry). Another enjoyable event. Were never able to find a videographer, so we tried to do it ourselves. Maybe next time. We did pretty good, but didn't win class as we'd hoped. There was a red BMW that kicked out butts pretty good. But we had fun. The Spokes folks invited both me and Kristian to enter their April 04 car show.
27th - Back again to Bonifay to work on the Champ Kart. Motor back from shop and mounted into frame. Seat also mounted. Still awaiting some parts. Went to Southern Speedway (Milton, FL) to watch the races.
4-12th - Fall Break. Kristian spends first half with Grandparents, hitting the Alabama State Dirt Championship races in Phenix City, AL on the 3rd, 4th and 5th. I stay home due to work. Last half of Fall Break is spent doing our 'fall clean-up' around the yards. Too many race weekends thru the summer have left our yard in need of attention, quite a big chore to catch up on.
18th - Did more yard and house work. Possible big announcement forthcoming. Everyone who knows is getting excited.
25th - (scheduled) Resaca RallySprints / RallyCross. Planning on working the RallySprint event on the 25th, then running in the RallyCross event on the 26th. All will depend on our 'status', as we may be busy doing another chore that weekend.
Didn't get to go to the RallySprint/Cross. Instead spend weekend in Fla. Went to the 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Dirt Track Championship Races at Flomaton, AL. Out first time visiting that track. Got to see Red Farmer run.
2nd - Been a very busy last couple of weeks. Haven't updated since mid-October. Got a new job. Kristian moved to Bonifay last week and started school there. I have to work here for a couple more weeks, then I follow him down. Been very busy cleaning up around the house (got to get it sold), and packing. Trying to do it in some sort of orderly fashion.
8th - The body panels for Kristian's Kart were taken to the Paint Shop today. Now that we've moved we've had to find a new Paint and Body shop to do the fiberglass repairs and painting. We chose to use Dothan Auto Body. Parts should be ready for pickup around the 2nd week of December, just in time for Kristian's first SCCA race on 7 Dec.
17th - Still all very hectic. Started new job, commuting included I'm gone 12 hours a day. Weekends are spent either working, packing for the move (still not 100% moved - stuff scattered over 2 states) or working on the Kart trying to finish it by 7 Dec for Kristian's first race.
22nd - Sand Hills Sand Blast Fall Rally, Cheraw SC. Same Rally we worked back in Feb (see above). This time event is being sanctioned by NASA instead of SCCA. We went and worked as Course Marshals on 3 stages. Lots of fun. Story and pictures on our Rally Page.
24th - A new member to the Tinkler Motorsports family and crew has been added. Today 'Zeke' came to live with us. He is a 6 week old beagle puppy (born 9 Oct 03). Zeke the Wonder Beagle will be trained to both hunt rabbits and work in the Rally Service area. Quite a handsome little dog and very smart. He'll have his own PAGE soon so that we can document his puppyhood and growing up.
7th - The Ho Ho Solo, a autocross race in Chattanooga, TN was supposed to be Kristian's first SCCA race. Unfortunately I found out just 4 days prior that I would have to work that day. Kristian was already registered and had a group of folks wanting to see him run. But it just didn't happen. Kristian was pretty disappointed, as was I. Saddest part is that I'm pretty sure he would have trophied this event.
8th - Kristian's big 10th birthday. This one was pretty subdued being how we're 'new' in town. No big parties with lots of friends like in the past. This year it was only a small pizza party out with family. Afterwards we came home and had chocolate cake and ice cream while Kristian opened his gifts. In addition to some clothes, Kristian received a RallyCross board game from England and a remote controlled Mini Cooper that is worked from controls on his new watch. Pretty cool. Played a couple games of European RallyCross before bed.
