Landracing Forum
Texas Mile => Texas Mile General Chat => Topic started by: arnie on March 08, 2012, 05:41:16 PM
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I need some help promoting spectators for the March event. Jessica wrote this up and ask me to get it out to all the forums. I everyone could slap it up on any forums that they are members of, that would help a lot.
Calling on all Motorsports Enthusiasts to come join us at The Famous Texas Mile in Beeville, TX!
March 23-25, 2012 at Chase Field Industrial Complex
Spectator Tickets are $15 for all three days
Children 12 and under are Admitted FREE!
(Tickets available at the gate ONLY, and we don’t sell out)
If you love motorsports, outdoor festivals, or if you just love having a good time than this event is where you should be. The Texas Mile event is loved by the young the old and everyone in between. Participants come from all edges of the United States, Canada, and Mexico to test themselves and their motorized equipment on the fastest and most challenging 1-Mile track in the WORLD! They achieve their top speed in 1-Mile and shut down in a ½ mile. Onsite concessions and vendors for all to enjoy, so pen us in your calendar, pack your sunscreen, grab your lawn chair, load up your golf cart, gather up the kids and head out to The Texas Mile for the most fun you’ll have all year.
For more information check out our website: http://www.texasmile.net/spectatorinformation.php
Become a fan on facebook: www.facebook.com/TheTexasMile
Follow us on Twitter: @TheTexasMile
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Who is coming? Are you ready? Are you close?
We are close. All new bike, Brenda Sue is riding.
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We will make our 1st trip to Texas with the ZX-6. Hard to believe, but we are ready. We will leave North Carolina tomorrow. Looking forward to a run down the texas mile.
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Drive safely on the trip and go fast ... Joe
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A few second-hand reports from the Texas Mile today. Thanks to Tom Gates.
Jen Robertson went 230 on her stage 1 turbo Busa, a personal best.
Karl Gunter went 224 on his normally aspirated Busa, a personal best. The fastest normally aspirated standing mile record is 227, set by Mark Deluca of Team Forstall, and Karl is nipping at their heels.
I don't have any details, but Billy Shoemaker (current track record holder at 255) got off the bike a little too early, but is generally OK with a couple broken ribs. I am sorry to post such nonspecific info, but I thought it was better to mention it at least. I hope Billy recovers quickly.
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Sabet, thanks for the updates, keep us posted.
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No trouble Glen. The weather looks good for tomorrow, so hopefully there will be lots more.
Fred Vance made a shakedown pass on a newly-built normally aspirated Busa, and went 209. I think that Brenda will get her shot tomorrow. Fred has hopes for her to get a red hat this summer if all goes well.
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Me too.
Be safe, go fast Texas racers
DW
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Karl G. went down today...he is also hospitalized..dont have details...
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I don't have much else, but I know he is in ICU, intubated, stable, not in surgery. He was conscious with the EMTs.
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Greg Neal posted on facebook that Karl went down after a 231 mph run ... said he is conscious and recognizes people. Airlifted to Corpus Christi ...
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posted on Team Fat Ass on facebook '''
"Helena & jessie are with him. Lungs & heart good, conscious & cognizant, not wanting visitors, broken right collar bone & elbow, broken left knee, extensive bruising and abrasions, back & legs still to be evaluated. Being transferred from sedation to pain meds."
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Our prayers are with him and his recovery. Serious injuries for sure. Hope rest of the week end is safe.
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From
Greg Neal
Joe I know if was a very hard fall. Fded talked to a witness tbat said the rear wasbed under breaking and the bike slid out a.d away from Karl. He tokk a tumble then slid. He was alert and responsive when the helo took him. The helo crew came back to the grack and said we was stable during the flight. His bike wasnt that bad. Just slid. The left side of his leathers had burn through. J wish I knew more. Concern is high with me Joe. I tbink Bill was at the hoslital with Billy, so the feeling at the track from phone calls was positive.
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Thanks for info Joe.
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Thanks for letting everyone know. Sheesh, hate to hear this.
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Any updates today??
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Karl got into a motorcycle accident yesterday, March 24, 2012, at the Texas Mile race in Beeville, TX. Witnesses say that he was traveling at a high rate of speed in excess of 120 mph when the bike slid from under him and threw him in the air. He was life-flighted to a Level 2 Trauma Hospital in Corpus Christi, TX. Dad is in Trauma Intensive Care Unite (ICU). Here are a list of his major injuries from what we know AS OF: 2/24 11:00 am CST- broken clavicle (L)- broken scapula (shoulder blade- L) - 5 broken ribs (I think they are all on his L side)- L hand is shattered/ broken, will require reconstructive surgery, probably tomorrow- Mon- Possible small contusion on heart, cardiologist is there today to do more testing- "Road Rash" on the legs, elbows, upper torso- Both lungs are contused; they have intubated him.Positives:- He is not paralyzed. He was able to move his legs and toes on command and had a reasonable amount of force with his right hand (we were holding hands) - He is not a vegetable. They woke him from sedation for a little bit so he could see Mom and I and know that we are there. Although highly sedated, I could see he was still behind those blue eyes. We could ask him questions and he would shake his head yes or no. He could also point with his right hand to where there was pain. He was able to distinguish family from friends when we asked if he wanted his friends Bill and Jake to see him, he shook his head no. Mom also mentioned to him last night that they were trying to transfer him to Houston ASAP and my dad shook his head no. - HE IS ALIVESUNDAY UPDATES:- We will NOT be transferring him to Houston. It is too risky and he still is in critical condition. - Hand surgery was scheduled for this morning but the trauma doctor, Dr. Blow, postponed it to tomorrow. He wants to run some more tests--1) Brain CT2) MRI of lower back
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Thank you for the update, We are all thinking of him and that his recovery is going to heal fast. Prayers are with the family and all LSR fans.
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Thanks for the update ... wish the news regarding Karl's condition was better. We all are praying for him.
Joe
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Man that Texas Mile is tough. Prayers for Karl.
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Thanks for the update ... wish the news regarding Karl's condition was better. We all are praying for him.
Joe
+1
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Ok here is what I know, Karl is beat up really bad, I am not going to go into all the gory details. He seems to be lucid. He has feeling and movement in legs and feet. The last I heard they had not totally evaluated head, neck, and back. when I hear more I will let you know.
I was with the crew that went down to retrieve the bike. They held us until the track was totally cleaned up. While waiting I talked to the course worker who was closest to the accident. He plays the guessing game at peoples speed. He has become quite good at it. He guessed Karl was running 220 on his run, he was running 221. He said Karl was running about 100mph when he went down. Karl went down in the exact same place as Bill Warner did. There is a transition from the original surface to new asphalt. New as of last summer. It is poorly done and was scary just on the drive through. The investigators, cops I guess, came to look at Karls bike in the trailer. They said that he went down before the transition at 200mph. When we got on the track, to get Karls bike, we were right at the transition. There were no skid marks before the transition, and there was after. I dont know if they were just stupid, or are trying to cover up what really happened.
Karl is one of the most experienced pavement racers there is. He raced in EVERY Texas mile, and every other pavement venue. He was meticulous in his prep and routine when making a run. The bike went down on the right side, the fairing was ground up and some of the engine covers were ground down. Left side is like new. It looked a lot like my bike when I went down on the salt.
Later in the day I talked to the previously mentioned course worker and he said the exact same thing as he had before.
I made one shake down run on a new bike, ran 209. I cant tell you about braking conditions, I didnt have any. But that is another story. I will never make another run at that track. My rider broke her hand last week feels the same way.Three of my good friends have been hurt there. In my opinion the track is not safe for 200+mph motorcycles.
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Fred, thanks for the real story. We are all pulling for him as this is serious and a long time healing process. As always our prayers are with him and the family. :cry:
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Fred,
Thanks for your insights to the track and what happened. This makes me think that the consistancy of the track under braking conditions changes between the two intersections. IF I recall all three of the incidents had the bike wash out.
Jon
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To my point about that mile being tough. Not comparing venues but.... Maxton was like a dirt trail but past the finish line the shut down seemed fairly smooth. lots of good folks seem to be getting beat up in Texas. :-(
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Billy S incident was farther down track. I think Billy's was a slow speed get off involving a cone. May have been driver error.
Just got word that Karl's c/t scan on his head is clear. Yay
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Thanks for the info Fred, great news on Karl's CT.
It will be interesting to hear what if anything the Texas Mile folks have to say about this weekend.
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Good to hear the full story from someone who was there. Sounds like there should be some revisions to the track shutdown area before it's used for any more fast motorcycles.
Thanks for the report Fred.
I hope the healing goes well for Karl.
Pete
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..no way the head ct is "normal"...may not have been any damage
from the crash...just sayin...
Joe
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I value Joe's analysis. His education and profession adds credence to his evaluation.
FREUD
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Excellent point Joe, I'm sure Karl would agree wholeheartedly.
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(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247267_2034457736287_1089483133_32347731_5115947_n.jpg)
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Man that is an ugly crew. :evil: That is our fearless leader, rear center red hat, Karl Gunther aka Entropy.
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I was only running in 181 at Texas as I was on the 600. Word on Billy's accident is just that he ran long. He went a full 3 seconds or more long at speed. Couldn't get stopped tried to go left instead of right, hit the cone and went down at low speed.
I was on the return road when Karl went down. I didn't see a thing nor hear anything. I had just talked to Karl after his 1st run of the morning. On his 1st run he had kept the power on for a while past the traps. Karl's bike is loud and you could hear it under power for a couple of seconds after the time appeared on the screen. Some people had commented he drove that one deep. Obviously he had no issues getting stopped on that run. Again I have no clue why Karl went down.
What I do know is that the track distance markers are on the right side of the strip. The smooth side is the left 3rd. The distance markers are black with gold numbers and set up along with black tire walls. I don't think I ever saw one at speed. Right after the 1 mile traps is a ground strip across the track that I used to alert myself I was through the mile. There is another strip maybe 1000 more feet down the track. From my view I can see it being easy to go long there. I believe better marking of the trap area will help. Again I was only traveling 181 mph. I was easily slowed down to 40 mph where I coasted across the black area before the turn off.
Keep our friend Karl in your prayers. He has a lot of injuries to overcome. He has always gone out of his way to be a friend. He even got me the hotel room so I could go to Texas. It will not be the same at a track without him there.
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My deepest regards and sympathies to Karl & his family and friends. Like so many of the people who, in the past, commented on conditions at Maxton, I have never been there and know nothing about the venue. I did work shutdown at Maxton for a while and Dean S. was the only rider making our short (.5 mi.) shutdown - with shuddering rear tire hop; others probably could have done it - just didn't have to. All of you who have run over 200 (or EVEN 180 Greg) are incredible riders; like Turk has always said "the riding starts at the timing lights."
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I am sad to hear that Karl has been hurt. On behalf of Team Punisher Aprilia, please accept our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. I did not see if there is any kind of benefit fund, but if so, somebody please post.
It does it seem like there is a pattern at the new Beeville Texas Mile where the fastest motorcycles are crashing in the shutdown area. First Bill Warner. Now Karl and Billy Shoemaker, and I think I read another? ONE was too many. Is there an investigation underway?
I sent the following comments to Texas Mile management on December 21, 2011:
"My comments were regarding the end of the shutdown area. I saw the video of Bill's accident, and he dumped it immediately when he hit the tarred gravel, or whatever that last few hundred feet was prior to the turn off. As a bke rider, that was an area of concern for me. It might be fine for cars, but I tippy-toed through there myself hoping not to dump my bike. And all that pea gravel getting thrown up from the motorcycle's front wheel is not good for anybody's air filters, oil coolers, or radiators. Having a bike that only went 200 mph made it not as critical to use that area for braking for me.
This may seem low on the priority list, but I remind you that it is the only area of the track where a motorcycle rider crashed and got hurt. With safety as a priority, then this might require a higher priority for review. Just sayin'..."
Marc Rittner
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http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/karlgunter (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/karlgunter)
Slim, I hope it is OK to add this link to the forum. It tracks Karl's recovery progress. If you look at it you will just be amazed at how far he has come in a week. Keep the thoughts, prayers and well wishes flowing. Looking forward to seeing Karl up and about at a track again.
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I'm really amazed that nobody reported this item which appeared on FOX NEWS:
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/03/26/ford-gt-sets-standing-mile-record-at-257-mph/?intcmp=obinsite
Jim
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I was the next bike in line behind his record run. Now the Texas Mile logo gets changed again.
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I thought they had a 324? did they start over with the new track? Guess I'm not keeping up.
Hope Karl and Bill are doing well.
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It started fresh with the new location. The 324 was with a jet car, kinda didn't count in my opinion.
Reports are that Karl is walking a little, eating solid food and hassling nurses. Billy is also recovering well, talking about his next event.
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Update on Karl, he is doing amazingly well considering the extent of his injuries. They gave him his cell phone yesterday. Reports from some of the people he called is he sounds good, especially attitude. They are keeping him icu mostly for pain menagement. Sound like transfer to a rehab facility, in Houston is going to happen pretty quick. I will going to get a eyewitness report as soon as he can have visitors.
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Fred keep us posted...
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Below is the last update yesterday, Tuesday April 3rd from Karl's recovery update website.
Karl is talking!!
Today, Karl CALLED me!!!
Medical Updates:
- His trauma Dr. has put in TRANSFER papers, but not to upstairs but to HOUSTON!!! It will be an "acute long term care" in-patient rehabilitation facility. It takes some time like 48 hrs to process the paperwork, but we are praying for Karl to be in Houston in time for Easter! He will be driven up to Houston in an ambulance, which I feel most comfortable with and the Dr. requires.
- He got a few hours of sleep last night, but he hopes to get some more tonight. He ate chicken lasagna for dinner and "the driest peach cobbler in the world."
- They are handling his pain much better now that he has Nurse Diane. I saw a nurse's assistant when we were on FaceTime on our iphones tonight and the nurse asked is that your daughter? how old is she? and Dad says "42" and then when the nurse laughed (male nurse) and was walking away Dad says "hey wait, she is for sale!"
Direct messages from Karl himself:
1) "Come one, come all" Karl and Billy are having a contest at the Houston 1/2 mile in May. The contest is to see who can each complete three passes without falling off their bikes. "Prizes are being determined."
2) TFA has officially put a hold on the weight requirement since CEO himself has shed some pounds. A "weight re-gaining event" at Hooters will take place until all TFA members have met the requirement.
3) Karl does not want any more "Yens, Reals, Bolivares, Euros" he would like all payments made in "Beer... no make that Bud Light."
4) Dad also said about his friends "those are the type of guys you'd want to go into war with." He is truly touched, I can tell, by the outpour of all this love for him and us.
Specific Prayer Requests for tonight:
- That his transfer papers to Houston go through and he is moved on Thursday or Friday. ASAP.
- That God places Dad with a good medical team and nurses over at his new facility. May He answer their personal prayers and make their life a little brighter so they can focus on getting Karl ready to come home.
- Sweet, sweet, sleep
From St. Faustina:
There are times when He Himself allows terrible sufferings, and then again there are times when He does not let me suffer and removes everything that might afflict my soul. These are His ways, unfathomable and incomprehensible to us. It is for us to submit ourselves completely to His holy will. There are mysteries that the human mind will never fathom here on earth; eternity will reveal them.
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I talked to Karl yesterday. He is in great spirits, healing fast, and anxious to get back on the bike. Can't wait to see him. :cheers:
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heh - that's cool :cheers:
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Awesome!
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How 'bout a mailing address for Karl? Nancy and I like sending not just "get well quick" cards - but cards showing our race team - bikes, leathers, etc. I expect it's more enjoyable for another racer to see racing, not just Hallmark squiggles and hearts and bunny rabbits?
This is an invitation to you folks at home, too -- if you have a few minutes send Karl a photo or your race photo greeting card along with the "get well quick" message.
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Ask and ye shall receive! :-D
Karl Gunther
4111 Kendall Hill ct.
Sugar Land, tx. 77479
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Karl should be inroute to a rehab facility in Sugar Land, as we speak. Brenda Sue, Charlie Freeman, and I will be headed that way to see him Sunday. You cant keep an old f--t down for long.
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Brenda Sue and I just back from visiting Karl. He looks and sounds really good. Amazing recovery from the brink. What a great Easter, seeing Karl doing so good
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Great news, Thanks Fredvance for the updates.
Frank.
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Karl is at Home. yay. He is doing remarkably well, especially for a 63yr young, whose training mostly included 2 packs a day and liberal doses of J&B Scotch. He has kicked to nicotine habit. Some friends, mainly Tom Gates(tricktom), have repaired his bike. It will be running at the Houston 1/2 mile, with a lightweight, 120lb, rider. Karl is planning to be there supervising. Me too :wink:
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Is Brenda going to ride it?
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Karl is at Home. yay. He is doing remarkably well, especially for a 63yr young, whose training mostly included 2 packs a day and liberal doses of J&B Scotch. He has kicked to nicotine habit. Some friends, mainly Tom Gates(tricktom), have repaired his bike. It will be running at the Houston 1/2 mile, with a lightweight, 120lb, rider. Karl is planning to be there supervising. Me too :wink:
Fred,
thanks for posting the recap, well said. :cheers:
I dunno when i will get back in the saddle, it'll depend on therapy, but hopefully greenie use up her 2012 dance card with other riders as needed..
karl
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Is Brenda going to ride it?
nope, brenda isn't going to be riding it. she's a good rider but needs more track time at more than 190hp, and anyway, fred and brenda built her a busa for 2012..
Colt Batemen out of Houston will ride it at the Texas 1/2 mile and more if he wants to.
He generally rides turbo outlaw drag bikes, but is one of those rare guys who can ride the balls off anything
i can't say enough about tommy gates and colt.
they got my smashed up bike outa my garage when i was in the hospital and tom has already replaced parts got it running.
colt is redoing the plastic right now.
Having friends like tommy & colt is a priveledge i don't deserve!!!!
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Karl,
Great to see you is and healing....
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Karl,
Great to see you is and healing....
john,
a few of yr Coronas would speed things along.
karl
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Karl,
Great to see you is and healing....
john,
a few of yr Coronas would speed things along.
karl
I have a few here whenever you are ready...sent you a message after the crash, did you get it?
John
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Karl,
Great to see you is and healing....
john,
a few of yr Coronas would speed things along.
karl
I have a few here whenever you are ready...sent you a message after the crash, did you get it?
John
i must not have gotten it :?
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Glad you doing well Karl. That ok I still don't get it. :|
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It's tough to keep a motorcycle rider down. Just look at part of it's heritage: flat tracking.
Those dudes would crash hard and not miss the next race.
Karl won't miss many either.
Way to go, Pal.
FREUD
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It's tough to keep a motorcycle rider down. Just look at part of it's heritage: flat tracking.
Those dudes would crash hard and not miss the next race.
Karl won't miss many either.
Way to go, Pal.
FREUD
thanks, Freud!
words of encouragement are ALWAYS welcome especially after a get off. :cheers:
Karl
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That's what I told the girl in Tia Juana many years ago.