Or, how I spent my Summer Vacation, by Bobby Wanner .
I've responded in bits and pieces to various sites and emails, decided to get off my tired old Differential and be a little more specific.
Thank Youse to, and obviously not in order of importance; and excuse mispelt names...
Matt Wanner (son), aka LT. A Guy, and Chris Vennard (son in law), The Voice, for setting up (Thursday) and running (all Sat and Sun) the timing equipment. As some of the rented photocells arrived slightly damaged, on site repairs were being made all weekend. Chris and my daughter Val and my grandson Griffin made the long trip up by themselves from NY to help out. A lot longer with a 15 month old.
Joe Daly and brother in law John Donovan, ran timing on Monday for Scott's crew, teched bikes (and cars?) on Friday/Saturday and whenever asked, and supplied most of our commo equipment. Joe is never flustered, a rock, wears that starched white techie LS shirt....cool. All the way from Long Island NY.
Joe Timney, where do I start ? Reassured me on my gazillion phone calls since we initiated this, supplied his body to personally run the south end of the event as in Tech/Start/ and gave us the final topping of credibility from his incomparable store of LSR knowledge. No wonder DCW is behind in schedule, The Man spends so much time with needy LSR types like us.
Donna Timney...Oh Donna, ran Registration and Impound , supplied all that clerical forms, releases, clipboards, collected money, answered all the questions, again and again, and I suspect is the person who detected how we in the LTA might've been slightly over our heads and really decided at the last moment to come swooping in to watch over us. Lots of invisible credit due here also as a few ECTA regulars decided to come when they found the Timneys were attending.
Kim...What an asset ! Ran the entry point and chased down strays for days, just like in Maxton, all the way from Ohio.
Carl..Assisted Kim, helped set up timing, directed spectator parking, camped out under a blue tarp attached to his mini van SW of the start line, then disappeared. Not even a silver billet,er, bullet
He ran a stripped-thread Photo cell housing off track to a pal who re-did it to fit.
Tony 'Caveman" Maffinni..Track Steward, relayed the now famous " Moose near track, seriously" message, was out there constantly. Green 56 Chevy pick up was abused a lot. Accompanied by hot girl friend and polyethylene palm tree.
The Time slips gang ,Chris Frazier, John Scholl, Frank06 and Nathan, many competitors commented on their proficiency and help, not to mention minor fire extinguishment with imported bottled water LOL.
The Limestone Fire Department...Amazing ...We contracted for the insurance mandated personnel and equipment, but we got practically every Fire Guy in The County hanging out. They were at the finish line area required, they were at the start line, they supplied breakfast through late lunch, supplied info on the area, took pix/videos and posted them on multiple forums, and generally went out of the way to make everybody comfortable. Special thanks to Chief Paul and son Chris Durepo , but also all the other brothers I've talked at.
The Starters. Me being both old and memory challenged, I've forgotten the names. Joe T shanghaied them, they were great. Could be the most important job, big responsibility, they came through,big time, big sigh of relief..
Mark Sotomayor...Our Main Maine Man...We were introduced to him early on, he has been 110% since our first meeting. Fortuitously beyond our dreams, his business, IMPAC, is on the base property. Long standing member of the community, knows everybody we need to know, priceless asset. Also has a killer Porsche, it, with him driving, with my #343, made the first official pass in LTA history on Saturday. ( hood not fully latched, 86 mph, hopefully not a sign of the future).
Frank Cutting,and crew, TyRods, brought up, put out, and picked up 50 cones.
Lauren O, Josh, another Bob , those N.E.S.S. guys, Tonya and Keith Turk woulda come too, had previous commitments, lots phone time with them of the ECTA, ) , ECTA in general for letting us use all their books and forms, Bob Taylor at EVP, Porta Pottage (speedy response on Sunday), Limestone PD, kept the perimeter under control very well, Maine Inland Wildlife allowing our presence in a wildlife sensitive area, and The Loring Development Authority working with us, helping and directing to all the other agencies involved, of which there are a few.
Oh yeah. Bobby Jepson, who I had a discussion with almost two years ago that led to all this, and did all the LLC foot/phone work to add to our limited credibility. He's silent Bob in the LTA. AKA McGyver, made mile markers, probably a lot of stuff you'll see in the future.
Angie, my wife/pal of combined 46 years, not really into racing, but always stands by me.
I know I forgot people , I already forgot names , you know who you are if you helped, similarly you know who you are if you didn't and missed an opportunity to be in on a great experience.
Here's where you dash off an angry note about old whazzizname...
Bob Wanner