Bad went worse as the course director has refused to give me the day off in front of Loring. No days off for 4 months. If that didn't finish me off, I did the math and my commuting costs will increase by $400 per month due to my inability to use my vanpool for four months while having to pay out of my pocket for it so I don't lose my seat. That also puts June and September at Maxton at risk. 2012 at BUB is also history as I need seat time including 1.5 mile runs prior to going after the FIM record.
I gave my boss 2 months to convince me why I should trust management not to do something similar next season. I explained clearly that LSR is my personal life and you guys are all my family and I have no plans to give up the sport. I am trying to give them some benefit of the doubt in that the world crisis and budget mess has them stressed but I have never seen anything this inconsiderate for the sake of stats in my 21 years there. If he fails, that gives me a few months after training to line up a new position for next spring and get my motor in the queue for performance work before we run where ever next spring. I can't afford to put a couple $K in the motor without some confidence I can run her. They either find back-ups for me or find a replacement.
It is only by pure luck that I have been able to salvage my speedweek trip so far. It is a 'trip of a lifetime' gift to a friend of mine and I am real glad I didn't have to battle over it. I wasn't about to let him miss seeing his friends bring out their 200 mph (theoretically) '55 Vette build.
On the positive side the fender you sold me looks promising! Now I have to push the shop to have the duc ready for May and hope they stay enthusiastic and understanding about the few appearances it will make this year.
