What a great weekend at the NHRA Gatornationals
#1
What a great weekend at the NHRA Gatornationals
The wife and I flew into Orlando on Friday and drove up to Gainesville to work the DRAW (Drag Racing Association of Women) booth and get our Spring nitro fix on. The crowds at the Gainesville race are always massive and the weather was great.
Stopped by the Alanabi pits and talked to Crew Chief Brian Husen, I bought my Camaro from him a year and a half ago and its kinda cool to hang out with him when we go to the races. Talked to his driver Shawn Langdon for a bit.
There was some nice nostalgia cars setup and Don Garlits was there with one of the Swamp Rat dragster on display.
I am a lucky man to have a wife that is into drag racing, I took her as a birthday present 5 years ago and we have been going every year since. She has a NHRA flag thats she has been getting autographs on for a few years now. Did I say my wife is great?!?!?!?
They had some great old drag cars on display
After the races every year the wife and I head over to the Gulf to Cedar Key this wonderfully quiet piece of paradise for the rest of the week.
When we landed in Orlando I was supposed to get a mid-sized car as a rental, the guy talked me into upgrading to a Jeep Wrangler for a couple extra bucks a day. Well when we went to pick it up they could not find it! So after a half hour of people scrambling and the wife and I getting pissed off the counter guy stepped up, apologized for all confusion and tossed me a set of keys to an orange 2012 Camaro! Its just a V-6 but i have not had a chance to drive one yet and we have it all week.
Here is a pic of the car and the cottage we rent that is right on the ocean.
Stopped by the Alanabi pits and talked to Crew Chief Brian Husen, I bought my Camaro from him a year and a half ago and its kinda cool to hang out with him when we go to the races. Talked to his driver Shawn Langdon for a bit.
There was some nice nostalgia cars setup and Don Garlits was there with one of the Swamp Rat dragster on display.
I am a lucky man to have a wife that is into drag racing, I took her as a birthday present 5 years ago and we have been going every year since. She has a NHRA flag thats she has been getting autographs on for a few years now. Did I say my wife is great?!?!?!?
They had some great old drag cars on display
After the races every year the wife and I head over to the Gulf to Cedar Key this wonderfully quiet piece of paradise for the rest of the week.
When we landed in Orlando I was supposed to get a mid-sized car as a rental, the guy talked me into upgrading to a Jeep Wrangler for a couple extra bucks a day. Well when we went to pick it up they could not find it! So after a half hour of people scrambling and the wife and I getting pissed off the counter guy stepped up, apologized for all confusion and tossed me a set of keys to an orange 2012 Camaro! Its just a V-6 but i have not had a chance to drive one yet and we have it all week.
Here is a pic of the car and the cottage we rent that is right on the ocean.
__________________
Chris
As close to "Normal" as I can get...
Chris
As close to "Normal" as I can get...
#2
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: La.
Posts: 2,890
Great pics Chris, i was tuning on a B/MP 67 camero car that ran Gainsville in 1969, and the crowds were as you said full house.
I salute you, you are definately living life too the fullest, almost like in a magic kingdom.
Zip.
I salute you, you are definately living life too the fullest, almost like in a magic kingdom.
Zip.
#5
Well Friday was the last day in paradise, beautiful sunrise and temps in the 70's.
The wife and I must have walked about 10 miles up and down all the streets.
Some of the old house are neat, they little shacks are called "Cracker House's" and a lot of them have been left alone on the outside but fully restored on the inside.
The nature trails and wildlife are great down here.
We got back to the cottage just in time to catch the sunset. What a great week, starting out with a Nitro fix and then 5 days of relaxing.
Came back on a plane this morning, now as I am sitting here typing all this my weather alert radio went off. Winter storm warning for tomorrow, anywhere from 4-8" of snow and blowing winds. should have stayed in Florida... :cry:
The wife and I must have walked about 10 miles up and down all the streets.
Some of the old house are neat, they little shacks are called "Cracker House's" and a lot of them have been left alone on the outside but fully restored on the inside.
The nature trails and wildlife are great down here.
We got back to the cottage just in time to catch the sunset. What a great week, starting out with a Nitro fix and then 5 days of relaxing.
Came back on a plane this morning, now as I am sitting here typing all this my weather alert radio went off. Winter storm warning for tomorrow, anywhere from 4-8" of snow and blowing winds. should have stayed in Florida... :cry:
__________________
Chris
As close to "Normal" as I can get...
Chris
As close to "Normal" as I can get...
#6
JEELLLLLLoussssss...........
JUUUUUST kidding ! GREAT tourist pics, Chris ! That pelican looks like an ex girlfriend ! Not one of MY ex girlfriends ! nonononono... Thanks for sharing with us on how the 'other' half lives. :P :P :P 8) 8)
JUUUUUST kidding ! GREAT tourist pics, Chris ! That pelican looks like an ex girlfriend ! Not one of MY ex girlfriends ! nonononono... Thanks for sharing with us on how the 'other' half lives. :P :P :P 8) 8)
#7
Senior Member
SENIOR BUILDER
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 114
Harbone,
You done good!!!!!!! I'm glad you and your wife had a great time, and a safe trip.
There's still "money" in Cedar Key, but way back when, Cedar Key was the western terminus of one of Florida's earliest railroads. It "opened" up Cedar Key. dgh
You done good!!!!!!! I'm glad you and your wife had a great time, and a safe trip.
There's still "money" in Cedar Key, but way back when, Cedar Key was the western terminus of one of Florida's earliest railroads. It "opened" up Cedar Key. dgh
#8
Originally Posted by csx8506
Harbone,
You done good!!!!!!! I'm glad you and your wife had a great time, and a safe trip.
There's still "money" in Cedar Key, but way back when, Cedar Key was the western terminus of one of Florida's earliest railroads. It "opened" up Cedar Key. dgh
You done good!!!!!!! I'm glad you and your wife had a great time, and a safe trip.
There's still "money" in Cedar Key, but way back when, Cedar Key was the western terminus of one of Florida's earliest railroads. It "opened" up Cedar Key. dgh
__________________
Chris
As close to "Normal" as I can get...
Chris
As close to "Normal" as I can get...
#10
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: orland pk il
Posts: 2,399
Great pic's...looks like you & wife had a great time. ....Makes getting on the plane to come back home real hard when your greeted by a snow storm the day you come back, to bad you couldn't have streched it out an extra week. :P