The 69 Adventure
Chapter 21 - Sept 19: Kat tries the suspension setup
Ed Maher wasn't going to make it up the weekend of the 20th, but racing was on my calendar for the 19th and 20th. The Bastard hadn't even been started since I was in California and the doctor's appointment went well, I guess. I was suggested to be included in a trial for studying a new diagnostic tool to determine a woman's risk of cancer. The doctor and I opted to put off the surgery for a couple of months if possible. I told him I felt the beginnings of the problem again. His exam revealed nothing....I should have been a bit more insistent. But based on this 'good news', I planned racing.
On Wednesday, 9/18, Icebox and I picked up PK and went to Philly to have Tony Luke's with Mericet, Philly Tommy, Julie, and Kat. Then I brought Kat home with me. Poor Icebox has been 'fixed' Tuesday and wasn't quite his normal self. I slept on the couch with Icebox on the floor next to me...and the boob was hurting and swollen again.
When I was at work Thursday, Kat mowed my lawn and then set about checking on the Bastard. It needed a half quart of tranny fluid and 3/4 quart of gear oil. He also topped off the coolant. It should have about 275 miles on the engine. Ct Jay was going to meet us at the track and we decided to live dangerously and just take the 69 to Atco....no other car. About the time we decided this, jim87camaro pulled up and he'd go with us!
I was debating racing. As much as I was looking forward to it - really anticipating it after my vacation - I didn't feel good. The boob problem was back and I was in pain and had a fever. This had triggered a migraine which I'd had for a couple of days. The antibiotics I was taking were making for an unhappy tummy. While trying to get ready to leave, I was 'losing words'. Kat's been around me enough that he knows when I do this and I can give him the synonym. So when I was asking for the extra fuses for the 69, I could only come up with circuit breakers and he said fuses and I could say, "Yep, fuses" and not feel like an idiot. He knows I know they are fuses; he knows the migraines can have stroke-like effects and we deal with it. But dealing with Kat like this is one thing - dealing with strangers and drag racing is something else. Half way to Atco, I realized I had forgotten my shoes. I wasn't barefoot - I had slip-on things I wear around the house that were my mom's - 4 sizes too big. My sense of smell was heightened too. I decided if I couldn't remember to put on my sneakers, I shouldn't be driving a car at 100+ mph. Kat would race all night.
| It was a great night for racing! We called PK from the track and he met us. Jay showed up (after being a typical male, getting lost and not calling for directions). Jay's brakes were acting up so he wasn't racing. Jim decided not to race either. Kat got in 5 runs, breaking our 109 mph barrier with a 112 and setting a new best for the car at 12.2. |  |
We decided we'd race again Friday and PK allowed the Bastard to sleep-over again. We parked the Bastard and Jim's car, and headed to Ollie's. Jay became the designated driver, and I indulged in a few Nutty Irishmen (the drinks - not any that were sitting at the table with me).
I drove almost to Whiting with Jim and then switched to Jay's car. Jay not only hauled us home, but he volunteered to sleep with Icebox, so I got a decent night's sleep!