8-1-2009

This is to update you on Pateros. Friday seemed to start off okay, until we got close to Grand Coulee Dam. There was road construction and we had to follow a pilot car - that seemed harmless until I saw in our rear view mirror, BLUE SMOKE billowing out of the boat trailer - right next to 20 gallons of race fuel. We bailed off the road and waited for things to COOL down. I never did !!!!!!!!!!!

I finally disconnected the brakes trailer brakes and we proceeded - good thing we just had the motorhome brakes rebuilt.

We arrived in Pateros and started seeing friends - first one to meet us was Ray Sollars. Thank you Ray for stopping by and saying hello. A big thank you to Scott, Larry and Rob Harger for all your support. Kim and Jim Waddle were there for the week-end and were VERY much appreciated.

We broke a throttle cable on Saturday and didn't make a start. Jim, Larry and I worked late into the night on Saturday and Sunday morning to fix the opportunity. We ran two heats on (did you see what I said - TWO heats) Sunday and ran MUCH better.

The only other issue is a crack in the cowling. The boat hit a couple of holes and knocked Scottie (Scooter) hard to the left. He was one very sore guy after two heats.... The price you pay for going faster... LOL I think he is still smiling.

Chris Denslow has MANY wonderful pictures on his website http://cdenslow.smugmug.com/ if you wish to view.

Here are a few pictures from the week-end, taken by Kathy, Kim and Jim. The water picture is from the road above Pateros, looking down on the course.

The YouTube video's take a while to load, so be patient - I think they are worth it (semi biased). I don't want to hear any complaints, it took me three hours to load them up on YouTube.

I would personally like to thank Kathy for all her support and understanding, the food and WATER. Scott for the VERY tasty pizza on Saturday night and Kim (and Jim) for delicious sandwiches on Sunday. You guys had to put up with the HOT OLD man and what did I give you - I think we all had a great week-end. Kim thank you for watching the big chicken, Mokie. You did good.

Thank you to the TIRA (Tacoma Inboard Racing Assn) for putting on a great event under trying circumstances. You guys did GOOOOOOD !!

I'm gong to send this note out with shorter address lists, hopefully everyone will get it that way. Enjoy !!!


Ongoing Progress Click on the buttons below to get the updates for those two weeks. ( I'll put the newest information near the top of the page so if you want to read the whole story, read from the bottom of the page by the dates of the notes.) Email Bob

August 31, 2009 7:34 PM The Thrill of Victory!! This is to update you on Pateros. Friday seemed to start off okay, until we got close to Grand Coulee Dam. There was road construction and we had to follow a pilot car - that seemed harmless until I saw in our rear view mirror, BLUE SMOKE billowing out of the boat trailer - right next to 20 gallons of race fuel. We bailed off the road and waited for things to COOL down. I never did !!!!!!!!!!! I finally disconnected the brakes trailer brakes and we proceeded - good thing we just had the motorhome brakes rebuilt. We arrived in Pateros and started seeing friends - first one to meet us was Ray Sollars. Thank you Ray for stopping by and saying hello. A big thank you to Scott, Larry and Rob Harger for all your support. Kim and Jim Waddle were there for the week-end and were VERY much appreciated. We broke a throttle cable on Saturday and didn't make a start. Jim, Larry and I worked late into the night on Saturday and Sunday morning to fix the opportunity. We ran two heats on (did you see what I said - TWO heats) Sunday and ran MUCH better. The only other issue is a crack in the cowling. The boat hit a couple of holes and knocked Scottie (Scooter) hard to the left. He was one very sore guy after two heats.... The price you pay for going faster... LOL I think he is still smiling. Chris Denslow has MANY wonderful pictures on his website http://cdenslow.smugmug.com/ if you wish to view. Here are a few pictures from the week-end, taken by Kathy, Kim and Jim. The water picture is from the road above Pateros, looking down on the course. The YouTube videos that Kathy took are located @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jEQ7Cyxa 8k (Day 2 Heat 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIkMLygxccQ (Day 2 Heat 2) The YouTube video's take a while to load, so be patient - I think they are worth it (semi biased). I don't want to hear any complaints, it took me three hours to load them up on YouTube. I would personally like to thank Kathy for all her support and understanding, the food and WATER. Scott for the VERY tasty pizza on Saturday night and Kim (and Jim) for delicious sandwiches on Sunday. You guys had to put up with the HOT OLD man and what did I give you - I think we all had a great week-end. Kim thank you for watching the big chicken, Mokie. You did good. Thank you to the TIRA (Tacoma Inboard Racing Assn) for putting on a great event under trying circumstances. You guys did GOOOOOOD !! I'm gong to send this note out with shorter address lists, hopefully everyone will get it that way. Enjoy !!!
setting up the race course (see the orange buoys) in Pateros, WA	lifting the boat from the trailer
Kath, the spectator, holding Mokie	going into the water
Bob's short ride from one dock to another	putting it back on the trailer
Scott taking off for the race	WOW! Looking great!
From Kath: We probably have 100 pictures and 8 different videos. Let Bob know if you want to see more things robertbolam@verizon.net

August 21, 2009 11:07 AM Pateros Next up, Pateros for another attempt at success !!! Hull repairs finished and repainted from Moses Lake Engine repairs and changes made Trailer hydraulics finished (rebuilt pump and rams) Motorhome brakes fixed and wheel bearing re-packed Aviation fuel purchased for the boat Motorhome packed and ready ...And yet people still ask – “what are you going to do now that you have the boat finished”
August 02, 2009 9:19 PM New Drivers Today interviewed two new potential drivers - LOL Kim and Jim stopped by for a weeks visit. After they got out we lit the motor to show them what a our little V6 sounds like.
Kim
Jim

Bob & Jim
Bolam's Express - Ongoing Progress

Ongoing Progress

Bolam's Express - Ongoing Progress