Ongoing Progress

This is a picture of the HOT PITS @ Moses Lake. See the orange plastic fence, that is the barrier between the hot pits and spectators. Also notice from the fence, the grass to the lake. That is the spectator area (there are others, but that is one of the best).

 

We more then likely will be parked next to the orange fence, near the grassy area. In the past the vintage boats have been parked by the tree (so that branches and debris can fall on the older boats).

 

The other picture is from the bank above the pits, it is another really good spot to observe. You can see the whole course and the pits from there. This picture is of the pit area where the boats that don't use the crane park (trailer launchers).

 

They don't let us park our MH's down there anymore because there are so many boats and they need that area to store boats not on the course.

 

Just a little tease and info.

 

Connelly Park, Moses Lake Washington. It is a Grant county park and MAYBE next year we will have full hooks located on the upper bank.

 

Today I found my source for the racing fuel we will need this summer. The fuel is called Renegade (http://www.renegadepro1.com/). They sell it several octane rating, but the place here in Coeur d' Alene only sells the 110 octane. I can drive up, get 5, 10, 15, 20 gallons. They also supply the fuel to the place at State Line, directly from the pump, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So I could fill up on the way out of town if I need or want to.

 

Where I bought the fuel today is only about 9 miles from the house and the State Line station is about the same distance. Coleman Fuel gets a shipment of Renegade fuel from St Louis once a year. The price stays the same ALL YEAR long. In fact they think it will be less this coming year. A new shipment will be coming in just about the start of racing season.

 

Today's fuel was $7.09 a gallon. Much better then I thought. We will use about 20 gallons of fuel per week-end.

 

Now we have the fuel to break in the motor (maybe next week). The temperature is suppose to be ALL the way up into the 50's next week.

 

Today a technician from Benchmark Graphics came out to the house to help me lay the last vinyl's down (the N-22). I had installed the other graphics myself but felt nervous about the big white numbers onto the deck.

 

What amazes me about Northern Idaho. Spence drove out the house, installed the graphics and only charged me $35 for his time. If we were still in Washington, good luck finding someone who would come out to the house (in the dead of winter), not charge you mileage and a minimum time. Pretty cool and that has been the way it has been for everything we have had done here.

 

It is suppose to warm up to 47 by Thursday or Friday, so I will adjust the engine valves and get one step close to LIGHTING that baby up.

 

I found a couple of places that sell racing fuel near us. So I will get some and be another step closer. The place that sells the fuel has it on a pump. You just drive up, fill your race cans and your good to go racing. The racing fuel is $7.49 a gallon, so we will mix it half and half with premium fuel to try and keep the octane high enough and the costs slightly down.

 

If you look in the pictures you might see the kerosene heater running, there is an electric heater by the MH and another one on the other side. I was trying to get the temperature UP in the shop before Spence arrived. It was 27 degrees when I went out there and by the time Spence got here, the temperature was all the way up to 40 degrees. It is SNOWING again right now and has been for the last two days. Everything is WHITE again.

 

The restoration project has been completed. The seat has been installed and is awaiting a driver to sit in it. April 2007 to March 2009. Don't ask how many hours, I didn't keep track, but it was a bunch. I remember the temperature, more then I remember the hours......

 

I also put new trailer marker lights on today. The ones on the trailer keep getting broken by the trailer hitting this or that. Things fell out of the attic and you know what, it hit the trailer light - go figure. The new ones have metal wrapped all around the lens. They should be more protected. In the pits, the boats are so close, trailer lights are always getting bumped.

 

The last of the wiring was completed today.

 

I will go see Scott @ Hayden Auto Repair about when we might break the motor in. We want a nice day, since we will be outside at his shop.

 

You local folks (and anyone just passing through Idaho) are welcome to come by and see our pride and JOY. The reaction to those (FEW) who have stopped by has been WOW!!!

 

Thank you to ALL who have helped make this dream a reality. You know who you are and your support has been wonderful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

If you haven't checked out our restoration website, here it is: http://bolamfamily.0catch.com/BEP_Express_Progress.html

 

The wiring is nearly finished, but not quite. The two wires you can still see have to be put into the conduit and I still have to hook up the starter motor wires. Two more to go and she is ready to start (well almost,  I still have to adjust the valves set the timing).

 

The pictures were taken with the boats new AGM  battery installed and the dash powered up with it. I thought you might like to see the gauge lights (they can be changed to 7 different colors by the driver if he wishes). The master switch has a RED light that tells you have power to the engine and starter motor. The steering wheel is a quick release, so the pictures are with the steering wheel attached and not attached.

 

The instrument panel from left to right is: kill switch (it connects to your life jacket and if you make an exit stage left, it will cut all the power to everything), master on/off switch and starter button, fuel pump on/off switch, steering column, oil pressure gauge, tachometer gauge, water temperature gauge. Below the gauges is the strobe light on/off switch.

 

I'm taking a lunch brake right now and will go back out to finish those last two wires in a couple of minutes. Install the seat and wait for the weather to get better so that we can pull the boat out and take it to a friends house to break in the engine.

 

Hi guys. We are getting close, very close to the season opener. I thought I might try to provide you with some basic information about boat races and it basically the same for all forms of racing.

 

There are certain rules that are imposed upon us by our insurance carrier, by our parent racing organization (APBA) and the club putting on the event (SIRA, TIRA, SD & S). They are intended for your safety .

 

Some races have admittance fees, some don't. I don't know which ones do and which ones don't. I know I have to pay a registration fee to enter the boat, but gate fees I don't know about. If there are any, it usually isn't much.

 

Because racing has it's own inherent safety issues, the racing public is restricted from the "HOT PIT" area. A barrier should be visible to "STOP" you from entering that area (but common sense tells you to stay back, unless you want a 1,000 pound boat to fall on you). Now if you should decide to ignore that barrier, you will be contacted by someone from security and escorted out of the area. Should you ignore that, the owner can be fined, suspended up to a year or disqualified from racing. So be assured, I will gently ask you to abide by the rules because we wish to continue being involved with racing after spending all this time and $$$$ to get back into our sport.

 

Parking at the races is always a challenge and is usually already taken up by the time the public arrives. So understand walking may be required to get close by. The viewing public usually has area's that are quite adequate for viewing, so don't stress.

 

Sometimes they will open the pits for the public to come in and meet everyone. PLEASE be aware, there are many obstacles that can cause you serious injury. Be Careful!! Look up, look down and all around. No open toed shoes.

 

I don't want to discourage you from coming and we hope you do. I just wish to provide you with some basic information. And please understand, this is a racing event not my grandmother's quilting party and I will be consumed with preparing our boat for battle (even if it's vintage, the stress is still real).

 

We will be VERY happy if you come out to watch us and I will do my best to say hi sometime during the day and EVEN more relaxed after the race and especially after the first one in 28 yrs.

 

One other point, if they do open the pits after the races, "NO" alcohol is allowed for at least an hour after the last heat of racing. Again I could loose my racing cards for up to a year if someone even suspects the rule is/was violated.

 

Our first event will be Moses Lake on April 18th & 19th, followed by Tastin' & Racin' on Lake Sammamish in June and Pateros in July or August.

 

Some places allow animals, some don't, but if they are allowed - leaches are mandatory. I won't always know which parks are which, so your on your own there.

 

Your safety and enjoyment are important to us. We are VERY happy you are supporting us. And we hope to see you at many events over the next few yrs.

 

The N-22 Express team hopes to see you at the races.