Avi Koifman
08-26-2002, 02:35 PM
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank all those who helped keep my troubled kart running as long as it did on Sunday.
Andy Wojteczko, who's own car was retired for the weekend with engine problems, spent the better part of the day administering to my drive-chain and clutch-linkage woes, relentlessly fixing things and soiling his hands with chain grease. I sincerely hope his son Andrew didn't suffer too much in the absence of his highly knowledgable crew chief!
Big thanks also to Dave Metcalf, the track director, who twice welded my cracked exhaust manifold, and loaned me one of his drive chains when my own self-destructed. In a selfless act of generosity, Dave refused to accept any payment for his efforts.
Unfortunately, those efforts amounted to little reward for John Paczynski, with whom I intended to share my kart on Sunday. Also participating in the kart-mechanics clinic held in the pitlane, John was only able to get two decent timed laps the whole bloody day. Seems it only ran well for my own two runs, and I guess I used it all up then, because the damn thing just wouldn't hold together for John :(
Despite all the trouble, I had another enjoyable weekend and with everyone's help, managed to squeak in the FTD on both days :D My sincerest thanks to everyone who helped - I think by now, everybody in the series has given me at least one push-start.
Now, near completing my second season of Solo 1, I am still amazed and inspired by the way that people - competitiors - help each other out, even when it may be detrimental to their own competitive interests. Behind all the gamesmanship and posturing (most of which is pretty lighthearted anyway), lies a commeraderie and spirit that really defines this series.
My experiences with all of you have been entirely gratifying, and it gives me great pleasure to see you folks succeed behind the wheel. There are some amazingly talented drivers in Solo 1, ones from whom I have learned so much, by conversing, watching and riding along in your cars. Thank you.
On a sadder note :( I fear my season may be over, the result of a sudden blaze that erupted in my rented trailer driving home on the 407 Sunday night. Fortunately, the FD arrived *just* in time to extinguish the fire before it spread to the fuel tank, which was half filled with 110-octane gas. The resulting damage however, may be too much for me to repair (= pay for) before the last events at Shannonville.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but my guess is an errant cigarette butt (not my own!!) landed inside my fuel funnel, which was sitting in that corner of the trailer. As unlucky as that may be, reality is, it could have been far worse!
If I can't get the kart repaired in time, I'll see if I can pry the little RX-7 out of my wife's hands for the weekend, and show some of you tin-top guys how we karters do it with doors :p
Andy Wojteczko, who's own car was retired for the weekend with engine problems, spent the better part of the day administering to my drive-chain and clutch-linkage woes, relentlessly fixing things and soiling his hands with chain grease. I sincerely hope his son Andrew didn't suffer too much in the absence of his highly knowledgable crew chief!
Big thanks also to Dave Metcalf, the track director, who twice welded my cracked exhaust manifold, and loaned me one of his drive chains when my own self-destructed. In a selfless act of generosity, Dave refused to accept any payment for his efforts.
Unfortunately, those efforts amounted to little reward for John Paczynski, with whom I intended to share my kart on Sunday. Also participating in the kart-mechanics clinic held in the pitlane, John was only able to get two decent timed laps the whole bloody day. Seems it only ran well for my own two runs, and I guess I used it all up then, because the damn thing just wouldn't hold together for John :(
Despite all the trouble, I had another enjoyable weekend and with everyone's help, managed to squeak in the FTD on both days :D My sincerest thanks to everyone who helped - I think by now, everybody in the series has given me at least one push-start.
Now, near completing my second season of Solo 1, I am still amazed and inspired by the way that people - competitiors - help each other out, even when it may be detrimental to their own competitive interests. Behind all the gamesmanship and posturing (most of which is pretty lighthearted anyway), lies a commeraderie and spirit that really defines this series.
My experiences with all of you have been entirely gratifying, and it gives me great pleasure to see you folks succeed behind the wheel. There are some amazingly talented drivers in Solo 1, ones from whom I have learned so much, by conversing, watching and riding along in your cars. Thank you.
On a sadder note :( I fear my season may be over, the result of a sudden blaze that erupted in my rented trailer driving home on the 407 Sunday night. Fortunately, the FD arrived *just* in time to extinguish the fire before it spread to the fuel tank, which was half filled with 110-octane gas. The resulting damage however, may be too much for me to repair (= pay for) before the last events at Shannonville.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but my guess is an errant cigarette butt (not my own!!) landed inside my fuel funnel, which was sitting in that corner of the trailer. As unlucky as that may be, reality is, it could have been far worse!
If I can't get the kart repaired in time, I'll see if I can pry the little RX-7 out of my wife's hands for the weekend, and show some of you tin-top guys how we karters do it with doors :p