Bogieblog

Sour Grapes?

Remember one of the feel good stories about the Olympics, where a guy with prosthetic legs was allowed to compete with able-bodied Olympians? Seems he wants it both ways - he fought to compete as able-bodied. but he was also in the Paralympics.

He is mad because he didn't win the Paralympics 200 final and thinks the other guy cheated by having equipment that he didn't have. Huh, and he couldn't understand why there was reluctance to let him in as a competitor in the regular Olympics; he had equipment that no one else had.

I'm not saying that it was wrong for him to complete with able-bodied persons in the Olympics, just that it seems a bit ironic about his argument.

In the Pits

Saturday we rode to White Mountain Motor Sports to watch a friend of the Wonderful Spouse race his stock car; an expensive past time, not his regular job. Since I was on the back of WS's bike (saves gas and we would be returning at night - I don't drive at night), I had time to look at the clouds. I thought this one looked like a camel.

The sports complex is nestled at the base of the white mountains, close to Lincoln. It is a small venue with a track that is probably 1/4 mile long.

There was a great view of the mountains from the pit stands (where we were), including the car we were there to watch (#21).

Hey, I know that dude near the upraised hood!

We were there to watch Oren and his purple 21 car, but that didn't mean we couldn't enjoy the other races like the minis.

All pictures are taken during practice or qualifying as the main events were held after dark. We did get to attend the driver's meeting before the main events though. I don't imagine that NASCAR driver's meetings are quite this informal, but this is the (very) small time, so it was very loose.

WS is there - just in front of the guy in the black shirt in the center of the picture.

We had a great time, got to see some great racing, and even got to see and 11.5 year old kid get 3rd in the truck racing (a 14-15 yar old got 1st, a young lady got 2nd). The venue, although small, is very fan friendly and prices at the food stands much more reasonable than other places - which we appreciated since we were there from 3 until about 9.

We told Oren that we will definitely have to come back next year!

Big Times in NH

New Hampshire has a couple of events that not every state has, and that one would not think of belonging to a smaller (in size and population) state. We have two (count them, 2!) NASCAR races at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Not only is it the largest sports venue in the Noth East, but not every state that hosts NASCAR races have 2 races.

We are also host of the oldest motorcycle rally on earth, Laconia Bike Week (which yes, we did attend, but I haven't downloaded pics yet, so you will have to wait for the post). This draws a couple of hundred thousand visitors in itself.

And next year, and beyond, we will be hosting NHRA, Full Throttle, drag racing. We have had the minor league drag racing, but that is not the same as the Full Throttle series. We saw some of the big time drag racing in Oklahoma, when we still lived in Kansas. And naturally, shortly after we moved to NH, Kansas got its own track in Topeka. In the last couple of years we have talked about going to see a FT race, but the closest track is in New Jersey. That is a heck of a drive just to see a day of races. Well, yes, we could watch qualifying, but really, one day of all the sun, heat and noise are is enough.

To bring the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series to New England and specifically the state of New Hampshire is very exciting,” said Joe Lombardo, track general manager, New England Dragway. “We have started the process of preparing our facility to host an event of this magnitude and look forward to hosting the stars of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing next June.”

The event will be headlined by 15-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force, seven-time Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, as well as many other top stars including New England’s own Bob Tasca III, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Greg Anderson, Cruz Pedregon, Courtney Force, Morgan Lucas, Robert Hight, Terry McMillen, and Jeg Coughlin, among others. The event expects to entertain fans from the entire New England region, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Canada. The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series is broadcast on ESPN2/ESPN2HD.

So congrats to the owners of the Epping's New England Drag Way. The work that you have put into this should reap you a good pay back, and make it much easier for fans like us to witness the sport in person.

Heat Warning

Although not as serious, this is life threatening for some; the temps on Monday are supposed to be in the high 80's or low 90's. Why is this life threatening? The Boston Marathon is Monday and for people around here, the temps are way higher than what they have been training in. First time runners may be too inexperienced to take heat exhaustion and heat stroke signs seriously, and those that have had recent health issues (colds, stomach virus etc.) may be weakend enough that running in the heat will stress them too much.

The heat is such a concern that not only have course officials decided to keep the race open an extra hour, they have offered deferment to those that believe they should sit this one out. Deferment will allow those people to run next year's marathon without having to qualify (or at least that is my interpretation).

"For many people, running the Boston Marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," B.A.A. executive director Tom Grilk said on Saturday. "We don't want people to feel they have to run, because perhaps it's not the wisest decision under these conditions."

Monday will be the first day I will get to ride to work. The morning will be in the 50's (morning's have been in the 20's up till now). It may be raining early, but that's why I have gear. Definitely don't want to miss the warm riding for the afternoon!

Big Game Tonight

The Mount Washington crew had an inspirational message for the game tonight.

 

Thanks to Josh Judge, of WMUR channel 9 for sharing.

Congrats

Congrats to the Bruins for winning the Stanley Cup!

Blogged from my Android phone.

Daytona 500 2011

I didn't pay much attention to the race until the last 30 laps. Told WS that it would be nice for a new guy to win. Was rooting for Bayne in the last couple of laps. Told WS that it couldn't last, but it would be nice if it did.

Trevor Bayne pulled a nice blocking move on Carl Edwards at the end of turn 4 and came away with a win. Fantastic ending where it wasn't Jimmy, or one of the Busch's or one of the household names.

Good Stuff!

Last Sledding

WS didn't go sledding last Sunday even though we had gotten over 21" of snow through the week. The snow was very wet and slimey, making sledding more difficult, and WS was very sore from all the shoveling of roofs.

He, Jimmy, and some other guys went up north to the Cannon Mountain / Twin Mountain region to snowmobile. Probably the last sledding of the year - we have plenty of snow left at the Bogie manse, but even 1 mile away the trails are bare (and closed).

He remembered to take the camera along, so I will share some pics with you:

   This was the first picture WS took so I assume it is their starting out point.

  This is the group that WS went with - obviously he is taking the picture, so is not featured within the group. Jimmy is on the red sled to the right of the two green sleds.

  Someone got stuck and had to dig his way out.

  Broken ski - the tip is sticking straight up and the rest of the ski is flat on the snow. The guy managed to get it fixed well enough to keep going with the group.

  Ridge top - found to be a sheer drop off on the other side. Good thing Gabe hit a rock that stopped him!

  On the way home
 
WS had lots of fun and will be sore for the next day or two, but well worth it for him.

Halfpipe Bronze

Congrats to Seabrook, NH's Scotty Lago for bringing home a bronze medal in snowboard halfpipe.

Gold In Vancouver

Congrats to Hanover NH High School Graduate Hannah Kearney for Winning Gold in the Women's Moguls!