August 13 – We made the long journey to Mayetta with high hopes for another top five.  Matthew had all four of his wisdom teeth pulled the day before, so we had to sit him on the bench.  That morning, he told me he thought he could race if he could get his helmet on!  Well, his cheeks were swollen and painful to touch, so I told him even if he got his helmet on, I am pretty sure his head would move and it was not really a good idea. 

Jacob ran his hot laps and really was watching for the track changing all night to be on top of adjustments.  Even with one car, the whole night seemed to be busy and fly by.  In Jacob’s heat race, two cars got into each other right in front of Jacob.  I saw it coming and did not think there was anyway Jacob could miss them.  I grabbed Steve’s arm and my heart rate soared as Jacob flew off the backstretch – which by the way has a solid concrete wall not far off the track – and Jacob went around the wreck and back on the track.  I let my breathe out that I had been holding for those few seconds or milliseconds – whatever it was, I was actually shaking!  He finished second in that heat.  There is an element of skill to avoid such a wreck, but also luck as well because that would have sure ruined our night.  You can see how Jacob continues to improve his driving skills with every single race.  I am so proud of him.

He started fourth row, inside for the feature with 13 cars.  It took him about half the race I think to work his way up to second place.  Then, I was just hoping to keep second and wanting that white flag to come out.  But the lap before it flew, the 3^rd place car got around Jacob.  So, of course, I wanted more laps then!  The white flag flew and they were side by side through that last lap.  Jacob got him coming out of turn four and I think he was a full car length ahead when the checkered flew.  I am going to have to watch the tape to be sure.  I was pretty excited.  We felt great thinking he brought home another second.  But the story does not end there.

Now I might have mentioned that this is the best post-tech in the whole state – if not the whole nation.  Jacob pulled in and they are going to whistle the motors which in my layman’s terms (sorry if I get this wrong), means they check the compression because there is a tolerance you have to stay within by the rules.  If you are over 90 I think it is, then you are cheating as your engine is running too hot which is making you faster than everyone else illegally.  Jacob gets teched first and of course, with a Wilson built engine, he passes just fine. He pulls back to the trailer and we start loading up.  Now, this type of tech of the top four cars takes a while so we are just getting ready to load the car when we realize all the races are over and they are still in tech with the hobbies so Jacob’s check is not ready yet either.  He runs to get some food when the track official comes by asking where Jacob is because he has just won!  First place was disqualified! 

Jacob went back on the track for his picture (which is already posted on Thunder Hill’s home page this morning!)  Gotta love that too.  I got to follow on the ATV.  Now, we all look at that track and see the banking, but it is a whole lot more fun to drive on it.  WOW is all I can say.  Jacob takes his first win at Thunder Hill.  I know there are plenty more to come, but it was so great to see.  He had just been talking about how close he has been there now several times so I am glad his hard work paid off. 

And, without Randy Wilson, it would never have happened.  Can’t thank him enough.  Words don’t express our appreciation for all he does for us.  The more I have learned in this sport the last few years, the more my admiration has grown for the Wilsons.  So, I know B is racking up the wins for RPM and glad we can contribute as well as this is part of Randy’s record as well as ours.  THANK YOU!

Boys are already up going through everything on the car to get ready for Wakeeney tonight.  I am hoping weather cooperates with us this time around.  Again, our goal is a top five.  I have to fly out at 5:30 AM Monday morning for work, so again, this might be the only blog of the weekend (unless I don’t go to bed at all tonight).  Next week, we have four nights of racing!  Wednesday and Thursday we will be at the Stockton Fair Races, then Hays on Friday night and return to Mayetta on Saturday.  That is how Jacob will start his first week of his sophomore year of school!  Pretty good deal, huh! 

~CBR Mom