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2007 FLORIDA TOUR
DAYS SIX, SEVEN & EIGHT
Mon 19/ Tues 20/ Wed 21
My motel in DeLand didn't turn out to be too bad, it was clean if not dated, and in need of refurbishment, but heh ! It was a bed for the night ! . The good deal I got from Air Canada for my flights, meant I had to return on Wednesday , and with no other racing taking place I had two more days to fill. My original plan was to stay in the Daytona area, attend the “500'' winners breakfast on the Monday, then have a lazy day on the beach on Tuesday, but the chilly weather changed all that.
Back in the late 60's when I was a school kid in England, as well as stock car racing, I also took a big interest in the emerging new sport, exported from the USA , of Drag Racing. I lived close to the Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire, and even helped out with a local drag race team. Of course, I followed all the top US racers like Don Garlits via HOT ROD Magagazine, and remember him visiting the “Pod”
So, on Monday morning I set off , cross country on Hwy 42 in the direction of Ocala, where south of the city, on I-75 Garlits has his Museum of Drag Racing. All I can say is Wow ! , as I stepped through the door the old memories came flooding back. The first thing I saw was “The Little Red Wagon” the original wheel standing truck. Not only are Garlits dragsters are on show, but many other famous names too, which include Connie Kalitta, Shirley Muldowney, Don Prudhomme as well as Craig Breedloves famous land speed record holder, “Spirit of America” immortalized in the famous Beach Boys classic. This , as well as the adjacent classic car museum is a great place for any race fan to visit.
I must admit that these days, drag racing does nothing for me ... I guess it was just a “teen thing”
After I'd seen all I wanted to see, I got on to I-75 in the direction of Orlando. I needed a bed for two more nights, and didn't want to pay big bucks, so headed for the Disney resort area at Kissimmee where there are so many hotels , they are fighting each other for business. After booking in to the Ramada for 45 bucks a night, I later spotted the Hotel 6 advertised at 35 bucks.. damn it ! That evening , for supper, I decided on a chinese buffett that turned out to be one of the worst I'd ever had .
One of the first things I noticed about Kissimmee was the abundance of London and Southern England accents I heard everywhere I went. I guess this is still a big tourist destination for Brits. ( actually, as I walked around listening, it was like being back in Milton Keynes !)
The last full day of my tour (Tuesday) was the hardest day of all to fill, so, apart from wandering around a few Flea Markets , I payed a lunchtime visit to “Race Rock”, a racing theme bar/restaurant located on International Drive. Hanging across the door way as you enter is one of Richard Petty's last race cars and amongst the inside exhibits I found a Steve Kinser Sprint Car. I wasn't really hungry, but decided on a pizza and coke.
From here it was back to the Ramada to pack my suitcase ready for the morning, then for supper I tried the Angus Steak and Seafood Restaurant next door. I went for some of their seafood, but it wasn't as good a what I had at Perkins , two nights previous.
An early morning call from the hotel got me out of bed early on Wednesday for my short drive to the airport, where I returned my Pontiac G6 rental.
Around 3-45 pm my plane had landed in Montreal, and by 7-00pm I was back home in Maxville, Ontario , shoveling the snow from my driveway !
THE END (until next time)
photo one The Little Red Wagon
photo two Wynns Charger ,one of Don Garlits dragsters
photo three Craig Breedloves Spirit of America
photo four Don Prudhommes FunnyCar
photo five Connie Kalittas dragster
photo six Entrance to "Race Rock"
photo seven "that pizza wasn't bad" at "Race Rock"
photo eight Steve Kinsers Sprint Car at "Race Rock"
photo nine Richard Petty's # 43 Stock Car at "Race Rock'
RE. RICK @ the RACES (RETRO)
Thanks to all the people who have sent encouraging messages regarding my RICK @ the RACES (RETRO) reports. I will will be doing the 1977 Report just as soon as time permits... Sorry for the delay RICK
RACES ATTENDED THIS YEAR
14th Jan Brockville Speedway (Ont) Winter Enduro
27th Jan St Edouard De Lotbiniere (Que) Ice Racing
4th Feb Laviltrie, (Que) Ice Racing
11th Feb Beauharnois (Que) Ice Racing
14th Feb Orlando Speedworld (FL) Legends, Bandolero's
14th Feb Volusia Speedway (FL) SUPER DIRT SERIES
15th Feb Daytona Speedway (FL) NASCAR Gatorade Duel
15th Feb New Smyrna Speedway (FL) Asphalt Mods
15th Feb Volusia Speedway (FL) SUPER DIRT SERIES/ WOO LATEMODELS(RAIN)
16th Feb East Bay Speedway (FL) Open Wheel Mods
17th Feb Volusia Speedway (FL) SUPER DIRT SERIES/WOO LATE MODELS
18th Feb Daytona Speedway (FL) "500" NEXTEL CUP
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