[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Beth Kieffer

We intended on racing at Clay City this weekend, but the mechanical issues of one of the two tow vehicles thwarted that. If it had been a closer race, we would have forced our way there, but an 8 hour drive each way on little to no sleep after working hard all day to correct the issue - we pulled the plug with safety in mind. For both us and those who would share the road with us. We are "die-hard" racers, but not with a death wish.

We run three cars, two ride on an open trailer towed by a crew cab truck, the other rides in a small enclosed behind the motorhome. We looked for 18 months to find our motorhome, used free flights to fly to Florida and buy it with cash and drive it home. Saved over half what a similar model near us would sell for and got exactly what we wanted. We owe no money on anything with wheels in our household. Nothing.

A motorhome is a huge quality of life issue for us, and me in particular so that makes that part of the financial equation priceless! We have two large dogs that go with us everywhere - I wouldn't race if we had to board them every weekend we are gone, and there are 40+ other weekends in the year we are home so I don't allow what happens on twelve weekends to decide who is in our family the other 40. Try renting a hotel that allows one dog, let alone two dogs that aren't teacup sized. Nowdays you end up paying more to let your dogs stay with you than the original rent for the room. And I would argue our dogs are cleaner than some of the people who have stayed in these rooms!

AND the motorhome allows us to enjoy an equally important part of the racing experience - more time with our friends at the track. The best part of the day is cracking a drink and breaking bread with your friends after the racing is done. It's hard to do that when you have to leave asap to drive the half hour to the hotel so you can get enough sleep to see straight when you get up at 4:30 am, get everyone in the shower, grab breakfast and get to the track at 6:30 so your car is warmed up and cooled down by the 8 am call to the lanes. I love being able to roll out of bed, brush my hair and my teeth, warm up the car, then shower while it's cooling down. Quality of life . . . .

The main rule is when the checkbook is empty, we don't go. We will not go into debt to do this. But we will love every minute when we are there!!!

I agree with the motor home deal. As we get older quality of life far out weighs other things. One dosent HAVE to buy a 1/4 or 1/2 million dollar motor home and stacker trailers to be more comfortable. I see lots of motor homes in like new low mileage condition for less than a new pick up or crew cab truck. By the way Alex......I thought your vast winnings was supposed to pay for the racing......lol. Take care and hope to see you again someday and would like to meet Beth. The U.S. Class Nationals will forever be one of the high points of my being a tech guy even though the weather was about 150 degrees .