Live from Caygua,Ont.Canada-NHRA Micro Stratgegies Open

Jack Matyas · 05-18-2023, 09:38 AM

Hi gang -So here is a first for me - Live from Canada ! ! Well we're in Canada but not yet at Toronto Motorsports Park -probably 50 or 60 miles away .Crossed over to the 'other side' last night and camped out at a Flying J .Crossing over into this country wasn't too bad as we had passports and registration papers for the vehicles along with vac papers (don't know if we needed them but it can't hurt) .After a bunch of questions ( yeah,I know I look like a Hungarian refugee) we got to the part about looking into my trailer -believe it or not that went well - they looked around a bit - asked more questions - they were knowledgeable about where we were going and finally sent us on our way - eh.

Today when we get there I'm not sure what's going on but i've got work to do anyway - while at Customs they pointed out that there were wires hanging down from my trailer underneath -yeah they looked there .Anyway the wires - and there is a bunch - need some attention for sure - long ,beat up , and tangled !

Later.........

Superpro · 05-18-2023, 10:44 AM

We used to cross the US border (from Canada) at one of the borders in Manitoba (province beside Ontario) and never had an issue crossing the US border with our motorhome and supercomp car. Likewise coming back up to Canada! Coming back home once I got asked if it was possible that I had blown my motor and replaced it with another one while at the races. My answer to him was with a catastrophic failure like that, it would have been impossible to replace a motor like that in a few days! Without any further questioning, he told me to proceed and have a good day!

MAURICE BLENDHEIM · 05-18-2023, 11:23 AM

Welcome to Canada, have a great weekend! MB

Jack Matyas · 05-19-2023, 08:08 AM

Good morning - And the good news is that it's not raining ......but Brrrrrrr - it's a very chilly 47 degrees and a nice morning to sleep in .Test n tune isn't until 11am and for those who planned on going fast today just forget it - not going to happen with a 29.31 barometer .

So in the states we are always having parking issues - here there is plenty of pit space but our Canadian brothers like closeness - the RV that came in late last evening next to me is parked with maybe 5' between us - it's not just him - there are plenty of others that are parked the same way - good thing I wasn't planning on putting the awning out.

Since I've been here been checking out prices - diesel is 1.95 a litre - some quick math tells me that's about $7.60 a gallon - had breakfast the other day@ the Flying J with 2 eggs 2 pieces of toast and coffee -$11 - the test n tune today is $150 extra - a bit more than us and the entry for this event is $200 per race with crew costs $20 per day per person .Folks here say they get by and are used to their prices - ouch ! ! All that plus i'm told wages are not higher - I just don't see how they do it.Good thing I have my Social Security so I can race.

Speaking of breakfast now's a good time ........later.

Dave Turner · 05-19-2023, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Good morning - And the good news is that it's not raining ......but Brrrrrrr - it's a very chilly 47 degrees and a nice morning to sleep in .Test n tune isn't until 11am and for those who planned on going fast today just forget it - not going to happen with a 29.31 barometer .

So in the states we are always having parking issues - here there is plenty of pit space but our Canadian brothers like closeness - the RV that came in late last evening next to me is parked with maybe 5' between us - it's not just him - there are plenty of others that are parked the same way - good thing I wasn't planning on putting the awning out.

Since I've been here been checking out prices - diesel is 1.95 a litre - some quick math tells me that's about $7.60 a gallon - had breakfast the other day@ the Flying J with 2 eggs 2 pieces of toast and coffee -$11 - the test n tune today is $150 extra - a bit more than us and the entry for this event is $200 per race with crew costs $20 per day per person .Folks here say they get by and are used to their prices - ouch ! ! All that plus i'm told wages are not higher - I just don't see how they do it.Good thing I have my Social Security so I can race.

Speaking of breakfast now's a good time ........later.

BTW Jack, we cannot race on OUR equivalent to your Social Security.....(retired, but working a 4 day week to feed the habit)

Rag71 · 05-19-2023, 09:09 AM

What hurts the worse is when we come to US and have to add close to 35 cents to the dollar . My admission to MG @ 20 USD becomes $27 . Will see you next weekend .

Jack Matyas · 05-19-2023, 05:30 PM

Whew !!!! Long day already but the weather held out no rain so far but plenty and I mean plenty of wind today .On some runs I could feel the car moving around when at speed .But it's all good and I just put it back in the box for the day .

Spent some time talking with old (and I do mean old) friends - some I haven't seen in more than 30 years - what a great day seeing them .Speaking of old friends I spoke with Wally Clark a bunch yesterday and a little today before he left for home -why you ask - he 'lost' an engine this morning in the pits -then loaded up for home to change it .Word is that job is completed and he is on his way back . He gets the 'never give up' award for this race for sure.

Tonight its off to eat with more friends and rest up for tomorrow .

Jack Matyas · 05-20-2023, 07:54 AM

Good morning kids - All that racket on my roof tells me the 9AM start is not going to happen for sure .The rain is to continue till early this afternoon and even with that it will be at least until mid-afternoon till we get going .They have drying equipment here but nothing like we are used to with the NHRA Safety Safari with their giant dryers and blowers.

This is ending up to be a sleep in and lazy morning ........later.

tommy d · 05-20-2023, 08:01 AM

At least you're not sitting in a p/u truck like the old days.😉

Jack Matyas · 05-20-2023, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy d

At least you're not sitting in a p/u truck like the old days.😉

You are so right - this coach is perfect for a day like
this - fireplace - 4 slides - front and rear furnaces -double door fridge- smart tv's and on and on ...........geez we have become spoiled over the years ! ! ! But did I mention it's a real pain in the butte keeping everything working .And then there are the 425 ponies to feed - ouch.One of these days I'm going to downsize .............