THURSDAY, JUNE 09, 2011 - The Huntington Classic preview was a big success from what I can tell.  We ran the F3 and F2 boats as planned and did some starts from the dock as well as some fly-by runs for the crowd.  I think everyone involved has to be pretty pleased with the turnout at the event which packed the restaurant barge and had cars parking in the street nearby.

The F3 Jesus boat ran like a charm.  In fact, it is better now as far as speed and positioning on the water than at any time since we have owned it.  The F2 boat is wicked fast at times but has some weight balance issues we need to address which kills our straightaway speeds.  I think it is a problem we can get corrected, but sometimes balance issues are trial and error type things that takes a while to work through.  Luckily we are a rookie in the F2 class and will be at the usual rookie disadvantages anyway so we can take the time we need to make the boat right in the first couple races.

Thanks for everyone's effort to get us to the demo last night.  All of our boat crew, Jeramey, Eric, Bryan and Greg, worked their tails off this week getting both boats prepared.  We had the engine off the F2 and all of the steering off and the boat partially stripped after Monday night's test so Tuesday and Wednesday was filled with hard work at the shop.  It all continues to come together well.  Thanks also to Superleague rescue and the Ceredo Fire Department for keeping us safe on the water last night.

If you want to look at some photos from last night's events you can find them on professional photographer Rick Adkins' site at http://ricksfotos.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Dana-Tomes/17459751_3T8jJX#1328755366_H8dt2dJ.  You can watch video of the event on WOWK TV 13 at http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=101150.  The local paper also carried a story this morning about The Huntington Classic preview event.  You can read it and look at their photos here http://www.herald-dispatch.com/x740104313/Drivers-give-preview-of-August-event.

The F2 will be in the paint shop Monday and Tuesday getting our yellow jacket paint job in preparation for Elgin and then the packing begins Wednesday with the loading of the haulers.  The caravan heads to northern Illinois next Thursday night, exactly one week from today we will be racing in APR Superleague!

Dana Tomes