Derek's cousin, Mike, takes us on a tour of his shop. And what a coincidence! His shop also happens to be located at the same race track that Rob is racing on for his Lemons competition.
Mike manages about a 100 cars and gets them ready for their owners to race.
Mike explains technical stuff about drag and suspension. It is over my head.
Uncovering some of the special cars.
Brands that I have not heard of.
Phil's shirt matches this car.
Bryson would go nuts with all these cars.
Davey and me.
Interior views too.
We got several vantages of the race track. Super Troop is the fifth car from the front.
Quick background on the competition - each team must spend $500 or less on a car (including parts) which they compete by racing for 24 hours around a track. The goal is to complete as many laps as possible without breaking down.
Super Troop is the fourth car here.
Notice Super Troop has real patrol lights on the top.
After our tour of the track, we head to Rob's pit. Here's the pit stop list, a very intense 2.5 minute changeover.
Lindsay's outfit. She tells me that the competition is less about the laps and more about the fun - the outfits, the beverages, and the friends.
Rob and Linds.
Super Troop comes in for a pit stop.
Very orchestrated. Rob tells me that they must wear fire suits to add fuel - in case there is a burn.
Very official looking vehicle. I wonder if they could pull someone over.
But perhaps not with these extra decorations.
Fire extinguisher ready.
Notice the cop lights on top. I have no idea how they can drive this thing on the real highway and not get flagged by real police cops.
Names list - very official!
Here is Ilya - Rob was his best man at Ilya's wedding.
Rob's helmet with his name - helping Ilya adjust his mirrors.
Rob tells me that four people on his team took a shop class together in high school. The car next to him has a team with the shop teacher in it. Here is the shop teacher's car.
Yes, that is Woody.
After Ilya heads off - they each drive for 69 minutes - the team does a debrief.
Shop teacher apparently has a blow out with the engine and needs to completely swap out engines.
The theme of this car is Pizza Planet delivery with more characters from Toy Story.
Wouldn't be Filipino without food. They even have vegan veggie burrito options for me. Rob apparently also makes his famous brisket too.
Super Troop on the track.
Ilya completes his 69 minutes, and Rob and team get ready for the next pit stop.
Rob with the fire extinguisher.
Very classy phrases on this car.
Rob in the drivers seat.
Getting pumped.
We watch Rob complete his laps and then head out. But we first admire a couple other cars, including this one.
After all that action, we head to a winery for some wine tasting.
I skip the wine but have some vegan treats.
Exciting update from Lindsay...
Team Super Troop is racing 1st in their class for a while. We're still fighting for it in second with one more pit stop, a drive change, and an hour and a half to go.
Another update...
Finished 2nd in our class (down half a lap!!) and 14th overall. We ALMOST had it!!!
But they did win an award for their giant mustache ride. Congrats!!
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