Wednesday night from May until September is Race Night. For me, it has been that way for many years... since 1986. After learning the craft of special events commentary at snowmobile and motocross events at Sand Del Lee Race Park near Munster, Ontario, at the invitation of track promoter Dave Booth, I moved into the booth at what was then known as Ottawa Valley Speedway. I've been there through several owners as the track announcer. Last Wednesday evening I was honoured for my contribution, commitment and dedication to stock car racing in the Ottawa Valley by being inducted into the Capital City Speedway Hall of Fame "Builders" Category. What a treat to be recognized for something that one just loves doing!
A typical Wednesday for me starts with reviewing the driver rosters in the various competition classes, reviewing points standings, and updating rosters to include sponsors that have been noted on driver profiles. I then review that track sponsors placing special emphasis on the sponsor of the evening's event, checking the sponsor web site for additional information that might be used in promoting that sponsor and making a call to the promoter Todd Gow to see if there are last minute changes to the program. In today's preparation, I also need to get updated information regarding the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Association which will be making its first official visit to Capital City Speedway this evening. Printing of updated information and organizing it into show format is the final step in the morning's preparation. Once the brief case is loaded, it is set aside as I go on with typical Wednesday activities... in today's case, it means working a funeral later in the morning, driving the funeral coach, then returning home mid afternoon to have what has become a routine 'nap' prior to heading to the speedway!
Once I get to the speedway, it's a 30 minute visit through the pits getting updated on all the latest chatter and insights, speaking with drivers who have raced at other tracks since the previous competition at CCS to find out as much information to be shared with the fans in the stands... then over to the grandstand tower to set up and get ready to turn on the microphone. At 7:15 it's, "Good evening race fans... and welcome to the site of excitement, Capital City Speedway"....
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Getting Started
Hello!
I've been blogging for some time with my friends at Great Race. Those blogs (http://www.greatrace.com/blogging/motormouth) have been Great Race specific. I've decided, after following the blog of folks on a European river cruise that I would like to track activities beyond my Great Race experience.
Living the life of a retiree, I get to do some pretty amazing things in the world of travel, special events commentary and life in general. I hope to use this blog as a way to continue to develop writing skills and analysis of what I do and say.
I hope that you are along for the ride!
In the past few weeks there has been an exciting development in our travel planning. We (my wife, Marion and I) have decided to travel with friends who have a European river cruise on their 'bucket list'. Although the actual trip is not until September 2013, the cruise has been purchased, along with travel and cancelation insurance. This trip will include travelling from Ottawa to Budapest, Hungary, 15 days of river cruising following this itinerarey, Budapest, Hungary - Budapest, Hungary - Bratislava, Slovakia - Vienna, Austria - Melk, Austria - Passau, Germany - Regensburg, Germany - Nuremberg, Germany - Bamberg, Germany - Wurzburg, Germany - Wertheim, Germany - Koblenz am Rhein, Germany - Cologne, Germany - Kinderdijk, Netherlands - Amsterdam, Netherlands. Now that's exciting! There is so much to look forward to, so much reading to be done and so much budgeting required to get to this excursion. Beyond the cruise itself will be a 14 day visit to England for a family visit with our daughter, her husband and two children.
Now that's a lot to look forward to! Follow along as we prepare for this great adventure!
I've been blogging for some time with my friends at Great Race. Those blogs (http://www.greatrace.com/blogging/motormouth) have been Great Race specific. I've decided, after following the blog of folks on a European river cruise that I would like to track activities beyond my Great Race experience.
Living the life of a retiree, I get to do some pretty amazing things in the world of travel, special events commentary and life in general. I hope to use this blog as a way to continue to develop writing skills and analysis of what I do and say.
I hope that you are along for the ride!
In the past few weeks there has been an exciting development in our travel planning. We (my wife, Marion and I) have decided to travel with friends who have a European river cruise on their 'bucket list'. Although the actual trip is not until September 2013, the cruise has been purchased, along with travel and cancelation insurance. This trip will include travelling from Ottawa to Budapest, Hungary, 15 days of river cruising following this itinerarey, Budapest, Hungary - Budapest, Hungary - Bratislava, Slovakia - Vienna, Austria - Melk, Austria - Passau, Germany - Regensburg, Germany - Nuremberg, Germany - Bamberg, Germany - Wurzburg, Germany - Wertheim, Germany - Koblenz am Rhein, Germany - Cologne, Germany - Kinderdijk, Netherlands - Amsterdam, Netherlands. Now that's exciting! There is so much to look forward to, so much reading to be done and so much budgeting required to get to this excursion. Beyond the cruise itself will be a 14 day visit to England for a family visit with our daughter, her husband and two children.
Now that's a lot to look forward to! Follow along as we prepare for this great adventure!
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