My experience

[AeWingnut]

I decided that I could only burn one vacation day for Kickn N Screamin's race. The plan was to fly in and out on the same day from the airport in Bloomington, Il. (AirTran did an excellent job. I would use them again if the oppurtunity comes up). I had to get up at 3am - I knew that I couldn't afford to oversleep so I did that thing where you wake up every 30 minutes or so to look at the clock. This old body was used to a routine and while excited to go I felt bad.

I arrived at the airport at 5am for my 6am flight. The temp outside was 45 degrees so I thought... I don't want to lug that winter coat around Florida with me all day, so I left it in the trunk.

No problems with the flight to Atlanta or Tampa Bay. I took a cab from the airport and knowing that Tampa Bay Downs was only 15 minutes away I figured $20-$25 would cover the ride and the tip. Ummm, no. 10 mph under the speed limit and questionable lane usage ran the bill up over $30.

The track was beautiful. Nice and warm. Nice infield pond complete with resident alligator. Bigsmc's friends showed up then Bigs. Very nice. Got to meet lots of new people I hadn't seen from Sumwon's early races. Kickin N Screamin looks great. Thank you team KNS! . The race was pretty much the result we expected (winner wise) All in all a great day.

Chuck offered to give me a ride to the airport and that is greatly appreciated.

The people in the line for security were all talking on their cellphones like Cannon tends to do and some would stop to complain about the long line. Some gal was sobbing into her cellphone. Sad but I was really glad she wasn't my neighbor on my plane.

The good part is coming up

Fly out of Tampa no trouble and when I get to Atlanta they were already boarding. No waiting at all. We're in the air and the pilot announces that the temp in Bloomington, Il is 5 degrees with winds around 30 mph. We took forever approaching the runway and I started wondering where the airsick bag was. Plane was getting bounced around alot. It seemed like he was hovering close to the ground waiting for the plane to get over the runway before he touched down. (excellent job landing in those conditions. some felt the need to applaud)

Just getting off the plane I could sense this was going to be really cold. I step outside and this guy with a coat on is complaining about how brutal the wind was. It felt like it was more like 40 mph and not 30 mph. It was close to 60 degrees early in the day and it was raining. Then the temps dropped and it sleeted and snowed. I'm parked 3 spaces from the very end of the parking lot. No shuttle so I make a dash (as best as I can) Halfway across I have serious dobts about making it to the car. I start hitting the unlock button so I can find it ASAP. I get to the car and it is frozen solid. Driver's door no way. Trunk.. tried in vain to get it open and get to my coat. Passenger door was frozen shut too. My face hurt and my hands are already hurting bad. I try to pry at the door and no luck. I take my key out and try to use it as a wedge. Scratched up the pain but it looked like it moved. It still wouldn't open. I was so desperate that I started to pull on the plastic pot metal cheap ass handle. Then after what felt like 5 minutes it finally relented and let me in. I grabbed a blanket I keep in the car for emergences and wrapped up quick. Sitting in the passenger side I try to start the car. it hesitated long enough to strike me with fear... but it started. I had to climb over the console to get in the driver's seat.

That car was cold. I had to sit there and let it warm up before attempting the drive home. The wind was so strong it felt like you were sliding all over the road - probably because I was a little bit. In town was terrible. I'm thinking I might have to find a place to stay if it gets any worse. It got better instead. The highway was decent. You could almost go the speed limit.

Around Heyworth I started to get feeling back in my fingers. That was not a good thing as the tips really hurt. I saw a semi- jack knifed in the road close to Clinton, Il and there was a Railroad truck baby sitting the crossing because the wind was so strong that it snapped the arm of the crossing gate. I get to Maroa, Il and the trunk that refused to open..
opened. I had to find a safe place to pull over, grab my coat and get the trunk lid shut. The driver's door was still frozen solid and it too a few jam with my shoulder to get out.

Arrived home at 11:45 pm and wasn't in bed until 12:30 am. I was up over 21 hours and only had 1 slice of Tampa Bay Downs pizza . I still feel a little wore down.

I don't know if I will do this again.


Thanks again to team KnS and Bigsmc and co.

John