RACHWELL

Wheeeee!

This weekend was sooooo great! I had so much fun at Petit LeMans. Besides getting to see Patrick Dempsey who is so beautiful, I had so much fun at the race. Before it all got started we arrive early so I could run around and see my boys. I arrived with the moms and pops in tow and met Amy down in Pit Lane. We wandered around looking at the cars but really we didn't stop too much because I was on a mission. I hate to find the boys I know before the race to wish them good luck. I found Gunnar first, he was back behind the ropes that kept spectators out and paying no attention. So I, being the total nerd that I am, yelled out his name to get his attention. I was a little embarrased, everyone in the crowd just stared at me like I was a fan trying to talk to the driver. At least that is what they thought until he ran over and picked me up and over the ropes to say hi. So, I stood back there and chatted with him for a bit and then he went into hiding before the race. Next came Ryan, he is the crew chief for the Mazda courage. I went to say hi but he was in the car and taking it out to the track for testing before the race. A few minutes later I ran into Spencer and Andy who weren't driving for once and chatted with them for a bit. Then Mike walked up and I wished him good luck, he won 3rd place for his class. Pretty soon after that they announced that you could go look at the car and that the track was open. They line all the cars up before the race and the drivers stand out there and meet and greet with photo ops. It's a great way for the fans to see the cars and the drivers. So, the three of us head down there to go see Ryan, Gunnar, James, Ben, and Mike. I saw Ryan and as soon as I did he dragged Amy and I over to the Mazda courage and made us the flag girls. Normally they hire models to do this but they forgot to hire someone and so Amy and I were nominated to do it, plus Mr. Bache (sp?) told Ryan to hire us so it was cool. It was very odd being photographed with the car and having people take their pictures with us. But it came with great perks, we met lots of the drivers who walked over to wish Guy and Jamie good luck. Plus, when the cleared everyone off the track for the opening ceremony we got to remain down there for the national anthem. Amy's mom said she saw us on Speed TV so we were excited. It was awesome to be down there when all the drivers started their engines, the sound was incredible. After that Amy and I went up to vender row to go see Heather and see how her day was going, we went back later but she was gone...I think they made her go answer phones in the office...that had to suck. We left for part of the race to run errands and I had to meet Jeremy at home so he could go back with me and watch the night racing because that is my personal favorite. Jeremy and I got back up there and watched the last 45 minutes of the race and I think he is now hooked. Gunnar finished the race in the Panoz car and I was so happy for him, that car doesn't always have the best of luck. We watched the podium stuff from up in the VIP center in the tower, and that was so nice, we could see everything without having to push our way up to the front. From there Jeremy and I went home, got ready and went to Andy's party. It was a lot of fun, there were tons of people there that I hadn't seen in a long time so I was able to catch up with them. And I finally got to introduce Jeremy to all of them and that was the best part. We ran around the party all night drinking jaeger and beer and whoa was I drunk! Shannon was in town from Italy and it was good to see him, it's been forever! Look a duck! Yeah, he explained the art of distracting me to Jeremy. Over all after only one bloody knee and two crying friends it was a good night. Pictures will be coming soon!

posted by Rachwell @ 8:01 AM