Lotsa firsts for me this year. First time at your Mag. First time posting a comment. First time being a "pit crew" member. And, most significantly, my first time at Bonneville!! Speed Week at Bonneville is Burning Man for Motorheads. Just before I turned 60, a respected older gentleman (Bill Lewis) in the car club I belong to here in Eugene, Oregon, asked me if I had been to Bonneville yet. I said "No, but maybe someday." He then asked me "How old are you?" I answered, "60, in November." His reply stuck with, no, it ate at me. He said, "Get with it. You're not getting any younger, are you? Once you get past 60, you're really on borrowed time. There is nothing like it. Anywhere. Period. And words do not convey what it's like. So Go!"
So, this year I went with my friend, Neil Schindler, Bill Service's friend from childhood and driver of Bill's car in 2011 and 2012 at Speed Week. And I was thrilled and honored to be a member of the "Pit Crew". Mr. Bill Lewis of the Gearheads of Eugene was absolutely right. Words DO NOT CONVEY! Thank you Bill Lewis. Thank you Bill Service. Thank you Neil Schindler. I'm already dreaming and planning for 2013 and I hope I'm gonna be a "Fat Boy" again.