Rookie, first race ever: Elk River Idaho- AOF

[blueskyracer]

We am getting ready for our first race in Idaho. Four hour drive and we hopefully have everything in our pile. Two drivers suits, two motors, tools, helmets, cut gloves, cut socks, pop-up canopy, oil, hopefully legal gas with oil, Height checker, angle checker, props, lead, gear oil, shear pins, restrictor plate, generator, BBQ and if all else fails, a big hammer.

Hopefully we will have a turning radius after we load the boat and hook up the travel trailer. Friday is a day of testing so we hope to be there by 10 or 11 in order to get in some testing. We are planning to run both the 80 class (20SSH) and 120 class (CSH). Son in law in the 80 and I will drive in CSH. We just need lots of boat time. We are going to use the back up motor for now till we know a little more about what we are doing. All depends on if someone will let us borrow a 20SSH prop. We were also told that if we use a short coarse prop and richen the main jet that we should be able to run in both classes if we can't find a 20SSH prop. Right now I don't know a short coarse prop from any other one.

Anyone else going? Only 3 and a half days and counting.

[seanp3]

Bring a camera and have someone take some pictures. We want to see your ride! Be safe and have a good time

[blueskyracer]

Thanks Sean. We plan to take pictures and have fun. I will have the wife help me post some pictures when we get back. We have a new worry. The rivers over here are at flood stage and have lots of dead heads so I am trying to find out how Idaho is. I have a bad feeling they may cancel. If that happens we may not make another race till late August since our first grand child is due about the 10th of July. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

[holeshot racing II]

Race site conditions

Hey there Blueskyracer

We have had people down to the race site and it looks good. We will check the course Friday before testing for any dead heads but don't really plan to have much of a problem with that. Been racing down there for alot of years.
Bring your warm cloths and be ready to have a great time!!!!!

PS maybe we can round you up a prop!!! See ya there

Terry Fiorelli
Holeshot Racing II

[blueskyracer]

I am ready. This has been a long process since I had nothing in January and now we have everything but a good selection of props. We are going to load everything up Thursday night right after I get off of my ambulance shift. Plan to leave by about 7 in the morning after the wife takes care of her horses. I just heard the water temp is 42 degrees so leaving the boat is not an option for anyone.

[YankeeRacing]

Good luck to you and I am sure you will have a great time. The Idaho/WA AOF boat racers are the best. You are the reason so many of us old timers keep going. A newby's enthusiasm is so refreshing. I cannot wait for your reports. I would much rather hear how a rookie is doing than about a long time racers 50th win anyday.
I have never been to Elk River, but have seen the pictures. It looks like a beautiful site. One picture that was posted on the AOF site from Elk River showed the boats racing with a moose in the background on the far bank and an eagle swooping down snagging a fish. How much better could it get?
Best of luck to you and keep us informed.
Connie Payn

[Phantom13]

Welcome aboard!

We'll see you down there and have a safe trip. Wishing the weather will be like it was this past weekend but doesn't look that way. Good luck, stay safe and stay dry and you'll all have a great time!!

[david bryan]

where in id. is the elk river race

[blueskyracer]

where in id. is the elk river race

Elk River is due east of Moscow Idaho and Pullman Washington

[RYAN ESPO.]

great place to race have fun

[DiGia54D]

Blueskyracer,
Good luck in your first race. Even if you forget something at home i am sure someone there will help you out.

[blueskyracer]

This is the longest day and a half I can remember since I was a kid waiting for Santa to come. I keep going over everything to see if I forgot something.

Since you have to lay back for a while as a new driver my dream would be for everyone else to jump the gun a lot. LOL

[Kev43V]

It has happened in the past. Alas not for me LOL

[propnuts]

It can happen for sure

My son's first win came in Sutherlin Oregon running J Pro (now K Pro) hydro. The other racers needed his entry to make the class (and even paid for it). He was inexperienced at the time, so I agreed to let him race WITH the J stock restrictor in the motor. The other 3 entries jumped the gun and Mike won despite being 20 MPH slower. The victory doesn't always go to the swiftest, or even the brightest, sometimes it goes to the luckiest. Tony

[Silas_53A]

Good luck, as you know I had my first race last weekend, had a blast. One word of advice (the only advice I feel I can give you). Make sure you have adequate padding to kneel on in your boat. And if the atmosphere there is anything like it was here there will be people there that are more then willing to help you in any way they can.