A day at the races!

I spent a day at Gateway International Raceway with the MINI Club. I took part in a Performance Driver's Education event where I learned the fine art of car control. I learned to drive quickly, but safely. It was a lot of fun...I only wish ALL drivers would take this course!














After the Drivers Education event I watched a MINI Cooper Challenge race. Those little cars sure can fly! I want to drive, I want to drive!

Unfortunately, my favorite MINI took a right when it should have taken a left.....ouch!

Back in St. Louie!

I finally made it home but before I circle 'round and get some sleep I stopped off at the St. Louis European Auto Show. I couldn't wait to roam the aisles, look at some "furrin" cars and meet some new friends. I met Duke, who brought his human to the show. Now THAT'S one handsome pooch! There was a cute Poodle (ooh-la-la) near the Renaults but she gave me the cold shoulder. She'll never know what she missed.

The mini-Mini's are pretty neat...just my size. The Jaguars are purrrty but who would name a car after a cat? I liked the Ferrari's, too, but it was hard not to slide off the hood! I saw cars from Aston Martin, Porsche, Bentley, BMW, Lotus, MG, Triumph, Mercedes, Austin-Healy and more. My paws are dog-tired. See ya later! Woof!

Stop Seven on the Power Tour: Englishtown, NJ

A quick drive today...only a hundred or so miles...to the Eastern seaboard's historic home of drag racing - Englishtown Raceway Park. What a place! And chalk up another great day for the team. But alas, as mentioned previously, the camera is inoperative so I can't post any pictures from the day's events. But then again you know what they say "Whatever happens in Jersey stays in Jersey". Or something to that effect... But you can always always check out the full report on the Mothers website...point your browser (bowser?) towards http://www.powertour.net/

I managed to runs ome fairly quick times today on the strip turning low 18's at 65 MPH+. My reaction time was pretty strong at 1.253 seconds. LOL!

One of the highlights of the trip was to take the wheel of the Mothers 18 wheeler. This formidible 52' aluminum beast had me hankering for a run down to Texarkana to pick-up some Coors for a Big Enos and his son Little Enos...in under 24 hours no less. Where is Sheriff Buford T. Justice and his intrepid and inept sidekick Junior?

Next stop is home in beautiful St. Louis, Missouri USA. While I have certainly enjoyed my adventures on the Power Tour, I have to say it will be good to be back home.

So until my next adventure...

W.

Stop Six on the Power Tour: Harrisburg, PA

Another big driving day with over 325 miles covered. Winston felt lucky in that he was FINALLY able to take the wheel of our powerful M Coupe. And what fun it was! Blue Ridge Parkway followed by windy route 520 which lead us to Natural Bridge, VA, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

The Natural Bridge is a limestone rock formation that was carved naturally over the course of millions of years. While the local indians treated it as the land of Gods, our very own George Washington surveyed it for the King of Enlgand and claimed it for the crown. And if you look carefully about 23 feet up the south wall you can still see the initials "G.W.". And while dogs are not allowed if you look well above you can now see the initials "W.D.D." I simply don't know how he pulls it off...

Winstons pick of the day is this beautiful Morris Woody Wagon...another beloved decendant of jolly ole' England. Not only was this car in beautiful shape but it also featured one of the best license plates in the show. "WASATRE". LOL!


A couple of not so good things happened today. While the Mothers crew continues to work hard and the new line of accessories sells well...I did manage to break Winston's camera. He was not a happy pup let me tell you. But hopefully we will be able to make do tomorrow as head off to Englishtown, NJ. A short drive...only about 125 miles.

So until then...

W

Stop Five on the Power Tour: Roanoke, VA

Today was without a day the best day yet on the tour. Fabulous weather, great roads, and large crowds. The day was somewhat dampened by the lack of the Mothers trailer but we made do as always. You know us English - stiff upper lip and all that.



Our route brought us through the birthplace of Andy Griffith, Mt. Airy, NC, which has the claim to fame to being the inspiration behind the fictional Mayberry RFD. Given how the town turned out for the HRPT you would have thought it was the Fourth of July and Jim Nabors himself was the Grand Marshall! Three deep down Main Street and all the townsfolk dressed in their finery.


Mt. Airy was followed by 83 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway - no doubt one of the prettiest stretches of road in this great country of ours. And lots of wildlife including deer, turkey, and snakes. I don't like snakes...



As for the cars and the reason we are all here, the pick of the day was definitely a difficult one. So many cars so little money! But in the end I selected this lovely custom based on a late model Lincoln chassis. Not to mention that is was parked at Year One - a valued customer of the John Bull Garage.



Tommorrow takes us further north into the grand state of Pennsylvania. Harrisbug here we come!

Until then.

Winston

Stop Four on the Power Tour: Columbia, SC

First my apologies for the late post. Internet access was difficult to find yesterday so this post is a bit late.

All in all a good day with travels through some beautiful Southern towns along the antibellum highway. Unfortunately the Mothers team insists on eating at only nationally franchised and/or syndicated food outlets...I guess they have had many bad experiences at the local eateries. But Brett and I are not so wary. After being soundly removed from Augusta National (to paraphrase Groucho Marx...I refuse to join a club who would have me as a member but I would still like to play the back nine) we had a wonderful meal of shrimp gumbo and a platter of fried lard at Beamies on the Savannah river.

I also spent some time with Brett demonstrating the proper way to drive an English motor car.

As for my car of the day...a difficult pick. But after scouring the 1000's of lovely American vehicles I decided on this stunning 1972 Jaguar E-Type with the V12. The cream yellow and biscuit interior immediately took me home to my precious England. Mommy!

Off to Roanoke tomorrow through the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains.



Until then.

W

Stop Three on the Power Tour: Perry, GA

The drive from Gainesville included a brief stop at the South Georgia Motorsports Park where some interesting showdowns occurred on the drag strip. On to the Georgia State Fairgrounds in Perry where the weather was beautiful and the crowds enormous. Winston was pleased to see that the Mothers High Performance Car Care Accessories, a line that he helped develop, continues to do well.

Winston's pick of the day is this 1954 Cadillac on display from GM's Performance Division. This is one of three cars that competed in the 1955 Carrerra Pan America, a race from the southern tip of Mexico to the USD border - well over 1,000 miles of grueling, demanding and extremely dangerous driving. Hard to imagine spending 5 days in this car driving at the limit. Woah.

On to Columbia, SC

Until then,

Winston

Stop Two on the Power Tour: Gainesville

The drive from Orlando to Gainesville was uneventful but HOT! Not doubt Winston missed those cool English days as opposed to 96 and very humid. Rain along the way ensures that lots of cars would be washed this evening. A lovely buffet lunch at the Hunt's End in Mt. Dora, Florida was topped off by a nap in the boot whilst Geoff and Brett drove on.

Winston's pick of the day is this beautiful 1957 Belair wagon. I need to sell more detailing tools!

Stop One on the Power Tour: Orlando

Winston spent the bulk of the first day of the Power Tour checking out all the beatiful cars. Thousands of American classic muscle cars, hot rods, and even some fine European machinery all beckoned for Winston's attention. Winston did share some concern that his long-under-control drooling problem might re-surface given all the enticing sights on the Power Tour.

He was also pleased to see the new line of High Performance Car Care Accessories from his friends at Mothers. Winston is always on the hunt for anything that makes his detailing regimen easier and more enjoyable.

His pick-of-the-day was this beautiful 1932 Ford "Deuce" complete with rumble seat. The crisp lines and clean interior really made this car shine!

On to Gainesville, Florida.

Until then.

Winston

Winston visits his dear old mum

Winston was able to take a quick break from the Power Tour to visit his mum. She retired to the Orlando area from the London area where she was on the security detail for the Queen's Mum. While she likes the weather in Florida she is not to fond of all the tourists or the local constabulary. The fact that she has been muzzled by local authorities for biting numerous tourists probably hasn't helped much either. After some quick tea and scones, Winston bid his mum goodbye. Sniff...sniff.

Winston Starts the Hot Rod Power Tour

I'm off today to start the Hot Rod Power Tour following it from Kissimmee, Florida up to Englishtown, NJ. I started the trip with a visit to the new Summit Racing warehouse/retail store just south of Atlanta. Woof! They have just about everything a racer would want. I personally picked-up some new headers for my Mustang GT but what I really wanted was a set of race seats and harnesses. Didn't much care for their selection of detailing accessories though. I can certainly help them there!

Be sure to follow my exploits on the tour...I'll be posting nightly about things I see during the day. And be sure to check out the Mothers write-ups as well. I'll be bunking with the Mothers team for the week so perhaps you will see my name mentioned (in a good way I hope).

www.mothers.com

Until then.

Winston