There is a certain name assigned by crewmembers that is well known in the pits for the drivers/tuners who have the fortune of flying in at the last minute and do not go on circus act road show that the rest of the crewmembers log over the year. They call them F.I.G.s–
(F)LY
(I)N
(G)UY (or GAL)
While the rest of the crew logs thousands of miles, and works around the clock, F.I.G.s get to jump out of their 1st class seats into their hotrod seats and then right back onboard after the weekend is over. It has become standard practice that F.I.G.s become the butt of all crewmember jokes… I’ve joked along with them, because I tow my racecar all across the country in an old, stiff F350 work truck and a 53ft. ’86 model trailer by myself and know what its like and how spoiled the F.I.G.s really seem to be sometimes. I’ve pulled those all nighters… driving straight through the night… racing all weekend, and then heading home through the morning and straight to work with no sleep.
This weekend, however, I get to experience what its like to be a F.I.G. Well, sort of. I’ll be flying into Richmond, VA for the weekend’s Fun Ford Weekend Old Dominion event. Sadly, it will be without my racecar. Its STILL not done. I’m frustrated, I’m having withdrawals, and I’m the worst drag racing spectator in the world. I HATE being at a race where I should be racing… and having NO RACECAR. There are a thousand other things I should be doing this weekend… like saving money for the car instead of buying airline tickets, or trying to convince my buddies at Illusions Custom Paint why they should paint my car. But, I owe it to my very patient and understanding sponsors to make an appearance and try and represent them… car or no car. And I miss my racing family… Thank god Deb will be there to keep me sane!
Debbie and I also will be playing hostess to Lauren Elliot, from PNN.com. Lauren is working with Horsepower & Heels on some cool new ideas that will be coming in the very near future, including a new look for Horsepower & Heels.com as well as a regular TV segment. We’re excited, and very excited to show Lauren what drag racing and FFW are all about.
