It was a huge day for Northeast Ohio's Team 99 in the Fireball Run as they moved into 2nd place overall, and just four points behind the overall race leader! Here's a recap of the day's events from Team 99 member Terry Stewart:
Oh boy, what a difference a day makes! And this time I'm quoting a Hall of Fame Inductee, the late, great Dinah Washington. After yesterday's near debacle, this go round was almost stress free. We were on a roll from the outset and that moment of crisis or paralysis never really showed it's ugly face. As a result, those of you coming back to this blog for the roller coaster ride of Monday will be somewhat disappointed.
We sorta knew that the morning would revolve around the world famous track at Watkins Glen Raceway....and it did. We scurried to this site with a focus and purpose not seen before in this competition. Plus, we got so lucky. Our scheduled interview with our partners at Channel 3 perfectly aligned with both cell service and our lap around the two mile course. Viewers got a first hand look at what drivers see when they go flat out in the pursuit of victory. Next, we took to the make shift slalom course where Mr. Moreno nailed it in the surprisingly agile Fisker.
Now, it was off towards our final destination of the day, Watertown, New York with only a few bonuses to slow us down. Fortunately, with the able assistance of our network of followers, we quickly came to the conclusion that both of the extra credit opportunities were fool's gold to be eschewed, and so they were.
Our attention then turned to several historical challenges up near Watertown which focused on both the town's early mercantile success and the War of 1812. The latter turned out to be the more compelling when we experienced first hand the barracks housing the soldiers who defended both our country and the ship building industry that had taken root in this area. Cannons were fired, flintlocks were shot, and we had once again achieved our mission.
We were so close to settling into our bivouac for the evening with only one significant task to check off that it seemed like we had been " out on the stem to play" all day..... a Fats Domino lyric.....and that we were home free. Oh, if were only that simple.
Upon reading the last mission, we had to come to grips with the fact that one of our team had a serious discrimination issue. Imagine, two of us were required to learn the art (or is it science) of determining the sex of new born chicks at a hatching facility....with much of the day's success riding on the outcome. At such time, lo and behold, we discovered that our leader, Sr. Moreno, was chicken-phobic. Mon dieu! I know that's not what you all wanna hear, but there's really no other way to label it. That said, Matt and I had no choice but to soldier on. Heads down, stiff upper lip, we charged forward with Matt doing the heavy lifting........I'll let him explain that at a later date. The result....VICTORY and a fabulous tally for the day. And, yes, I realize the burning question at hand given the toga history....are there photos...and I say, YES, there are. But that's for another day and for Matt to reveal.
Needless to say, this final success, which came at great odds, secured the day. As we close the books for the Tuesday, Team 99 had moved up into the top 5, ready to challenge the leaders come the light of dawn......no rooster required!
Stay tuned...we have only begun to cluck....uh, I mean fight.
P.S. For those who were lucky to follow us on line today, you will have to admit that you were treated to some stunning scenery in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Even after having lived in this area for many years, I often forget the beauty of the juxtaposition of the green hills and the blue waters of this part of America. I urge you to come see it first hand......perhaps in the Fall when the extra bonus of the foliage adds another dimension to behold.