There was not much time to relax, however, as preparations are well underway for next season.  At the banquet I made a deal with another driver to buy a new engine "in the crate" so that we have a spare.   Lots of teams were talking and making deals--selling or buying stuff. Only a few days after the banquet I was off to a racing expo (photos) in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where I looked, shopped, and learned.  Racing suits, for example:  the sales rep gave me a good lesson in how quality is related to safety.  He showed me the seams of cheaper suits--how the thread is exposed, and is not necessarily fire-proof.  He said the danger area in case of a fire is not so muchthe material, but the seams.  Some drivers have been badly burned when their sleeves came off....

    I also looked at lettering and overall car design.  Right now my co-sponsor, FSG Publishers in New York, is deciding on how they want to be represented on the car.  As soon as I hear from them, I'll be in touch a lettering/designer person, and our whole team will meet to decide on colors, font, etc. for the summer racing season 2008.  We want a great-looking car, as we'll also be showing it off at schools across the Midwest as I travel around and speak about my MOTOR novels.  (Coming soon, to your town!)