I drive over to his shop.  In the snowy yard, the shiny metal chimney above the shop roof pumps a welcoming cloud of white wood smoke into the bright blue sky.  Inside, it's teeshirt weather--thanks to a big wood stove.  Our race car is looking a little rough with the sides off, but that's part of getting ready for the next season.  We need new tin all around.  We took some hard hits toward the end of season.  This also means new lettering, and fresh WISSOTA logos for the car.  I've been working with the main sponsor, Farrar Straus & Giroux Publishers in New York, to make sure we're all on the same page as far as lettering.  They have given me a list of what goes where on the car.  I've already contacted a car designer whose work I want to consider; he sent me a bunch of digital pix of other race cars  he has done.  I like them, but think there's more exciting work out there.  We're sticking with black, red and yellow color theme--but we want it really bright and eye-catching.

Skyler arrives.  He's been working on his computer, and has some printed images of a "virtual" No. 16 with new lettering.  I like his ideas.  This season we're putting his name on the car.  He wants it on the roof right above the driver's window, which is where most racers put it.  

The three of us also make up a parts list.  It includes a new seat liner, new window net, six new tires and rims (ouch), and a new helmet, along with some minor things.  Last year was very spendy.  This year should be much better.

As we talk, Skyler mentions that another local racer thinks it's "his year" (the other racer) to win the local track championship.  "I don't think so," I say to Skyler, which gets a big smile.  We're pumped to go racing.  Trouble is... that darn snow.  Bill puts another log on the fire, and we work on the car and dream of spring.