We did get in one day of racing on Friday, Sept 12.  Skyler "bombed the draw" (his words), picking number 470 out of 500, which put us in the last slot in the last heat.  However, the race set-up also  rewarded drivers for "passing points", which mean just what they say.  If a driver comes from last to first, he racks up major points. 

In his heat Skyler was threatening to do just that, moving from last to fourth--when a yellow flag restart reshuffled everything, and sent him again nearly to the rear.  There he was unable to avoid contact with a spin-out in front of him, resulting in another car coming up on his roof, and flattening the tin on the right side.  He said later he was unable to see out the right side, which was a handicap for the remainder of the race.  However, he made it back to sixth place before the checkered flag waved.

The line-up posted on the pit board for the feature race looked promising, with our No. 16 written into the 8th row outside.  This put us near the middle of the pack of 28 cars, and Skyler likes the outside slot.  However, the  feature was canceled due to heavy rain, with no make-up date scheduled.

Skyler will race one more time at Bemidji Speedway in the B-Mod for the team of Darryl Johnson and Gary Gregg.  Team Weaver will start  to make the transition with our Mod-4 No. 16 to an exciting young driver, Evanelle Barrett from Red Lake.  Skyler will move up to the  Midwest Modified (V-8) class next season, and Ev will drive No. 16 as a "Sister Car" to Skyler.  Everybody is pleased about this.  Skyler's B-Mod will keep the same "Bookmobile" lettering and design, and Ev will also help advertise the Motor Novels series  (look for SUPER STOCK ROOKIE in early '09) in the Mod-4.  She's really excited about the chance to drive a track champion car, and Team Weaver is very happy to have her as a part of our extended team.  Racing is not just for guys--there are several young women drivers at Bemidji Speedway--and we'll be cheering for her in the Mod-4 class and for Skyler in the bigger B-Mod.  

This move will stretch our budget to the max, but we think it can be done.  Team Weaver is always looking for support to keep our program going.   We provide access and opportunity for young people to drive race cars, with a focus on books, reading and staying in school.  Our main sponsor, Farrar, Straus & Giroux Publishers, has been fantastic, and we can't thank them enough.   If you are an organization and want to help FSG and Team Weaver keep spreading that message, don't be shy about getting in touch with me. 

Team Weaver will be visiting schools across Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and North Dakota during the coming school year. I have an Appearances page on my main website,  willweaverbooks.com, where you can check the schedule.

p.s.  We have some fun events to look forward to--the post-season banquets.  Skyler is going to be awarded some major hardware, plus a great jacket with his name and "Track Champion" embroidered on it.  Pictures will be posted in mid-November.