Peak Putters - Richland Kiwanis/Arc Tri Cities Gravity Races

[Grumpy]

Lee, Jose, Izzy, Dale and I went to meet with the Kiwanis crew. Gonna be a HOOT! Them little cars a cool.

We should start showing up 7:00 or a bit after to help set up the ramp, and whatever else looks like needs our attention.

See ya'll in the morning

[iaccocca]

I only got one pic; and a crappy cell phone one at that. Showing the colors...



If anyone got decent pics you can post them up here and I'll split this into a recent run thread when this thread goes bye-bye.

[Grumpy]

For the record...Peak Putters ROCK

The participants:

Lee, Chris, the Jeeper Chicks, and Lee's nephew, Colin.

Steve and Dion

Jose, Sveta, and Izzy

Jim, Lori, Jess, and Will

Don H.

Dave (Tow Pig)

Dale and assorted guests (Tow Pig)

Some guy in a bent red Ford

[OldGreen]

That was really cool. Our photographer from work was there. I will.see if I can get some pictures.

[SPR]

Here are a few shots that I took today... I short, the Peak Putter crew help setup and tear down the starting ramps, hustled cars up the hill and back onto the starting ramps, and stop the cars at the bottom of the hill. We owe a really big thanks to Dale's brother and friend. They worked very hard all day lugging those cars around. Dion and a school mate (Zak) worked very hard at the bottom the hill getting those cars stopped and turned around. Luckily for them, their misery was reduced by working alongside and behind the South Ridge HS cheerleaders.

[TJDave]

That was a great time. I did not get to see much of the races. But, I'll not forget what I saw in driver's rear view mirror. HUGE smiles on the faces of the kids I was towing up the hill.

Here's the few pics I took before it all started:

[mattawajeep]

I didn't really have time to snap any pics - but that didn't mean I was too busy to have fun. It looked to me as if the kids we're really enjoying themselves and that makes everything worth it.

[Grumpy]

Couldn't have asked for a better day! The smiles from the kids were just astounding. One little one didn't want to stop Steve, Dion, Zak, Colin, Jim, Lee, Jose, Don, and several of the Fred Meyer crew really earned their keep with the way they kept the cars moving. Leo told me a couple times you guys outdid yourselves There were, I believe, 18 races down the hill. That's a lot of hustle! Dion almost did a backflip getting one of the cars stopped at one point. Wish we had a pic of that!! Dave and Dale were rolling all day, without any break! Their efforts really kept things on time, too. Getting set up and getting the drivers up to speed took a while longer than anticipated, but once things got started, everyone got in a rhythm and away we went. We got done at about noon, as planned. Judy was sitting about half way up the hill in the shade, and was smiling ear to ear the whole time. I will post her thoughts in the morning. Kurt was pretty pleased, and it looks like this could become a regular Putter event! I think the day made us a lot of friends, and got the Club some great exposure. We have stickers on one of the cars, and will be a sponsor on that car for the next year at other events around the state. Too bad it never made a run. Something broke We did have some carnage, and one of the cheer leaders got hit, but she's okay.

Just an all around great day

[Grumpy]

A couple of thoughts for next year, should we get to help again. Call BFT about 2 weeks ahead, and get cones and signs out about an hour plus earlier

[iaccocca]

A couple of thoughts for next year, should we get to help again. Call BFT about 2 weeks ahead, and get cones and signs out about an hour plus earlier

And put at least one EZ up at the top of the hill. Maybe, get on driver 'training' about an hour earlier.

[Grumpy]

Yeah, the popup thing was in the discussion here at Arc this morning...

[TJDave]

From where I was sitting, there were only two issues:

1. Their provided tow straps and hooks. The hooks kept falling off on the lower (no-grade) portion of the coarse. That was quickly fixed by the crew down below. Jimmy stole our winch hooks for one strap.

Maybe we could pre-prep a couple straps before hand. A little longer so we can see the cars in our center mirror.



2. Pedestrian traffic up top in the unload area. People just standing in the path as we came up with the cars. Had to honk and weave through kids and parents on the way up, and down, every time.

Maybe we could get some cones and make a no standing lane for us to drive through. People would be allowed to cross the lane, just not congregate in it.

[mattawajeep]

2. Pedestrian traffic up top in the unload area. People just standing in the path as we came up with the cars. Had to honk and weave through kids and parents on the way up, and down, every time.

Maybe we could get some cones and make a no standing lane for us to drive through. People would be allowed to cross the lane, just not congregate in it.

That was the original plan. We should have switched sides, no one was supposed to be on the left, but thats where the shade was. Pop-ups would have really helped up there, control the shade and you control the people.

[Grumpy]

Jim, the Vivid photog you mentioned turns out to be Judy's Daughter-In-Law! She has a pile of pix at the office already

Also, anyone see anything in the local "media"? I sure haven't

[TJDave]

Also, anyone see anything in the local "media"? I sure haven't

No. Nothing.

Everything went pretty much without a hitch. No-one was injured. No real accidents to speak of. No spectators or participants experienced heat related issues.

So, nothing newsworthy I gather.

[Grumpy]

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http://www.arcoftricities.com/images/Ne ... 202012.pdf

[OldGreen]

What a great time for those kids!! What's next!!?

[Grumpy]

What a great time for those kids!! What's next!!?

Got a couple of things bubbling in the back of my alleged mind One is maybe A 3-Ball event for a group of our higher functioning clients...