Yesss! At the exit of the WNW turn,
we come even with Bill in the Zonker.

Now, the true story: After the first closed-wheel race, in which Bill drove easily away from me, there was a race for open-wheel cars. They were as mis-matched a bunch as we were, but two of them had a good idea. The faster of them slowed enough that the next-faster could keep up. On the track it looked as if they were having a race of it.

While that was going on, I found a place near where Bill was spectating, and voiced loud approval of the "show" the formula cars were putting on. So, during the second race Bill went away far and fast enough to convince me he could, then slowed so I could catch him. That's where you see "us" getting closer, and actually passing him.

Well of course he passed me a few laps from the end, no problem; however, he did not reckon with sly old "Paco." As Bill went out of the first left turn and blasted off on his way down the quarter-mile to the WNW turn, I came out of that turn and had a flash of inspiration: if there ever was a time and place to have a little fun, this was it.

TJ -6-

And as we pass, I give Bill a little
"Salute." See the blurred fist. Uh, hand.

Before I accellerated, I turned right, between those bales on the right (remember those bales on TJ A/P page 5?) and then right again, onto the long straight. Ha! I was in the lead again.

Well, it turns out that was the last lap. And he didn't quite catch me again before the checkered flag. Of course I just kept on going. Remember also, I could not see the starter in his aerie. I didn't see any one-lap-to-go signal, or any checkered flag. I kept going until they walked in front of me and slowed me down.

I guess nobody (that counts) other than Bill Cadenhead saw what I did. I kind of slunk around until the trophy presentation, and when they gave me the First In Class in race two trophy, I took it. It was really big. REALLY big. I eventually dismantled it and made three trophies for kids at the place I was working at the time.

Thank you Bill. Thank you Tijuana Auto Sport Club. I think that was nearly as much fun as I ever had on a race track.