1991 Camper Problems!!!

"The lead-up before leaving"! 1.) First week in May we discovered the camper has a broken spring. 2.) Second week in May Tom takes camper to shop. 3.) Third week in May camper still in shop, (they're waiting on parts?). 4.) 5/22/91... I drop off jackets to be stitched. Tom calls to tell me camper still in shop!! Says he will check back with them tomorrow. 5.) 5/23/91... I get off work @ noon (we are suppose to leave tomorrow), drop off Chrysler for front end alignment. Tom calls @ 1:30p.m. and says he is taking camper to a different spring shop in Appleton and tells the other shop (quote: "shove their shop up their ass"!.. end quote). I call to check on jackets, jackets aren't EVEN THERE!! They tell me to check back @ 3:00. Tom calls @ 2:45, says camper will be done @ 5:00. Call garage about car, car can't be aligned because of bad tires! Brent gives me a ride to get car. Pick up car, take to Tire America for a new set of tires. At 4:00p.m. I stop to check on jackets, (good news!) jackets will be done @ 7:00.

6:30..Pick up Chrysler

7:00..Pick up jackets. (no names on jackets, they said not enough time?)

7:30..Tom pulls into Milwaukee with camper!

5/24/91..."The Vehicles"...Tom's new Ford Explorer & the Chrysler (the boat)

The Gang"...Me , Tom, Rick, Brent, Scott, Dennis, "rookie" John Cochran ( a buddy of mine I met while in the Air Force) and a guy named Mike (I work with) but he is just catching a ride down to track with us. (he'll live to regret) On the way down to Boney's, I called Tom on the C.B. to tell him the left tire on the camper is wobbling. 35 miles from Lafayette tire blows out! Change tire and get to Boney's @ 5:00p.m. Set up camper, go to town, buy 2 new camper tires.

The food @ Boney's this year is on the Wisconsin Good-Time Gang. We brought Brats, Italians, and Rick even brought a box of his venison hot dogs. All the food went over real good with the River Rats. Boney has a new hot tub this year that Scott, myself, and Dennis tried out, while Mike passed out in his lawn chair.

Saturday 5/25/91...Tear down camper and pull camper into Boney's garage to put on new tires.

More problems! When the tire blew, it tore up the wheel well. Luckily "Sarg" had a piece of sheet medal in his truck and made a new well from it. Patch up wheel well, put on new tires and leave for Indy.

Get to Debbie's (she's another story). Set up camp, eat, take our traditional walk, ( I bought our rookie John his first Indy pin) party a little more, go to bed.

Note: Debbie's story is that she told us she is getting married and moving to Georgia. Looks like "The Gang" will have to find another place to camp in '92.

Sunday 5/26/91..."The Race"...

This year for the 500 was the first time 4 members of the same family started the race. (Mario, Michael, John, & Jeff Andretti). Saw a good, exciting race with a shoot out between Rick Mears and Michael Andretti over the last 13 laps. With Rick Mears going on to tie A.J. Foyt with 4 wins!