NEWS

Hi everyone!

We have some news! We are working on new blogs: three team member biographies and one about the golf cart (for those of you who attend the races, you know exactly what I'm talking about!). We also have the tentative race schedule which will be posted soon for those who want to attend. If you haven't seen the team member biographies, click on the team page!

Meghan.

A Salute to Big Blue!

Big Blue: Our Trusty Steed! 

If a truck enthusiast were to come with us to the races, they would undoubtedly be in heaven: Ford F150s, 350s and Dodge Rams are all around. These trucks have one purpose only: to cart around the trailers to the races. Among all these exotic, shining trucks is one very special vehicle: Big Blue. Now Big Blue wasn’t the prettiest thing to look at, with its rusty spots and faded paint, but it had its fine qualities.

As mentioned briefly in another blog, Big Blue is very special… and some of us on the team learnt this from its first trip. Jack describes, “Duncan had found a trailer and needed something to tow it with. The search was on to find something appropriate! After a drawn out search lasting no more than four hours we found out that one of Duncan’s friends had just the animal in terms of a 1993 Ford E350. The somewhat dilapidated look of the vehicle did not in any way detract from its full potential and reliability. The relationship with the vehicle took an immediate turn for the good. As Duncan was cleaning the vehicle after taking ownership, he found an envelop in the glove compartment full of money. The previous owner obviously had too much money and not enough time to spend it. In true character, Duncan returned the money to the previous owner in exchange for future considerations.”

He continues,

“The first real test was the trip to Connecticut to pick up the new trailer in May 2010. It was one of the hottest days on record for that time of year with temperatures near 100 degrees. The trip back involved long and sometimes steep climbs up the south flanks of the White Mountains (or Green), which caused the needle of the engine temperature guage to bury itself almost out of sight at the top of the hot range. True to the word of the previous owner, the vehicle did not falter and we managed to tow the trailer home to Montreal safe and sound!”

Duncan adds, “This trip was my first use of Big Blue and also my first time towing a trailer of any significant size. We did the trip down past Hartford and back in one day.  Jack had business in Montreal the next day.  Climbing those hills on our return, I really did not think we would make it….but Jack kept the faith…and Big Blue delivered.”   

This vehicle proved to be our little home away from home when we needed it. On those cold days where five layers of clothing didn’t provide enough warmth, we would duck into the van to warm up, which held the heat more than the trailer did. We would also sometimes have lunch in the van, although only the “cool kids” were invited (cool kids being me, Duncan and Corey). The van was also the perfect napping spot, where it had unbelievably comfortable seats. The best napping moments were in fact on those cold days. It was also the best conference centre. 

For one of us, the vehicle provided a secret hideout spot when he or she didn’t want to be found. Thank goodness for tinted windows. See, this team member had a specific issue… let’s call him or her… Terry. Terry found someone who was always at the racetrack to look a lot like a certain, good-looking rock star. However, when this anonymous racetrack person would try and talk to Terry, Terry would just stare, rooted on the spot and not able to speak out of shyness. Once, when Terry was spotted by this person, who was making a move to come and talk to him/her, Terry yelled to the other pit crew members, “get in the van!” and jumped in, hiding in the darkness and clutter in the back. This Terry person will remain anonymous… as will the anonymous racetrack, rock star looking person. And don’t bother asking anyone on the Murdoch Racing team. What happens at the racetrack stays at the racetrack! ;) Thank goodness for Big Blue, the getaway truck!

There were a few more memorable incidents with this truck in the early days. On arrival in Tremblant for our first race, the rear break line ruptured.. This was accompanied by a substantial amount of smoke from brake fluid burning on the exhaust., not to mention a very low brake pedal.  Duncan says, "I started to smell things. We were very close to the track and when I stopped at the gas station to see what was going on, there was break fluid pouring out. "We made it to the track on the front brakes and trailer brakes and spent the rest of the weekend scrounging parts to do the repair.  This was completed with the help of our friends from Simtec Racing and we made it home safe and sound.  Duncan notes, “Corey was on board for this trip.  It must have been traumatic for him….ever since he avoids riding in Big Blue…go figure”  

Big Blue was, however, the inflictor of injuries. Meghan nearly broke her elbow hitting it on the outside hinges. Terry jumped out of the truck once, eager to help Jim out with something, when his/her calf caught the bottom of the door and cut it. Terry howled and yelled in pain (some swear words may have been uttered). However, the anonymous racetrack, rock star looking person was right in front of Terry and saw the whole thing. How embarrassing!

 All in all, Big Blue was so good and very practical. We could put so much stuff in the back, use it as a temporary storage compartment in the winter, and during the race weekends, we could put clothes and other personal items in the truck so we weren't tripping over each others' stuff in the trailer, which can be very frustrating. Big Blue is tough…surviving our tent collapse with just a small dent on the roof in addition to Meghan’s constant attempts to add additional cosmetic damage.

Duncan notes in conclusion; "Big Blue was one of the best vehicles I ever had. I never let me down and it always started. It got us wherever we needed to go and served its purpose. We will miss it."