Talladega 2013
For the second year in a row Randy and Sherry headed to Talladega super speedway to take laps on the track.
This year's trip had their new C6 Grand Sport making the trip.
Check out the Pictures and Randy's Article Below Them!
This year's trip had their new C6 Grand Sport making the trip.
Check out the Pictures and Randy's Article Below Them!
Sherry and I departed from home at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday May 23rd in our new 2011 Grand Sport convertible. As we were backing out of the attached garage I heard a strange noise from inside our new detached garage which I refer to as our Vette shed. Of course I had to investigate. When I raised the door there was our beautiful 1999 Torch Red Coupe pleading "but you told me that I was going to Talladega this year". After some consoling and reassurances that she would be making the trip next year all was well and we finally departed from home. Our chosen route took us down I-65 through Louisville Ky and on to Bowling Green where we stopped at the museum for a pictures of our new GS and then inside to the gift shop. As you all are aware one can not visit the museum without making a contribution to the museum gift shop. We left the museum and headed a short distance to the Sonic drive inn for a late lunch. For those of you who know us well anytime there is a Sonic sighting we have to at least stop for a diet vanilla coke or iced tea-- some of the best you will find anywhere. We continued on our journey down I-65 with a few pit stops along the way through Nashville TN and onto Huntsville AL where we stopped at the exit with the spaceship rocket. After stretching our legs and using the facilities we traveled another four miles south on I-65 where we got off and took Highway 67 E towards Priceville and Decatur Alabama. It was a beautiful late afternoon day as we cruised through the picturesque hills and valleys of southeast Alabama. We finished the last leg of our journey arriving at the Holiday Inn Express 2 miles north of Pell City around 7pm. After unloading the car and freshening up a bit we walked over to our favorite Mexican restaurant, The Azteca Grill, where we were served by our Mexican waiter Ivan. Yes I know you are thinking that is not a typical Mexican name but Ivan was 100% Mexican and was very efficient and cordial. We enjoyed some great Mexican food and a few adult beverages. We discovered this place last year and once again it did not disappoint and was outstanding as far as food and service. Friday found us cruising in to the town of Pell City, a quaint southern town with a nice blend of old and new architecture and businesses. As we drove about town guess what Sherry and I found--- wait for it--- Of Course a Sonic!!. After the trip around town and stop at Sonic we headed west on I-20 towards Birmingham to the Rivergate Outlet Mall for a car show and some shopping. We headed back to the hotel around 3pm where we met up with Sherry's sister Bobbi Jo and her husband Rod and three other couples whom are also good friends of ours. They all belong to the TriCity Corvette Club and live in the Beaumont Texas area. It was good to see them all again since it had been six months since we were together last in Texas. After visiting for awhile it was time to start thinking about dinner-- the thing us corvette people do best--eating!. The Texas group headed out to the museum at Talladega for a BBQ dinner buffet and program and tour of the museum. Sherry and I chose not to participate in this event this year and instead walked over to the Golden Rule BBQ joint where we enjoyed some good southern style BBQ with all the fixins'. Saturday morning found us up and ready to head to the track around 7am. We all pulled out of the hotel parking lot in our shining C6 Vettes and began the short 15 minute drive east to the Talladega super motor speedway. It doesn't take long when you're traveling down the interstate at 80mph. Once again we were blessed with beautiful weather-- Blue skies, low humidity, and temperatures hovering in the low 80's. We were parked in garages 59 and 60 where we awaited our first 5 lap run scheduled for 12:45pm. There were approximately 200 Corvettes that attended this years event. We lined up on pit row a little bit before 12:45pm for our first run around the famed oval. If you all remember this track has 33 and 1/3 degree banking in the turns. There were 15 Corvettes in our group all raring to hit the track. The Grand Sport performed flawlessly and reached a top speed of 122 mph with more pedal available but backed off due to traffic in front of us. Our friends from Texas were all in our group and were all running in the low to mid 120;s as well. After our first run we headed back to our garages and relaxed for a bit then went for some lunch inside the track served by the veterans association of southeast Alabama. We all purchased pictures of our car on the track at the start finish line and then headed back to the garages where we hung out and visited until our next run. We got back out on the track around 3:30pm for our second 5 lap session. All of us ran just a little bit faster second time around but none of us set any records. The second session ended with a trip to victory lane for all of us where we had our picture taken with our car. Pretty cool! Upon leaving the track we stopped at the entrance where we lined up all five of the Vettes in front of the Welcome to Talladega Speedway sign for some pictures of the group and the cars. Upon returning to the hotel it was a 100% consensus that we would all have dinner at the Azteca Mexican Grill where they serve some of the best chips and salsa and margaritas you will find anywhere. Once again Ivan took good care of us and a good time was had by all. We all returned to the hotel after dinner where we all gathered in Mike and Willa Whites room to view the Video Mike had shot of the days activities and track runs. Great job once again by Mike. Sunday morning found us up early as we all met in the hotel for breakfast and rehashed Saturdays activities. After everyone got the cars packed for the trip home we set our good byes and headed back to Texas and Indiana. Sherry and I departed around 9am and arrived back home in good old Greenfield at 7:30pm. Once again this year was simply awesome as it was in the past and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who likes to go fast in their Corvette and have a great time and help the veterans associations of southeast Alabama.
