*Text by Bryan Goffe
As if characters led by John Belushi in the movie “Animal House” impatient voices become increasingly louder in my head “Road Trip…Road Trip…Road Trip!”
Events go from First, if fortunate enough to command a return – Second and through calendars..slide into a collage of The Rest (First, Second and The Rest, more on this later). While loving reoccurring events there is always a need for something new. Thoughts wander and wonder about that mental list of others.
I need a road trip. A mission. In this case, a solo drive to meet up with old friends at Mission Raceway Park (MRP) in British Columbia, Canada for a couple days of drag racing, Top Fuel Nitro Bikes in particular; but in some words of Larry Chen, “Double-Dip the trip” so I’ll take it all in.
A few hours drive, a border crossing and a couple days of some old familiar racing at a place I somehow haven’t been to before. Plus a couple nights at an Airbnb for added dimension to the adventure.
The plan is always relatively simple – hit it like I might not make it back. And later start thinking about next time.
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The drive from the population of Seattle got more beautifully remote the further north I drove; to be paused for a 1/2 hour at the border crossing. He said it was, “Because you haven’t been to Canada for over 20 years.” Musing to myself – I bet it’s because I’m a “Known associate of Steve Huff.”
The other border patrol agent (after going through the contents of my vehicle while I watched one-ball sports highlights and listened to other people explain their stuff) 20 minutes later, “You have a lot of camera equipment.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You getting paid for coming up here?”
Laughing…”I wish.”
Scowl
Then I said, “If they keep racing I might come back.”
“I’ll note that in the computer.”
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Ease of coming and going is appreciated – the wooden footbridge at the start of the track is encouraging. I always like a footbridge at a track.
On first arrival into Mission Raceway Park it has a similar feel to the Woodburn Dragstrip and instantly stirred memories. Similarly this NHRA sanctioned dragstrip is on an edge of population and next to the Fraser River. There are lots of Cottonwood trees alongside the working river bank (log rafts are stored and moved along with tugboats), but was told that there used to be more; apparently they thinned some out to cut down on shade in the pits and ‘the bugs’ that everyone I’ve talked to about Mission mentioned.
At night the atmosphere reminded me of my home track (SIR at the time) Pacific Raceways when I was much younger. Seeing so many young people attending a drag race event is refreshing.
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A roadtrip always has layers of experiences..some good (decompression driving), some less than wonderful (wildfire smoke, border politics, weather swings) and some really great moments (time in pits and along the strip).
Mission complete. I find myself weighing the probable return for (second and the rest..) and seeking another new opportunity.
I once heard, ‘There are Vacationers and there are Travelers.’ I am a traveler.
Mission accomplished.
Garage Asylum 