Rain, Rain, Go Around NTK Please???

Eech. Well, it started out to be a good race day. It was nice and warm, a little humid and overcast, but no rain. There was a threat of rain in the afternoon forecast, but Hunter had been praying fervently all day, so he was pretty sure it wouldn't rain.

By the time we got to the track, it was no longer nice and warm, but windy and cold. And we didn't take jackets with us. Silly us. May 9th and we didn't take jackets. What were we thinking? Oh, I don't know, maybe that IT'S MAY???? But yes, I know, it's May in Texas, which means the weather can change on a dime.

Anyway, we got in three practice sessions before driver's meeting. Then after a short delay, the race got underway with the qualifying heat. Hunter did GREAT!!! He finished in 2nd place! It was great to see him run so well and with such improvement.

Scott tweaked on the kart a bit more for the 2nd heat. Remember, Hunter is still under rookie status, so he always has to start at the back of the pack. Immediately off the line he passed two kids and caught up with the leader. I was so excited for him. Whatever Scott did was working.

Then it happened. The kart stalled off of turn 1 on the 2nd lap. There was no starting it back up. She was gone...for this heat anyway. And I had a heartbroken little boy on my hands.

It was a minuscule piece of something - grass, dirt, etc. in the carburetor. Scott and Carl cleaned it all out and got the kart ready for the final heat. But it was not to happen. Droplets of moisture fell from the sky. The weather service assured NTK that is was not rain, but dew, mist, condensation. Uh huh. Look, if it's wet and falls from the sky, it's rain, okay?

After several minutes of waiting for a clearing, it was finally decided to call the race. Hunter was devastated. "Mom, I prayed for no rain. What did I do wrong?" I just calmly and gently assured Hunter that he had done nothing wrong, simply that God answers prayers with "yes" or "I have another reason and purpose". We also discussed that this is just racing - sometimes you have to fight weather, sometimes it's mechanical problems or an accident.

Anyway, he did great for what he got to run. He'll be wishing for some cooling rain come this summer in the heat and him in that full fire suit and gear!!

(picture of Hunter & Aryton and their 1st place ribbons - all kid karts get 1st place)