DIRT DIVA & PINK FIRE AT EAST ALABAMA SPEEDWAY FOR STATE RACE By: Rena Barwick
EAST ALABAMA is the only State Championship Race that Pink Fire and I have ever competed in. Pink Fire is my Late Model Racecar. A big race that a rookie only dreams of racing in. I had to fight my way into the race due to a brief streak of bad luck. My name is Arlene Pittman and I would like to take this time to tell you a little about this experience of bad luck. Which turned out amazing!
My #7 racecar, PINK FIRE, left our Vidalia Georgia home a day ahead of me. Making it’s way to the East Alabama Speedway on Thursday, September 23, 2010. My husband, Philip and I, along with one of my sponsors’ from Dirt Divas began our journey later that Friday evening. Therefore arriving late the night of September 24,2010. Now the dream that almost became a nightmare.
Saturday, September 25, 2010 the big day. PINK FIRE, myself and the crew, was ready. We was ready for anything, so we thought. Brace yourself for the ride of a life time.
During the first lap of my practice run, “Oh no! What’s this?” I thought. Pink Fire started breaking up and acting funny. My thoughts were, “What’s wrong with you girl?” Needless to say we didn’t get to complete in our practice run. After a little investigating it was discovered that there was water mixed in with the fuel. Now who would do such a cruel thing. I know what you’re thinking big dream turned nightmare, no way, there’s more.
We work hard to revive Pink Fire. You would never believe it, but we did just in time to get her back out there and qualify with the big boys. Let me remind you with no practice time at all, you best believe the nerves were kicking in. The only thing I had to go on was the advice of my co-racers. Their advice was to go high and stay high. I did just that. As I entered onto the track I got high and I stayed high. Lap number one, was a good solid run. Lap number two Pink Fire and I was hanging in there. We were gaining speed and got a little to high coming out of turn three. At this point I lost control of Pink Fire, crashing into a corner post in turn four. The crash knocked me out cold. I could not remember my address or phone number, but that’s no biggie I never call myself anyway. Pictures can be viewed at http://mooneyphotos.smugmug.com/Cars/East-Alabama-Motor-Speedway/12666838_sLqjZ#1023737163_dK2bE
Bet you are thinking this is where this Diva loses her dream. Nope not today. After the accident the pain that I endured was of no concern to me. I wanted and needed Pink Fire up and running for the conciliation race. Realizing we had only hours to get Pink Fire right again. A brief meeting with my crew and a lot of hard work. Pink Fire was back like new in only four hours. It was almost unbelievable the job that the crew pulled off in that short amount of time. View the pictures at the above website and you can almost experience the crash, great pictures. Back to making this Divas’ dream come true.
Sunday, September 26, 2010 Pink Fire and I was once again ready for anything. Time to make a Divas’ dream a reality. Nothing else can go wrong, no chance. It was time for the conciliation race. Adrenaline was pumping, I was very excited but a little nervous, too. Didn’t want to disappoint my fans nor my sponsors. Although I knew if I went out on that track and give it 100% I could not let anyone down, not even myself. I had go out there give it my all, everything that I had, everything that Pink Fire had, to make the BIG SHOW. I would have to finish third in the conciliation race to make the BIG SHOW.
Starting deep in the pack of the conciliation race, I finished forth, not making the BIG SHOW. Just one more spot and I would have made to into the race of a lifetime. Who cares I finished the conciliation race. I gave it my all Pink Fire gave 100%. I’m proud of myself and of my Pink Fire. God I Love that car. Dreams do come true I finished the conciliation race a rookie from Vidalia, Georgia running with the big boys. You will never believe this, but my dream is not over, not by far. After the conciliation race the rain began to fall from the sky, and it kept falling with no end in sight. That meant a delay until the following Sunday, October 3,2010. With this delay my dream lives on. Wonder why this is, because if there is a delay until a later date and all the drivers who have already made the BIG RACE don’t show up. Well that gives me an opportunity to advance. The Divas’ big dream may still have a chance.
Sunday, October 3,2010 Pink Fire and I made our way back to East Alabama Speedway. We went back to try our luck one more time there in Alabama. I knew that if only two drivers didn’t show that would put Pink Fire and I into the BIG RACE. To great surprise it paid off, there was several drivers who didn’t show up for the BIG RACE. Despite all of the bad luck that I’ve endured at East Alabama Speedway, this Divas’ dream was about to be reality. Pink Fire and I started the BIG RACE in the 23rd position. We completed the race in the 18th position. We finished a great race. It was a wonderful experience to run with the big boys and be able to finish right there with them. It was the most amazing unforgettable experience ever, the feeling is totally indescribable.
I would like to take this time to say thank you to all my fans, and sponsors. To live out this dream would not have been possible without all of you. Thank you for believing in me and Pink Fire when no one else would. Always remember dreams do come true, never give up keep on pushing. Never let anyone tell you your dreams are not possible. No Dream is impossible always Dream Big.
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