Pipe Smoke
Hello Friends,
I would like to welcome my friends from the Seekonk Speedway to this column. It is also nice to see my friend, mentor and spiritual advisor, Rev Pat Evans joining us here at Yankeeracer.com. Tonight, (Tues) I was in the chat room at www.rwjm.com and I jokingly remarked that with Pat and I sharing the same site, racing would never be the same.
For those of you who are new to this column, this is how it works. I start off with personal notes, changes to the website, and thing of general interest.
In the center section, you will find my thoughts about the disease of alcoholism.
It may be a story from my past, a look at one of the twelve steps, or any one of the tools that I use to stay sober. I wrap things up with a look at local racing. My focus will be on Western Ma. teams and drivers. With the Rev coming on board, I am going to shy away from the tours and concentrate on the lower divisions. I will also be looking at Claremont and Whip City Speedways. If I can ever get releases, Monadnock will join us also. Occasionally, I will add a feature on racing history. Thirty years ago, we raced in a different world.
Pipe Smoke is meant to be interactive. We have options of using chatrooms, here and at other sites. Your email comments are welcome and I have MSN instant messenger service available. I am also looking for help. My 90 hr weeks do not permit me to see much racing. If you are a competitor, crewmember or fan, I am looking for stories. You need not be in recovery.
Alcoholism, The sneaky disease
Alcoholism and diabetes are two of the most sneaky diseases I know.
Much as your sugar tolerance decreases in diabetes, your alcohol tolerance increases. The major difference being that while you can hurt yourself with diabetes, an overdose of alcohol can prove fatal to innocent people. In the ten years I drank, I did a lot of drinking and driving. I never had an accident under the influence, Never a DUI arrest. Only once was I
stopped when driving. I escaped with a traffic ticket. Today I realize that I was being watched over. It has been said that God watches over drunks and fools. I have been both. There were a few interstate trips that I made with a blood level twice the limit. All because I wanted a couple of beers.
Here is how alcoholism can progress. You start off with a couple of drinks and walk away. Maybe it is two trips to the beerstand at Thompson, or a stop after the races. IF you have a problem two drinks are not enough. Your body develops a craving for alcohol. A case of beer a day is not uncommon. Your relationships suffer. You miss work. Lose a relationship and or a job. Finally, you end up on the street, homeless. Along the way you could have an accident. You could kill yourself with an overdose.
I am happy to say that there is an alternative. IF you have a problem with alcohol there is help available. In most town and cities you will find phone listing for Alcoholics Anonymous. I cannot promise that you will find your answers there. I will promise that you will find a fellowship of men and women who will love you. Who will care about you and who will give you the tools to start living life without alcohol, One Day At A Time
Racing Notes
Sunday at Stafford was not particularly good for Western Ma racers.
Barry Kuhnel of West Springfield served as crewchief for FMS winner Ted Christopher. The only WMA entry, Chris Wentzel went out early.
In the SKs Johnny Lobo Jr and Chuck Docherty scored in 13th and 20th.
The Monson Ma. gang was out in the LMs Bill Davis and Jim Peterson scored top 10s. South Hadley’s teams, Ryan Poscocco and Joe Rzeszutek were 9th and 18th.
Saturday at Claremont it was, Kirby Montieth in the Modifieds, Roger Raymond in the Pro Stocks, Aaron Fellows in the Late Models, Nate Young in the Streets, John Ross in the Minis and Paul Harvey in the Lightning Division.
This Friday, Stafford starts its weekly racing series. Saturday is the opener for Whip City and Claremont has a special family pack. At the NH oval it is 2 adults and 2 children for $20.
Thanks for stopping by. Till next time, run hard turn left and stay straight.
For more of Pipe Smoke please visit http://www.angelfire.com/ma/kokoracer/.
To e-mail Pipe Smoke himself, e-mail PipeSmoke@YankeeRacer.com.
Sources: “Pipe Smoke”/YankeeRacer.com