Goodbye Cal Clubbers!

[James Wilson]

Just wanted to say Goodbye to everyone, tomorrow (Sunday) is my last autocross in CA, bringing the whole family up. We are shoving off for our new life in Houston, Texas on June 26th, just a little over a week away. I've had a lot of fun the last 8 years racing with you guys, learned a LOT about driving and competition. Cal Club is a good group of folks with some of the best racers in the country, and it's been a pleasure. Be sure to stop by and say "Hi" tomorrow, I'll be driving Tyson Newman's Mazda3 in SK2 first thing in the morning, or look for a black Escort GT with a pink baby seat in it

Cheers,

James

[Michael Palero]

Just wanted to say Goodbye to everyone, tomorrow (Sunday) is my last autocross in CA, bringing the whole family up. We are shoving off for our new life in Houston, Texas on June 26th, just a little over a week away. I've had a lot of fun the last 8 years racing with you guys, learned a LOT about driving and competition. Cal Club is a good group of folks with some of the best racers in the country, and it's been a pleasure. Be sure to stop by and say "Hi" tomorrow, I'll be driving Tyson Newman's Mazda3 in SK2 first thing in the morning, or look for a black Escort GT with a pink baby seat in it

Cheers,

James

Good riddance!

j/p!

I'm going to miss you.

Don't worry, I'll try to continue your legacy of driving POS cars in HS with the 90 Quattro
I know it's a genuine POS because I couldn't stop laughing while driving it, I couldn't stop laughing while riding along in it, and Patty couldn't stop laughing at it.

[Ken Lord]

James

Sorry I missed you today. I saw you as I was driving by to grid and when I finished working you were gone. You are a great competitor in cars that shouldn't do as well as they do. That is driver skill. Good luck in Texas.

Ken

[Will Kalman]

Well, that was an interesting goodbye event from my perspective. You kill me in SK2, then take an Escort GT out on fun runs!

Good luck in Texas!

[David Crozier]

Good luck to you and your family James. Thanks for all your insight and words of encouragement over the years.

[James Wilson]

Well, that was an interesting goodbye event from my perspective. You kill me in SK2, then take an Escort GT out on fun runs!

Good luck in Texas!

Call it a Tribute, your impressive natural driving talent (when you first started autocrossing) was an inspiration, and really made me focus far less on "the car" or "the setup" and just plain going faster...thanks for that, Will! The Escort was very fun, and just a few tenths off of the Mazda3....might have to spring for a set of Tokico HP's and really go fer it hehe.

PS-- the A/C crapped out right as we left the Speedway, SOOOO HOT the whole drive back with the baby + wife, bad idea...need to take a look at the setup, A/C was rediculously cold before, maybe a blown fuse or relay, though the glovebox manual shows none??

[Michael Palero]

Well, that was an interesting goodbye event from my perspective. You kill me in SK2, then take an Escort GT out on fun runs!

ouch!

[Mako Koiwai]

Incredible Driving Until the End. 2nd in SK2 ... with ... where did that thing come from! And yes ... he kept the pink baby seat in the back seat!

[George Schilling]

Hey James, don't forget about us. Check in from time to time and let us know how you and your family are doing. Good luck in Texas.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

James,

Good luck and have a safe trip east.

[James Wilson]

Incredible Driving Until the End. 2nd in SK2 ... with ... where did that thing come from! And yes ... he kept the pink baby seat in the back seat!

Haha thanks Mako for the photo....I was actually driving Tyson's Mazda3 in Sk2 for maybe a 1st place (reviewing cone audits), so big thanks to MR. NEWMAN for the use of the Mazda! Funny thing, the Escort was nearly as fast!!

[Renee Angel]

James:

It has been a pleasure having you compete in our events and getting to know you. You are an asset to this organization and a DAMN good driver as well. I have enjoyed your friendship and good luck to you in Texas. Just make sure your IQ stays the same

Again - good luck to you and you will be missed.

Renee

[Mike Simanyi]

James,

We'll miss you and Allison. Best of luck to you all in Texas! (Watch out for those pesky autox locals... ;) )

Mike

[Steve Coe]

James,

Who's going to buy me lunch now?

Steve Coe

[Michael Palero]

James,

Who's going to buy me lunch now?

Steve Coe

Speaking of lunch, who's going to fetch YOU lunch now that I'm not your co-driver? ;)

[Pete Loney]

Best of Luck James, your presence and first class sportsmanship will be missed.

[Reijo Silvennoinen]

Good luck with your future endeavors! Lots of autocross in Texas so not a problem in that regard, I'm sure!

Reijo

[Bob Pl]

All the best James!

[James Wilson]

Thanks for the kind words everyone! We are shoving off first thing in the morning on this Thursday, if you are in San Diego any time before then, come by and say hello...or goodbye!

[James Wilson]

After 4 days on the road, we made it to Houston! We are staying at the Days Inn West until we can find a home to rent, it's going to be a crazy next couple of days!

I shot a lot of video and pictures from the road-- a big brush fire, about 600 miles of electrical/sand and heavy thunderstorms (not at all like the ones in CA!), lots of cops, and STUPID grammar issues with billboard signs! I'll post some up tonight

[Morgan Trotter]

good job making it there. Im glad the cars and trucks all worked well enough to make the trip.
Did the cats make it or did you have to set them free in New Mexico? Find a place in the Ghetto, show them how we roll in san diego.

[James Wilson]

good job making it there. Im glad the cars and trucks all worked well enough to make the trip.
Did the cats make it or did you have to set them free in New Mexico? Find a place in the Ghetto, show them how we roll in San Diego.

Haha cats and dog are here in the hotel ("the new house...many rooms!"), all is well.

The Saab blew up today while we were with the Realtor--- power steering pump failure, small engine fire, but everything is okay. $300 I did not want to spend, but the local autocrossers recommended a good independent Euro shop, and they are having a pump Next Day Aired from California (irony?). I am just glad it did not fail on the way out.

So we unloaded the Escort (and its contents into the hotel room) and drove it around tonight. Pick up the Saab tomorrow, and finish up with our application process on a very nice little place in Houston, giant back yard but only a 1-car garage (the other side is a converted office...my new office!).

So we went to the Academy Sports Store tonight to stay cool.....SO MUCH GREAT FISHING AND HUNTING STUFF...why the heck don't we have those out in CA??

[James Wilson]

New Thread: "Photos from the road".

[Morgan Trotter]

because we have "BASSPRO SHOPS" even better!

[Bob Beamesderfer]

because we have "BASSPRO SHOPS" even better!

There's a Bass Pro Shop along the 15 in Upland.