AAA NASCAR day

As well as providing breakdown services, the AAA (US version of the Automobile Association) was the association that helped pioneer & officiate motorsports in the US until 1955. They are still involved with motorsports & our local office was hosting the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup car driven by David Ragan in advance of the NASCAR racing over the river in Illinois at the Gateway racetrack. The vehicle is prepared by Jack Roush Racing (Roush are famous for modifying new Ford Mustangs & F-150 pickups that can be bought directly from Ford) which in February 2007 became Roush Fenway Racing. This is now NASCAR’s largest team operating 13 motorsports teams, five in NASCAR Sprint Cup, five in the Busch Series, & three in the Craftsman Truck Series. Roush Fenway Racing is one of only four teams to win a championship in all three major NASCAR divisions, including the 2003 & 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champions.

One of the actual No. 6 Fusion race cars was on display (not just a mock-up) along with a matching transporter trailer & F-350 pickup tow vehicle. There was also one of AAA's NASCAR racing simulators that both Cheryl & I had a go on to see if we could get the fastest lap time & win a prize. Although this just looked like a PC & large screen with a steering wheel & pedals in a fancy enclosure, it was actually considerably more sophisticated with the sound level in the driver's seat is being the same as a NASCAR driver would experience, force-feedback steering, & seat vibrations to simulate what you would feel in the real car. There were also plenty of activities & sweepstakes inside the office which Beth took part in & just for attending the event both Cheryl & I got a free aluminium travel mug each which means that we can now enjoy our coffee or other drinks on the move without wearing them!