's Roger
Bloor is
in the USA, working on Larry McBride's Top Fuel Bike team, here's
part 1 of
ROGER'S STORY
Well this is the start of my tour of pro drag racing. You all know how we went in Aussie, the trip to the USA will bring back lots of knowledge to improve our ETs and MPH (not to mention the large shopping list I’ve got from everyone).
I flew out of Auckland at 5pm 18th June via Fiji. Stopped there for one and a half hours. Yeah I’ve been to Fiji. Too dark to see anything. Well, at least I stop there for five hours on the way home. Transferred from a 737-800 to a 747 and guess what I got the back seat. Shit this could be scary. Motion sickness here I come. To my surprise it’s not too bad in the back. Made it to LA at 1pm on the 18th of June. Let’s get out of the airport!! Made it through security. USA I’M HERE! Little do they know they go to a lot of fuss for my birthday (4th of July). Anyway got a shuttle to the hotel. The first comment I have is SMOG. You can’t even see the hills/mountains in the distance. I was warned about tipping and was in for my first experience at it. The driver got out took the bags out and started taking money off the passengers. My turn next. “How much sir” I asked. “$15” was the reply. I had nothing smaller than ten dollar bills, so gave him twenty, expecting something back (10% to 15% tipping is the rule). The next question from him was “how much change do you expect back?”. Looking rather bemused I said “keep it“, after all he gave such great service, no talking, no radio, packed the van full people, no “welcome to LA” or “thank you”. Lesson number one learned. Have small change so you can tip them. Lesson number two is don’t open your wallet in front of people so they can see how much you have. I checked into the hotel and had a shower, hadn’t had one since today (which was actually yesterday).
OK, LA here I come! I’m smart now got some smaller notes from the front desk. You know the ones we don’t have at home, $1 bills, and put them in my pocket. I’m off ….I know it all (yeah right). Asked the desk where the nearest mall was. He told me to catch the subway (not too keen on that), I asked could I walk there as I would like to see the city. “No problem it’s about half an hours walk“. I had just spent fourteen hours on a plane I was walking. I must of had “he’s new” all over me. Looking at all the people and shops. Went around a corner that was a bit quieter than the rest and a tall skinny gentleman said “hi how you going” being the nice Kiwi I was said “good yourself”? - WRONG!! I then got the where you from England or what, answering that I got this man’s life story as I tried to move away. Finally it was “have you a couple off bucks mister”. Bugger here comes lesson three!!! Being smart I made my move but alas he followed. Ah well it was only going to be $2 but was determined to learn some thing from him. I gave him the money and asked “How do I stop being hassled like this”. He gave me the best advice any had said to me. Quote “listen here Nu Zoolander never answer anyone if they ask you for money, never look or acknowledge them but most off all keep your mouth shut once they know your foreign its all over.” “Thanks mate” I said and we parted to go our separate ways. The mall was not that great. I think probably it was at the wrong one. Passed a lot of beggars on the streets asking for money. I’m street tough now did not talk or acknowledge them. Any way I got back to the hotel, and went to dinner. Thus ended my first day in the USA.
Got up on time today, no jet lag with this Boy. Today I’m of to Pomona drag strip and John Force’s workshop. Asked the desk how to get there. Subway, then another train. Aw well subway it is. Not too bad after all. Lots of police around, so can’t get mugged (really Roger? – ed). Getting a day pass from the vending machine was easy. Next step Grand Central Station. After going to the service desk and asking which train to Pomona, came the step of buying the ticket for it out of the vending machine. I got half way through get the ticket and must of looked dumb, when a nice gentleman said “are you looking to buy a ticket?” We had a brief conversation and I had my ticket. Just needed to get 20 dollars out of my wallet. The deed was done ticket and change in my hand from the vending machine, I thanked the man for is assistance. Well guess what!!! “do you have any spare change for my assistance?” where the next words out of his mouth. I could not believe it, does nothing come free in LA? Looking at the well dressed man say that, I proceeded in giving him the $3 or so change I got. For that he even showed me the correct platform (for free I might add). I did break the lesson the beggar did tell me! Shut your mouth Roger!!! Once on the train thought I was safe, but then there was “excuse me sir I’ve got out of county jail and am asking everyone on the train for some spare cash.” Street tough I said nothing, held my arm up and implied NO. He did say thank you for my time (he should have been paying me then)!! The train ride was great. It was air-conditioned and clean. Got to see the real LA outside though. Hot, dry, smog and dirty. Got to Pomona (it’s about a one hour train ride) and walked to the strip as I could see it from the train as we went. It’s hot here!! Once at the strip I saw the door was open. And I went in to see! WOOOOW. Athol you can come here any time!!!! You could race in the size of the concrete car park. Grand stands the length of the track (seats 40 to 50 thousand people) and about a half mile braking area!! Oh and by the way just uncase you were wondering the track is flat TOO. My new camera was going off. They had a drag racing school going so I sat down and watched for a few hours. Got the balls up to ask where John Force’s shop was. Unfortunately it was three-quarters of an hour by car. Too far by foot. Not to worry, had good time at the track. Walking back to the train station I saw a pair of “ChiPs” officers on their bikes. Cool, they were Kawasaki’s, my kind of bike. I was ready to get the camera out , then thought Bugger F### ME…. Look at the pump action shot guns mounted on the side of the bikes, so you could get to use them when needed while riding. WOW that’s not standard. This is the land of the free. No photo here boys just in case they thought I was pulling out a gun. Well back on the train and to the hotel. Tomorrow will be another great adventure.
Got up at 6am this morning, didn’t want to miss my flight. It was the best move yet. The taxi ride was cool the driver knew a bit about NZ, you know, the important facts, lots of sheep and only 4 million people. Arrived at the airport to see the long lines and joined them. The funny part was they got even longer as I waited. Started to talk to the gentleman behind me. I know this could be dangerous here. Two hours and 35 metres later I made the front of the line. I shook the hand of a man I talked to and let him in front of me, he had 20 minutes until his flight. Once at the counter he turned to me and said they had cancelled his flight and he wished me good luck. I approached my counter and my plane was on time. Got my tickets and went to see my new friend to say my flight is good and I’m off. We shook hands again and wished each other well. Finally I got to meet a true American. Bye LA you sure have woken this Kiwi up.
Off to Philadelphia then Newport News, finally get to meet the McBrides today.
Roger Bloor