Jump to content

Photo

The Runoffs put into Perspective

- - - - -

  • Please log in to reply
22 replies to this topic

#1
davew

davew

    Veteran Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,297 posts
  • Location:Beloit, Wi
  • Region:Chicago
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:72

We are all a bunch of middle aged (some are still punk kids) guys (with a few ladies) playing with toy cars. We take this way too seriously. This is supposed to be fun.

 

2 weeks before we left, my wife, Ann, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Fortunately for us, we found one of the best neuro-surgeons in the world is at University of Wisconsin, in Madison. Only an hour from home. While all of you were focused on the big race, I was focused on a life or death race. Yes, I watched the race on my phone from the surgery waiting room at the hospital.

 

Through out the first week of the Runoffs, I walked around with a blue event t-shirt and had all our friends at the track sign it for her "Get Well Card". And yes, it made her cry. It is now 3 days after surgery, she is following voice commands for simple tasks like wiggle your toes and has brief minutes of conscieceness. 

 

For this reason my comments on this forum will be rare and brief. Many will be from my phone and may sound rough. I just hate typing on my phone.

 

The shop is still open for business. I have a great crew including Ben, Bob and Tim. They took care of everything for the races.

 

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and prayers. All are appreciated and needed. Especially Chris Haldeman, Tom Fowler, Kyle Webb and Jim Drago. We may be fierce competitors on the track, but they are all respected friends.

 

Dave


  • True North, Tom Hampton, Joe (dad) Jordan and 19 others like this

Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0

Building Championship winning cars since 1995

4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017

Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017

5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's

6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder

2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder

2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)

2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)

2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief

2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)

Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230

Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Sponsor / Advertiser - Site sponsor / advertiser... support these guys! Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#2
Ron Alan

Ron Alan

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,732 posts
  • Location:Northern CA
  • Car Year:1995

Godspeed to Ann Dave...thoughts and prayers are with her and your family :grouphug:


Ron

RAmotorsports

 

Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#3
Preston Pardus

Preston Pardus

    The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 114 posts
  • Location:New Smyrna Beach, FL
  • Region:Central Florida
  • Car Number:42

Thoughts and prayers are with her and your family Dave!


SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America Sugar Daddy - Made PayPal donation of $500+ We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#4
FTodaro

FTodaro

    Veteran Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,084 posts
  • Location:Columbus Ohio
  • Region:Great Lakes
  • Car Year:2001
  • Car Number:35

Sad to hear this Dave, My best to Ann, you, and your family. Our health is by far way more important than anything we have to say about cars.


Frank
TnT Racing
SCCA Ohio Valley Region
 

Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+ We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Donor - Made PayPal donation

#5
1.6 Montana

1.6 Montana

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 17 posts
  • Location:Wilsall, MT
  • Region:Southwest Montana
  • Car Year:1990
  • Car Number:09
Thanks for your words Dave--- we will continue to pray.

Andy

#6
Bench Racer

Bench Racer

    Different strokes for different folks : )

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,508 posts
  • Location:Wauwatosa, WI
  • Region:Milwaukee
  • Car Year:1990
  • Car Number:14

Prayers for Ann, Dave and family.

 

David


Broken record - You are starting to sound like a broken record. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#7
Tom Sager

Tom Sager

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,693 posts
  • Location:Chicago Suburbs
  • Region:Central
  • Car Year:1996
  • Car Number:94

Very sorry to get this news but happy to hear you found a great doctor and that she's now on the mend.

 

Ann is a great lady and hopefully she's back among you and the guys as soon as possible.


  • Jim Drago likes this
Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+

#8
Tom Hampton

Tom Hampton

    Egregious Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,060 posts
  • Location:Mckinney, tx
  • Region:South west
  • Car Year:1992
  • Car Number:41

Very sorry to hear this.  Best wishes to Ann, you and the rest of your family. 


-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info

video: vimeo.com/tomhampton

Support: X-Factor Racing

 

I didn't lose, I just got outspent!

Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#9
Mike Collins

Mike Collins

    Big Cheese

  • Moderators
  • 1,262 posts
  • Location:Summit Point Motorsports Park
  • Region:Washington DC
  • Car Number:75

Send Ann our best....!!!!


Mike "MEATHEAD" Collins
Founder - Partner
MEATHEADRacing
240-476-1593

www.meatheadracing.com
Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+ Sponsor / Advertiser - Site sponsor / advertiser... support these guys! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Sugar Daddy - Made PayPal donation of $500+ Donor - Made PayPal donation Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. MX5 Cup Participant - Has Participated in a MX5Cup.com Series Event Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other

#10
Richard Astacio

Richard Astacio

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 339 posts
  • Location:Stamford CT
  • Region:NER
  • Car Year:2003
  • Car Number:80

It puts everything into perspective..life is short...enjoy it and live life to the fullest...forgive and move on...I pray for a speedy recovery and peace for your family during these tough times. 


  • Jason J Ball, Jim Drago, Armando Ramirez and 3 others like this

Richard Astacio

2003 Spec Miata VVT & 2013 Cup Car
 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#11
powerss

powerss

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 151 posts
  • Location:Arizona
  • Region:ARiZONA
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:145
I am very glad the surgery went well and Ann is showing positive progress.

Wish her the best the Powers family. I always look forward to seeing her when we trek up to Road America.
Steven Powers
Arizona Region
2009 SoPAC Division Champion
2013 SoPAC Division Champion
2019 Western Conference Champion

#12
sentercut

sentercut

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 102 posts
  • Location:Greenville, SC
  • Region:Southeast
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:55

Thanks for the post Dave, will be continuing to pray for yall. 


Senter Smith


#13
Cnj

Cnj

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 487 posts
  • Location:Dallas
  • Region:Sw
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:32
I met Ann for the first time at COTA. I had ordered a set of decals for my car and picked them up from her at the track with the intent of applying them myself. I quickly realized I was clueless and went back to ask for advice. Without hesitating, she led me back to my car, sat down and applied them to my car with a smile while telling me stories - and refused any payment. Totally made me a fan for life!

My prayers are with her, Dave and family.

CNJ
We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#14
EPrill

EPrill

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 30 posts
  • Location:Topeka, KS
  • Region:Kansas
  • Car Year:1990
  • Car Number:7

Dave-

You guys are in our continued thoughts for good progress. The health of our loved ones puts everything into perspective.

 

Eric


Eric Prill

1990 Mazda Miata - F Production

MaxtonsFight.org/Jesse Prather Motorsports/Hoosier

Runoffs Podium: 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Runoffs Pole: 2008, 2012, 2017


#15
Alberto

Alberto

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,471 posts
  • Location:Mountain View, CA
  • Region:SFR
  • Car Year:1990

Very saddened to hear about this.  Ann is awesome.


Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#16
chris haldeman

chris haldeman

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 928 posts
  • Location:Mckinney
  • Region:texas
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:73
Dave sent me an update yesterday. Ann is improving!!! Here is a cut and paste from Dave

Saturday update. Very positive. Eating soft real food. Can keep a conversation. Eyes still bad but getting better. Hope to move closer to home next week for rehab
  • dstevens, Tom Hampton, steveracer and 12 others like this
X-factorracing.com
3 podium finishes
2 2013 NASA nats
1 2013 Scca runoffs
Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver BFG Supertour Winner - Circuit of the Americas Winner - Majors Winner - Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+ We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#17
Craig Berry

Craig Berry

    Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPip
  • 348 posts
  • Location:Dallas TX
  • Region:TX
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:29
Dave, please let Ann know she is in our thoughts and prayers! Stay strong!!
Circuit of the Americas Winner - Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver BFG Supertour Winner - Majors Winner - Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+ We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#18
davew

davew

    Veteran Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,297 posts
  • Location:Beloit, Wi
  • Region:Chicago
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:72

A big Thank You for all the well wishes, kind thoughts, prayers, texts, emails and phone calls. Ann is doing much better. We moved her from the hospital in Madison to a rehab facility in Rockford. We expect 7-10 days there and then she can come home. Radiation and/or Chemo will start in a few weeks as she gets strong enough.

 

This type of brain cancer is very rare in adults, more common in pre-pubescent kids. She may be the first patient to survive a surgical removal of the tumor. Prognosis is unknown. As she is basicly a test case. We hope for the best.

 

We all sit here and babel on about bushings or short turn radiuses. But in the end, our fiercest competitors are our closest friends. I want to give a special mention to a few people who showed their true charecter to me the last couple weeks. Big hugs to Chris Haldeman, Jim Drago, , John Doonan (Mazda), Tom Fowler and Kyle Webb. It is people like this that make SM what it is.

 

Thanks again, as we know more, I will let everyone know.

Dave


  • Tom Hampton, joe varble, Jim Drago and 4 others like this

Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0

Building Championship winning cars since 1995

4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017

Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017

5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's

6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder

2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder

2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)

2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)

2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief

2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)

Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230

Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Sponsor / Advertiser - Site sponsor / advertiser... support these guys! Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#19
Jim Drago

Jim Drago

    East Street Racing / 2 Time National Champion

  • Administrators
  • 6,567 posts
  • Location:Memphis, Tn
  • Region:Mid South
  • Car Year:2005
  • Car Number:2

Best wishes Dave!

Ann is a fighter, she will pull through this!

Jim


East Street Auto Parts
Jim@Eaststreet.com
800 700 9080

NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner Hoosier Super Tour points Champion - Hoosier Super Tour points Champion ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata BFG Supertour Winner - Majors Winner - Circuit of the Americas Winner - We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America

#20
Tom Hampton

Tom Hampton

    Egregious Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,060 posts
  • Location:Mckinney, tx
  • Region:South west
  • Car Year:1992
  • Car Number:41

Thanks for taking the time to provide an update.  Not sure I'd even bother to log on. 

 

I've never met Ann, but we've spoken many times on the phone about one order or another.  She's always known me by name (again, even though we've never met), and is always cheerful and extremely accommodating. 

 

We will continue to keep Ann in our prayers, and hope that she becomes the poster child for how to survive this type of cancer. 


-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info

video: vimeo.com/tomhampton

Support: X-Factor Racing

 

I didn't lose, I just got outspent!

Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users