Vanson Trip - August 13, 2000


Ooohhmmmmmmmm... I smelled it all. Leather jackets, handbags, oilskins,
Aerostiches, belts, pucks. Kit smelled Mike Martire's used suit. I smelled
the glove.

The Broad Squad Racing pilgrimage to Vanson leathers was surreal. Race
partner and co-founder Kit met us at the shop. We stepped from the car and
approached the warehouse door, the smell of hide beckoning with its
ever-reaching tendrils. My nose, unable to resist any longer, drew with it
me and my excitement up the steps into a world of leather.

I sat on the RS250 and almost bought that instead of the suit for which I
came. It was almost overload, but at least I had a purpose - to pick out
the racing suit that the awesome US Marshalls folks sponsored to help
further my racin' jonz.

As chief mechanic and main pit twinkie Rob studded-out and modeled for us
in a full length, fur-trimmed black leather coat, Kit and I started off
looking at the seconds suits. Most were men's sizes which I'm accustomed
to wearing, but when fit and color prove to be the most important factors
(functionality?? pfffft!), neither seemed to be happening for me. I'm not
a big girl on top, and even the larger men's suits squashed my bust into
non-existence. And hey, do men have no calves?? Would it be easier to
"small down" a too large suit, or should I endure a veritable "spray-paint" 
session and get material added in to the problem areas? Decisions,
decisions.

Then I remembered the lead Chuck gave me at the banquet about the ladies
prototype that was in the back. We asked, found and received. I unzipped
the thing and it practically glided on like a canoe through a glass lake.
Wow! Men's and women's bodies really *are* different!

Kit and I took turns modeling this suit, and it fit her perfectly. Looked
best combined with the vintage Norton in front of the mirror. (Yup. I can
see your future, girlfriend.) Well, apparently I seem to be an "oddity"
and would need some work done, but not too much. I got measured up, down,
sideways and from the chandelier. I hadn't even known I was bestowed with
some of the things they measured. I was a bit embarrassed as other Vanson
patrons stood around and watched, whispering "She's getting measured for
a racing suit" The dollar signs tried to invade my synapses as I continued 
to breath the hypnotic aroma and imagined myself in turn 1. The suit just 
felt great, and any previous hesitations regarding the ole pocketbook 
were tossed right out the door.

Rob endured the whole thing. He admitted that by going shopping with a
coupla chicks, he'd made his bed and would get what he paid for. He was
real cool about the day (especially when Kit and I locked him in the
dressing room with us to take pictures with a slick pair of black
leathers).

So, we're going with surf blue lettering on all black, with the obligatory
blue pucks to match - I'm thinking sparkers. (Yikes! Just kidding!)

We ended the day at Vinny Testa's Italian restaurant up by Kit's, and
stuffed ourselves silly. The reality of the leathers situation started to
sink in and we discussed the Broad Squad logo, the USM logo and how our
suits will look. It may not be until next season, but I can NOT wait!  
Now I might even put my name out there to substitute hack. Woohoo!