Wow what a year...

[EX#996]

Wow....  The racing season is over for us.  

The last event at Gateway wrapped up the Midwest 2003 racing season.  In a way, I am glad it is over, and in a way I am deeply saddened by it.

This year we came into the season with a plan.  We took a look at Paul's best three classes for the past year and said that we would only race those this year (this way we could spread our racing budget over more race dates).  Paul was finishing well, but no real thoughts of championships were on our mind in the beginning of the year.

During one of the yearly May dates, K3 (Chris Onwiler) said to us.  "Ya know man...  this is your year.  You have to go for a championship.  I will do what ever I can to help you."  That was the kick in the pants that we needed.  Paul and I sat down, discussed how we could possibly do it, and went to work towards the goal of winning one, possibly two regional championships.

Paul is licensed in the Midwest.  He ran LW SS, LW SB and Thunderbike each and every race date.  We went to Blackhawk Farms, Mid America Motorplex, Road America, Hartland Park, Gateway and Gingerman.  Paul was consistent, almost always finishing in the top five and preserved himself and the bike (only two major crashes, but one he got up and still finished second with no foot peg no less).  By September, we realized that he had the opportunity to win seven championships!  Never in our wildest dreams did we expect this.  This meant that we needed to go to one date that was not a Midwest race date at Gateway.  Paul did well and maintained his points lead.

When it is all said and done, hear are the numbers:
      Total number of races:  51
      First Places:  8
      Second Places:  11
      Third Places:  19
      Fourth Places:  6
      Fifth Places:  4
      Sixth Places:  2
      Ninth Place:  1  (crashing hard enough not to continue sucks)

Midwest Amateur Lightweight Super Sport Champion
Midwest Amateur Lightweight Superbike Champion
Midwest Amateur Thunderbike Champion
Great Lakes Amateur Lightweight Super Sport Champion
Great Lakes Amateur Lightweight Superbike Champion
Great Plains Amateur Lightweight Super Sport Champion
Great Plains Amateur Lightweight Superbike Champion


Total amount of money spent:  $10,955.92
The memories:  Priceless and will last a lifetime.

There are so many that were a part of this success please allow me to name a few.  First I want to thank God, every time Paul went out on that bike, I said a prayer for him to keep him safe, and anything else was just a bonus.  My prayers were answered.  Chris Onwiler, for the kick in the pants and your friendship, you made this season enjoyable (we hope to return the favor).  'Super' Dave Rosno, your advise on fuel, suspension, your school – it made the difference in Paul's year.  Tom Mason, Mason Racing Tires, the Michelins worked wonderful and the help you provided in choosing the right tires for each track was key.  Craig Schock, just the thought of you always got Paul to wick it up a notch (you know we love you, man).

To all of our friends – no our family - at the track.  Thank you for a wonderful year.

Dawn  

[ts199]

Congrats on the great season.  I usually lurk over here and finally got to a race this past weekend at Gateway and raced your husband.  Had a great time and even like the track!!!!  

Hope to see you next year.

Tracy Simmons
AM #199

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Favor?  What favor?  Paul rode the bike.  You all found and spent the money.  Anything I ever did for the Buxtons was returned tenfold.  It's me who owes you.  As horrible as this season was for me, I really would have quit after Wegman if not for the fact that I couldn't bear to disappoint the three of you.  Somehow I ended up with two championships as a hard-luck prize.  I didn't take them by force as I'd have liked, but they're still mine.  Without your help and encouragement, all I'd have now is the bitter feeling of being a quitter.
So who really owes who?

[tigerblade]

Congrats on the year Buxton Bunch!   ;D

[KBOlsen]

Dawn... Paul... Renee...

You are so richly deserving of success... I am THRILLED that this year has been "all that and a bag of chips"...

Chris, you KNOW that walking away from all this would NEVER be an option...

I'm so proud of all of you... and am so glad to have such a wonderful extended family.

[MightyDuc Racing]

Wow...way to go!  Congrats to the Buxtons!!! :D

[Chef]

GREAT WORK, PAUL !!!!
Great Support, Dawn and Renee !!!


Hey, thanks for being "Cool" too... :)
Ike

[PJ]

Congrats to Paul! Should be a nice crop of fast rookie experts in the Lightweight classes next season.

Looking forward to the challenge...

[MELK-MAN]

that is a crapload of championships..!!

[Super_KC124]

Way to go Paul!  I sure enjoyed hanging with you guys at the track this year.  ;D ;D ;D

[Super Dave]

Nice job, Buxtons....

I think K3 echos what I usually say..."Paul, you rode the bike."  Nice job.  Happy that I can play some role in personal victories, race wins, and championships.  But you all still have to drive to the track, pay the bills, then execute on track.

Great Job!

[oldguy]

Great job Paul! What an awesome year! It was great hanging with you both at the Wegman. I'll never forget it either, because it was my first race. Hope to see you again next year somewhere. Congrats again on a phenomenal year.