My father, Jack McPherson flew out from Lousianna this spring to help build and get us thru the early races. With his help we built and molded Area51 into a race car. My son, Terry A. McPherson Jr. ( T.J.) helped with welding and construction as well. We had some great times building and putting Area51 together and racing it at Silverstate Raceway. Then Dad had to go back home, but returned in July and stayed till end of Aug to help again. We went thru overheating, 2 & 3 core radiators, transmission cooler from the salvage yard, tires, transmission and rear axle bent...but we had fun and we were working together. Dad had his 77th birthday out here and as he left I had my 47th and T.J. his 21st. A rare chance to mark off one lifetime dream as completed, maybe not with the results we had hoped for but the time together, three generations of car crazy types......father, son and grandfather.
I would be remiss though to say we did it our selves I would like to thank the many that assisted with many different aspects of the short time we had with Area51.
Thanks to:
Tom McClure, a friend that helped to weld, pit crew and gave mechanical advice regularly
Rene Deslauriers, a friend from Canada that I met thru bowling, that did most of the cage welding
Darrel Krentz, a friend and fellow racer that gave lots of advice and assistance when asked, he also knows how to go out in a blaze of glory....
I would also like to thank sponsors and those that helped encourage us:
Steamboat Trailers
Pacific States Communitcations
Hooten Tires
Pick-In-Pull
D Krentz Racing
Po' Boys Racing Team
Most of all thanks to my wife Theresia McPherson (Resi) the most important support I have had for the whole year has of course been from her. She listened to me dreaming last year and suffered thru some very cold races at the end of '97 season to see if there were potential cars to be bought. Having found none she went thru the winter with me searching and hoping. Then she let me run up a couple of charge cards to order parts and she suffered many hours and days of only seeing me under the car or in the garage. But thru this all she helped to hold a wrench when needed and brought refreshments and sunshine to the garage as we worked. She has been to every race and has given the encouragement that is not found with all wives.... together we will work thru this and again together, we will return to the track to run again.....