Before the trip... and how it all started

 At the encouragement of a co-worker, I decided to attempt a blog/vlog  of my European Adventures with Jayhawk Motorsports for everyone back home. She also said it's a good way to remember specifics about the trip later when putting a scrap book together. That would be beneficial for me since it might take until I retire to make one of this trip. I still have yet to finish Alex and Jordan's from their high school swimming days!   I also know, from our family trip last year that it can be hard to remember details of days so...here goes!

I am still working on the format as I am not 100% happy with it yet, so you may see many changes from time to time.

Here's how it all started....
I met Jordan, Hans, Jeff and Kelly for lunch at 23rd Street Brewery, where Chalice was working that day. It all began with a conversation that went something like this.. Jordan, "Mom, we want to go to the race in Germany this year and need some money."  Of course I started with the questions (most of you know how much Jordan LOVES my questions) followed by what it would take for me to play along. I will never forget the look on Jeff's face when I said I'd help financially if they met my requests. At the time I asked that the contribution be anonymous if it all came to fruition. I had several reasons, all of which are now irrelevant, as we're no longer anonymous contributors.

One of my biggest requests (in my mind)  was that they each pay it forward in the future when they have the opportunity. I explained that we are a blessed family on so many levels and that I am a firm believer in reaching out, helping others and paying our blessings forward.  When we pay our blessings forward they come back to us ten-fold. My lunch dates that day are a great group of 'kids' with huge potential, will see enormous opportunities to pay it forward in their lives and I know they will do just that.

They accepted my requirements and got to work. Within a week I had their written initial plan of action.

They were not able to get into the Germany FSAE before it filled up. They were so committed to making a European race happen that they moved on to the next option...AUSTRIA!   I believe everything happens for a reason and the timing of this race works great with many of them having summer internships.

Why am I involved, you may be asking yourself. Several reasons, #1 I will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see my son drive the race car he's put his heart and soul into for the last year in AUSTRIA! Yes, I am going, wouldn't miss it for the world. I will be the 'adult' and advisor (don't laugh too hard) for the team.  #2 I will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to see my 'adopted sons' drive the race car they have put their heart and souls into for the last year, #3 It's a great excuse to travel to Europe again this summer! #4 Jordan said I could, ha ha, #5 It's an additional opportunity so show my support for this great team, #6 they needed a trip planner :-)

There were many that did not believe this would actually happen. I didn't doubt it for one second! This is a hard working team that doesn't quit until the goal is reached even if it means they are still pulling all nighters (or close to it) long after the semester has ended and graduation come and gone.

The car shipped August 13 to TU Graz who has graciously offered use of their shop for the team to put the car together prior to and get it to the race at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. The competition begins Monday, August 26 and runs through Thursday, the 29th.

Jordan is already in Germany, he went a week early along with another team member, Nick Baggett aka Baggs. The remainder of us will fly into Munich and meet those two this coming Thursday (8/22).   There will be 11 of us representing the University of Kansas and Jayhawk Motorsports! The current plan is to play in Munich Thursday and maybe some of Friday then head to Graz so that they can put the car together and prepare for the start of competition Monday in Spielberg.  My plan is to take some side trips while they are doing their preparations (hopefully Venice as it's only a 3 hour drive from Graz).   After the competition Jordan and I (and other team members who will still be there and want to) are going to meet a family member from the US who is currently living in Lehrberg, Charles, in Prague for the weekend. From there we will travel back to Charles' home in Lehrberg. He has been so kind to open his home to us again! J and I's plan is to do a day trip to Regensburg the  Monday before we leave to spend some time with our German family that lives there. We will then head home Wednesday, September 4.

Lastly, a good friend of ours has helped us with the design and production of our race shirts for the event! Thanks, Terry and 1st Street Graphics in St. Joe.

So there you have it...
I will attempt to post daily if I have internet, along with any pictures and videos I can get to upload.  Feel free to post comments and feedback.

Rock Chalk!