Just eight days until we leave for the Qatar round of the Asia Dream Cup, and I am so excited. There are still things we have to do, and a few days before I should get excited, but I can’t help it. Packing is going to be even more of a challenge as only dad and I are going. We want to pack everything as hand luggage like we did for the Red Bull Rookie Cup Tryouts in Spain, only this time we are going with two bags instead of three. Our hotel is booked as well and it looks nice.
It’s going to be kind of weird though; Qatar is a night race, which is something I have on my bucket list, so sleep is going to be a little strange with the time change and the night track time. We are going to be sleeping during the day.
There was a bit of paperwork on our side that we had to get ready, which included an FIM-approved race license in order to race overseas. To get the license we needed to do a medical. We also needed FIM insurance, entry visas and a Canadian Motorcycle Association membership, which came in the mail last week. The flights are booked as well – we leave next Monday on the 19th and come home on the following Monday, the 26th. I’m not on track until Thursday so I have Wednesday to get used to the time difference, heat/humidity and hopefully sneak in some sightseeing on Sunday before coming home.
Two things are special about the Qatar race. First, the race “weekend” is Thursday-Saturday instead of Friday-Sunday, the second being that it is a night time race. Being a night time race means I get to sleep in, which is awesome! My practices will start in the afternoon and are 40 minutes long; everything is just going to start later.
My local gym, Club Ouest, has renewed my membership as sponsorship. It’s a good thing, too; I can up my stamina, which will be helpful with longer track sessions in Qatar. I have started hitting the gym and will continue doing so all winter. I’ve also been studying the track map for the Losail Circuit and watching onboard laps of it. I find this helpful to remember which way the track goes and also so I can see what the track looks like before getting there. It gives me an idea of what to expect and things like when to turn in, lines, entrance/exiting the track and what to look out for on the track itself.
Honda Japan is providing me a bike, which is waiting for me at the track, but we have been fundraising for the trip to try to reduce the cost burden on my parents. We added a Paypal button to our website, www.statoniracing.com, and have gotten support from generous friends, family and fans. VnM Sportgear is doing a promotion until Nov 19 and will donate 40% of the sales towards the cost. Thank you Aliki.
We have raised 80% so far and I really appreciate all the support everyone has given me. Thank you to everyone who has contributed. We wouldn’t be able to make this journey without your help!
I am really excited for this trip and can’t wait to get going. Join me on this journey as I update the blog as the adventure progresses!
– Stacey Nesbitt
<
