FF 50th; The Great Escape Heroes

[reidhazelton]

During the 50th photo shoot on the front straight, my pupper Papi did his best Houdini straight-jacket escape impression, slipped out of his harness, and bolted from T5. After two hours of looking, he was found.

I want to give a massive shout out to all who helped look for him. He is very much a son to me and it meant everything to me to find the little dude.

Thank you to;

Mike's Agnifilo's Mom
Jeremy Treadway
Jeremy's Dad
(two other heroes in the Agnifilo/Treadway posse who's names I did not get)
Brian Ell (Crossle #187)
Mackenzie Hillard (Brian's wife)
The Road America staff who put out an APB and helped look the entire time
Turn 12 corner workers

And extra appreciation to Mike Agnifilo for spreading the word, bringing in reinforcements, and even sharing an ugly man cry with me in the maintenance shed when we herded a seriously horrified Papi into the bathroom. It was clear from everyone's efforts that none of them were even thinking about getting in a car until we found him. They are that kind of people, and people I am extremely fortunate to call my friends.Without your help, I am not sure I would have been able to find him.

With my utmost, heartfelt gratitude - much love to you all.


Can't say enough about these guys - The Papi rescue crew.


Papi taking a post-escape nap. For about 16 hours.



Back home, safe and sound.

[E1pix]

What a great read, made my day.

Congratulations.

[stonebridge20]

Well, I'm secure enough with my masculinity to admit that yes.........I shared an ugly man cry with Reid.

[swiftdrivr]

Glad you found the little guy, and I love the "nap" picture. I'd have had a heart attack if one of mine had been lost like that. Really great that so many people pitched in to help. Here's to happy endings, always.

[tppj]

As I recollect, the SCCA prohibited pets in the paddock. Their concern was evidently centered around loose dogs. As a Dog person with a capitol D, I'm heartened to see a relaxation of that rule. Glad you found your pal, Reid!

[Purple Frog]

Reid,

Boy can i relate. About 2011.
But in our case there was no search.
Just a small announcement on the PA system at VIR during a pro event for us to come get our dog Pepper off pit lane, which OBTW was hot at the time. Talk about trying to look invisible as you run to pit lane with a leash...
Rand, being a serious dog person was totally non-pulsed. Wright was on the track at the time. Dave Panis was saying just keep him off the track. .. PLEASE.
We were totally embarassed.
The damn dog had pushed through a screened window in the motorhome in order to follow Mrs Frog to pit lane.

So many racers are "dog people".

[SEComposites]

It amazes me that dogs are allowed in a race track. I’m not a dog person and am constantly bugged by neighbors dogs in my back yard having escaped their owners yards. It doesn’t bear thinking about a dog loose on a race track.

[marshall9]

My dogs are my babies, but never invited to the track. I would hate to lose one of them being run over by anything, and could not live with myself if they caused a racer to have an accident

[CGOffroad]

My dogs are my babies,

Mine too., except our dog is brought along with us every so often. But.... she is on leash to walk around, or on a tie down at trailer 100% of the time.

I will spare everyone a rant of people and their dogs at walking parks that blatantly have leash laws posted!

[stonebridge20]

Enzo goes racing or we don't go. He doesn't come out of the RV if there's cars on track.

[marshall9]

Enzo goes racing or we don't go. He doesn't come out of the RV if there's cars on track.

That's a California car duster

[stonebridge20]

That's a California car duster

One of his many nicknames is Spin Mop.

[swiftdrivr]

While we had them, we managed to keep our dogs from getting away at the track, but I know things happen. I have no reason to believe Reid wasn't being a responsible dog owner. Sometimes things don't play out as you expect, especially with things that think and move on their own. I think DaMatta [?] hit a deer. No leash law on those. The ones that infuriate me are the egomaniacs who say "my dog will do as I say" and let their dogs, often tiny and asphalt colored, follow them around the paddock without being on a leash. Some of these are so small I couldn't see them from my cockpit, even if I was expecting such senseless behavior from their owners. I'd be sick if I injured one, and I'd blame the idiot who thought his dog's safety was less important than his own ego.