(WORDS AND PHOTOS BY DAVID WHEALON) – While 2014 was my first year as a BS contributor it also had me entering my 6th decade of existence.  Which I was not really looking forward to. Somehow I had to get ready for what they say all of us elderly folks are supposed to do. The mundane business of getting my financial retirement plans in order, having my life insurance paid up, scheduling doctor visits for all that probing that they love to do so dearly, and most important of all, getting started on my Bucket List.

With thanks to Brian and the guys here at Bangshift they enabled me to get a perfect start in getting my list started. With their help, I got to shoot PDRA Pro Mods from the starting line at the legendary Rockingham Dragway and the Virginia Motorsports Park. As well as IMSA Grand Prix racing up close and personal from the fabled Oak Tree Turn, minus the tree, on the 3.27 mile full road course at the historical Virginia International Raceway. As always, shooting the ECTA land speed racers at the “Ohio Mile” in Wilmington Ohio has always been a blast to do. And had an awesome time shooting a few NTPA tractor pulls. I hadn’t been to a tractor pull in many moons and boy was I impressed with the way that sport has progressed.  Funny note on the tractor pulls is that when I contacted the old guy in charge (yes, even older than me) to cover his event at the NC State Fairgrounds for BS, he knew all about Banghift.com without me having to explain what it’s all about. It’s way cool to know that Bangshift is so widely recognized to such a broad audience with no limits to age or gearhead preferences.

I am very excited looking forward to 2015 and my post 50’s era. If I can get few extra bucket list items approved by the brass here at BS and a few extra weeks off from my job, I may add a few extra items to my list along with more of the same from 2014. Maybe Indy in May. Or a trip to the holy grail of LSR on the sacred salt of Bonneville. Or the US Nationals in September. Or the National Tractor Pulling Championships in Bowling Green, Ohio. Maybe even spending 24 hours in LeMans. Guess I had better stop now. The list can go on and on.

Thanks guys for welcoming me aboard to the super talented crop of fellow contributors that you have on board and hope to make next year just as much fun as 2014.