Tim was the Grand Marshall and a guest of the Audi team. This was definitely not what he expected and beyond his wildest dreams. His duties as Grand Marshal were as follows:
1. Start the race with the phrase : Drivers start your engines!
2. Wave the green flag as the drivers pass the start after their warm-up laps
3. Hand out trophies to the winners of the various classes
1. Start the race with the phrase : Drivers start your engines!
2. Wave the green flag as the drivers pass the start after their warm-up laps
3. Hand out trophies to the winners of the various classes
He was mentioned and welcomed in the Lime Rock Race Book. On qualifying day he took some laps in the BMW M5 Lime Rock Pace Car. Too cool! As a guest of Team Audi the entire family e
xperienced an awful lot. We met and had breakfast with the Audi drivers. Chatting with Allan McNish (Scotland), Dindo Capello (Italy), Emanuele Pirro (Italy), and Marco Werner (Switzerland) was quite the experience. We talked about cars, racing, autocross, being parents of teenagers, soccer and what being the grand marshal meant to Tim. Emanuele joked that Tim should give the Audi drivers a head start since he should have the authority to allow them to start their engines first.
xperienced an awful lot. We met and had breakfast with the Audi drivers. Chatting with Allan McNish (Scotland), Dindo Capello (Italy), Emanuele Pirro (Italy), and Marco Werner (Switzerland) was quite the experience. We talked about cars, racing, autocross, being parents of teenagers, soccer and what being the grand marshal meant to Tim. Emanuele joked that Tim should give the Audi drivers a head start since he should have the authority to allow them to start their engines first. We were given a tour of the Audi paddock and an up close and personal view of their cars. 
They keep everything under wraps since these cars are prototypes. No pictures please. Touch and look all you like but no pictures. Bob, Timothy and Michael were in heaven as they all talked tech. Becks and I did a lot of smiling. When Audi heard that Tim had taken some laps in the BMW pace car they offered him a ride in their R8. Tim couldn’t believe his ears. Not too many have laid eyes on this car in person let alone take a ride in one. We had full access to their hospitality suite which was really nice. We had a nice air-conditioned place to sit and rest. We were allowed VIP parking thus enabling us to park our car practically at its doorstep. Breakfast and lunch were served while snacks were available throughout the day for both qualifying and race day. That suite turned out to be our home base so to speak for those days.
They keep everything under wraps since these cars are prototypes. No pictures please. Touch and look all you like but no pictures. Bob, Timothy and Michael were in heaven as they all talked tech. Becks and I did a lot of smiling. When Audi heard that Tim had taken some laps in the BMW pace car they offered him a ride in their R8. Tim couldn’t believe his ears. Not too many have laid eyes on this car in person let alone take a ride in one. We had full access to their hospitality suite which was really nice. We had a nice air-conditioned place to sit and rest. We were allowed VIP parking thus enabling us to park our car practically at its doorstep. Breakfast and lunch were served while snacks were available throughout the day for both qualifying and race day. That suite turned out to be our home base so to speak for those days. 
On race day Timothy was to perform his grand marshal duties and he did them well. He was also asked for some comments over their public address system before the start of the race. He has the green flag that he waved at the start of the race in his room at home. One of the most exciting parts of the day was taking a Hot Pit Tour. Michael and Becks were able to experience that with him. They all dressed in the Audi Pit uniforms and got to hang out in the pit during the race.After the race, it was off to Winners’ Circle for the Trophy Presentation Ceremonies. What a thrill it was to hand trophies to Allan McNish and Dindo Capello for winning their class. Photos 
with Podium Hats and Trophies were taken, confetti thrown and champagne was sprayed about. Tim managed to stay out of the way. Allan gave Tim his Podium Hat after the photos were taken and it hangs on the wall in his room. We all also have hats that all the Audi drivers had signed at our breakfast together. He was given huge banners by track officials and the Audi folks to take home as souvenirs. We still have to find walls large enough to accommodate them. We spent a day in New York City visiting the Museum of Natural History, driving through Times Square and by the Empire State Building. We also drove around Bob’s old neighborhood in Flushing. The next day we did some kayaking and then visited grandparents in New Jersey and then it was home again. None of us will forget that trip. Make a Wish definitely outdid all Tim's expectations.
with Podium Hats and Trophies were taken, confetti thrown and champagne was sprayed about. Tim managed to stay out of the way. Allan gave Tim his Podium Hat after the photos were taken and it hangs on the wall in his room. We all also have hats that all the Audi drivers had signed at our breakfast together. He was given huge banners by track officials and the Audi folks to take home as souvenirs. We still have to find walls large enough to accommodate them. We spent a day in New York City visiting the Museum of Natural History, driving through Times Square and by the Empire State Building. We also drove around Bob’s old neighborhood in Flushing. The next day we did some kayaking and then visited grandparents in New Jersey and then it was home again. None of us will forget that trip. Make a Wish definitely outdid all Tim's expectations.
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