By on April 23, 2013 at 12:50 PM, updated April 23, 2013 at 1:35 PM
GRANDVILLE – Veteran Berlin Raceway Outlaw Late Model driver Scott Thomas visits his Grandville-based race shop every day, and for now, all he can do is peek through the windows.
Scott Thomas snapped a photo of his Grandville-based race shop last week. Nearly 30 inches of water has accumlated in his shop.
“I stop by before and after work and stare into the abyss and say, ‘Oh my God,” Thomas said.
Scott Thomas, shown here last year, finished sixth in Berlin Raceway's Outlaw Late Model division point standings.
Thomas’ shop has accumulated about 30 inches of water during this past week’s historic flooding. He was forced to pack up his race car and equipment and move out last week Tuesday before the flood waters hit, and he said it will probably be another week to 10 days before he can return to the shop that he has worked out of since 1992.
It’s not the first time that Thomas’ shop has been flooded, and he explained that he has had up to 12 inches in past storms. But he added that he has never seen it this bad.
“Our building is brick, so I don’t think we are going to have any damage,” Thomas said. “It would flood for a day, and in two days, it would go back down. When you move into a build in a lower area, you expect to get a little water, but you can deal with it and call it good. This time, the water kept getting higher for a week. That’s what makes it so different.
“The worst thing about it is not the water, but what’s in the water. This is a silky, muddy water that makes everything a mess. You have to clean it the minute the water is out of there. You have to be Johnny on the spot with the power washer.”
Berlin’s 63rd season opener has been rained out in each of the past two weeks, so officials will try again Saturday at 7 p.m. Thomas’ Outlaw Late Model class will not race this weekend, however, his brother, Tom Thomas, is scheduled to compete in the Super Late Model program.
Thomas previously shared the shop with his brother, however, Tom Thomas now has his own shop. Thomas finished sixth in the Outlaw Late Model point standings a year ago, while Tom Thomas placed second in the Super Late Models and third in the Outlaws.
“My brother is next door, and it is a newer building and it is higher,” Thomas said. “He got about two inches, and he should be able to move back in soon. It’s more of an inconvenience than anything.”
Thomas said the flood should not put a damper on the start of his race season, and once his brother's shop is up and going again, he will be able to work out of his shop. The Outlaw Late Models are scheduled to make their season debut 2013, and Thomas said he will be ready to go.
“It’s never a good time to have a flood, but that being said, my car is ready, I’m ready to go to practice, and it didn’t change that part of it,” Thomas said. “It does take you out of your rhythm and you have to change your habits.
“If this would have happened two or three weeks earlier, it would have been awful because my car wasn’t ready.”
Berlin has scheduled a test session for Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Berlin’s season opener will offer Super Stock, Modifieds, Sportsman and 4 Cylinders in addition to the Super Late Models. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for students 12-17 and $5 for children 8-11.
Scott Thomas snapped a photo of his Grandville-based race shop last week. Nearly 30 inches of water has accumlated in his shop. Scott Thomas, shown here last year, finished sixth in Berlin Raceway's Outlaw Late Model division point standings. It’s not the first time that Thomas’ shop has been flooded, and he explained that he has had up to 12 inches in past storms. But he added that he has never seen it this bad.
“Our building is brick, so I don’t think we are going to have any damage,” Thomas said. “It would flood for a day, and in two days, it would go back down. When you move into a build in a lower area, you expect to get a little water, but you can deal with it and call it good. This time, the water kept getting higher for a week. That’s what makes it so different.
“The worst thing about it is not the water, but what’s in the water. This is a silky, muddy water that makes everything a mess. You have to clean it the minute the water is out of there. You have to be Johnny on the spot with the power washer.”
Berlin’s 63rd season opener has been rained out in each of the past two weeks, so officials will try again Saturday at 7 p.m. Thomas’ Outlaw Late Model class will not race this weekend, however, his brother, Tom Thomas, is scheduled to compete in the Super Late Model program.
Thomas previously shared the shop with his brother, however, Tom Thomas now has his own shop. Thomas finished sixth in the Outlaw Late Model point standings a year ago, while Tom Thomas placed second in the Super Late Models and third in the Outlaws.
“My brother is next door, and it is a newer building and it is higher,” Thomas said. “He got about two inches, and he should be able to move back in soon. It’s more of an inconvenience than anything.”
Thomas said the flood should not put a damper on the start of his race season, and once his brother's shop is up and going again, he will be able to work out of his shop. The Outlaw Late Models are scheduled to make their season debut 2013, and Thomas said he will be ready to go.
“It’s never a good time to have a flood, but that being said, my car is ready, I’m ready to go to practice, and it didn’t change that part of it,” Thomas said. “It does take you out of your rhythm and you have to change your habits.
“If this would have happened two or three weeks earlier, it would have been awful because my car wasn’t ready.”
Berlin has scheduled a test session for Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Berlin’s season opener will offer Super Stock, Modifieds, Sportsman and 4 Cylinders in addition to the Super Late Models. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for students 12-17 and $5 for children 8-11.
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