McBride Hit by
Isabella
By: Jack Korpela
Four-time AMA/Prostar Top Fuel
champion Larry McBride isn't contemplating the usual clutch set-up, 60-foot
time-type thoughts that usually run through his head two weeks before
a race; he's been sidetracked by something much more serious.
McBride suffered severe damage
to his home, shop, and personal belongings after the vicious Hurricane
Isabella unremittingly frayed its way through his home town of Newport
News, VA.
"We lost our deck, pool,
and some personal stuff. We also took structural damage to the house and
shop," McBride said. "Just about everything we own is a total
mess."
Fortunately McBride and his
family remain physically unscathed by the storm. "I just thank God
everybody is alright," McBride said. "Material possessions can
be replaced."
This ferocious storm, which
has claimed over 30 lives and left many of McBride's neighbors homeless,
has completely changed the champ's perspective.
"We were lucky," McBride
said. "We've got people in this town without a house tonight. There
are over 40 homes missing! I know a guy that left his house before the
storm, and now all he has left is what he took with him in his pockets."
Isabella's devastating effects
lingered as it left about 1.8 million Virginia residents without electricity
and pushed tidal waters up to nine feet in some areas.
"Just about everyone took
an awful lot of water," McBride said. "The whole town smells
awful from all the mildew on people's carpets and such."
Although of fractional importance,
McBride's chances of making it to the next Prostar race in Alabama are
slim.
"At this time I really
doubt we are going to make it," McBride said. "I have so many
things going on right now trying to help our family and clean up our own
mess that I can't even think."
President Bush has officially
declared the vicinity a disaster area and Newport News mayor, Joe Frank
is working diligently to ensure relief to all of those in need.
Even in such a trying time the
only five second motorcycle drag racer remains upbeat. "We're just
going to keep on rolling along," McBride said. "Everyone's ok
and that's what's important. We've just got a lot of cleaning up to do."
May God bless The McBride's
and all affected by the storm.
For more information on Isabella's
deadly effects go to - http://www.cnn.com/2003/WEATHER/09/21/isabel/index.html
