Buckshot X5 Entertains VIPs 2/24/02
By Jim Suty  

I received a call a few weeks ago wondering if I could arrange for some buggy rides for some Very Important People (VIP). We (Friends of Oceano Dunes) jumped at the chance to show off our beautiful beach and to express our appreciation for all the hard work the VIPs have done.

At first the headcount was for 8 people. So we contacted Andrew Buck of Buckshot Racing. Andrew has been very generous to EBC in the past, and we were hoping we could count on him one more time.

Andrew was true to his form and said yes.

I then received a phone call saying the headcount had grown from 8 to 12. I sent off an email with an agenda and informed the VIPs that we would have several long travel buggies for rides, Andrew Buck and Don Preble. Andrew was hoping to line up a few more buggies, but unfortunately it did not work.

After reviewing the agenda and going and checking out the action that Andrew is capable of (Check out Buckshot Racing's website HERE)…the headcount grew to 20!

Andrew, his wife and 2 daughters drove down Saturday afternoon.

We quickly did some nice sunset shots by the water.

Sunday morning was full of excitement and some nervousness. We arranged for breakfast and lunch but we had no clue how the weather would be. Friday was gorgeous, Saturday blew like crazy and we lucked out, Sunday was spectacular.

We picked up our VIPs at the Grand Avenue ramp and brought them down to our camp at about pole 5.5. While we were eating and talking, Andrew was prepping his buggy. Don Preble was fueling up his buggy and we started to identify who was available for the first ride.

We called the first ride the Grandma ride.

In other words, the first ride was supposed to be easy, relaxing and smooth for the new comers to the dunes. Well…Andrew asked if I was going and to be honest, since it was a Grandma ride…I was going to stay in camp. LOL

I put my helmet on and fired up my bike. Andrew took off and I was in hot pursuit. I was already nervous, I am a fairly good rider but if this was the Grandma ride I was going to be in trouble when it came time for the "Fast Ride".

Turns out…we made an error. We put the tame riders in Don's car and all the young guys with Andrew. Don is getting yelled at to slow down, and Andrew is getting egged on for going faster and more air.

Andrew was doing 3rd gear wheelies with 4 people in the car across sand highway and my quad is screaming for a break….and Don is still getting yelled at to take it easy…ROFL

We took advantage of the gorgeous weather and took some nice sunshine shots while we ate some lunch.

We had several more rides with various people. It was a great time and there were smiles from ear to ear.

Click on Picture to See All the Pictures!

Andrew was also working on a sales job. Turns out some folks from Santa Barbara drove up to check out his buggy. The perspective buyer already owns a long travel buggy from another manufacturer but wanted to try out a Buckshot X5. Andrew turned over the car and they were off. They returned with smiles but asked Andrew for him to show them what the car can do. Off they went….needless to say, the guy is ordering a Buckshot X5 and there will be another long travel buggy for sale soon.

A very special thanks to all involved in making a special day turn out fabulous. My only regret is running out of time to go for a ride with Andrew and not being able to take some action shots.

Andrew…can I have a rain check?

Click here for all the pictures.

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