09-12-07 - WOW. What a day. I haven’t had so much fun, or been so physically tired in a long time. For those wanting a concise report: Beautiful weather, beautiful setting at the track, car ran very well, 1:43 was best unofficial lap time, went off twice (one was an overcooked turn, bent up the front air dam again, one was a mistake in a braking zone that resulted in a spin and 4 wheels off but no damage), two trips to the gas pumps, one small blister on one tire, one very tired race driver.We woke up at 6 am and actually got out of bed a few minutes later. Now that Jason and I have a king sized TempurPedic bed at home, this queen “regular” mattress was a tough adjustment. My back was pretty darn sore and we both agreed neither of us slept through the night. Oh well, we grabbed some coffee at the “continental” breakfast and headed out. Jason, I’ve discovered, isn’t so great with maps or directions when he’d rather be looking at scenery. We took a couple of wrong turns but finally figured our way to the track. #29 was unloaded and waiting at the 7s Only paddock area, so I drove her down to the garage and Jason led the way in the bright yellow rental. After some unloading I left Jason to finish as I headed off to the driver’s meeting. Today was an open testing day, but a couple of instructors were available for a small fee. Nothing out of the ordinary at the meeting, but afterward I chatted with Julie Bergman and Nick Steel (both race in CMC) who went on and on about how technical the track is, and nothing like anything out West, and you never get a break, etc etc. So I decided to sign up for instruction. I got into my suit and shoes, grabbed my helmet, and headed to the hot pits. I got a ride with one instructor in a Honda S2000 track school car. Thank goodness, because even after seeing in-car videos, I had no idea where to place a car on the track! What a roller coaster ride! (Joel would totally drive off into the grass a la THill (aka wrong-way Fred) for sure!) Elevation changes, blind turns, off-camber decreasing radius turns… Some turns reminded me of turns at other tracks and that made it easier for me to figure it out. He gave me 4 laps, I said “OK,” and he dropped me off. I got into #29 and did a lead-follow behind Julie. I noticed a difference in the lines, so I did a lead-follow behind another instructor. This dude (Tommy somebody) is a former F1 driver, supposedly—very cool. Another set of lines yet. Fooey. Instead of being concerned I decided to try and figure it out for myself.
After some more laps I was in need of a break. It was about 10:30 am so Jason and I headed into Lexington proper for supplies. We got a cheap Styrofoam cooler, ice, water, Gatorade, two sandwiches, and headed back to the track. The break was just what I needed, I headed back on track and found a new confidence in myself and my equipment. Then I made boo-boo #1. The yellow Corvette that runs in Time Trials out in NASA SoCal was out on track, and I saw him closing in on me in my mirrors. I wasn’t sure where he was going to try to pass me, and instead of focusing on the turn in front of me I focused on the Vette in my mirrors—and missed the apex and drove off the far side of the turn, over a low berm and across some grass. Yee haw, put a piece of hay between my teeth and call me a farmer! Jason was not pleased to see that he had to hammer out, re-drill, and re-affix many portions of my much-“used” air dam.
After some fixing I was allowed back out on track with sharp words from Jason reminding me to keep it on the pavement. I decided to better my current 1:44 lap time and I was doing pretty good—until another car in my mirrors caught my attention. I don’t know what the Camaro has against 1st Gen RX7s but those cars hate each other. Maybe it’s a push-rod versus rotary thing, I don’t know. I started to flash back to my tough fights against Madeline at Buttonwillow, when this new guy passed me. Call it red mist if you will but I was so astounded to be passed by such a machine (yes, I called it “piece of crap” to myself), that I missed my marks for the braking zone into turn 14 (the Carousel) and looped it. I thought it was nice of Nick to wave as he drove by… After a check in the hot pits revealed the small blister in my left front tire we decided to call it a day.
How beautiful it is at this track! It really is like a park, with beautiful trees and lush green grass. And the sky was mostly an awesome blue, with some little fluffy white clouds every now and then. The garages are a bit primitive compared to California Speedway, many have voiced disbelief that professional teams actually use them. Julie and I are sharing a garage that is narrow and “long” so we’re parked nose to nose, but to close both doors tonight we both parked at angles to fit. Oh well, it will be very nice if it rains.
After all that track time I hit tech to clear the car for racing, and registration to become “official” entrants. We went back to the hotel so I could shower, then off to local Italian dinner with Julie and her brother who is her pit crew. A glass of wine and lasagna later, and I’m just about ready to call it a night.
Our cheap cooler broke as soon as Jason put ice in it, so we’re off to Wal-Mart for provisions in the morning. Tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday I have the same schedule basically of one 15 minute warm up then two 20 minute sessions for qualifying or qualifying races. Tomorrow is our first qualifying, in the afternoon. It will be incredible to be in the big American Iron field! And with all that “down time” hopefully I’ll be able to meet some fellow competitors. PS, Pat Lindsey in the other AI West entry had an engine failure in the bottom end of his engine today. As we left the track, the crew was tearing down the failed engine, with a new replacement already on it’s way. The guys estimated they’d have everything wrapped up by 9 tonight. Ugh. Jason and I hope for the best so I’m not the lone AI West rep.
Hopefully pics and maybe some video soon!