09-13-07 - Day One of NASA National Championships 2007 and the Camaro is still running strong. My times today were not as fast as yesterday, but that’s what happens when you throw me in with 20+ other dudes all vying for the same piece of track at the same time! What an incredible experience today. Not only is the track so very technical and demanding (especially for a newbie), running with so many American Iron cars is almost overwhelming.My best times were 1:45s all day, all 3 practice sessions (yay for consistency?). I am disappointed to admit that I had a severe case of the “polites” and the “cautiousness” that proved detrimental to fast driving. By the end of the last session I was not a happy person, especially when I saw the timing sheet that proved I was second slowest of the group. Ouch.
What is a girl to do at that moment, when she’s having a bad day, surrounded by men competitors, and not doing what she’d expected to do—that being kick butt? Go to the bathroom and wash her hair, of course! Well, it was nice to spend some time alone to reflect. I didn’t spend all of this time to come out here and perform so badly. I knew I wouldn’t be a top runner but being last is ridiculous.
The day wasn’t all bad, of course. I didn’t make any of the mistakes I’d made yesterday. I didn’t run into anyone, and no one into me. I have more track time in my head and in video on the laptop to study (but I’ll probably just sleep on it all). There were some interesting incidents during the day, although AI as a group was clean all day. A Corvette is going home minus some expensive parts, thankfully the driver is fine. The main no-no of the day was a Time Trial guy who blew through two yellow caution flags to come upon an incident (that was drawing the yellows of course), only to spin—into the tow truck that was on scene, and narrowly missing the safety worker that was standing on the back of the truck! Again, everyone was fine although some metal was bent. Pat Lindsey blew his 2nd motor today, we think he has about 3 official laps here in the #117 car. Another is on it’s way tonight. He’s a stockbroker, it’s OK.
Our official driver’s meeting was tonight and it was awesome to walk into the convention center and see fellow NASA racers filling the room. Jason and I had a beer and chatted up hot-shoe CMC2 driver Nick Steel to pick his brain about making me faster. This is a common occurrence—Nick is a fast dude and drives a similar car to mine. Plus he likes me so he talks to me a lot. Apparently I’m dropping into 2nd gear in a couple of places I should be in 3rd. That’s a huge clue into my slowness.
We also had our first AI driver’s meeting to discuss all of the particulars for our group. Tomorrow after the track goes cold we’ll have a get-together and a group photo. I think there are two dudes who brew beer who are “competing” with their best for us to sample, so that will be a nice diversion.
Jason’s dad Ed and stepmom Mary will arrive late tomorrow night. Part of our day today was to walk all around the spectator areas to “scope out” good photography spots for Dad. I’ll say it again, probably ad nauseum, the facility is gorgeous.
Jason promises to look through his photography tonight to post something to pique your interest. It would be cool to show maybe a lap of video too, but I really don’t think we have the energy to stay up that late tonight! Maybe we’ll have an hour at the track tomorrow to pick something out, but to be honest I’m “shy” to show you how poorly I’m performing.
Tomorrow I promise to do something fast and exciting on video, and we will work to post it here.
[Jason's Edit - Here are a few pics that we took as we walked the beautiful park that is the infield of Mid-Ohio. Picture the opposite of Willow Springs and you have Mid-Ohio. Some Mid-O pics]