9-14-07 – I ran a 1:42.7 in practice this morning! What a relief. The only problem with that is for qualifying (the second session today to set for the race), our grid positions were based on our times yesterday, so I would be “back” with the 1:45 folks. To resolve this, Jason held me in our garage until the entire field went out. I had clean laps for most of the session, the only traffic was the uber-fast AIX cars passing me. So, my official qualifying time for the race at 3 was 1:42.1, which I was very pleased with. That time put me at the top of the 1:40+ group and just behind the 1:40- group, so I’d have something to strive for in the race. The faster guy above me ran a 1:40.6.
The biggest concern was the weather. Thundershowers were forecast, 30% chance at 4 pm, with my race starting at 3. I’ve budgeted for one new set of tires to purchase at this event, and I really didn’t want it to be rain tires to be used to one session only. By this point in the day my “new” tires were tired and used, and not sticking so well, so I’d rather purchase new sticky tires. Amazingly the rain never materialized (it’s 10 pm as I type and we still haven’t seen any), so tomorrow the big purchase will be new stickies, as the weather forecast remains dry. Now I need to find some wood and knock on it.
My starting position for the race was 26th out of 30, including the AIX cars. We did a split start with AIX going first and AI with a second flag behind. As I sat in the pre-grid I had the most butterflies in my tummy that I’ve had in a car in a long time! I actually did some slow, controlled breathing, and a couple of times grasped my stomach and held a hand to the middle of my chest (to keep my heart from leaping out)! Jason asked over the radio a couple of times if I was OK and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was going to puke or not! That would be a mess, so I calmed down. Once we made our formation circuit and got into our two columns I felt more focused… until the green flag flew and all of us clamored, elbowed, wrestled, and dodged our way to the first turn. I’ve never seen a sea of American Iron cars in one turn like that! Jason will work tomorrow to capture the video of us at the start so you can see what I mean. Unfortunately for me on lap 2 (I think) I lost the rear going into “China Beach” and recovered, but only after a brief jaunt through more grass and giving up a few positions. Damn it! Jason radioed to calm down and get them back, so I went to work. I eventually had a battle with a Mystic SN95 car and a 1966 red Mustang that was just crazy fun. That ’66 made himself wider than I’ve ever seen a 1st gen Stang. The Mystic Cobra eventually lost it wide out of turn 12 (no big damage) so it was me and my new Red buddy. Grrr. I just couldn’t get him. Watching the video later I can see how I was not patient at all, and could have passed him in a number of areas if only I’d remained focused and studied his weaknesses. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.
We went back to the hotel so I could shower, then back to the track for our 5:30 “social hour” with the Camaro-Mustang Challenge and Factory Five crowd. The Shiner Bock keg was nice, we posed for our “class pictures,” and had BS sessions all around. I caught up with Jimmy (Mystic Cobra) and Christian (’66 Stang) and met two really nice guys who have had similar experiences to mine as “not the fastest AI in the bunch.” They are from the Mid-Atlantic region, and Christian actually instructed Jimmy in HPDE a few years ago. I think we had a great connection and I look forward to leaving them in my dust in the near future.
Ernesto Roco took first in AIX and Corey Weber took 3rd. I’m sure all of the West drivers are hoping for a break from #2 Chris Griswold so we can have the two top spots. Pat Lindsey actually had engine failure #3 today. I can’t imagine what frustration and disgust he is feeling, but I hope that he and his crew can get it all together in time to “represent” as he should. I’m sure he’s doing great in the Audi in TT but I haven’t been following that.
As we arrived back at the hotel for the final time tonight, Jason spotted his dad Ed and Mary carrying their luggage into their hotel room! So we said hi, had a brief chat, then went to the “Mexican” restaurant here together for dinner. When we were done we saw Gene and Merle again, and Glen our Head Scrutineer having dinner. We had a brief friendly conversation, then back to Ed and Mary’s room for more chatting. Mary found the iPhone to be a neat toy but I think Ed was hooked pretty quick. (Like father, like son?) Tomorrow they will meet us at the track to see me and Jason, and all of NASA in action!
My goal tomorrow is to use my new sticky tires, and new FOCUS (darn it) to help me find about 4 seconds. Please keep your fingers crossed for dry weather