T-Minus 14 Days and Counting...

I have to admit, the driving part about the school does not have me worried one bit. I am confident in my ability and experience, I think the open passing in a wheel to wheel situation will simply be added enjoyment. I have already experienced open passing, but not when people were trying to pass me or trying to NOT let me pass them. It was open passing in HPDE and Time Trials which is MUCH more tame compared to racing. What has me anxious is everything leading up to the school that has me laying awake at night, or having nightmares when I close my eyes.

Just the other day, I had a dream I was following a black Porsche 911 around the track, we exited turn 10 at Summit Point, and his motor exploded, flew out of the car, through my windshield, and hit me (I don't know if I was killed... I woke up). Again, I am not worried about the track part, it is the prep part that is leaving me anxious.

So what I have left to do in what I said was 14 days, but that really translates to 2 weekends (4 days):

• Install the fire extinguisher (Sunday?)
• Bleed brakes (Sunday?)
• Change oil and filter (Sunday?)
• Check timing (just got my light back after I loaned it to a friend... 5 years ago) (Sunday?)
• Get (and pass) my physical (March 11)
• Pay for (and receive) my $110 Novice permit (what is this anyway) (pay and apply for on March 11)
• Buy and install the fuel test port (not required for school, but I want it for the school)

On top of that, I need to look at my "borrowed" track gear and make sure I have everything I need. I have a borrowed fire suit (3 layer), I have my own 2005 helmet, My own new HANS, my own new gloves (that I hate). I need shoes (might be able to borrow those too). I know... I need to RTFGCR closely. I did, but was looking specifically for the answers to my test (which is complete, but my wife has so kindly hidden it from me at the moment).

If that wasn't enough, my birthday is next Saturday (3/12) and I had this bright idea to invite my family to the school to watch me drive and have lunch. That should be easy, but organizing a family lunch while preparing for a school... not easy.

So my worry is that my car is not up to snuff and will not finish the school. I am sure it will, it is a Miata after all, but I really want to be sure I have brakes for all 3 driving days, and tires, and a running motor.

I guess at this point, only time will tell. I am teetering on complete. Once I have everything ready, I will be posting "Dave's Comp School Checklist" to help make the process easier for someone else. I bet there are a ton of them laying around... Search is my friend, I need to remember that...

I do have quite a bit of "Crew" coming to this event for me. I may look like a pro team when I get out there I have so many people! I like that though. Friends to watch and cheer me on at a minimum will make the experience that much better!

I picked up my car from the shop last night. I think the Sparco seats get worse and worse each year. It is like they are moving more towards pleasing the street tuner crowd as opposed to the racing crowd. The padding in the butt area used to be 2 pieces (one under butt and one under thighs), and is now only one with a slit between the thigh area. It also has so much cushion that I feel like I am sitting in a monster truck! It will take some getting used to, that is for sure. I plan to cut out some of the padding to help the height issue. With the old seats, you could just remove the butt pad and be fine.

OK, back to work... I need this job to pay off the charges I have been making to get ready for this school...