WDCR 2011 Spring Comp School: Day 3 Final starts and 5 Lap Race

So, this time, I decided to stage as early as possible. I wanted to see where they would place me, and I wanted to see where they were placing everyone else, this way I could get a plan in my head for what to do when the flag dropped!

It took quite a while, but people started filing in. I was gridded in P9 (out of 17) in front of me was one of the CRXes all of the GTPs, the Piper built BMW, the 300ZX and the other spot ended up being BLANK. Behind me was my nemesis the white #3 CRX, my other two nemesis' the RX7 and Integra, S2000, Porsche GT3, Z06 Vette, Mustang, and someone else. I was in the middle, and I was the slowest car in a straight line... This would be interesting!

The dance began after they pulled the last of the wrecked SM/SSM cars off the track (there was always a mess to clean up in group 2). We filed out of the grid and were sorted onto the track, I was inside again and the blank spot was on the outside, so I didn't get moved up As usual, around the track, scrubbing tires and heating up tires and brakes. Around turn 10, steady 45+ this time and the green is thrown! I think 4 cars at least got me on the start. I may have picked up a spot or two back by turn 4, but the field went full course yellow and we lined up for a single file caution lap followed by a restart. I was in P11 or 12.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd2ykTnFee4

On the restart, I got a decent jump, but again, my car is slow, so I dropped a few more, we went around 1 CLOSE and DENSLY PACKED. We went around 2 the same way, 3 too, tight and dense. I looked through to 5 (couldn't see 4 because I was crammed between 2 cars) and didn't see a flag, so I passed some cars down the chute on the right...Looked up and saw the black flag all and stopped passing, but the GT3 Porsche almost came to a complete stop, and I was worried the back pack would tumble over me, so I decided to pass him for safety. (GCR says nothing about passing on a black, but we discussed that in a normal racing situation, you can pass on black and they will re-rack you for the start.). Well, we didn't get re-racked. So I kept that space (erherm... and others... erhermm... more on that in a minute). We went into the pits, they put us back out (sorted us left and right) and we did our final start followed by a 5 lap race. The race was fine. I staged behind the Integra, and I think I would have stayed close, but stupidly went through turn 9 and hit the rev limiter VERY EARLY. I was in third gear and when I shifted, I hit second That almost stopped my car, the integra got LOTS of space, and I was left about 5 car lengths from him, and about 5 from the next guy behind me. That race was uneventful, I must have ended in 6 or 7 (I really don't know, but if you are not first, you are last, right).

Back in class, we all talked, and smiled, and were happy. One guy looked over to me (the #30 CRX) and said "did you know you were passing on black" Thinking he was talking about the porsche incident, I said yes... but then he mentioned in turn 4... So lets look back... start, turn, BLACK... Shit, I cheated! I passed a good amount of cars there. That made a hugely awesome feeling turn into regret and sadness. I ended the weekend on a bad note... and that sucked. The other guys laughed at it and didn't care one bit. One of the guys said he noticed, but got back in front of me so he didn't even care. They actually thought it was funny and said everyone blows a spark plug in their brain every once in a while. That made me feel better, but not a lot... I don't think the instructors saw it happen, because nobody said anything. Even now, I feel like a jackass that it happened. Stupid, just stupid. I knew that the practice starts stop at the turn 4 flag, what was I thinking.

Watch it here You will see me being a dumb-ass in the second start after turn 6:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v97XHz4Ycuc


Well, the instructors didn't mention it. And they passed me for the 2 classes. After reading this, they might revoke my permit... I sure hope they don't (and kinda don't think they will).

The ending ceremony was cool. I wasn't expecting it, but I received an award for winning 3rd place in the race from day 1! That was awesome! I was called last for receiving my permit, and I'll tell you what, I LIKE to hear my name, I LIKE to get awards, and I LIKE shaking the awards guy's hand! I can get used to that! The grin on my face... was HUGE!




All in all, I think this school was one of the absolute best times I have ever had on track. Big thanks to my two instructors, and an even bigger thanks to the people in my pit. Brent made sure I had air in my tires, no flat spots, lugs were torqued and even changed my wheels when he had to go home. He let me use his wheels and old tires from last season too so I wouldn't wear out my sticker Hoosiers (which I actually did anyway). But most of all, he gave me a place to stay at the track which allowed for a lazy evening to eat and get to bed early, and to wake up an hour later so I could make class and be better rested! Thanks Brent!

My friends from when we all started driving in HPDE events about 12 years ago, the Negative Camber folks, They came by and talked me out of heavy anxiety before my races. They helped with crew duties, and represented Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! GREAT group of friends, and I can't wait to finally race with you (or at least drive with you on the track again)!

Alex and Kim Ratcliffe were a huge help too. Kim brought food each day, and kept us organized and clean in the paddock (as hard as I tried to be messy, she wouldn't have it) Their calmness about everything made the weekend easy for me. They had a renter, so I tried to not bother them with chores for me, but they helped anyway. Thanks Ratcliffes!

Donnie decided at the last minute to help crew for King Rat Motorsports to sneak away from the craziness of the World Challenge pro racing circuit and get back to his roots with club racing. The talks I had with him cleared so much confusion in my head and helped me view the track battles much more clearly. He gave me great advice on passing, line, and how to behave. Not to mention that he tore down my front hubs and retightened them so that they were no longer loose. Thanks Donnie!

The corner workers... Besides doing a great job at what they do, I don't know if I was reading into it too much, but I was already excited after evert session, the way they waved when I went by, that made me even more excited! It felt like they enjoyed watching me drive, and I like giving a show, so that made me happy and I tried to express that by the way I was waving to them. They did such a great job... I know what was coming WELL before I even got close to any incidents. Thanks Corner Workers!

What's left for me? Well, I am going to miss NASA this weekend at VIR, and I am missing MARRS 1 on April 16 and NASA April 9-10. My next event for sure is Hyperfest June 19-20 (I will instruct unless they allow me to race on an SCCA Novice Permit).

Rumor is that MARRS 2&3 are at VIR as a double... So I might attempt to drive in that event, but will for sure be at MARRS 4 at Summit Point.

I have to tell you. After 3 full days of driving fast as I could, followed by 5 days of rush hour traffic driving at 5 miles per hour... I am not a very happy camper!

I'll be at the track soon though. April 2nd is the SCCA PDX Instructors clinic... free track time... gotta love it!