I finally dove into the deep end of the pool back on March 27th and got my NASA competition license. I followed up with 2 sprint races at VIR over the next couple of days. I’m learning that the word “dove in” really is a good description. While there, I learned that my 14 track days paled in comparison to many other students taking the super comp school. Many had over 30 at VIR alone. I knew I was quite green, but didn’t learn how green till after the rookie school race. After complimenting me on my performance in the wet, the instructors were shocked to hear this was my first visit to VIR. I knew in the back of my mind that all the SIM racing was the secret, but I hesitated to share with them. Real racers often poo poo SIM racing as “just video games”. I’m sure some do both. I too was very pleased with my performance considering it was my 1st visit to VIR. While I’m 3-4 seconds off the potential pace in my car, I’m certainly not slow. In fact, I was one of the quicker drivers in the group. I think some were intimidated by the wet in their fancy cars. I was letting it all hang out; literally. At one point, a few drivers came up to me and asked if I came from the drift course that was going on the same day. I digress…

The school was far more advanced and very well organized compared to the EMRA school I took last October. The day was jam packed from 7:45am to 6:30pm with on an off track instruction. There was a total of 2.5 hours of track time in one day consisting of practice drills and short races. Here is the on track session break downs
Session 1
• 10 minute warm up
• Double file rolling green flag start
• Safety car deploy on double yellow
• Single file restart
• Race to checkered

Session 2
• Half track left for 20 minutes (imagine a yellow line in center of track and don’t cross it)
• Half track right for 20 minutes

Session 3
• Side by side entire track with partner
• Switch sides after 10 minutes
• Leapfrog passing for 20 minutes

Session 4
• Grid at false grid according to grid sheet
• Standing start
• Race till South course finish line (double up by turn 14)
• Standing start
• Race till South course finish line (double up by turn 14)
• Rolling start
• Race till South course finish line (double up by turn 14)
• Rolling start
• Race till checkered

Notice there is a lot of practice with starts. That is when most of the madness happens. Just like in SIM racing. The verbal instruction was also invaluable and much, much more informative than any instruction I ever received in DE. I don’t think it is a DE vs. racing thing, but more a NASA vs. all other clubs I’ve run with thing. NASA Mid-Atlantic really has their act together.

Saturday was a washout. It was so wet my goal was to just not crash the car. I didn’t have rain tires either. I had a used and abused set of R888’s that had 0 tread on the rears and less than 2/32nds on front. I was essentially holding on for dear life.

Sunday started wet, but then dried up for the race. I was one of the slower cars in the field (Thunder), but started in the middle of the first wave. I had to have eyes in the back of my head while all the big $$$ and big power cars came by. That was tough and is something I’m not used to. My best time of the day came on the last lap of the race. It was a 2:19.3. There is a lot on the table (3 – 4 seconds), but I’ll get it in time.

Sunday race video here
http://www.vimeo.com/4186353
http://www.vimeo.com/4191176

In hind sight, it would have been much easier to do my competition school and 1st race at a track that I was very familiar with as well as had more DE experience. Still, I’m glad I didn’t wait. My next race is NASA Hyperfest on June 20th at Summit Point. I’ll be adding a bit of weight to the car to run in PTC. Hopefully the car will class better there.