My wife joined me last weekend for a NASA race at Summit Point. It was a real treat to race and to share the experience with my wife. She helped me tremendously with the car.

From the get go I was nervous about her coming along fearing she would be bored and uncomfortable in the sticky, wet, hot weather. The weekend got off to a bad start too with some broo haa haa on the George Washington Bridge. We were in traffic for 3 hours in the Bronx. I need to try 278 - Tappan Zee Bridge like Hugh uses.

It seems like there was something going on near the middle of the bridge on the top level because there were 6 squad cars parked in the right lane with officers discussing something near the edge. A jumper maybe? We didn't get to the hotel till 2am Sat morning so that only left a few hours sleep.

Without Thuy, I never would have got the car prepared for the morning warm-up. The skies didn't open up yet, but it was clear it was going to rain that day. On the list was window cleaning inside and out, apply Dawn to the inside window, attach wipers, adjust shocks and change tires. With her help, we got it done in time for the practice session, but the rain was heavy and I am still using 3 bald R888's as rain tires (RF is still has tread, but barely used). I decided not to go out and risk the car for little benefit.

A couple hours later, qualifying came, but the rains didn't stop. I decided to tough it out and get out there. Slick was an understatement. The car understeered on corner entry and oversteered on corner exit. It was a nightmare. I went off drivers left twice in turn 9 (right after carousel approaching the bridge). The car would not bite in the wet with even a tiny bit of standing water. Each time, I got traction as soon as I hit the grass and eased the car back on track. I qualified 33rd of 48 cars total in Stinger. (I dropped down a class to PTC by adding weight to the car).

After lunch it appeared like the skies would clear for the remainder of the afternoon so Thuy and I set off to change to the Hoosiers for the race. She also helped with the oil, windows and shock adjustments. Again, she was a tremendous help.

When I got to grid, I found out I would start 18th in the 1st wave (split starts between Spec Miata and others). This put me on the outside. I knew there would be a bunch of cars for me to pass considering my car was theoretically should be the fastest in the group. It was certainly crowded at the start mid-pack with plenty of action. There were only 2 laps in total that I remember where I did not encounter another car on track to negotiate. That made it difficult for me being a new racer at a still new to me track to get a fast lap in. I managed a 1:27.5 on one of those flyers, which was a bit off my goal of 26's. At an advanced DE event, I'm sure I would have got into a rhythm to get into the 26's, but I much prefer the slicing and dicing with other cars in race mode. It is just so much more exciting. In the end, I picked my way through to 6th overall. I've got video, but I had an issue with the microphone so it is difficult to watch.

From there I watched the other races with Thuy and capped the day with a very cool drift show. Those guys really do have some sweet car control skills.

Sunday started with more window cleaning (ended up cleaning windows after each session). The track had standing water in a few places offline so I had to be careful passing others in qualifying. Stinger was the 1st group out again so we had the pleasure of cleaning up all the peanut butter (wet dirt) the drift guys left on track the night before. I followed a quick PTE driver through the Spec Miata cars at the head of the line for the first 5 laps of a 15 minute session. From there I put my head down and tried to maximize the precious open track that I had. There was very little of it with 48 cars on track. Again, I only got a couple laps where I wasn't negotiating another car. I ended up qualifying 3rd overall. 2 H2 cars were in front and Richard Hunter's H2 Integra was to my left in 4th. The qualifying time wasn't spectacular (1:28.0), but the track was very green. 2 of the experienced racers said it was a couple seconds slower than normal.

Again, my goal for Sunday's race was to break into the 26's and have a clean race. It was cool to start next to Richie knowing he is such a great driver. Karl Kondor started just in front of me. He and I battled together at VIR earlier this year, so I knew he was very quick too.

I had a decent start and was able to get by P2 before going into turn 1. I pressured Karl for the first 3 laps and probably could have got by if I was braver and more experienced, but I thought to myself I would be patient and wait for an easier opportunity. It never came because I missed the setup. Being so green still, I started the tire pressures too high and the car started to slip and slide as early as lap 5. From there, a few H2 cars got by including Richie. He went on to track down Karl and took the win. Karl ended up breaking, but I think Richie would have got him in the end anyways. He was quick.

I still didn't get my 26, but I got a bit closer. I managed a 1:27.2. Again, I think I would have made it if I had got the tire pressures right. I started at 29 PSI and ended mid 40's. The Hoosiers took a punishing too from all the sliding. The lefts have no lines at all, the right rear has 1 line on outside and the right front still has 2 lines. Only 4 heat cycles used so I've still got some life left in them.

Bottom line... I had an excellent weekend and enjoyed spending it with Thuy. I got quicker, learned more about the track and car and improved a bit in the driving department too. In time, maybe I could battle with Richie, Hugh and other great drivers.

In car video of Sunday's race here...
Sunday Stinger (part 1)
Sunday Stinger (part 2)

3rd person (Shane Lovely) following me in Sunday's race. He stays with me the entire race.
http://vimeo.com/5272201