Wednesday evening.
Well, today was supposed to be the big day. We had perfect weather, an early morning qualifying session, new soft-compound tires, and a driver and car that were ready to go. I had hoped to run in the 1:41 range today. But, due to other drivers spending more time in the tire wall than on the track, our session was very abbreviated. We only got six laps and of those, only three were hot laps. We should have been able to run at least seven hot laps. And for two of those hot laps, I was stuck behind a Subaru that was not going as fast but was being difficult to pass. I finally got around him at the end of the back straight. But, on the next lap, the session was black flagged, meaning all cars had to pit, since someone went off. Actually, several people were off in several parts of the track. We sat in the pits for a few minutes and then they let us back out. On the first lap out, one of those big, higher horsepower, American cars went off in turn one, so they brought us all in again. This time, they stopped our session. I ended up running a 1:42.3 but could have and should have run faster.
Tomorrow is the last qualifying session. The weather is supposed to be very good again, although a bit hotter. Our session is also late morning, so the track will be warmer and not quite as fast. Hopefully, I can get a clear track and try to get into the 1:41s. The whole field is faster this year than last. The fastest guy ran in the low 1:38s today, which is faster than the previous record. Several people are running faster than the track record.
Only one picture today. Here's pic of Mike Garriga, who has been crewing this week for Max Zupon, the other Boxster S driver, and me. It's Max's fault that I am even in Freddy Baker's old Boxster (With Fred driving it, it was on the pole in the Runoffs in 2003 and finished third in the Runoffs last year. Both times, it should have been champion). At one of the last races at Nelson Ledges last year, he mentioned to me that Fred was selling his car. I called the next day and closed the deal within a week. This year has been very interesting, driving in the SCCA National series in a new car, at new tracks, with new competitors. I'm thrilled to have made the Runoffs in my first year of National competition. And, this week has been even better with Mike's help. His advice and attention to the car and detail has definitely improved my driving and lap times. Thanks, Mike.
Well, today was supposed to be the big day. We had perfect weather, an early morning qualifying session, new soft-compound tires, and a driver and car that were ready to go. I had hoped to run in the 1:41 range today. But, due to other drivers spending more time in the tire wall than on the track, our session was very abbreviated. We only got six laps and of those, only three were hot laps. We should have been able to run at least seven hot laps. And for two of those hot laps, I was stuck behind a Subaru that was not going as fast but was being difficult to pass. I finally got around him at the end of the back straight. But, on the next lap, the session was black flagged, meaning all cars had to pit, since someone went off. Actually, several people were off in several parts of the track. We sat in the pits for a few minutes and then they let us back out. On the first lap out, one of those big, higher horsepower, American cars went off in turn one, so they brought us all in again. This time, they stopped our session. I ended up running a 1:42.3 but could have and should have run faster.
Tomorrow is the last qualifying session. The weather is supposed to be very good again, although a bit hotter. Our session is also late morning, so the track will be warmer and not quite as fast. Hopefully, I can get a clear track and try to get into the 1:41s. The whole field is faster this year than last. The fastest guy ran in the low 1:38s today, which is faster than the previous record. Several people are running faster than the track record.
Only one picture today. Here's pic of Mike Garriga, who has been crewing this week for Max Zupon, the other Boxster S driver, and me. It's Max's fault that I am even in Freddy Baker's old Boxster (With Fred driving it, it was on the pole in the Runoffs in 2003 and finished third in the Runoffs last year. Both times, it should have been champion). At one of the last races at Nelson Ledges last year, he mentioned to me that Fred was selling his car. I called the next day and closed the deal within a week. This year has been very interesting, driving in the SCCA National series in a new car, at new tracks, with new competitors. I'm thrilled to have made the Runoffs in my first year of National competition. And, this week has been even better with Mike's help. His advice and attention to the car and detail has definitely improved my driving and lap times. Thanks, Mike. Until tomorrow.
posted by John Williams at
8:20 PM
