From the Seat!

The week after IRP Team Rapid Racing headed for the season closer at Mid-Ohio. This traditional fall race as usual had no Friday practice. While I am a fan of Friday practice days as they are the only real opportunity to do any serious testing I have to admit that the shortened/compressed weekend schedule is kind of nice too. There was trailer drop off and inspection on Friday night and the unhurried atmosphere was pleasant as well. This weekend is traditionally cold and wet, imagine our surprise when we were greeted with temps in the seventies and bright sunshine. I thought we were at the wrong track!

Saturday morning the mysterious Gooseman (?) and I arrived in the Mid-Ohio garage area before sunup. Getting "Lucille" our Tony/Honda ready for practice we benefited from the rhythm left over from IRP only five days earlier. The Dart Kart crew very ably assisted by WKA's chief flagman Phil Clements managed to get in three rounds of practice with nary a hitch.

First round of practice came and went and "Lucille" reveling in the autumn splendor of Mid-Ohio set a personal best time. Feeling there was more to be had the focused Gooseman (?) went to work on the setup while I offered words of encouragement and promised him a happy meal that evening. Round two proved the worth of the changes and once again a personal best time was put on the board. Opting to save the car we skipped round three and began race prep. Knowing we were running well made the clock crawl until our featured after lunch race time.

As this was a WKA regional Flagman Phil insisted on the enduro/LeMans start. I still feel very strongly that this is the poorest way to start a pack of shifters personally I prefer an F1 start. A total of 52 125s answered the call to the grid and the tension rose. Admittedly I haven't had a lot of practice with the LeMans start in a shifter and it showed. Trying to find the balance between a strong start and minimizing wheel spin so as not to loop it across the pit straight I rode the clutch too long and my buddy Chad Donner got the killer start. Slotting "Lucille" into second place Donner and I began to put distance on the field after about the third lap. Able to match lap times with Donner he remained tantalizingly close but frustratingly just out of reach. With a hand full of laps remaining I seemed to be closing just a bit and we both put our heads down and went as hard as we could. Lap after lap we set fast lap of the race first me then Chad then me again. Unable to really challenge I chased Donner across the line two seconds in arrears. Buzzing the pit wall like Michael and Ruebens after the checker we completed the cool down lap and all was smiles in post tech. And the sun shone brightly and all was right with the world.

Not wanting to mess with a good thing the ever faithful Gooseman (?) and I did routine maintenance and threw another set of Bridgestones at the car and waited on the morrow.

Sunday morning dawned cooler and somewhat cloudy. Once again practice ran like clockwork other than my embarrassing pit lane loop getting out of my pit stall on a cold track on sticker tires. I'm told it was an impressive 360 and I tried to nonchalantly act like it was on purpose, lighting up the tires again as I left the pits successfully on the second try. After scuffing tires "Lucille" once again was strong and the emerging sun and rising temperatures brightened the wait for race time.

Once again in the after lunch time slot 50 125 shifters prepared for battle. Remembering my start on Saturday I planned to improve this one. Proving that the best-laid plans don't always work this time I was too aggressive with the clutch and young mister Donner again blazed off the line into the lead. (Got to practice this one a little more!)The beautiful Mid Ohio fall foliage had for the most part fell onto the track during the lunch break and as I pursued the fleeing Donner down the long back stretch he seemed to leaving a wake of leaves behind as he cut a path through the reminder of impending winter. I'm telling you it was spectacular. Running well but having a tough time breaking out of the pack was all Chad needed and by the time I squirted out of the pack battling for third he was visible but out of reach. Not one to give up easily I bore down and went for it, relentless in my pursuit. Matching Donner's lap times lap after lap I held station once again leaving the rest behind. Although rather busy I had to reflect on a beautiful fall day with bright sun and colorful scenery and my favorite track where I was running well and running hard. Simply irresistable. Life is good!

In a carbon copy of the day before I chased the accomplished Mr. Donner across the line a strong second. Disappointed in not winning but elated at ending the season strong like we have takes the sting out. Due to hard work and great help from the likeable Gooseman (?) we have not been out of the hunt in some time. This is why we race. Great tracks, great races, great friends and great times. No wonder racing is so addictive. It's "Simply Irresistable."

Until next time Race Hard, Race Safe, and God Bless America!