Another track day, and my second "proper" race in the orange group. The tire issues were sorted and the car felt pretty good. First session of the morning I was not really fired up so I just took it easy trying to relearn the course (CA Speedway Roval which includes the front straight and turn 1 and 2 of the banked oval, then into the infield course). There are a couple of tricky sections, especially turn 3 (coming off the banked oval flat in 5th gear down to 2nd gear) and the buttonhook (turn 9).
Second session was better and I was hitting about 130mph at the end of the front straight. I made sure not to look at the walls as I went into turn 1. Qualifying got all fubar as Jeff (race director) got cranky because people weren't coming to grid early so we got thrown out all in one group (usually we are split into a fast and a slower group for 4 laps of qualifying). I did ok though, just behind the fast guy in R7 and just ahead of another (one of my old instructors, Don).
Then came the race, and it was quite festive. I had a decent start, but turn 3 was "interesting" as I thought it might be. I managed to hold my own, but got passed by Don when I made a mistake on one of the turns (didn't spin, but had to save it and lost my momentum). Then a few laps later I had my chance, as Don spun in turn 3. I saw him out of the corner of my eye and glanced at him for a split second. Unfortunately I should have been looking for the apex of turn 3, and in that split second I ended up spinning as well, suddenly looking out my front windshield at an oncoming 944 spec car. I hightailed it out of the way, then reentered the track, but lost about 7 or 8 places. I managed to make a few of them back but never caught Don. Started the race 18th, finished 21st. On that one lap I lost 20 seconds. Mistakes were made...it's all about fun and learning anyway, right? RIGHT?!?!?
Yes...yes it is. More fun on tap for tomorrow.
