Last weekend I completed my first T1 races at Memphis Motorsports Park ( MMP ). I chose to make the 14 hour haul to MMP from the DC area in an effort to knock out some Regional races and make the Summit Point National on April 8-9. It was a good choice to go, MMP is a very fun place!
My wife ( Rhonda ) and I set out on Thursday morning in order to arrive Friday and get the open test session in. With my shoestring budget I won't be doing many test days this year but I felt this one was very important as I had yet to even track test my newly prepped car. Joe A. and the crew at Phoenix built me one heck of a car and I wanted to make sure I was going to do as well as she would do. The test day was not only for the car, but for me to get used to having everything on. The HANS, helmet cooler, radio setup, everything had to be tested.
Friday morning we roll into MMP after dodging T-storms and tornados the night before. We met up and pitted beside fellow T1 racer David Pintaric. Dave and I finally meet after almost a year of getting to know one another over e-mail and phone. He's already been on track, I roll the car off, suit up, and we roll onto the track for some test laps. The car and everything work well and after a few laps I am able to whittle off some 1min 14ish laps on old Kumho Victoracers. Not bad from what I am told as these tires are not the standard. I am on them because they are cheap, I had them laying around and I want to burn them up during my non National races. Testing goes well, I get used to everything.
Saturday morning qual goes a little bad, on lap 6 my car develops a huge vibration. Turns out the sidewall belts have ruptured on the left rear Kumho. It's done! Looks like I'll be using my good tires the rest of the weekend. I qualify 7th on grid in spite of the tire issue. As I once over the car before my race and go to stick my tires on something happens that floors me. Dave and his crew chief Matt approach me and say they do not want me burning up good tires on non point races. He offers the use of a set of rims and scrubs that he does not need this weekend. Dave will not take no for an answer. He knows my budget and really stepped in to help me, and he did it on his own accord. I cannot put into words what it felt like to have that kind of support from a fellow racer, someone I had shook hands with for the first time only a day earlier. This guy is class, and it was great to have him helping Rhonda and I on our first ever T1 weekend. I race on Daves rims and tires, finishing 2nd overall, 1rst in class just by finishing. Along the way I cut a 1min 13.7sec lap, fairly close to the old T1 record of 1min 13.2sec, a record which Dave shattered on Sunday. 5 tenths is a lot but I feel good about it considering it was my first weekend in the car and my first time ever at MMP. I know that I am losing speed thru "Grants Tomb" but I am not trying to be a hero in my first race weekend so I don't push any harder. Dave tells Rhonda to relay to me on the radio that I am going too fast on his tires!!
Sunday morning I jump on track for the IT tour race qual session. after 9 laps I qualify 1rst in class, 1rst overall. I'm on the pole and I am nervous. That bites me. On the green flag start I miss a shift bad and later find out I may have bent something in the drivetrain. I drop to 3rd place but by lap 2 I have 1rst again. I check out to an 8 second overall lead and end up having contact with a lap car later on in the race, nothing bad just something that happens. I learn a valuable lesson that I will remember for the rest of my racing, never trust lap cars to see you. No harm, no foul, no flags, keep going. The contact took my concentration away and made me very timid the rest of the race. I drop back to 3rd overall and take the checkered 1rst in class, 3rd overall. Car has a vibration in it from the missed shift, but I am happy overall! Rhonda has to turn her radio down because I am yelling happily, and loudly!
In closing, the weekend had ups and downs but it was the most fun I have ever had in the car. Rhonda was a great crew and radio jockey, she kept my head in the game when I let the nerves get to me. I married a keeper! I can't sum up how it felt to be out there finally doing it. I owe Dave so much for helping me out, not only with the tires but in general just showing me the ropes. I can only hope that someday I can repay him for it. Between him and Brad Neff ( Subdriver ) I have not been lost in this effort, I may have had a much harder time without their help. Thanks to both of you!
The car is currently at the shop and will be diagnosed/fixed shortly, whatever is wrong with it. As long as I can make this shoestring stretch for a while I will be out there. Man, this T1 stuff really is great!
The website has some updates and pics, check them out!
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#86 SCCA NE Division T1 Over1G Racing - AMSOIL Independent Dealer (Forum Vendor)
Great story. I love racing and this is the reason why. I encourage anyone and everyone to get out there and play. Even if you don't want to risk dinging your car you can help someone else with their car at the track.
Every extra hand helps. Unloading, setting up, prep, keeping track of the schedule, checking tires, cleaning windsheilds,..., I could go on and on. There's always something that needs to be done. Nothing helps more than a few extra hands to pack everything up at the end of the day.
I salute the racers like sleeper02Z06 who go for it with minimal help and money.
If you don't know anyone, go to your local track and check out a race. You might make a new friend that could use a hand. You learn about the cars and what it takes to put them on the track. You might find you like working with a team at the track, or you might just find you have the need for speed and have to get yourself out there.
Nice job. This is new for both of us. Good luck and hope to see you at Summit. I am off to Road Atlanta this weekend.
Mike
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Mike
98 Laser Red/Tan Vobra Vert many mods 11.51@122.30
01 Sunset Orange/Black Trans Am WS6 m6
02 Electron Blue/Black Z06 #99 T1
03 Millenium Yellow/Black Z06
So ... Joe ... did you have fun?
Seriously ... I haven't met David or Brad ... but I'm not surprised at your experience. I think David had a similar outreach from a fellow racer last year and prolly said to himself ... (just as you have prolly said to yourself) ... "if I get a chance to help someone, I will"
All the best ... until I show up to help you ... I'll be cheering you on.
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^VIR Turn 3 '08^-MungoZ06-'03 QS/ModRed - NCCC, NASA NCM Member - Z06 Fest IV,V,VI,VII
Joe,
Congrats to you and Rhonda for putting your first weekend successfully behind you despite the troubles. Glad I could help getting you ready for that first weekend... and very sorry I couldn't be there for your first race, but I had a good time down at Roebing Road while you and David were up at Memphis.
Hope the car troubles are an easy fix, but I know you are in good hands with Phoenix. Good luck getting your National license and joining David and all the others at Summit. I'm confident you'll do well... and have fun... which is the point, isn't it?
I'm off to the PNW this week with car in tow and hope to catch up with you at the Runoffs some time in the not too distant future.
When are you gonna be here? Maybe we can talk Ryan into draggin the ol hot rod out again if you show up
You gonna run with us in May & June?
Welcome home buddy!
sbw
I was there for a couple months of training in Oct-Dec, but left again in Jan. I'm hoping to arrive Saturday and be there for good... except when I'm at sea.
Currently planning to run a few race in May/June either at Pacific or PIR, or possibly both. I have two races this season and at a minimum I want to get in two more to keep my license active before deploying this summer.
I look forward to seeing you and the rest of the Naykid team again.
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