Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - Update on my T1 season and Watkins Glen this coming weekend!!

sleeper02Z06 · 07-05-2006, 08:10 PM

Tomorrow mid morning I will be leaving for Watkins Glen, my 5th National race of the year and one that will likely be the most difficult. The combination of never having been on this track and the largest T1 field thus far this year has me a bit nervous. This year, my rookie in T1, has been riddled with mechanical issues and hurdles for me. Loosing a torque tube, having to change exhausts, a clutch, a transmission and some light contact in one race ( deemed not my fault ) in addition to learning many new tracks while trying to keep my head up in the racing has given me much to overcome this year. In spite of all of this I have managed to stay in the hunt for the Runoffs in what is a very competitive Northeast Division. I am currently 8th in points. Although I am happy that I am still in the running for the "big show" I am a bit down about 8th place overall. I think I could muster a better standing if I could get rid of these monkeys on the car. I will likely not do better though, all the issues have taken their toll on my budget and I may not be able to make the last couple of NEdiv races to try and better my points. Such is the battle! One of the positives in all of this is that in spite of all my troubles, I have finished every race this year and gained points in all but one. I am proud of that.

At any rate, as long as I meet my pre-season personal goal of a runoffs berth I will be very happy. Hopefully Watkins Glen is good to me and I can at very least finish in a position that garners me points. It's gonna be a tough crowd though. The car is ready with a new tranny after loosing the 3-4 cluster at Beaverun. I just need to get comfortable with the track, the walls, and the high level of competition. I want to give thanks to all those who have encouraged and supported me with a dream I just recently realized I had a shot at. My competition towers over me, but I am doing my best while learning from them and having much fun! The thrill and everyones support makes it all worth it!!

Check out my site for updates and more details, vids, and write-ups to follow!

Joe Gaudette

Antivenom 447 · 07-05-2006, 10:09 PM

Have a safe run and good luck!

Subdriver · 07-05-2006, 10:36 PM

Good luck Joe! I'll be thinking about you. Give us an update as the weekend progresses.

**DennyM** · 07-06-2006, 07:39 AM

Thanks for the update, Joe, and good luck at the Glen.
Don't be too hard on yourself ... hell ... only a few step up and experience W2W at all. My sense is that you're sorting out the car and moving up the learning curve rapidly ... you will know when things don't come at you quite so fast on the track ... all the best

99cobra · 07-09-2006, 07:59 AM

Good luck Joe.

T1 does not seem easy and seems very competitive and full of good drivers.

I admire you for taking it on.

I do a series with Midwest Council in ASR class, that is not as tight (not spec cars) and am having fun with it, but what you are doing is an abslute test of driving skill.

Interested to hear how you find the Glen. I have never run it/

Velocity · 07-09-2006, 08:32 AM

Good Luck,
Watkins Glen is an awesome track.I was there last week for 2 days. The walls were easy to get used to. The speeds you can carry through the turns is the thing that took some getting used too.

sleeper02Z06 · 07-12-2006, 08:03 PM

Well, finally a chance to post!!

As most of you know, I made it through the Glen with no problems and actually did better than I thought I would! After the test day I felt pretty comfortable and was ready to throw down a decent time on Saturday morning. On Goodyear GSCS's that I recieved for FREE from a friend I was able to qualify with a 2:08.1 lap, 9th on the grid. Not bad for tires with I think 8-9 heat cycles on them. The race went well, although on the first lap I lost 2 spots, one to Pete Kulka and one to John Yaroz, both veteran racers, due to a soft start and some bad protection of my line. I was able to get past Pete but was only able to match Yaroz and never got by him, our race laps were almost dead even at 2:07.9 and some change. He protected his spot well. I was able to move up further in the field by staying consistant and not messing up. My final finishing position was 7th.

At first, 7th didn't sound great to me, but over the passed couple of days I realize the company I was in and am proud to have been able to hold my head up. The Glen is a track I thought would have me nervous, never having been on the track, but when the flag dropped it was just another ribbon. I love the place and look forward to going back now.

I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me and had more faith in me than even I have. To race with guys at this level is a dream for me, you guys make it even better with all of the support. I may never be at the level of the top tier guys but I am not giving up. I'm out there to do all I can on a small budget, be competitve and most of all have fun. I had a great race with Yaroz and Kulka and had the most fun so far this year. The start was clean for all those around me and once again I hope my peers realize I am a safe, clean racer! It also looks like I am close to locking up a berth at the Runoffs, if I haven't already.

In closing I would also like to give a huge thanks to fellow racer and closer friend by the day Dave Pintaric. This guy has more faith in me than anyone short of my wife, offers help whenever I need it with no question, and overall is a great friend to have. Dave, much thanks, I am listening, and hopefully I have something for that Viper at the Runoffs!!

Check out my site for new updates and lots of pictures!

Joe Gaudette

www.over1g-racing.com

99cobra · 07-12-2006, 10:27 PM

Way to go Joe! I was wondering what happenned to David...enjoy the season

**DennyM** · 07-13-2006, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennyM

Thanks for the update, Joe, and good luck at the Glen.
Don't be too hard on yourself ... hell ... only a few step up and experience W2W at all. My sense is that you're sorting out the car and moving up the learning curve rapidly ... you will know when things don't come at you quite so fast on the track ... all the best

Congratulations ...

Like I thought ...

... not to minimize the challenge ahead , but it appears that it's beginning to slow down and smooth out for you on the track.

Subdriver · 07-16-2006, 02:45 PM

Congrats Joe. Very happy to see that your goal of attaining the Runoffs in your Rookie season is progressing well despite your early season setbacks. Good luck for the rest of your season.