As my passion for this sports grows even larger, I took the big plunge in 2009 and gutted my pristine 2006 Corvette out to convert it to full race mode and began competitive racing. It has been nothing short of a great thrill and I look forward to my second year of racing in 2010.
My goals for 2009 were:
- Complete the conversion of the car to race ready
- Complete competition school
- Obtain my rookie license
- Compete in my first competitive race
- Keep the car in one piece and don't cause issues for any other drivers
I was lucky enough to have completed every goal except for getting in my 4 required races to complete my rookie license requirements. Looks like I will be able to do this in 2010.
My second race at Mid Ohio resulted in a DNF due to an unfortunate electrical problem that shut the engine off just before Thunder Alley. I had to be towed in after just 5 laps and the race did not count towards my license.
What would have been my 4th race, this one at VIR, was never started due to a torn medial meniscus in my right knee which pretty much shot the 2nd day of the event. I did finish the Saturday race with at least a respectable performance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RACING STATISTICS
2009
- Mid Ohio June 11th Thunder Group, PTA Class
- Qualified 41st overall
- Finished 24th overall, 3rd in PTA
- Best lap time = 1:39:56
- Total Laps = 20
- Mid Ohio June 12th Thunder Group, PTA Class
- Finished 38th overall, DNF Race due to electrical problem
- Best lap time = 1:41:28
- VIR July 25th Thunder Group, PTA Class
- Qualified 35th overall but was gridded 24th
- Finished 27th overall
- Best lap time = 2:13:89 (about 4 seconds faster than I had ever done at VIR)
- RACE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
2010
My goals for 2010 are to complete my provisional license and to become more aggressive on the track, taking those opportunities that present themselves, without getting into situations that would result in a low percentage pass etc. I do want to keep the car in one piece. And yes, what would any goal be without wanting to win a race :)
- Mid Ohio April 9th Thunder Group PTA Class
- Qualified _______
- Finished Overall _______
- Finished Class _______
- Best Lap Time ________
- Total Laps
- Mid Ohio April 10th Thunder Group PTA Class
- Qualified ______
- Finished Overall ______
- Finished Class ______
- Best Lap Time ____________
- Total Laps ______
- Mid Ohio April 11th Thunder Group PTA Class
- Qualified _______
- Finished Overall ________
- Finished Class ________
- Best Lap Time ____________
- Total Laps _______
Racing is no doubt the most intense thing I have done and there is certainly more chances for error. However, I think it makes you a much better driver and steepens the learning curve.
Some of my videos along the way to get to this point
_______________________________________________________
Spin at Putnam Park, 2008
Some Fun at VIR 2008
Danny Popp following me at Putnam 2009
A 10/10ths Rolling Race Start for the RED Group 2009
Another 10/10ths Rolling Race Start for the RED Group 2009
