What an eventful weekend!
CincySCCA hosted their annual Mid-Ohio weekends. TimeTrial / Track Event on Friday, and Races on Sat/Sunday. I had a great fun on Friday in my Spoon – 99 Miata for TT, and had one heat in Track Event testing out Chase’s Spec Miata. The main dish for the weekend came on Saturday Club Race Experience (CRE). This was my first wheel to wheel racing (ish) experience! I’ve participated numerous Track days and Time Trials, but never had an open passing, wheel to wheel event. CRE opens door for ones without a competition license, to get the taste of a racing.
I really cannot thank enough to my friend Chase for letting me borrow pretty much everything except for his underwear for this event! From the Nomex socks, racing suites, cool shirts, helmet (with comm setup), and most importantly Sandy, his Spec Miata. I am so honored that he offered me to drive his car, and really appreciate all the help and support before during and after the CRE Session.
I was excited and super super nervous before the session, pretty much starting from Thursday on my way to Mid-Ohio, and thanks to everyone who were around the garage helping me calm my nerves down. Once the green flag is thrown, (and of course, I screwed up the start…), and once I getting into the rhythm, my nervousness slowly disappeared, and learning the car, fighting the fear and urge to get off the throttle at unnecessary places, then exhaustion took over. I probably kept forgetting to breathe, and white knuckling the whole lap without relaxing where I should, so even though the session was cut very short (only 20 min instead of an hour as scheduled due to the weather), I was totally exhausted by the time I came back to the garage. I was fairly consistent during the session around 1’50″/lap, with the best time 1’49.260″. Good 5 or 6 seconds off the pace compare to Chase, but with no spin out, stayed on the pavement, and no contact with others, I would totally consider it a success! I even had one pass! though it took me a 3/4 of laps to execute it as I just could not figure out how and where to pass without point by and the other driver slowing down for me…. what a shame….
It took me an over night sleep before everything settled in, and felt how much I enjoyed the session. Again, I am so grateful to Chase for providing me this opportunity!
