WOW, the last 5 days were such a rush to get the car completed or should I say, get the car track ready since it's still not completely finished. I crawled into bed at 4 am Friday morning only to wake up at 7am for comp school. I arrived a little late and proceeded to get the car off the trailer.
I should have stayed in bed!! Some kid at comp school thought he was Michael Schumacher or something cause on our very first practice start, in the first turn, pouring rain, he locked his brakes up, skidded into me and punted me just off the track into the grass!!!!! He pushed in the quarter panel, just behind the passenger door right into the tire. If I could have gotten out of the car, I would have killed him!!!!!!! The motor was still running and I was facing the wrong way just off the track. With other cars going off track, running behind me in the grass, what a mess! I saw other cars had spun off further down track as I limped slowly into the pits with the quarter rubbing the tire.
By the time I got off the track I had calmed down quite a bit but was still angry. I had words with him when he came off track and was quite harsh with him. He was very timid and apologetic.
I talked to my peers Friday after school was finished. Did a lot of venting too.
On Saturday, Nick from Bennington's pulled some of the dent out. At least the tire was no longer rubbing and was OK. Just a little grove, nothing major. Thank God, cause I had just put new tires on the car and had no spare! I was able to qualify and run my first race!!!!!! In the rain and without incidence too!!!
Sunday after our race meeting I had a few more words with this young man who had punted me. I apologized for being so rough on him. I told him it was OK, the quarter panel was pulled away from the tire and the tire was OK. I told him not to worry, we were all good and shook his hand.
Sunday's race was the same. I qualified and raced, but in the dry this time.
My 4 goals for the weekend were met.
1 Have the car ready for comp school/racing.
2 Pass Comp school.
3 Finish the race.
4 Not come in last place.
Sunday night I did some reflecting.........
Someone told me I'd cry when the car got it's first hit. No, I didn't cry but I did get angry and very upset. I didn't buy someone elses car and then have to fix it or set it up the way I like it. Not that there's anything wrong with buying a car already done. I built a car the way I wanted it. I ended up with a very nice car, a high quality build that I'm proud of. Maybe it's too nice. I know first hand that shit happens out on the track. Your fault, his fault, nobodies fault? And no, I don't condone body contact, ANY! Friday I forgot why I built this car. Sunday night I remembered.....I built it to be raced!!! And race it I will. Check your rear view boys, cause here I come!!
By the way if your wondering.......
Sat race 5th place out of 8
Sun race 6th place out of 8
