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The learning curve is a mountain…..
Well, I finished my third race this year in one piece and obtained my first top ten finish…….10th place in the feature…..however, there were 10 E-mods competing this particular Orlando Speedworld Friday night. …..that sounded better than last place again.
The heat races at OSW are 8 laps and the points are limited so the majority of drivers take it easy and use it as a test session for the feature. Now, there are those that will drive the wheels off their car for a heat race win…and I too may just do that someday. ….that someday will probably be way down the road. During a pre-race discussion about some technical rules questions with the “professional techman with good customer service” (who has about 40 years racing experience)…….I decided it best to relinquish my 2nd row inside heat race starting position and start in the rear of the field. KARNAC’s own RSB provided this same recommendation after my last race article. I’m quickly learning to listen to those with good advice and ignore those that offer advise that even I know is incorrect. Anyway, I started last in the heat and finished 8th after one car spun on his own and I had the opportunity to cross under the checkered flag on the low side about a foot in front of the 9th place finisher. That was kinda cool to race off the corner side by side to the checkered flag….maybe someday it will be for a win. Who knows….stranger things have happened.
In the feature I decided to hold on to my position starting 8th on the inside row…..hoping for the best as well as hoping to not hold anyone up. I was able to do so for about 20 laps until I started slowing the car too much in the corners and got a bump in the left rear….which I probably deserved….that sent me spinning into the infield. That was good for the fans because they got to see a good 5 lap shootout with some of the best E-mods racing at Orlando Speedworld and witnessing the fire truck chasing me down because of a small tire rubber fire on my header….heck, even the buggy caught me.
The “bumper” was at my car before I ( the “bumpee”) exited the car after the race….he was very apologetic and I accepted without hesitation. If I was faster in the corner….the contact would have never happened. Another lesson learned….
A big “THANK YOU” to Chad Pierce for his driving instruction and race spotter help during this race night. Chad’s experienced coaching has reinforced the fact that I need to learn to roll through the corners better which means not using the brakes as much . The driving disciplines I have learned in road racing are becoming a hindrance in circle track racing. On a road course, “slow in fast out” is the key…..but it gets you punted into the infield on a circle track. If there is ever an e-mod road course race….I’ll be the one to watch….until then, I hope everyone enjoys my learning circle track racing experiences.
Next up - Wednesday 4-27 open test night at OSW, Friday 4-29 staging the #10 E-mod out in front of Orlando Speedworld to attract the attention of the space shuttle launch commuters, and racing the next E-mod race on May 6th at Orlando Speedworld. Come on out and enjoy the show....it's a blast !
Well, I finished my third race this year in one piece and obtained my first top ten finish…….10th place in the feature…..however, there were 10 E-mods competing this particular Orlando Speedworld Friday night. …..that sounded better than last place again.
The heat races at OSW are 8 laps and the points are limited so the majority of drivers take it easy and use it as a test session for the feature. Now, there are those that will drive the wheels off their car for a heat race win…and I too may just do that someday. ….that someday will probably be way down the road. During a pre-race discussion about some technical rules questions with the “professional techman with good customer service” (who has about 40 years racing experience)…….I decided it best to relinquish my 2nd row inside heat race starting position and start in the rear of the field. KARNAC’s own RSB provided this same recommendation after my last race article. I’m quickly learning to listen to those with good advice and ignore those that offer advise that even I know is incorrect. Anyway, I started last in the heat and finished 8th after one car spun on his own and I had the opportunity to cross under the checkered flag on the low side about a foot in front of the 9th place finisher. That was kinda cool to race off the corner side by side to the checkered flag….maybe someday it will be for a win. Who knows….stranger things have happened.
In the feature I decided to hold on to my position starting 8th on the inside row…..hoping for the best as well as hoping to not hold anyone up. I was able to do so for about 20 laps until I started slowing the car too much in the corners and got a bump in the left rear….which I probably deserved….that sent me spinning into the infield. That was good for the fans because they got to see a good 5 lap shootout with some of the best E-mods racing at Orlando Speedworld and witnessing the fire truck chasing me down because of a small tire rubber fire on my header….heck, even the buggy caught me.
The “bumper” was at my car before I ( the “bumpee”) exited the car after the race….he was very apologetic and I accepted without hesitation. If I was faster in the corner….the contact would have never happened. Another lesson learned….A big “THANK YOU” to Chad Pierce for his driving instruction and race spotter help during this race night. Chad’s experienced coaching has reinforced the fact that I need to learn to roll through the corners better which means not using the brakes as much . The driving disciplines I have learned in road racing are becoming a hindrance in circle track racing. On a road course, “slow in fast out” is the key…..but it gets you punted into the infield on a circle track. If there is ever an e-mod road course race….I’ll be the one to watch….until then, I hope everyone enjoys my learning circle track racing experiences.
Next up - Wednesday 4-27 open test night at OSW, Friday 4-29 staging the #10 E-mod out in front of Orlando Speedworld to attract the attention of the space shuttle launch commuters, and racing the next E-mod race on May 6th at Orlando Speedworld. Come on out and enjoy the show....it's a blast !
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