It was the first time I’ve ever been to RNG or even been to a race track. My SPF is exactly 1 year old and finally sorted out. I volunteered to help with the event, as I’m a member of the Gateway Cobra Club. I spent most of the week working the daily chores of the event, but found time to take part in a new feature this year – The Run & Gun Experience. For $100 I got a tech inspection, 2 45 min follow the leader road course sessions, a bunch of parade laps for photography, attended drivers meetings and training, 3 drag passes, a t-shirt, and a ticket to the banquet. Additionally, for another $100 I could run laps in the test and tune sessions.
I drove up the highway to an auto parts store and bought a helmet, and carb springs to get through tech. I got back installed the springs, attended the awesome classroom instruction, and took to the track for test and tune. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I did everything wrong. Entering and exiting corners, acceleration points, brake usage, blown wave bys, freeway driving down the center of the straight – everything. I thought my car was crap. I needed bigger brakes, better tires, new shocks, new sway bars, and was just happy to make it out without crashing my little blue PIG of a car.
Then, the next day we did the follow the leader laps. Low and Behold, the clouds parted and a heavenly light shined down on me and my little blue PIG. THE RACING LINE. Drive the line correctly, and all of a sudden my tires stuck, my brakes were fine, my cornering was tight – and speed was no problem. What a thrill. Same story the next day. All very exciting – and nothing broke.
Finally on Saturday, my club was putting on a car show in the parking lot in front of the drags, so I had to spend some time setting that up – and shinning up the little blue PIG – all the while the REAL drivers were blasting down the ¼ mile track. I took a few minutes to watch the races – just in time to see that yellow Backdraft slam into the wall at 100mph. My stomach turned – and I thought no FN way am I going to do that.
As the time for the “Experience” drivers to make their runs approached my excitement overtook my fears. I strapped myself in, donned my new helmet and lined up for a “grudge” match against a friend who also runs a big block. Since this was my first time down a track he advised me to listen to my engine and don’t over rev, and try not to spin the tires. Now, I’m a pretty careful and conservative driver and that all made sense. Additionally, and this may sound weird to some of you – but I’ve never ever “floored” my car – ever. For the tech heads – a 460 bored and stroked to 588 cu in, 650 hp/700 tq – and really freaking scary to break the rear end loose at 80mph.
Anyway, we staged and off I went. Bad reaction time – but I got him in second gear and never looked back. I didn’t spin the tires, didn’t over rev, didn’t floor it, and I short shifted. I didn’t look at my gauges at all. I stayed straight the whole way down, and man ¼ mile is a lot longer than it looks like on PINKS. So, I won my very first race. My wife and kids met me for waves and kisses on the circle back. Then I lined up against a new Vette, and then a Stalker S7 – beat ‘em all. Best Run = 11.8 with a .484 rxn time.
What a thrill the whole week was for me. The scene in the garage was cool. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Wild Bill was signing autographs for the kids, and we were in awe of all of the race prepared Cobras like the Kirkham, the Backdraft team cars, the GT40s, and all of the other race cars. The kids had a blast, and the car did not break. A HUGE THANKS to Dean, Jay, Hersh, Clois and Sharon. A wonderful time. Next year – I’ll run the full deal – novice class to be sure.
