I drove Daytona!

It's 11:00 pm EST and we're heading to a race course just west of New Orleans.  We're still in the FL panhandle, so it will be a long night.  We should arrive at 4:30 am EST.  It's a good thing that Larry and I didn't plan to get any beauty rest this week.  We're averaging 3-4 hours/night.  So far adrenaline and nervousness has kept me wide awake in the morning so that I can race.

The Daytona session was both exhilarating and nerve-racking.  I was concerned about the car as well as all of the warnings about the track.  I did manage - with a host of other One Lapper mechanics - to fix the car.  It seems that it needed a new fuel pressure regulator.  The car is performing better, and we are relieved.  The steering, however, is a different story.  The current parts are old and rotting.  I will be able to finish the overall race, but I was cautioned to not be crazy about pushing the car.

Needless to say, I was so nervous before the Daytona session that I felt like throwing up.  Our buddies in a Corvette spun out and hit the tire wall.  The driver was so rattled that he had to leave the track for a while.  Another buddy told me that he had captured the accident on his in-car camera.  Didn't I want to see it?  NO!!!  Not before I did my session.

Thankfully, Larry arrived to make sure that I didn't puke in my helmet -- especially after I was told to do a minimum speed of 100 mph on the high banks.  

While Daytona is not a technically difficult track, it is dangerous because it is so fast.  The high banks (used for NASCAR's Daytona 500 track) are steep.  The angle is only 33 degrees, but it feels like you're driving at 45 degrees.  Since you're going fast, it feels like you are suspended in the air --- that is, if you do it right.  You don't want to think of what happens when you slip too low or too high on the banks.

Fortunately, I did it right.  The car and I traveled at 110 mph and then sling-shot onto the back straightaway.  The car was approaching 120 mph when I decided to stop looking.  The speedometer only goes up to 140 mph.  The faster cars were clocking in speeds at 145+ mph on these banks. 

There were two hairy-scary moments for me.  The car in front of me was spewing something.  I was aware there might be fluid on the track, but I wasn't exactly sure where on the track. It wasn't long before I found out. I did almost spin, but I was able to keep the car on the track.  I had never had to manage such car control at these higher speeds.   The second scare came at the "Bus Stop" - a zig zag pattern designed to slow cars after they are exiting the high banks and the fast straightaway.  Another car had hit a cone, which ended up in front of me.  Hard braking and trying to avoid the object was unnerving.

Upon the finish, I got out of the car and noticed that my legs were shaking.  While I now have bragging rights to say that I've driven on this famous track, I can honestly say that I didn't enjoy it as well as some of the other tracks.  However, I am proud that I did it!

A true highlight of the day was a visit by Kurt (bro), Amy (sis-in-law) and my niece Tessa and nephew Max.  Amy and the kids came to see me drive at Daytona.  It was very special to have them there.  I think they were also pleased to see the car that they had all worked to build.  Who knew it would be running at Daytona!

My brother took time away from his busy, busy, job to come to Gainsville to see me drag race with the car.  Who knew that I would be such a good drag racer! :).  I kept winning when I wanted to lose so that I could spend time with my brother.  It was Kurt's idea to build the car, and I'm glad he was able to see how well the car has performed in such extreme situations.

Tomorrow's course is affectionately known as the 'no problem' course.  People laugh as they say this and lead you to believe that it's actually the opposite.  I'm choosing to be Pollyanish and really think about it as a no problem course.

A note to my students.  I race with the stereo as loud as I can play it without blowing the speakers.  I also play it as I'm waiting on the starting grid.  The other racers, staff, and visitors love it.  I play "Black and Yellow," your suggested theme song before every race.

Well, that's about it.  I'm signing off in the hopes of catching a few z's - we still have 5 1/2 hours to go.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support.  Larry has been faithfully passing out info cards about our fundraiser.  Hopefully, we will be able to inspire others to donate to our cause.

Josie