Day 9 - Tire Rack

Last night we made it into South Bend just before 8:00pm and had planned to eat a dinner that included a menu and servers.  After arriving at the hotel, we talked to Harry and Brian to develop a plan – we’re headed to Outback for a solid meal. Amanda suggested call ahead seating as she was powdering her nose (I was checking out the stellar programming from a reclined position) and after a few keystrokes on my blackberry, this was complete. This ended up being a clutch move as we walked right in past a whole bunch of other one lappers waiting to be seated. Sweet. Ended up with grilled tilapia with crab meat. The vegetables were only partially consumed. We’re going to miss Brian and Harry.



With happy stomachs, we headed to the hotel bar where the one lappers were gathering for the usual post event relaxation festivities. What a great bunch of people.

Overnight the wind was raucous and a bit concerning as the closing lunch and awards ceremony where scheduled to be in a giant tent outside. After more than 4000 miles, we arrived back were we started. This time, though, it was about 40 degrees with major wind and driving rain. Nobody wanted to get out of their cars. Eventually we all formed a giant “1” on the skidpad complex and our photographs were taken from a high lift boom vehicle. These photographers were brave... in 30 mile per hour wind and rain!



After a brief wait, we headed out on to the skidpad for the final event. What was supposed to be a dry skidpad was actually mostly wet for my run – but drying quickly. We ran in reverse order today – making my wait significantly shorter!



After the final car ran, any of the front runners who wanted to burn up their tires and drift around the skid pad for entertainment were permitted.





We finished!



Tire Rack is awesome. Guessing that we might not be so comfortable outside in the middle of a nor’easter, they moved our lunch and award presentation into their warehouse (fully warm and full of all sorts of neat round objects!). Amanda thought that I liked the food because I had a y chromosome – something about it being monochromatic and heavy (bbq pulled pork, turkey, corn casserole, sauerkraut balls, reubens, and ham). She also mentioned something about vegetables but I didn’t notice. Her comments notwithstanding, the whole spread was great – unbelievable, really, including cheesecake, pecan pie, cake, and strawberry shortcake. Food coma.



As Brock finished the presentation, we said goodbye to all of our new friends and a bittersweet tone fell over much of the scene. We’re really going to miss these people. It felt like a giant family for the week and many friendships were formed.

In closing, I want to thank everyone for being so supportive of this week of automotive madness.

Time for a shower, some food, and some sleep.

I’m sure I’ll be back. One Lap was awesome.