Day 8 - Tire Rack & Final Ceremony

Today's the day we crossed the finish line!! Can you believe it?  We can't.

We reported to Tire Rack (back were we started) at 8am for the final competition - a dry skid pad.  This ran just as I explained before (see day 1 post) just without the sprinklers.  The weather was pretty cold compared to what we've been used to - mid 40s and misting rain.  First thing was first, however; we all had to line up for a large group picture.

Then the skid pad event started... this time they ran reverse order so we were close to the beginning!

Dave finished 33rd on the final skid pad!! He was super pumped - exhibit A:

Now that the competition was over, Brock and Tire Rack let anyone who wanted to burn up their tires and put on a show do so as they please.  This is always fun to watch as it turns into a drifting and tire burnout variety show.

After all that was said and done, we proceeded to the banquet area set up for us (Tire Rack's tire warehouse area- yes is pleasantly smelled of rubber).  We were thanking our lucky stars that it wasn't outside this year.  Here we grabbed food from a wonderful catered spread and listened as the final words were said and awards were handed out.

Overall we placed 50th and 2nd in our class!  Not to shabby with such stiff competition (Amanda was content with the even numbers).  We hoped we'd win our class this year, but knew it probably wasn't realistic considering first place went to a Porsche 944 with a Corvette motor (that has over twice the horsepower than we have).  Regardless, we became great friends with them - and in the long run that's all that matters.

Here are the top three finishers!  I even caught them as they each broke open a bottle of champagne.

Today was a bittersweet day as it always is.  We've grown tight with many of the teams and it was hard to say goodbye to the close camaraderie.  But, we'll probably keep in touch with many of them and see them at future driving schools or racing competitions.  

Overall it was a week to remember full of adventures, laughs, new friends, adrenaline, and many miles.  Here's a quick recap:  

4,068 Miles
176 Gallons of Fuel Burned

85 Total Laps

15 States

10 Tracks

8 Days

6 Hours of Naps on Asphalt

5 Rainex Applications

2 Hours Sitting In Traffic

0 Speeding Tickets... (miracle)

Time together.... priceless.  (Thank you MasterCard for your slogan)

We may be back... Only time (and available cars) will tell.

Thanks for following along!!  We have such a great support system of friends and value every one of you.

Thanks especially to our families who held down the forts at home and kept us encouraged all along the way.  We love you and can't wait to see you in a few short hours!  

Day 7 - Pittsburgh International Race Complex

Today we were at Pittsburgh International Race Complex.  We arrived around 7:30am this morning; I especially liked the "Start your engines" sign at the entrance!

Today looked like it was going to be a pretty wet one, so it was a bit disconcerting getting up this morning knowing you'd be soaked and burying your stuff in a tarp burrito all day.  See example burrito below.  I guess it's more like a taco... that fell over... whatever.  :)

Brock Yates Jr couldn't even remember the last time we had a rainy track day on One Lap... Supposedly it was 2009?  No idea if that's correct - purely hearsay.  BUT... Drumroll!!! It stopped raining just as we began unpacking the car.  THANK YOU JESUS!  Huge blessing.

The track, however, was quite damp and slippery for the first run.  Everyone was pretty tentative out there and the ones that weren't simply got to do a bunch of slip sliding around.  Dave's score the first run put fire in his veins for the second half of the day.  He was pretty upset with himself and began nicknaming it the "Miss Daisy" run.

Pittsburgh was a relatively short and simple course with a carousel and some significant elevation changes.  

So, we found out today that the Porsche GT3 drivers came back into the competition with a Toyota Camry rental car.... Hilarious.  

Lunch consisted of a shared chicken gyro and granola bars... We decided to save the calories and pigging out for when we go to Outback tonight for our celebratory dinner.  It will be amazing to have actual food again... I may even get a salad I miss green stuff so much...

I was able to catch a quick cat nap around lunchtime... 

 

The second run Dave took about 45 seconds off this time!!  He ended up finishing 40th that round which was a personal high so far in this year's competition.  Go Dave!  I knew he could do it, but that initial low score really lit a fire under him for the afternoon.

Shockingly we were finished with the afternoon session around 1:30pm enabling us to hit the road and have an ETA of 7pm in South Bend.  This is what it must feel like to be in the front runners, even though we're not (they always leave track early because they run first)!  

Can I just say it was pretty ironic that N'Sync's "Bye, Bye, Bye" came onto my Pandora station as we drove out of the parking lot... Gotta love it (Mr. Klein that reference was for you haha).

Tonight's plan is to enjoy a dinner out, relax at the hotel, and stroll in for the final skid pad competition tomorrow.  What a week.  It's been a heck of a ride.  Thanks for all the continued support and encouragement- you guys are awesome!

Day 6 - Virginia International Raceway

Greetings from Virginia!  

This morning started with plentiful sunshine and a brief 1/2 hour trek to Virginia International Raceway (VIR).  Breakfast was light - some cereal (no fruit loops) and yogurt for me.  Oatmeal was Amanda'a fuel of choice.

VIR is a massive, high-class facility.  Amanda said it reminded her of the rolling grass hills in Sound of Music...  :). Today we ran a total of 3 sessions - each consisting of a different track configuration.  This morning was South Track immediately followed by North Track.  This afternoon was the Full Track.

While waiting in our run groups, I decided to compete with our "clean" diesel friends and push my car as the line moved.  I think we won the emissions game. :) 

The track was loads of fun as it was chocked full of major elevation changes and several blind corners.  A very professional facility and one I would love to come back for a weekend of lapping.  The last run of the day was my best!

There were a few offs today - the Mitsubishi Evo met up with the tire wall again, but they're still trudging along!  Unfortunately, the Mercedes SLS (a car with a price tag of over 200k) left the track on a flatbed having blown the motor and bent some plastic.  Below are before and after shots.  It's always sad to see something like that.  At One Lap everyone wants to see everyone finish- competition or not.  

 

As I write this we're on the road with about 200 more miles before an air-conditioned horizontal surface.  The total distance was a little north of 450.  Amanda did the transit drive on her own - she gets pretty bored and antsy in the passenger seat.

Tonight's drive was much more varied then previous highway grinds.  We have been on many two lane and otherwise secondary roads to wind our way up to Steeler country.  We went up one road that was nearly a mountain switchback and turned every few hundred feet.  Crazy but beautiful at the top!

When we stopped for gas and food, Amanda could not contain her enthusiasm when she saw a Chick-fil-a at the exit (they don't have them in Michigan).  Just when I thought the elation squeals were over Amanda spotted a Cook-Out across the street.  So, following some chicken strips and caffeine, we were headed to a Cook-Out to grab a TRIPLE Oreo milkshake.  The girls at the pick-up window were very interested in what we were doing.  Amanda was very content the rest of the drive...  except Luke kept saying the brain freeze was affecting her speed consistency.  I think it was just the sugar high.

Tomorrow is Pittsburgh International  (formally Beaver Run) - and is the last road course on the schedule before we return to South Bend for Saturday's final skidpad event.  I've heard rumors of a drag event tomorrow night but nothing confirmed.

Until tomorrow!

Day 5 - Carolina Motorsports Park & BMW Performance Center

Well, it has been a heck of a day!  The Carolinas are treating us well as far as weather is concerned: 70s and sunny skies.  Now I remember why I came down here for college. :)

This morning, however, was a bit brisk so I opted for the heat in a corvette to work on the blog...

Upon entry we received special wrist bands... I was a bit salty they were pink but I got over it once I saw the track.  :)

This morning started off a bit rocky on the track.  The Mitsubishi Evo went through a tire wall and required a tow off.  This crash resulted in some delays but nothing crazy.  Luckily, the driver is fine but the car not so much.  Supposedly he lost it in the "kink" but I didn't see it.  He ended up joining back in the second session by the grace of God and an offsite repair shop. 

Before Dave went out, we unloaded and prepped the car.  He decided that it was time for a brake pad swap since this track takes a serious toll on brakes.  It amazed me that he was able to do this in less than 10 min... That guy.

 

We have to share a quote from our buddy Pete this morning.  We couldn't stop laughing.  Usually, we steal a few fruit items from the hotel continental breakfast to provide actual nutrition value throughout the day.... Pete: Fruit wasn't at the hotel this morning so I went for the next closest thing I could find... Fruit Loops.  Dave:  Seriously? What did you go by?  Color???  Oh Pete... What a goof!  He and his brother, Matt, provide us great comic relief.

Dave had a lot of fun on this track but it was definitely a challenge.  Here are some pictures from his runs:

I was even able to FaceTime with Annemarie (Dave's wife) and their baby Violet to let them watch!

The track layout was switched for the afternoon run so that (among other things) contributed to some lap time shifting.

After the second session we packed up and hit the road with Luke and Victor again.  BMW Performance Center was about 2.5 hours from CMP.  

We arrived safely at BMW Performance Center... Wow is this place high class.  All the BMW workers were super helpful in directing us where to go.  It was a bit more chaotic than we are used to at other tracks simply because of the lack of room for staging and parking.

Dave said the track was a lot like a long autocross with many elevation changes.  He had a blast out there.  Too bad he only got to run it once (3 laps)!

We had 5 whole fans show up today!  One at CMP and four at BMWPC.  We were so pumped and spoiled at that!  David brought us cold water and fruit kabobs for CMP and the Barry Family showed up with cold drinks, homemade cookie bars, paper towels, and brake fluid!  Holy cow were they a blessing!

It was really fun to see Madelyn (4) and Ben (1) root for "Mr. Dave" from the sidelines!  They are too precious.  Thanks again for visiting!!!

Onward to Danville, VA for the night before heading up to Virginia International Raceway!  At least the drive is only about 3.5 hours; we should be in bed at a decent hour compared to previous nights.  Sleep tight friends!