Tire Rack Check-in and Tech

::Singing:: “South Bend Indiana…. I hold you in my heart… and when I think about youuuu… I think of One Lap’s start!”  Yes, I was singing this as we pulled into Tire Rack today – Dave thought I was a goon but I think secretly he was impressed that I rhymed off the top of my head.  Some of you will appreciate the tune – Camp Anawanna anyone?  Yes, everything in my head revolves around music – get used to it.

We’re here!!

Well – today was a good day: relaxing, fun, encouraging, and great weather.  Stupid weatherman was psyching us out last night, apparently.  What storms?? More like 75 and beautiful!  Nonetheless, we’ve met tons of teams already - I can never get over how much it feels like everyone is a family here.  It’s this little cocoon of sweet, speed-loving people who are always putting out welcoming and helping hands.  

The start of the day was filled with checking in, last minute car prep, and putting on all our sticker paraphernalia.  Job #1:  Rainex.  With no defogger and no windshield washer fluid this was a must.  I was content being tasked with this job.  “Wax on, wax off.”

Job #2:  Apply sponsor stickers.  Dave and I went to work.  These went on a little smoother than the hood graphic simply due to size.

 

  

Job #3:  Pass tech.  At One Lap you’re required to have specific safety items including Helmets, Fire Retardant Driving Suits, Fire Extinguisher (in the car), Roll Hoop (if you’re a convertible), Seat Belts/Harnesses, OLOA-stamped tires from TireRack.com, OLOA Numbers, OLOA Tire Rack Sticker, and OLOA Sponsor Stickers.  Here you see Dave patiently waiting in line for tech. 

 

 

When you go through tech, they spray paint your tires so that you can’t switch them mid-week.  This is your “seal” that shows you passed tech at the beginning of the week.

Not going to lie, there are some perks of being a BMW driver in One Lap… FREE HATS!  Thanks BMW Performance Driving School – you rock.

Around 3pm we had the official drivers meeting.  This is when Brock explains the rules, route book, and takes any questions.  Once we were done there we headed back towards the hotel for our last (feasibly) sit-down dinner, hang out with other one lappers, and then head to bed.

Well… here’s our home for the next 8 days!  Armed with our route book and GPS we hit the road tomorrow.  Keep praying and rooting for us!