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.

Day 8 - Nelson Ledges

So today’s day started with sloppy kisses from Guido. We stayed at my parents’ house as the morning’s venue was Nelson Ledges. It’s a track about 40 minutes away – and one that I knew as well as any. I was excited. The cloudy, brisk morning was well appreciated in the wake of a few UV supreme days.



We had some visitors today – my parents, Debbie, and my best friend Joe. We really appreciate your coming out! It was fun for them to be able to experience the event with us and have their support.





The cool air was the right recipe for some fast laps. With my brakes feeling solid, I was able to find my groove (and by groove I mean pavement chunks, funny looking trees, and other landmarks I use to make attempts at consistent runs) and produce copious thrills without spills. I even made my first pass of the event! Mom was quite excited…









The Onelapfordogs.com car beat me by a second! Our times were neck and neck! Looking good Harry and Brian.



The second run of the day went even better and definitely had a ball running the track at full speed. Sad that this was our last lap of a road course... but the people here make it so much fun regardless!







After a great run, including a Mini Cooper pass, Mr. Angry came off track and blew his power steering hose (causing a small engine fire). Buzz killer for sure. After a quick call to Richard and Rick (thanks guys), Chris was able to source a replacement at a local Napa. Doesn't it look like Mr. Angry is going to eat the Cooper in this picture?! haha



A blown mustang cooked his motor on the back straight – he was carrying lifters in his hand a few minutes after the tow. We decided that it might be beyond the capacity of JB Weld and double-sided tape. Unfortunately, he’s finished as far as the One Lap is concerned… one day before the finish line.



After the second event there was an open track session – so I took Amanda on the track for a few high speed thrills. Brock (One Lap’s coordinator) gave me brief safety instructions and told Amanda to, “HOLD ON TIGHT!”



The fun laps ended when the orange Lotus had an intimate encounter with the tire wall after the kink (with a borrowed driver). Bummer. Thankfully everything is okay… and the Lotus is driving… but doesn’t look as well put together as it started below (some serious chunks are missing).



Amanda is slightly annoyed that the speed limit is 50mph on I80 through construction zones. I think she needs another cookie. Seriously – are these the presets? Wow. I had to bring out Mr. Happy.



Awesome day – headed back to South Bend for our final event tomorrow – a dry skid pad! We might even get a real dinner tonight – one where the food isn’t fried and immediately available in a box. Team AC-DC is signing out for the evening.

Day 7 – New Jersey Motorsports Park

We arrived in Millville, NJ at 11:30pm last night. Driving through downtown Philly was interesting to say the least. Maybe a better word would be stressful. Regardless, we made it. Again, I had to pull out the hotel snob card and request a different room since our non-smoking hotel room reeked of smoke. Luckily, we were moved and everything was dandy from there – Dave got his cinnamon roll in the morning. I got tired of instant oatmeal so mom brought me my own bag… just add hot water! Breakfast for champions…





When we arrived at the track this morning, Dave was a little concerned about the brake fluid. He described the brakes as “soft” yesterday after the track run… I think this is a technical mechanical term? Pads were ordered yesterday afternoon as well, but it was decided this probably wasn’t the problem. So, before the day began, I was given a very special job (one which didn’t require getting dirty)! Instructions: get in the car, provide brake pressure, and pump while my brother bleeds the brake lines. Easy enough, right?






Once the brake fluid was topped off… I was given a new job: retrieve the fluid bottle cap that fell down into the lower engine skid plate area. This wasn’t quite as clean. My arm is now scratched and bruised from trying to angle around metal and plastic protruding objects. We even tried gum on the end of a screwdriver... almost worked... dropped at the last second. In the end, we had to take off the air filter housing to enable me to get my arm in far enough to reach the cap. Four guys and one girl trying to get a silly plastic cap – figures right? A simple task turning complicated.

Today was a blast, but very hot. We hid from the sun as much as possible under some friends’ tents (see the goof balls below). Tomorrow should be cooler, but there will be a chance of rain (booooo).



Dave says the NJ track was awesome- high speed, big sweepers, blind apexes, and people who won’t let you pump your own gas. Weird.



Sometimes with all the guys around, girls must unite. Here’s a picture from girl time with two of the other girls on One Lap… I believe there are only 6 girls total (including myself).



We have now covered about 3500 miles in the past week. We should clear 4000 by the end Saturday. Ronnie is covered in a beautiful patina of “buggage”. Currently we are about one hour from home! We’ll spend the night at Mom & Dad’s before heading out early for Nelson’s Ledges (Parkman, OH – east out 422). Dave and I are looking forward to seeing our furry companions as well. I think Mr. Happy will be glad to be home as well, what do you think? (again thanks Brian and Harry for photo!)



We’ve heard of a few people coming out to Nelson’s tomorrow to visit us and watch Dave race. If you are, Dave will probably hit the track around 9:30am and again at 1:30. These are rough estimates, so don’t take my word for it. We’ll probably stay for the open track time afterwards (I might actually get to run on the track!!), too. Then, it’s back to Southbend, IN for us – the final leg of the road rally.

Day 6 - Mid Ohio Sportscar Course

Yesterday’s drive wasn’t horrible… wasn’t great either. We got into Bellville, OH (exit 165) around 11:15pm – not too shabby. Thankfully we had the best pit stop known to man… Uncle Jim drove up to meet us in Dayton to give us some real food!! Seriously got the hook up… fruit, salads, wraps, pretzel chips, etc. (aka not rest area/fast food) I was very content on the remaining hour or so of the drive.



This morning we were up bright and early in an effort to nab a garage spot at the track. We were blessed when some new buddies let us share their garage (thanks Brian, Robin, Woody, and Neil)! All the accoutrements were there except power. A farmer cut a power line this morning, blacking out the entire track… figures right? Porta-potties were trucked in- never a good sign.



After running 47th in this morning’s course run (awesome job Dave!), we had some much welcomed visitors: Mom and Dad! Reinforcement clothing, folding chairs, supplies, AND healthy packed lunches (including my favorite- Frosties!) were among the loot they brought. Oh yea, and my camera case we forgot (yes, we’ve been fending off of a video camera and blackberry cameras this whole time, whoops!). Mom made a double recipe of cookies for the crew as well – she made many friends today needless to say. Everyone who had them the first time around has been begging for them for days… literally.

This was Mom’s first time at a race track! I think she enjoyed it – she loved watching Dave doing what he’s loved since he was a boy. She even said she’d be open to riding with him sometime. Does she know how fast his car goes and how hard he turns?? How brave of her! Dad of course was in his element talking to everyone about their cars and the road course.











We are driving to New Jersey as I type… this will be a new track for Dave. ETA – 11:30pm. Missing home, but seeing Mom and Dad really energized us again. Both of us are exhausted. Dave got to sleep while I drove at least; it’s his turn to drive now. Pray for energy, we are trying to avoid caffeine at all costs – so far so good.



Happy Cinco de Mayo – drinks on Mr. Happy :) (Picture courtesy of Brian & Harry)

Day 5 - Gateway International Speedway

Pulled into Gateway International Speedway… (roughly 15 minutes east of St. Louis arch). We got here so early we got a garage! Score - shade, electrical outlets, and concrete; I guess you come to appreciate simple things at this point of the trip. Now if only we could get some real food other than hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, and fries. Oy.



This course is an oval, but has a short course within it. Thus, Dave will run half the oval, then get detoured into the short course for each lap. Dave did great on his first run! Placed 49th. If you ever want to see the results corresponding to each car, visit the One Lap of America website which is linked to this blog page.





As we were watching one of the first runs… a Subaru WRX busted his axle and dragged his wheel sideways halfway down the course before getting waved into the grass. Such a shame, but the guy is already on the phone with junk yards and Subaru parts dealers in the area to get it rectified as quickly as possible. There are some hard core people here!



Dave and I are looking forward to being back in Ohio for the Mid Ohio course tomorrow. Mom and Dad are coming down! We’ve already given them a list of things we need replenished… contact solution, Q-tips, water, Gatorade, folding chairs, and LOTS of cookies. You wouldn’t believe how many friends we made by handing out some 2 day old cookies that Mom sent along (yes, I shared… even though I didn’t want to). Now they are all asking when they’ll get more.

May or may not be an addition to this post later... depends on how tired we are driving to Ohio tonight. Miss all of you! Thanks for staying tuned!

Day 4 - Hallett and Tulsa Raceway Park

A relatively brief update of yesterday: Sun. More sun. Hallett was scary but a lot of fun. A quote I heard was that it is a compilation of difficult turns from all other tracks. It was relatively low speed – but loads of elevation changes and blind corners. Racing suits apparently are really hot in the sun…





Once we got done with the road course, we drove an hour to the Tulsa drag strip. More sun and bench racing ensued before we got suited up and headed for the staging lanes. While I put down a 16.3 quarter (rather anemic), I did beat a 12 second Corvette in the first round of bracket racing (mostly dumb luck).







After losing, we hopped in the car to do the 390 mile jaunt to St. Louis. It was a long night; we arrived at our hotel around 1:30am with barely enough energy to get ready for bed.



We had 4 hours of sleep going but a rather unruly alarm clock (thanks Amanda…) woke us up an hour earlier than planned. REM stopped there.

Oh yea! We forgot to introduce you to the newest member of our group. Dave surprised me with this yesterday morning to keep things fun and goofy. Please meet “Mr. Happy”. When crankiness comes out… so does Mr. Happy. Now, he has become a bit of a feature along the way. Even some of the other groups are getting involved! We even got a note from him left on our pile of things yesterday after the drag strip that he was going to hang out with another group for the night (guess he likes Corvettes and Hampton Inns better than Bimmers and Fairfield Inns haha). Hope some of these pictures make you smile. He has definitely kept us smiling.