Summer Break is over, back in the saddle again

Just like the kids in school, ALMS has its summer break. And just like the summer break for kids it is a time to go on vacation (especially ones with spouses) and get a real job. In my case, the real job is the Brand Manager for Yokohama which meant cramming in a product launch (dB Super E-spec), dealer training, non-motorsports related external meetings and countless internal meetings into a couple weeks. It was great to get caught up on things and to travel without credentials and shoes.

Also similar to the school summer break was the getting back in the saddle of the race world with the first race at Lime Rock. Getting caught up with everyone (what did you do over the break?), regretting what you did not accomplish over the break and being glad to be back into the routine.

Lime Rock is an absolutely beautiful track nestled in the trees and hills of Connecticut. Attendance was above expectations for both competitors and spectators. This race featured the Challenge class which for me is always nice to see the GT3 Cup cars dicing it up with the LMP cars.

The #21 PTG Panoz did well, unfortunately a late in the race fuel stop lost a spot in the finishing order, but all-in-all it was a strong finish. The Snows’ #57 Challenge car dominated the race, but was retired with just a few minutes left giving the win to the #36 driven by Hoaglund and Fiaeta. That was a bummer to see such a hard drive end so close to the finish. But since all Challenge cars are on Yokohama ENV-R1 tires, everybody wins!

Similar to NASCAR, most of the people within ALMS refer to the cars by their numbers. The reason for this is when you are looking at timing and scoring during the race, it is the easiest and consistent thing to see. Most of us watch the race on the timing screen and you would be amazed at how much of the race you can deduce by reading a timing screen.

I did peel my eyes away from the timing screen for a few minutes during the first pit stop for the #40 car which was in the stall next to the #21. Their pit stop went some kind of sideways when they dropped the car without the right rear wheel being on. To make it worse, Murry drove out of the stall on 3 wheels! It was just a scene of anger and frustration that you never wish upon anyone. Surprisingly they did not loose much time getting the car back up and running. Adding insult to injury (literally) they were handed down a stop-and-go penalty.

Well back to the office for a day and then off to the GT3 race at Autobahn this weekend. Back in the saddle again. Giddie-up!