It really didn’t look like this series was going to take place. Though he had to push it back a month, Brian put on the first race last Friday night. The course uses part of the Early Bird course. Though it’s a shorter meaner version. From the start finish line you go straight into the first hairpin. Turn 2 is a left hand 90 that takes you into some really crappy pavement. Go up about 1/4 mile to the second hairpin. Turn 4 is a right 90 (turn 1 at the EB’s) then a short jump back to the start finish line. There was a lot of loose gravel at the apex of the second hairpin. Wynn and I swept it the best we could but, it still was quite dusty. Made for a slippery 180.
For the race I was surprised to see about 15 of us at the line (only 6 prereg). Things were running late so we didn’t get to start till 8:00pm. At first I was tentative on the 180’s. It took a few laps to find my comfort zone on them. Once I did I started to have fun. Being a small group we played well together. We pretty much stayed together the whole time. Anyone trying to attack was brought back quickly. The wind had a lot to do with that. Though not horrendous the Fremont wind tunnel was churning like usual. Nice W/NW wind at about 10 mph for the 4’s race. It was almost home field advantage for me. Same wind we deal with on Thursday nights so, I knew how to stay protected. The first 15 minutes or so we were jumping hard out of the 180’s. 7 or 8 laps of that really saps your desire to dig every time. Think interval workout. So the last 5 laps were pretty mellow till the bell. The last lap was full on but I was asleep at the wheel. I knew what wheel I wanted but when it mattered I didn’t have it. I wanted to be on Bobby’s wheel from SJBC but I ended up being on his teammates wheel. So ended up railing the second hairpin and chasing like a madman to eek out a 5th place finish. Doh!
I had a bunch of fun and plan to do more of the series if I can. Anyone who can should give this race a try. You will certainly get a great workout.
Mike