THEQuagraine

This past week end I went to Arizona for some testing at fear farm. The layout they have is really fast with long sweeping corners. The track is very rough and the surface quite uneven and edgy everywhere. A really great track to test both equipment and driving skill.

So I get there and I’m 1.5 seconds off the pace, the pace being Ryan Maifield. And that’s per lap folks, on a track with a 31.5 second fast lap. Not good, not good. I sleep on it and head back to the track. Still off the pace, now by “only” 1 second. That famous second. I go to harder swaybars, less downtravel, shocks are already stood up more to add support, I go to thicker diff oils, and it all helps, but I’m still a second off. I determine it’s me, because my car now feels good. I sleep on it.

I go back and I promise myself I’m not driving home unless I do a 31 second lap time. And if you know me, you will know that I keep my word, even to myself. The pressure is on. It’s not looking good. After extensive practice I am down to 32.2, which I have at this point done about 28 times. The sun begins to go down. My car really needs some rebuilding. But I know it’s me, it’s not the car.

I focus on my driving, where am I losing time, why am I too slow? I slow down entering corners, making sure to keep the car stable and the speed up through the corners, and speed up everywhere else. I don’t land and settle, then go, I’m on the gas as I land, I make sure to hit the right lines. I get a good rhythm going, I do a good lap, 31.8. I can go home. But I’m still mad at myself it took so long to do.

Talented drivers do all the above except sleeping on it in a few runs. I hate them.