Last night no blog. New Orleans was fun, although we got a bit lost? off track? on the way to the race course and turned onto the dirt/loose stone the GPS advised to turn onto. Bad move, it just looped around to the same beginning point. Road worker gave us and the Dodge Challenger (having the same GPS issues) directions.
It looked like they would seem to make most use of the drag strip at the one end, and our course started at the end of the drag strip. Basically a large autocross again, and fun to see. Viewing positions were limited, so pictures are from far away. Shannon, Beth or Julie will need to lend a camera to me next time, and I will need to buy a 55-300 MM lens.
Jim and I are having more fun on and off the track. Jim is doing all track driving and I am TRYING to do most of the road driving and that is working well.
We left after the morning session at New Orleans, and made good time to Birmingham AL, seeing some trees down and highway signs blown over from the winds / tornadoes last week. Most exciting part of the drive was the deer that ran out in front of the car, we were probably doing 75 at the time, and Jim handled the checking rear view mirror and braking very well. The deer made it to the center of the road thanks to Jim' s driving skills, but who knows what happened on the south bound side.
Hotels were full, we were smart enough to call ahead and find a room close to the track for last night. Paid more than we are normally, but when it is one of the last decent rooms, we said "We'll take it!" Scott and Nick got there just after us, and we met up for a dinner at McDonald's, splurging for a double burger and a Senior Coke, all of $2.
Great night of rest finally, and we woke at 7 very refreshed for today. We got to Barber Motorsports Park and while Jim walked the course, I unpacked and cleaned windows. We watched Scott run, and soon after Jim went down to suit up and get ready for his run. Lunch followed, chicken tenders and fries.Then They announced that parade laps would soon follow, and with Jim in the passenger's seat and coaching me on correct line, I got to drive the course twice, at speeds up to 65-70. What a blast, having never been on a road course ever before, and also to have a highly qualified instructor sitting there and coaching me the whole way. "I'm dreaming - of a Race Car - Don't know when I'll get to drive again" Fun - filled - days!
We packed up and left by 12:45 and are now on the road toward Joliet, IL just outside of Chicago. GPS says we should be there around 10:30 tonight - 10 hours or so from our start. I'm sure dinner will be a good one at $2 in McDonald's, we always can count on them to deliver a burger we can count on. Bite, chew and swallow all in about 5 minutes or 7 for a double.
Oh yes - did I say that JIM is driving right now, not me, just to let Adele and 'Sharon know we are being safe.
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