Ok - so it's been a few weeks now since Laguna, but I figured I'd whip up a few thoughts & comments from race day. What can I say, but challenging?
We had a pretty solid run going. We were fast. We (and I) made a few mistakes. We had some bad luck. But we were there, and everyone knew it.
Highlight for me? Running away from the class-leading Risi Ferrari of Jami Melo/Gianmarria Bruni after a pit stop, trying to stay on the lead lap - and doing it successfully, while setting fastest race lap (at that time) in GT.
Other highlights? My teammate Ed Brown turning his fastest laps of the weekend during his 2-hour stint in the middle of the race. He really got into a good rhythm, and despite having a little spin, really drove well.
The result? Shorn drive pins on the right-rear wheel hub, resulting in the wheel loosening up on me and ultimately falling off, grounding me on track - just one corner away from pit entrance. IMSA crew loaded the car and I on a flat-bed and pulled us into the garage area for repairs, and the ESM crew did an amazing job getting the car repaired and back out in just 30 minutes or so... however, that put us about 40-something laps down, and we finished 2nd to last...
Strong points for the team? Johannes qualified outside-pole and he and Scott in the 01 car finished 5th - the first top five finish for the team in only it's 3rd race. We are making GREAT progress as an organization and the cars are getting VERY fast - which makes them EXTREMELY enjoyable to drive! (it's always more fun when you're at the front of the time sheets!).
So, on to our long break. No Le Mans for me this year, again (I've never been there), but hopefully I'll find an opportunity to drive there next year. In the mean time, we're going to do some testing and really work on getting Ed up to speed a bit more - and hit it HARD when we show up for race #4 at Miller Motorsports Park in July.
I can't wait! Thanks for keeping tabs on me!
Guy