Sit back, relax if you can, ‘cause I have SO much to tell you, I don’t know where to begin!!
You know how I feel about Matt. After rescuing me from a life of DULL and taking me on the most exciting journey a digital camera could ever have, then allowing me to report to you on our racing adventures is better than a 3-D movie!! I wouldn’t mention last year’s disappointments, but they have given me (and, I think Matt, too) an appreciation for how great things CAN be.
If you were not at the 24 Hours of Daytona race or didn’t get to watch it on Speedvision, you can click on our "links" page, go to Speedvision or Grand American Racing, and get the whole story.
I want to tell you about the things that I saw, and did, and learned, that could only come from first hand experience. I want to give you the "behind the scenes" story.
I learned right away, that the 24 Hours of Daytona is THE race to watch, to be in, to WIN!! People were everywhere—working, rushing, talking, moving equipment, eating, sleeping, laughing, and crying—all in the worst weather. It rained, like gangbusters!! The track was wet, change to rain tires—now the track is dry, change back to race tires. I’m sure there was more energy expended in those 24 hours than there is in a shuttle launch!
There are 5 kinds, or classes, of cars that are allowed to participate in this race, at the same time: SRP-Sports Racing Prototype, SRPII-Sports Racing Prototype II, GTS, GT and American GT-AGT. Each car in the race must fit the specifications of one of these classes. I’m not going to list the differences between them because there are so many. Automobile body, weight, engine location, cooling system, exhaust system, tire size, electrical system and transmission are just some of them. Yes, it almost takes a "rocket scientist" to keep all that straight!!
If you’re really serious about knowing more, visit the Grand American web site by clicking on our "links" page, and go to their Rule Book. You won’t believe what you don’t know!!
Matt did most of his driving during darkness. It came earlier and lasted longer, because of the rain clouds and fog. I expected we would slow the pace, but we were actually able to see better and maneuver at a faster speed. There were fewer cars because of accidents and damage to, and weakness of, under-performing vehicles. The dark seems to give the better drivers a "feel" for their "pace"…when to accelerate and when to back off. I could tell more about the track, and it’s inhabitants, because break lights and fiery exhausts were more intense, easier to see..
Crew Chief radios to Matt, "You have 15 laps until driver change." He has been at the wheel about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and I thought he would be glad to get some relief.
But, Matt radios back, "Do I have to, I really like playing in the rain?" (Laughter...) Then, an accident happens right in front of us. Whew!! Matt was able to avoid hitting a flying tire and the crew chief says, "What’s your 20?" Matt responds, "About 15 or so cars behind the pace car." (There is now a full course YELLOW because of the accident). Crew chief says, "Matt, pit this lap. Do you copy? Pit, pit, pit. How are you really?" Matt replies, "I feel GOOD!" the crew chief says, "What I’m going to do is bring you in to refuel and leave you out for a double stint." Matt says, "OK!"
We have refueled and are back on the track. Matt radios, "How am I doing? How are my times?" Crew chief says, "Good. Right with everyone else. Going to go green now, confirm that reserve is off." Matt says, "Reserve off." Chief says, "You are, like, all alone out there, clear track. Track is drying, pay attention, stay in wet area’s if you can. There’s a car East of the horseshoe, don’t know if it’s on or off the track.." Matt says, "This car is wandering, think tires are fading." Chief radios, "Yes, look for water. We will pit you soon. Give me a good entrance. Pit slicker than track, be careful, when you stop, there will be driver change. When you get to pit lane, remember the speed limit and loosen your belt."
Matt looks like he’s doing 42 things at once when we stop and the driver change takes place. The drivers and crew have practiced this maneuver many times. It goes as expected, clean and fast. After almost three hours, I know he is tired—I am, and I don’t require sleep, just need to recharge my batteries. It seems to be the same way with humans; sleep recharges their batteries, too! First thing he looks for is water, then a blanket and a place to close his eyes for a while.
This race will end according to time, not laps. He will drive this 3.56-mile track, along with his teammates, Darren Law, David Murry and Cort Wagner, for a total of approximately 2800 miles. Of the 100 cars that tried to qualify, 80 did. We were grid in 44th place, and it’s been go-go-go ever since. I heard the announcer say before the race began, the 24 Hours of Daytona tests the muscle of the driver as well as the car. The car has had only two technical blips – a fuel pump change (lost about 8 minutes), and an alternator failure (lost 22 laps there) – so, everyone is pleased with its performance.
A long day and a long night. Finally, the checkered flag! Out of 80 cars that started this race, we came in 8TH over all--and 4TH in the GT class of 35 cars!!!!!!!!! I don’t know what else to say, except, WE ARE BAD TO THE BONE! Everyone worked HARD. Our crew chief never took a minute to rest—he went 24 hours, non-stop. I’m so proud of this team, especially Matt, I could do it all over again tomorrow! Well, maybe not tomorrow...
Anyway, see you at Homestead, and come prepared to "twist again…twistin’ time is here!"
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