On Tuesday we went to Gateway International Raceway outside of St. Louis. We even got a chance to see the Arch from pretty close when we drove through the downtown on the way to the track. Similar to other Speedway tracks, Gateway is a very fast banked oval track. The track also has an alternate layout which utilizes the Speedway from NASCAR turn 3 through turn 4 and down the front straight and then transitions into the infield with several twists and turns to make up a road course for sports car racing.
Scott finished 22nd in the morning event and I ran just a couple of tenths slower per lap in the afternoon but it was only good for 32nd place, but I was thrilled to be that close. The One Lap of America format is extremely challenging with just one reconnaissance lap to learn the track. Immediately after your recon lap you line up at the start/finish line and get the green flag at about 10 second intervals. Typically we do many 20 minute session on a track over a day or two to learn the track and get fast. After the second session we moved up to 28th place overall.
As soon as we are finished I change out of my racing suit and we load the car as quickly as possible and head out for the next track. Tomorrow we will be at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course outside of Lexington, Ohio. The distance this evening is only 478 miles, then we get some sleep and arrive at the track before 8 am.
Scott finished 22nd in the morning event and I ran just a couple of tenths slower per lap in the afternoon but it was only good for 32nd place, but I was thrilled to be that close. The One Lap of America format is extremely challenging with just one reconnaissance lap to learn the track. Immediately after your recon lap you line up at the start/finish line and get the green flag at about 10 second intervals. Typically we do many 20 minute session on a track over a day or two to learn the track and get fast. After the second session we moved up to 28th place overall.
As soon as we are finished I change out of my racing suit and we load the car as quickly as possible and head out for the next track. Tomorrow we will be at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course outside of Lexington, Ohio. The distance this evening is only 478 miles, then we get some sleep and arrive at the track before 8 am.
Long distances between races, sleep deprevation, hardly any time to get to know the track. Sounds like a Guy's Heaven! Hope the car lasts OK. - Rick
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