Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Here is the list of tracks for 2019 One Lap of America. 
3500 miles in the central states area.  As far east as Ohio, as far west as Nebraska, north to Minnesota and south to Kentucky.  With the 1200 mile round trip from and to Pennsylvania and track miles and maybe a wrong turn or two we will be close to 5,000 miles.

Friday, June 1, 2018

BIG CHECK Presentation

Here is the ceremonial BIG CHECK presentation with Daniele Kockler of the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition.  So far this year we have raised $4617 and over the years almost $26,000 and have been recognized as being a PBCC Grassroots Partner.






Thursday, May 24, 2018

One Lap by the Numbers

This year we logged more miles than ever.  From leaving home in Mount Joy to returning home again we logged 5334 miles.  The schedule showed 3716 for the event plus 1200 miles from Mount Joy to South Bend and back home again.  That leaves 418 miles of which I estimated 182 on track miles which leaves 236 miles going back and forth to the hotels and maybe a wrong turn or two.  Tolls were $88. the Pennsylvania turnpike getting the biggest share.  Gas cost us $877 and hotels were $894.  The highest price for Hi-Test gas was $3.699 in Indiana and the lowest was in Oklahoma for $2.589, a big oil state.  One extra expense of about $150 was the purchase of two trailer tires/wheels.  I guess those little tires just can't hold up to the constant high speed transits on One Lap.  Our goal for the week was to finish in the top half of the field and we met that goal and finished 34th.  Our best event was an 8th place finish in the Dry Skid Pad Challenge.  71 vehicles started the event and 8 dropped out along the way, others broke but were able to fix their problems and continue on.  Of the eight that dropped out five showed up at South Bend at the end, 4 in rental or replacement cars and one went out and bought a Dodge Hell Cat.

One of the great numbers this year is that we set a record and raised over $4400, our best fundraising year ever, bringing our total over the years to over $25,000.  The Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition really appreciates our efforts and considers us a Grassroots supporter and it really feels good to raise money for such a good cause.  So many of our friends and loved ones have been affected by this terrible disease that we want to do all we can to help find a cure.

We will wrap up our fundraising in a few weeks, so if you still want to donate see Jesse Landis or myself.  If you would like to use your credit card go on line to www.pbcc.me and click donate.  Just be sure to mention One Lap of America when asked for what event.  Thanks You.












Tuesday, May 15, 2018

My co-driver Jesse's reflections of One Lap of America

Image may contain: car and outdoor
Top three finishers 2018 One Lap of America
One Lap of America was certainly an adventure. The wild cars and interesting people were of great interest. On the first day, it seemed like a large family reunion. Everyone was catching up with each other, having not seen these friends for a whole year. For being in a competitive situation, everyone got along real well, with rivals even helping each other. One day a driver slid into a wall and damaged a wheel. Quickly upon his arrival back at his park spot, several guys were looking under his car, offering their expertise to fix the damage. I heard stories of competitors giving each other spare car parts to get them back in the race. Many of these cars are more than a little modified, and every driver is so proud of his (or her) car.
It was really fun watching these guys speed around the track. Just watching them, you can tell that they just love it. There is so much waiting around, often in unbearable heat. And these guys are in their racing suits. Someone said that it's like being wrapped in a quilt. We also had 3 days where we had to drive more than 600 miles between tracks. We got to the hotel those nights around 2:00 and we were up by 7:00 to race another day. One morning after little sleep, we were going down the elevator to breakfast and one One Lapper said, "We do this for fun right?" It seems with all the hard work involved in racing, once the racing begins, it's all worthwhile.
The highlight of the trip for me was probably being with my college buddy at the track out near his home in Denver. I had told him that I would get him a ride in a car around the race track during the parade laps where any non racer for the day can drive a few laps around the track. As it turned out, he was able to drive his own Corvette around the track! He was thrilled. He thinks he may have found a new hobby. He was intrigued watching the races and asking questions of the drivers.
I also enjoyed the racing and chatting with the other drivers, but I am really out of my league there. All the mechanical discussions and racing techniques were mostly foreign to me, but I did learn a great deal. I can't say that I really want to run races. I like to drive my car fast when appropriate, but I really don't like roller coasters and other amusement park rides. I like parades. I like showing off our cars. Can't imagine beating my car like those guys do. We all like different things.
It was really something to see different parts of the country, even though there was no time to sight see. I wish we wouldn't have had to drive in the dark, as we couldn't see the landscape then.
Despite not ranking higher than he did, I think Jim had a good time. He has established many strong relationships. I was happy to try to make his experience as good as it could be. I really didn't drive that much, as I can tell Jim just enjoys driving. When I did drive, how could I not enjoy it? I was driving a Corvette!
Many thanks to all the donors for our charity, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, a very good cause. I think we raised more than $4000 this year with a running total of $23,000.
These were the the top 3 finishers.
1) 2015 Corvette Z06
2) 2016 McLaren 570S
3) 2008 Honda S2000

Monday, May 14, 2018

We made it Home!

After 5334 miles in 9 days we made it home at 11:36 Saturday evening.  What a great week of  beautiful weather a lot of camaraderie and competition on awesome racetracks around the country.  Thanks to Gary Giessmann, one of our fellow competitors for the picture.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Good Skid Pad finish

Had a great finish today, 8th,  on the Dry (somewhat) Skid Pad Challenge.  The running order for the Dry Skid Pad is reversed so the the car in last place goes first and the car in first place goes last.  The weather was unsettled today and the first cars up to near mid pack had good conditions.  By the time I ran it was raining but not saturated and I got a good run in.

Now just 600 miles back to Pa. and we will have traveled about 5330 miles in a little over a week.  Brock Yates once said we are out there doing this event in cars that are cleverly disguised as race cars, and also eat some of the finest foods gas stations and fast food places have to eat. Our goal on the week was to finish in the top half of the field and we did, finishing 34th out of 71 vehicles.

Friday, May 11, 2018

Friday at the National Corvette Museum trach'fri


Friday we ran at the NCM racetrack in Bowling Green Kentucky.  'We did two time trials on the track and an 'Autocross on their big autocross lot.  I did pretty well on the track events but not so good on the Autocross.  An interesting fact, the orange Viper in the picture beat me by 17 hundreths of a second in the morning and 30 hundreths in the afternoon. This is our last track event and now back to South Bend for the Dry Skid competition, unless it's raining, then it will be a wet or semi wet skid pad. After a beautiful week of weather it is calling for thunderstorms Saturday.

Of course we had to stop by and get a picture in front of the Corvette factory.


NOLA in New Orleans

Jim chillin between runs
Not a great start to the day at NOLA's  2.75 mile long course.  Only finished 40th in the morning but at least I did better in the afternoon with a 30th place finish.  This track is absolutely flat and has a major long front straight and it is fast.  I got 146+ miles per hour down the front straight, and then there is a turn coming up;^)

Heading out on track 
Got some major nice donation money yesterday and today and it will positively be my biggest year ever in fundraising for the Pa. 'Breast Cancer Coalition.  If you want to be part of this record year, see me or go on line and use your credit card to donate  at http://www.pbcc.me

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Texas Motorsports Ranch



If it's Wednesday it must be the Texas Motorsports Ranch.  One Lap of America is a rather intense week and sometimes you forget what day it is. So all you do is look at the schedule and see what track you are at to figure out the day;^)  We ran three track configurations today the 1.3 mile, the 1.7 mile and the combined at 3.1 mile.  Just so-so finishes on the day at 34th, 36th, and 39th, but it was much better than when I was here a few years ago.  It would really be nice to do a track day on these tracks before competing,  As it is we get one reconnaissance lap three competition laps and a cool down lap.  Quite a few competitors try to get around to each track and get practice before the event each year.  I just can't fit that into my life;^)

We also made a control stop at the Toyota headquarters in Dallas where the had kind of a mini car show with the cars they had competing in the event and also one of Kyle Bush's NASCAR Toyota. Thanks to Toyota and Odyssey Batteries for the refreshments.

We are still fundraising for the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition and had a few of my competitors make nice donations.  It looks like we will have a record year.  To donate with a credit card go to www.pbcc.me and be sure to say One Lap when asked for what event.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Great Day at High Plains Raceway

I had two good finishes at High Plains Raceway in Deer Trail, Colorado today.  Actually it was yesterday since we just got into the hotel at 2:30 am after a 740 mile transit to Cresson Texas.  I finished 34th and 30th and moved up to 32nd place in overall standings. We are heading in the right direction. Our goal this year is to finish in the top half of the field.

We have now logged over 3200 miles since we left Mount Joy.

There is still room on the roof for additional stickers in our fundraising effort for the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition.  See me or use your credit card on line at www.pbcc.me 
Still room for more  Breast Cancer stickers

Monday, May 7, 2018

Good Day at Hallett Oklahoma

I had a good day at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Oklahoma, finishing 26th and 31st in a field of 71.  This is a really neat course with a lot of elevation change.  We finished up early, which was great since we had a 600 plus mile run to Colorado and got in at a reasonable hour.
Bench racing with my buddy JD White at Hallett
Tomorrow after our event at High Plains Raceway we have over a 700 mile run down to Cresson Texas. We have now logged over 2100 miles since leaving Mount Joy.

Saw probably hundreds of Windmills in Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. 
Windmills in Kansas

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Autobahn and Gateway

Getting lined up to run

Our first road course of the week was at Autobahn near Chicago later Saturday afternoon after we finished the Wet Skid Pad competition.  Autobahn was only 106 miles away but after we finished there we had another 248 miles to go to Gateway near St. Louis where we would compete on Sunday.  I was not pleased with my effort a Autobahn but had a couple of pretty good runs at Gateway Motorsports Park.  We also had two Drag Strip events at Gateway.  I did ok in the first event a pure Elapsed Time run but kind of beat myself by breaking out in the Bracket Drags. I actually beat my competitor in both ET and top speed but went faster than my dial in time.
Jim on track at Gateway near St.Louis


Now we are off on a 436 mile run down to Oklahoma for two road course events at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit.

It begins with the Wet Skid Pad Competition

Jim on Wet Skid Pad
 We got started with the Wet Skid Pad competition. I did better than last year but fell many positions compared to last year.  Oh well.
I guess that reflects the higher level of competition that we are seeing each year.

Don't forget we are still fundraising for the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition and you can donate online at www.pbcc.me using your credit card. Just don't forget to mention One Lap of America when asked for what event. I would like to say thank you to all who have given.  Next up is our 1st road course at Autobahn Country Club Raceway near Chicago.

Friday, May 4, 2018

Leaving for One Lap of America


Here is the picture of us before heading
out to the 2018 One Lap of America.  This year the car is not yellow.  It is my blue 2008 Corvette.   This will be my 10 year and Jesse's 1st year.  We will travel as far west as Colorado and as far south as New Orleans.  The event itself is about 3600 miles but by the time we  drive to the Starting point in South Bend and then home at the end of the event we will log about 5,000 miles. We are still raising money for the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition by putting names on the roof for anyone who donates. Go on-line to www.pbcc.me to donate with credit card and be sure to mention 

One Lap of America when asked for what event. 

Just putting the last of the sticker on the Corvette.  Saturday starts the competition.

Wish us Good Luck!

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Union Community Bank makes Donation


 I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Union Community Bank for their generous donation to my fundraiser for the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition.  The $250 check presented by Carl Hackman today gets us closer to our goal.  I would like to also thank several of the bank employees for their donations to this very worthy cause.
We will be leaving very shortly on this years big adventure, the One Lap of America but we still have a lot of room on the roof for more stickers for those who would like to donate. Stop in the store or you can donate by credit card online at pbcc.me  be sure to mention One Lap of America when asked for what event. Many of us have friends, family or loved ones who have been touched by this terrible disease.  Thank you for helping us reach our goal, and wish us Good Luck on our Adventure.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Graphics now on the car

     A big THANK YOU to Bud Barton of Barton Signs and Apparel, located in (Rheems) Elizabethtown, Pa. for finishing up the graphics on the car.  Here is a picture of Bud with the finished car.  Well it's not quite finished we still have the National sponsor to put on yet when we get to South Bend in a couple weeks.
 
We are struggling a little with our fundraising goal.  If you have been wanting to help now is the time. There is still space left on the roof for additional donation stickers. Over the years we have raised funds for the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition by putting Pink Ribbon stickers on the roof of the Corvette for anyone who makes a donation and you can ride along on our adventure vicariously.  We will put your name on the sticker or the name of someone you would like to Honor, or in Memory of someone.  Just see Jesse Landis or me and make all checks payable to Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition or PBCC for short.  If you would like to use your credit card you can log onto http://www.PBCC.me/donate, be sure to fill in One Lap of America when asked for event.
I also included a picture of Jesse and I in our Pink Volunteer shirts, promoting our fundraising effort. 

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

THANK YOU SPONSORS


Barton Signs, A new sponsor this year
 I would really like to say a big THANK YOU to our sponsors.  Without them I would not be able to participate in this One Lap of America.  A new sponsor this year is Barton Signs & Apparel from Elizabethtown, Pa. who is doing the graphics on the car.  They are joined by Auto-Locator, Top of the Line Roofing, Whitmoyer Auto Group, Krunch Kritters Spray and Body Shop, Jim's Scrap Tire Service, Lancaster County Corvette Club, and Two Cousin's Pizza and Italian Restaurant in
Front of the T shirts we will be wearing 
Mount Joy.


As previously announced, this year my Transit Driver will be another fellow Lancaster County Corvette Club member Jesse Landis .  . Jesse and I will share the highway transit driving and I will do all the competitive driving when we compete at each of the tracks. This year we will race on 7 different tracks, do 2 skid pad competitions, one Autocross and 2 drag events.

Back of our T shirts for our fundraising effort.
This is such a world class event that I wanted to use it to do some community good and decided several years ago to raise money for the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition.  Our accumulated total to date is over $20,000 raised for a great cause. This year we are a bit challenged with our fundraising and can use all the help we can get.  A DONATION OF $10 OR MORE GETS YOUR NAME ON THE CAR.    You can also put a name on in Memory or in Honor of someone. For those interested in donating and getting your name on a sticker on the car please  stop in at West Main Auto in Mount Joy or see Jesse or me, (make all checks payable to PBCC or Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition). If it is more convenient just go to pbcc.me/donate online and you can donate using your credit card.  Be sure to note One Lap of America when asked for which event. The Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition is a great resource and represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization that creates the hope of a brighter tomorrow by providing action and information for women with breast cancer today.   Thank You    Jim Roberts

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

New Transit Driver---Jesse Landis

JimBob Racing is pleased to announce that fellow Lancaster County Corvette Club member Jesse Landis will be my new Transit Driver for 2018.  As a Transit Driver Jesse will help with the highway miles as well as help me maintain the car during the event.  Jesse is from Mount Joy, is a Corvette enthusiast and owns a new C7 Corvette.   He is a very active soccer referee, so he certainly will have the stamina for this event.  Jesse might have to be a bike mechanic too since I will be taking my folding bike along to try to  get a preview ride on the tracks since we only get one reconnaissance lap at each track event before we start competing.

We are asking for donations, and for anyone donating $10 or more we will put your name or the name of someone you would like to Honor on a Pink Ribbon sticker on the roof of the Corvette.  Since many people have had someone they know afflicted by this terrible disease many of the donations are larger than the $10 which has helped us raise about $3700 last year.  Jesse and I are both soliciting donations and if anyone reading this is sympathetic to the Breast Cancer cause and would like to help us and be a fundraising Captain, let me know and I will provide you with some materials and donation sheets.  Over the past years we have raised over $20,000.  The Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition, represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants.

If you would like to make a donation and get a sticker on the car, see Jim or stop in the store or send to Jim Roberts, %West Main Auto. 14 W. Main St. Mount Joy, Pa. 17552 along with who to name on the sticker.  We can put your name on the sticker or the name of someone who has dealt with Cancer that you would like to honor, or in Memory of.   I always say that with your name on the sticker you will be riding along vicariously on our awesome trip.  Please make all checks payable to Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition or PBCC for short.  You can also use your credit card to donate, just visit http://www.pbcc.me  Click on Donate and follow the instructions. Be sure to fill in One Lap of America when asked for title of event. Thank you so much for your help.

 Please follow along on Facebook at Jim's One Lap Adventure.  I also still maintain my blog at www.onelapadventure.blogspot.com which has the same current content but you can find older stories going back 9 years. Wish us Good Luck!

Friday, February 23, 2018

One Lap of America 2018 Map

Here is the map of this years One Lap of America.  I am starting to get ready for this year event in which we will compete in early May.  Every year we do a different route, this year we will be traveling as far west as Colorado and as far south as New Orleans covering 3500 miles.  With the miles to South Bend and back home, the total will be almost 5,000 miles in about 9 days.

This will be my 10th One Lap and we have raised over Twenty Thousand dollars for the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition over the last few years.  Make a donation and you can ride along "vicariously" (with your name on the top of the car) on the trip and help a great cause at the same time.  The Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition, represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants.  To make a donation and get a sticker on the car, stop in at the store or send to Jim Roberts % West Main Auto, 14 W. Main St. Mount Joy, Pa. 17552 along with who to name on the sticker.  Make all checks payable to PBCC for short.  You can also visit http://www.pbcc.me/donate  and donate by using your credit card.  Just click on Donate and follow the instructions. Be sure to fill in One Lap of America when asked for title of event.

To help follow the adventure, I still maintain a blog at www.onelapadventure.blogspot.com where you can also find older stories. Or you can "Like" my Facebook page at Jim's One Lap Adventure. Keep watching for more updates.