tintedpane.com

UPDATED: ER has posted times.

A lovely day indeed. Twas rainy, windy, and sunny at the track out in Mineral Wells. Since it’s 80 miles from Dallas, only the hardcore people showed up. And that meant less people and tougher competition. Lots and lots of Corvettes mostly. C5’s and one C4. Four cars in my class and two in John’s. No DNF’s this time and no cones and like my very first autocross at Texas Motor Speedway, each run improved by significant margins. In the end I lowered my time by over 8 seconds from the first run. I wish it took less runs to familiarize myself with the course as this Equipe Rapide has six runs instead of the usual 3-4 that SCCA Solo II has. It’d be nice if I could paint the apex cones yellow to set them apart from the ones that don’t matter as much. I fear this time that John had an experience more similar to my one at Pennington. He didn’t do poorly but…he’ll probably write about it on his weblog when he gets the chance.

I really love the way autocross lets you explore the limits of your car and your abilities. I have much greater confidence and know-how when it comes to driving at the limits now. Plus the ability to initiate a slide and correct it is quite entertaining and valuable at the same time. This also extends to the great pleasure I derive from driving my E30. I really love the way the car is balanced and the great feedback it gives. Even more so now that I remembered to adjust my front shocks (I had just left them on the softest setting since installing them two summers ago :-p). Transitions are now more balanced and body roll seems reduced as well.

Ok, nuff bout cars.

I was thinkin on the drive back home how life has some similarities to a short trip in the city. Some people will follow behind a slow driver cause they’re afraid to venture out and pass. Some always drive in the fast lane at their own pace and hold other people back while thinking their pace is perfect or “no one should be faster than me”. It’s also like trying to race someone to a destination. You might both be trying really hard but sometimes a stoplight will just force you to stop and let the other person pass. It’s not like you didn’t try your best; life just happens. Then there are those who take their own path and enjoy the trip, every turn, ever takeoff, every passing maneuver.

I hope that I’m (my friends as well) like that — enjoying what has been placed before me and not caring whether or not I’ll make it but just trying and having fun along the way.

Pics to come later…