Finally back on track, finally a new blog.

Wow it’s been a long time since my last blog.  The shop has been pretty quite since we got back from Laguna, but this week we finally got to get back on track!  It was really nice to get out of the shop and do some track work.  It was also nice to get to work with a new driver, Daniel Erickson.

The weather seemed to be working against.  Weather has been beautiful at the track until we decide to test, then it gets cold and rainy.  Only one session made up the first day and it was wet, which was a huge disappointment.  Luckily we were able to get on a dry track  eventually and it was a really good experience.  Daniel was able to impress all of us that got to work with him.  It was obvious early, even though it was his first time in the car, he had excellent car control.  After he become accustomed to the car we really got to dive in and start working with him on what was needed to get faster.  The lap times came down quickly as Daniel displayed his natural talent and his excellent ability to apply outside input to his driving.  It was really encouraging to see how quickly he was able to adapt and implement new things that we where throwing at him.  Encouraging enough that at the end of the second day we all felt that even though it was his first time in the car we could easily get him to the fast time of the track.  So, the next morning before Daniel had to leave for the airport we squeezed two sessions in.  The results of those two sessions where very encouraging.  It was again displayed that he obviously has the talent to be competetive, as he was able to get lap times that compare to the fastest of the track.  The more promising part is the manner in which he accomplished that.  Some of his minimum corners speeds where faster than any we had seen here, 6.9 mph faster.  That and the fact that in the toughest and fastest breaking zone of the track he was breaking 96 ft later than we’ve seen done before is amazing.  For it being his introduction to the Star Mazda racecar it was a very, very promising test.

It was great to get back out of the shop and on track.  It was even better to be able to work with Daniel and get the results that we did.  Leaves me waiting for our next chance to get on track.  I heard a rumor that very soon the legend, David Mundy may make an appearance and drive a car again!  Well, sounds a little far fetched to me, we’ll see.