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Newer Time Trials Adventures
SOLO SPECTACULAR “I’ve Got a Secret.” Anyone remember that game show from the golden age of television (the “golden age” being the 1950’s)? An innocuous-looking contestant sat in the hot seat, and a panel of celebrities attempted to guess the mystery guest’s special occupation (President Kennedy’s personal chef), lineage (great grandson of Robert E. Lee), or talent (swam the English Channel five times, in the winter, blindfolded). After my first SOLO I at Kershaw, I feel like I’ve got a secret. I know what it feels like to go fast. And…I LIKE IT! Before my first run on Saturday, the butterflies in my stomach had grown to the size of elephants. I was the proud possessor of a Novice SOLO I license. I carefully studied my rules and “sups.” I avidly listened to coaching from every helpful soul in the paddock, and my brain was spinning with thoughts of worker stations, flags, farming, rpm’s, double-clutches, and what-happens-if-I-run-into-a-tirewall-and-break-my-boyfriend’s-car?!!! On the grid, coach Thompson (a.k.a. “the boyfriend”) helped helmet me, strap me in, and tighten me down, so I felt like a roasting pig in a blanket designed by the Marquis de Sade. The last item was THE COLLAR. “I can’t move my head!” whines the novice to her coach. “That’s the idea,” he calmly replies, “Put on your gloves and tighten your belts.” As I sat there, awaiting my turn, the only thing that kept me from breaking down into hysterical tears was not wanting to get snot on my balaclava. I was gridded with Susan Clayburn, of Birmingham, who was in my shoes only last year. We ran the east part of Kershaw…1.18 miles. I got to go first. I took off in the CRX, managed to stay on the track, turned a blistering time of 85 seconds, and pulled back into pit row with a big grin on my face. Yeah, baby—I’m a racer chick!!! It was then I discovered I was so slow that Susan caught up with me and had to do a re-run. Ohhhh, the humiliation! Coach says: “Didn’t you see Susan in your rearview mirror?” Novice replies: “What mirror?” The South Carolina organizers had things moving pretty fast, so we all got three runs in on Saturday. (One thing the S.C. Region did, that was greatly appreciated, was provide lunch for the drivers on both Saturday and Sunday. The food was simple, but good.) On Saturday evening, Coach took me out to walk the track. Oh…so that’s what an apex is. Rumble strips…really? You mean I can use the whole track—I don’t have to stay in the middle? Those little numbers are markers, and I don’t have to brake 500 yards before the turn? Waddaya mean the answer to all problems is give it more gas?! Ohhhhkaaaaay. On Sunday, I concentrated on using the whole track, hitting the right spots on the rumble strips, and braking much, much later. I still managed to stay on the track, remembered to look at the worker stations about 50% of the time, kept an eye on my tach and rearview, learned what it feels like to slingshot out of a turn (Woohoo!!!!), and had a GREAT time. Thanks to a brief rain delay early Sunday afternoon, many of the SOLO I participants left the track ahead of schedule, giving some of us the chance to get in some more runs. Kudos to the workers who stayed out in the heat, letting us play. The “unofficial” time on my last lap: 71 seconds, according to Coach. And…since I was the only entrant in ITC, I brought home a trophy. What a hoot! The event was well-run, with very few glitches. Everyone ran safely, in spite of the fact that quite a few drivers were confused on the meaning of a red flag. The red flag was out for a while on Sunday, due to a deer and a couple of hunting dogs making use of east end of the track. One note: a sudden re-schedule of the Sunday morning driver’s meeting caused many participants to miss out and have to get information second-hand. Martin Bartlett, the event chairman, was a constant presence at both the SOLO I and II events, zipping around on his razor scooter. Steve Tompkins and Mark Mashburn did a great job keeping things running, and Jason Baggie got a first-rate education for running a SOLO event. Coach and I had a great time and hope to see everyone in Talladega. -- Ruthie Cartlidge
Blue Ridge Hillclimb -- May 17-18, 2003
Older Time Trials Adventures
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August 18, 2003
