Tomorrow Jon and I will be up bright an early and on our way for a day of racing at Sear's Point. (That would Infineon for those of you who don't speak "corporate rule.") Sears Point holds lot of special memories for both Jon and myself...Since I was a teenager I have watched many of the greatest of all time drivers work their magic at this track. Little did I know that this was destine to be one of my home tracks where I would end up spending more than my fair share of track time. Now that I think about it, this is the first place I ran into Jon... Literally. We where racing in the "California's Best Pro Sedan Series" during a championship race. At full speed coming thru the fastest section of the track Jon made a daring outside pass at the entrance of turn 9. On a good day it would have been no problem but I guess Jon forgot it was wet that day and we tapped ever so gently which caused me to begin an extremely good looking slide down the middle of the track. The end result was I backed into the tire wall in turn 10 but I was able to keep it far enough out of the wall that there was no damage and I was still able to keep my position in the race. As soon as I pulled into my paddock spot Jon was there to greet me and apologize, asking me if I was ok and to see how my car was. I remember that same smile Jon had that day and it's the same one he wears today. It's a racer's smile... the kind that can be very hard to get mad at or the same one that is warning you you're about to receive a can of "whoop-ass." Lucky for Jon it was the prior. LOL. That was my introduction to Jon and one I was lucky to enjoy.
Now this weekend Jon and I are going to Sears Point not only to race bit to meet some of the guys that are bringing cars that have ran in the La Carrera Panamericana. I am looking forward not only to meeting them and seeing their cars but also to talk to them and pick their brains for information not to mention see how their cars are set up and hear some of their stories.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Why a Shelby GT350 R-Model?
Some interesting trivia about why I chose the Shelby GT350R.
The newest model year car that can run in the La Carrera Panamericana is a 1965 so that narrowed the field down as to what my choices would be. In the Historica "C" Class that we will run in much of the car is required to be original. Again part of my choice is simply because much of the 1965 GT350 R-Model car was in fact lightweight making it an obvious choice and don't forget the fact these cars dominated the race tracks and highways for years.
The GT350R Model Shelbys were unique in that they represented the first time an American manufacture offered a strictly-for-racing competition model which could be purchased from a dealer and which would require nothing after delivery. Essentially it was "Race -Ready". In 1965 or 1966 you could walk into any Shelby dealership, purchase a full-specification GT350 R-Model and take it (by trailer because these cars were never intended to be driven on the street) directly to the race track and race it.
There are many exciting features that where available in these machines that were as exciting to a racer as the car. One description of this car was the mention in an advertisement as having "Fire-proof Interior." This was because all of the stock Mustang upholstery and insulation were deleted. On introduction, Shelby gave notice to all Corvette racers that, "The only time a Corvette would see Victory Lane is if a Shelby GT350 didn't show up."
Another special feature of the 1965 GT350 R-Model was a 20 pound weight saving was gained by using a Plexiglas rear window. It was unique with a 1-inch space at the top which acted as a duct to remove air accumulating inside the car and introducing it as a layer of air over the rear window at speeds. This created what is known as a "Laminar flow" a principal that added an extra 5 horsepower to the car's top speed.
There are many other reasons for choosing this car besides these few items and based on past personal experience with many muscle and race cars alike including the Shelby I still own and I am positive this is the best choice for the La Carrera Panamericana and us. It is going to fit more like a glove than a car.... racing glove that is.
The newest model year car that can run in the La Carrera Panamericana is a 1965 so that narrowed the field down as to what my choices would be. In the Historica "C" Class that we will run in much of the car is required to be original. Again part of my choice is simply because much of the 1965 GT350 R-Model car was in fact lightweight making it an obvious choice and don't forget the fact these cars dominated the race tracks and highways for years.
The GT350R Model Shelbys were unique in that they represented the first time an American manufacture offered a strictly-for-racing competition model which could be purchased from a dealer and which would require nothing after delivery. Essentially it was "Race -Ready". In 1965 or 1966 you could walk into any Shelby dealership, purchase a full-specification GT350 R-Model and take it (by trailer because these cars were never intended to be driven on the street) directly to the race track and race it.
There are many exciting features that where available in these machines that were as exciting to a racer as the car. One description of this car was the mention in an advertisement as having "Fire-proof Interior." This was because all of the stock Mustang upholstery and insulation were deleted. On introduction, Shelby gave notice to all Corvette racers that, "The only time a Corvette would see Victory Lane is if a Shelby GT350 didn't show up."
Another special feature of the 1965 GT350 R-Model was a 20 pound weight saving was gained by using a Plexiglas rear window. It was unique with a 1-inch space at the top which acted as a duct to remove air accumulating inside the car and introducing it as a layer of air over the rear window at speeds. This created what is known as a "Laminar flow" a principal that added an extra 5 horsepower to the car's top speed.
There are many other reasons for choosing this car besides these few items and based on past personal experience with many muscle and race cars alike including the Shelby I still own and I am positive this is the best choice for the La Carrera Panamericana and us. It is going to fit more like a glove than a car.... racing glove that is.
Time is running out
I can't believe it, I haven't even picked up the car yet and already there is less than 12 months to build the car and prepare everything for the race. There is so much research to do yet, parts to locate let alone work to be done... Oh yeah, and a life to live, family to raise and a business to run. I am a big fan of putting itineraries down on paper not only to help with a visual reference to see how realistic things look but also as a check off sheet and as items get checked off sometimes it helps me find other items that may need attention. So as I was putting a time line together things looked good but from experience I also know all too often time limes fall behind schedule. My goal is to stay as close to the time line as possible which will help me sleep nights.
Monday, October 02, 2006
How do you know if you're lucky?
Someone asked me today how I really felt about luck and race cars. Here are a few favorite quotes that pretty much sum it up for me...
"I am a strong believer in luck and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." -
-- Benjamin Franklin
"Fortune has rarely condescended to be the companion of genius." - -- Isaac Disraeli
Luck Favors the Prepared Mind
He worked by dayand toiled by nightHe gave up playand some delightDry books he readnew things to learnand forged aheadsuccess to earnHe plodded onwith faith and pluckand when he wonthey called it luck
"Men live at the mercy of forces they cannot control. Belief in fortune and luck, good and evil, is one of the most widespread and persistent of human beliefs." - John Dewey
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" - Seneca, Roman Dramatist
"Fortes fortuna adiuvat" (Fortune favors the brave) - Latin proverb
"You make your own luck"
"Luck is the residue of design" - Branch Rickey
The bottom line is, from experience having won many long endurance races, I can tell you sure there were some lucky moments, but at the same time in retrospect I know most of them were a result of "What if" preparation. Success breeds success and luck is simply it's off-spring. A man can count on too much luck but he can never be too prepared.
"I am a strong believer in luck and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." -
-- Benjamin Franklin
"Fortune has rarely condescended to be the companion of genius." - -- Isaac Disraeli
Luck Favors the Prepared Mind
He worked by dayand toiled by nightHe gave up playand some delightDry books he readnew things to learnand forged aheadsuccess to earnHe plodded onwith faith and pluckand when he wonthey called it luck
"Men live at the mercy of forces they cannot control. Belief in fortune and luck, good and evil, is one of the most widespread and persistent of human beliefs." - John Dewey
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" - Seneca, Roman Dramatist
"Fortes fortuna adiuvat" (Fortune favors the brave) - Latin proverb
"You make your own luck"
"Luck is the residue of design" - Branch Rickey
The bottom line is, from experience having won many long endurance races, I can tell you sure there were some lucky moments, but at the same time in retrospect I know most of them were a result of "What if" preparation. Success breeds success and luck is simply it's off-spring. A man can count on too much luck but he can never be too prepared.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Lucky is with us
When I was a young man I lost a good friend at much too early of an age. I will always remember him as a fine gentleman that had such a mature nature but at the same time he had a wild side that demanded respect from everyone in his presence. His name was Lucky Siewell and he was someone that everyone enjoyed calling their best friend. Lucky had one of those smiles that melted the gals and put all the guys at rest. Lucky drove one of the most beautiful Fords I have ever seen to this day. It was a red and white Ford Sunliner with the retractable hardtop that folded into the trunk and it had custom red and white tuck and roll interior. What a car and Lucky knew how to make that bad boy lit up the highway.
I was blessed to have had him and his wife Rosie as my friends like so many others. I have never forgotten Lucky and many times over the last 40 years he has stood out in my memories as being one of those guys that I wished was still around and I miss him. For that reason I would like to save a spot on this car to place Lucky's name so he can tag along in spirit as we raise some hell in Mexico. I can't think of anyone more fitting to have ridding along with us than him. Hang on Lucky, we're going to Guatemala, flipping a U-turn and coming home
I was blessed to have had him and his wife Rosie as my friends like so many others. I have never forgotten Lucky and many times over the last 40 years he has stood out in my memories as being one of those guys that I wished was still around and I miss him. For that reason I would like to save a spot on this car to place Lucky's name so he can tag along in spirit as we raise some hell in Mexico. I can't think of anyone more fitting to have ridding along with us than him. Hang on Lucky, we're going to Guatemala, flipping a U-turn and coming home
Going to the Jon
While doing my research in preparation for this race I realized one major difference is that to do well in this race one needs the help of a good navigator. Now the first thought I had was how terrible it is having a navigator telling me what to do... "SLOW DOWN!... TURN, TURN, TURN!... Go left!. Go Right! NO, I SAID RIGHT!..... YOU MISSED THE TURN!!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!" But that's enough about my wife.
My decision as to who I wanted to be my navigator and co-driver on this race was a simple one. I chose Jon Emerson because first of all he's already a member of California's Best Racing Team but also because he's the kind of driver I trust and trust is the common denominator when it comes to having a voice in your helmet telling you, "STEP ON IT... YOU CAN MAKE IT!" Over the years Jon and I have fought hard against each other when we competed and in every case each of us knew that regardless of how fast we were going, we could trust each other door to door as we took corners at breath-taking speeds. Later on in our racing we gelled to become teammates and I have learned several things about Jon... First and foremost is he knows and understands the word "TEAM". But equally as important is he wants to win. There is always the possibility that I may have a bad day for whatever reason and having a teammate like Jon is an important decision since he needs to be supportive and will probably share in some of the driving.
But Jon has even more than just those few attributes. He brings a lot more to the table. Jon is a wiz when it comes to all things electronic and more and it is also due to his work related field that we have made some contacts with the movie production field and some doors have been opened.
As events happen there will be plenty more to hear about Jon and our friendship and this journey we are taking together. It's also very important to both of us how supportive our wives and families have been with regards to this adventure and they are equally major in this as well. The botton line is... going to the Jon isn't always a bad thing.
My decision as to who I wanted to be my navigator and co-driver on this race was a simple one. I chose Jon Emerson because first of all he's already a member of California's Best Racing Team but also because he's the kind of driver I trust and trust is the common denominator when it comes to having a voice in your helmet telling you, "STEP ON IT... YOU CAN MAKE IT!" Over the years Jon and I have fought hard against each other when we competed and in every case each of us knew that regardless of how fast we were going, we could trust each other door to door as we took corners at breath-taking speeds. Later on in our racing we gelled to become teammates and I have learned several things about Jon... First and foremost is he knows and understands the word "TEAM". But equally as important is he wants to win. There is always the possibility that I may have a bad day for whatever reason and having a teammate like Jon is an important decision since he needs to be supportive and will probably share in some of the driving.
But Jon has even more than just those few attributes. He brings a lot more to the table. Jon is a wiz when it comes to all things electronic and more and it is also due to his work related field that we have made some contacts with the movie production field and some doors have been opened.
As events happen there will be plenty more to hear about Jon and our friendship and this journey we are taking together. It's also very important to both of us how supportive our wives and families have been with regards to this adventure and they are equally major in this as well. The botton line is... going to the Jon isn't always a bad thing.
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