Spiel

slippery slope from an equipment and set-up standpoint. I'm willing to plunge ahead and test this theory! (Continued on next page) I go to the red tent and pick-up my track packet and number that I chosen during the on-line sign-up and my helmet rental. For my number, I wanted to pick a historical important Porsche racing model number like 917, 962, 956 or 908, but they were already taken (no surprise), so I chose 907. I've raced mountain bikes for over 25 years and feel comfortable wearing helmets, so I thought an automotive helmet wouldn't feel much different. I was wrong. It's bigger and bulkier and weighs considerable more. I tried on several different sizes and brands and finally decide on a size medium Bell. I return to my car, apply my number on both side windows fore of the C-pillar and remove all the loose items inside my car onto my pit-space. You don't want to be distracted by a pen rattling around in the foot-box while trying to brake and down-shift through a corner! Soon it's time for the drivers meeting and I head over to the main grandstand to hear what Head Driving Instructor Tom Pritchett has to say about today's DE event. Tom reiterates the important topics that were covered during the New Driver's Meeting that attended a fortnight ago: 'let-by' zones, flag colors and their meaning and general driver expectations. Tom explains to everyone that this is NOT a race, but a chance for everyone to get out and have fun while exploring you and your car's limits while not impeding the pace of others. I like his philosophy! The drivers are divided into groups based on experience and I'm in the novice, or 'D' group. The faster groups (A, B, C) will go beforehand in 30-minutes session each, so I'll be heading out last. This is both good and bad. The good part of going last is in that I have a chance to watch the experienced drivers take the ideal lines through turns eight, nine and ten and watch the passing etiquette on the front straight 44 SEPTEMBER 2013 'let-by' zone. I have a feeling that I will using my hand to wave other drivers by often. The bad part of going last is the growing anxiousness that I am feeling with getting out on track with other enthusiasts and not wanting to make a fool of myself or worse, stuffing my car into a guardrail! This waiting time also allows me to meet my driver instructor for the day, Randy Wells. Randy is a soft spoken guy with a calm and deliberate teaching style that I will soon learn to appreciate. We go over the track layout and proper racing line using a map and he describes to me some of the track's idiosyncrasies. I've watched the SOVERN Historic Races here during the Independence Day weekend for many years from the numerous vantage points around the track, so I have a pretty good understanding of the track layout and flow. Or so I thought. I tell Randy what some of my expectations are and that I hope to get signed-off by the end of the day as a 'Solo' driver. Before I know it, the first call for Group 'D' grid is given and I hurry back to my car and prepare myself by putting on my helmet and thinking about the adventure that immediately lies ahead. Randy joins me shortly in the car and we install the radio communication devices in our helmets. With the ear-piece now fitted inside my helmet I now realize that I should have chosen a large-sized Bell instead of the medium as my left ear is beginning to ache. With radio checks complete, we head out of the paddock area to form a line to the entrance to the track. My adrenaline is now pumping overtime through my dilated veins and my pulse rate has quickly ramped-up above 130 bpm. Randy tells me that there will be four, 30-minutes sessions and this first session will be exploratory in nature while I come up to speed on the track layout and my comfort level in the car. This helps settle my nerves somewhat. One by one, the track marshal lets each car on to track in measured

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