Alzilla's race report from Laguna Seca

Alzilla · #1 11-26-2011, 06:56 PM

First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone on this forum who helped me get to this race. Without your support, I would've missed this opportunity to live out my dream.

When we arrived at the track on race day, we saw the paddock filled with many cars that would be capable of blowing our doors off. Despite the fast competition, I didn't let it phase me, figuring that finishing last in a race at Laguna Seca was still better than spending my Monday at work or dealing with the snow that had fallen in Minnesota over the weekend.

I was given the honor of having the first stint in the car to start the race. This gave me valuable time to refamiliarize myself with the car since I hadn't driven it since the Chumpionship at the beginning of September and also to get a feel for the track. The first thing I noticed once I got out on the track was that there was a very serious sounding clunk/grinding sound coming from the front end of the car whenever I decelerated. After being assured by the team captain that everything was OK, I started feeling more confident pushing the car. It didn't take long after the green flag dropped that I started turning out some pretty respectable lap times. With every lap, I could feel my confidence increasing as I began to chase down many of the slower cars and started challenging some of the higher horsepower cars for position.

Of course, on the straighter parts of the track, the muscle cars would start pulling away but I could start reeling them back in with every corner. With a lot of elevation change, the more powerful cars had plenty of pull when charging up the hill on the back side of the track but by screaming through some corners that the heavier cars had to brake for, I was able to keep up with just about everyone. The most famous corner at Laguna Seca, and arguably one of the most feared corners in the world, is called "The Corkscrew". It starts at the highest point of the track before dipping down a very steep hill with a quick left turn followed by a gradual, but completely blind, right hander. Although scary at first, the Escort was incredibly easy to flick through this corner at speed when there wasn't too much traffic in front. It also became my favorite corner to force other cars into making mistakes and giving up their position.

One of the other defining features of Laguna Seca are the very tight noise restrictions. Because of the number of expensive homes in the area, the track has set a 92dB sound limit for all cars racing at Laguna Seca. Shortly into my first stint, I was black flagged for violated the noise ordinance. Although there seemed to be quite a few louder cars on track, I came in and the team attempted to fix the problem. With some quick thinking, Mike jammed some steel wool into the exhaust outlet and hit it with a hammer until it was mangled enough to hold the steel wool in. Unsure of whether or not this would be good enough, I set out again and attempted to keep my momentum for as long as possible.

After my first stint in the car, we were in 2nd place and looking great to keep that momentum going. Mike went out next and immediately started turning good lap times. He called in on the radio a few times just to report how much fun he was having out there. I was glad to hear he shared the same experience that I had just minutes before, and James began to get more excited for his stint which was next. Mike continued to drive smoothly and after about 90 min on track, reported that he'd be coming in soon for fuel.

We sent James out on track in 5th place and after a few laps for him to get a feeling for the track, he started putting down ome great lap times and picking off some of the cars in front of us. Before long, we were back in 3rd and I was sent out for my second stint of the day.

My second stint went much like my first and I just stayed as consistent as possible and tried not to burn up the tires or brakes. By this point, I knew which cars were faster or slower than me, and I wasn't letting "red mist" draw me in to chasing down cars I'd never reasonably be able to catch. I was locked in on my line and just focusing on driving smoothly. Towards the end of my stint however, I was black flagged. I called into Mike on the radio and asked him to figure out why. He quickly got back to me after talking to a race steward and said that I was being black flagged for passing a car under yellow but I'd be OK if I let that car pass me again. I quickly dropped my pace and let the other car by and proceeded to follow him. Apparently that had not been good enough and I was forced into the pits where I had to sit for a lap before I could continue on to the last pit stop of the race.

After making it to our pit box, Mike hopped in and drove brilliantly with the other Escort in the race breathing right down his neck, trying to take 3rd place from us. Luckily, with just a couple of laps to go, they ran out of fuel and sputtered into the pits for a quick splash and dash but the damage had been done and this allowed us to take the checkered flag in a very respectable 3rd place!

None of us could believe that we'd come all this way with a car that was rebuilt at the last minute to claim 3rd at the best race track in the US! It's a great feeling that I'll never forget. This was truly a once in a lifetime race and finishing on the podium was just the icing on the cake!

I'd like to thank all of those who generously contributed to getting Three Sheets Racing to Laguna Seca for this race. Without your support, none of this would've been possible and I'm eternally grateful.

BigE · #2 11-26-2011, 07:04 PM

Awesome report on a job well done by you and your entire team Alex.

Congrats!!!!

mafishman1 · #3 11-26-2011, 07:06 PM

Awesome writeup Alex!! The pictures are great too. I think I can speak on behalf of everyone here that we are all extremely happy that you were able to have such a great time and are proud of your 3rd place finish. Happy you got to live a dream man.

JonA85 · #4 11-26-2011, 07:08 PM

Congrats Alex. I bet it made your experience even better finishing it 3rd. Thanks for sharing with the Team.

Barrister · #5 11-26-2011, 07:09 PM

Let me be one of the first to officially congratulate you Alex.

You really captured our imagination with this. I think we all felt like a part of it.

And now, A PODIUM FINISH!! Amazing.

Great job to you and your crew!!