Days like Saturday aren’t my favorite to be at the track. It felt like you just got out of the shower as soon as you stepped outside. It was HOT, I saw 96° at one point! The first practice session I took it easy, seeing if the chassis acted weird or if anything fell off. Success! Yeah for not failing! After two more practice sessions and various chassis adjustments all was right in the world and the weld was holding up fine. Because of 2+ inches of rain during the week, the rubber was almost completely washed off the track. Add the heat beating down on the track and grip was at a premium. I went into qualifying telling myself slow in, fast out, be smooth, and hit my marks. Qualified second, a couple tenths and change off of pole. We were on our games and had a couple seconds on the rest of the field. For whatever reason, the TAG class has had a weak turnout for all races this year...
For the Pre-Final I got an awesome start when the green flag flew and jumped out to the lead! Hammer down, I lead all 8 laps green to checker, taking the win. Kyle pressured but couldn’t pass, even though a few attempts were made. With the temps dropping slightly, the track was finally starting to get grippy allowing me to lay down fast lap of the session.
Rolling out for the Feature on pole I knew whoever got the best start would probably take the win. My plan was to shoot inside and then drift out running like hell to get away. AAARRGH! WRONG! This time I got crappy start, banged side pods with Kyle through the first turn, which allowed him to get ahead me as we charged up the hill. He really turned the wick up and it was all I could do to keep pace. I never got close enough to make a real battle out of it, he was just faster throughout the entire race. With a big lead on 3rd place I coasted the last lap bringing it home in 2nd place.
Can’t complain, the frame seems like it wasn’t affected by the welding repair and 2nd place podium finish is cool by me! I was just glad to get out of my sweat drenched driving suit and crack open an ice cold NASCAR Light after a long, hot day!
And finally, actual video of the race! I still need to tweak the camera to get a better view of the action...something is better than nothing though! I should start recording both the Pre-Final and Feature...and I need another camera to use as a “loser cam,” pointing backwards to see the action behind me.
61 Kartway Race #9 from Morgan Schuler on Vimeo.
And here’s the vid from Kyle from the second race of the year. I was just behind him watching the action hoping someone would make a mistake...too bad he couldn’t make the last corner pass, I was waiting to come through too!
Not sure if I’m racing this weekend or not. I could go out to Indy or Road America up in Wisconsin...what does everyone have planned for the 4th? For sure we’ll be racing at the next 61 Kartway club race, July 10th and then take off July 13-17th for the Rotax Grand Nationals.
Your friend and my favorite,
Morgan
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