Monday April 16th, 2007

After a good nights sleep at the Motodrom Hotel at Hockenhiem Ring in Stuttgart Germany it was up and to the track for running and stretching in preparation for both our long day attacking the 'ring and for the upcoming running and biking competition in Spain.




We took a short walk under the track and ended
up just inside pit lane.






We took some time and warmed up in the pits area. After some brisk walking and light running, we were sent out on the ring to do a lap and get our heart rates up to the Polar OwnZone to give everyone a taste of what it was to come in Spain.


It was a beautiful Spring morning, there was a little mist on the track that made the experience of running on a F1 track even more surreal. It quickly burned off and we had a clear track.

As we ran up the parabolic straight, i got to thinking about how fast we were going to get going at the end. Let me tell you, I couldn't have really been ready for how fast it was.

Here is our fearless leader Silvana in an easy gate enjoying the morning.



She makes it look easy, while the rest of us are out there chugging along.





After our warm up run, it was time to circle up the group and do some stretching.



If you look at the picture, you can see that somebody was really confidant in their driving skills and was out doing dough nuts before we got there. I wonder if there were any pit lane penalties handed out for that stunt.






After the run we were comparing what our watches were showing for our heat rates, I think that there was a problem with Lee's watch

... (mine is red, his is gray)



Next up was a tasty breakfast buffet of all the tasty German goodness. I'm not really sure why these guys look so serious, it's all in good fun, right?

After a quick shower, we emptied out of our rooms, packed up the cars and moved the show into the infield of the track for a quick briefing where we got to hear about the days activities.

So they talked...













and we listened...







We were told that in the morning session we would do some reconnaissance laps in a lead and follow format and that the Rookie group (the Americans) would have to take a few low speed runs at the hairpin turn at the end of the famed parabolic striaght.

We all lined up and Ralf stood in the infield just before the corner and gave us pointers about braking points and turn in.














The Dunlop Sport MAXX tires gripped pretty well and helped show off that the 350's were still setup with comfort in mind.




Can you say body roll? I'm not sure if it was Egon or I that was driving, but I know that whoever it was should have been off the brakes by that point. That is why we test, right?






There was a quick briefing about things to watch for at full speed and then it was back to the pits.













After the time spent at the hairpin, we each did a few full laps of a lead and follow exercise to familiarize ourselves with this famous course. We then parked the cars and went in for a fantastic lunch buffet.

After carb-loading at lunch we met in the Baden-Wurttemberg Center for a drivers meeting.














Dunlop ran the event with stereotypical German efficiency, so we signed in for all of our drivers meetings and were penalized for being late.













After everyone had assembled, we had our drivers meeting. We learned that we would be scored, not on lap speed, but on how well we drove. Specifically, we were scored on cornering execution, braking and accelerating. The driving instructors would be placed at key (but unknown to us) points on the track to watch and evaluate our driving. The scoring on this event would not involve any timing equipment and would be totally subjective.

After the meeting, it was back to the garage to have another look at the course map, devise a plan and get ready to ride!







What's that I see ahead?

Ah yes, it looks like victory!








We took one warm up lap and then it was time to grid for the start of the judging.
We went into grid in the order that we finished the carting race the day before and Manfred started us, two cars at a time by waving the German flag.


All lined up and ready to rock and roll!











We had a pretty long session to prove our skill and as time went, the group spread out and you got to concentrate on cutting the perfect corner after hitting the braking marker exactly.










We went in two groups, I went first and then Egon loaded in the car and headed out to the grid.













Is that the look of a guy who is ready to do battle, or what!


Egon took off like a mad man and looked great.





Only time would tell what the judges thought.



Here, trusty #14 charges through the famed Motordrom







After the second group ran, we gathered up again to hear the results and opinions of our fearless leaders.


There was good news to be had! The instructors said that they were pleased with the group as a whole and shocked to announce that the "rookie" Americans had tied for first and taken fifth!





Needless to say that we were all surprised to see how well we had stacked up against this group of international talent and were curious to see how things would go as the competition progressed.









At the end of the day, this is how things looked. It was a strong start for the Americans as a whole, but it a very long competition and anything can happen. Egon and I were happy with our finish, but hoped to move up at some point. After all, just being top 5 in a field this deep is an honor.







We got into a group again and took a photo to commemorate the successful finish of the first full competition day.



That's a great looking group of people, don't you think?








After the photo opportunity, it was time again, to pack into the Z350's and head down the road to Stuttgart and load onto the train for the overnight trip to France and the Dunlop test facility at Mireval .

Till next time, keep it on track!