This is the page for real-time updates from the 2012 One Lap of America event from Ex-Pat Racing. We will post updates, videos, photos and status for the One Lap of America as we go. We'll also add some pre-event news as it happens too.


Saturday, May 12, 2012

Day 11: The last event, dry skid pad, 490 miles

So we started the day without a hangover and with 15th place overall. In order to maintain that position, we had to complete the skid pad no worse than 14 places below our nearest rival which was the Roush stage 3 Mustang for Mustangs and Fast Fords Magazine. What a couple of great guys they were too.

I received some advice from a Tire Rack employee on skid pad tire pressures which seemed counter-intuitive to me, but I followed it (low, low pressures, particularly in the rear). Luckily, just before the start we ran into Peter (84Gold) a fellow GT3 driver who disagreed with the advice, so Pat had to run to get the compressor and was putting air in my tires as I was inching along in the pre-stage area. We got it done just in time!

The cars ran in reverse order compared to the current overall standing, so as long as I was better than 14th when I came off the skid pad then we’d still be in 15th place. Had TC and SC both off and used third gear. Had the car squealing the tires all the way round in both directions and managed 0.999g for 7th (at that time). That guaranteed us 15th overall! We were so happy!






BTW, we were placed 17th in the skid pad event.

Then we had the burnout exhibition, the awards and the banquet. The BMW factory driver, Mike Renner, put on a great display of skill in the drifting contest. I was all loaded up with gear in the car ready to go home, that's my excuse for not playing. Honest.

We headeed back to the Hotel, loaded up the truck, put the Porsche on the trailer for the 1300 miles trip home. We managed 490 miles and made it to South of Nashville. TIRED! It was so nice to wake up the following morning and not have to rush off!











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