Well, I had a great time and I didn’t even get to drive or touch the car. (The touch the car part was a condition of pre-registration of the Lemons Event for the crew.) I must admit, I’ve been watching Bernie for 3 years now at HPDE’s and most recently, Time Trials, and nothing has even come close to tweaking my interest in track like this event has done. It really had it all!
We got to Camden Thursday evening and the guys pushed the car into the garage early Friday morning. Friday they were able to do practice laps at pre-assigned times. The cooling problem plagued them throughout the day. Once everything that could be done, including pressure bleeding the cooling system, taking out and then changing the thermostat, had been done, there was only one thing remaining to do. Change the radiator. Walter had brought an extra one, just in case. Changing it was quick but they could only drive around the paddock by that time, around 6:30 PM, (and a little sneak test drive down the road, gutsy maneuver, Kendt,) so they really didn’t know for sure if it was fixed until Saturday when the race began. I could hardly breathe watching Kendt, who was the 1st behind the wheel, until he had been on the track for over 15 minutes and didn’t come in. Apparently, the old dog wasn’t heating up. Bernie was 2nd in line to drive and when Kendt came in the report was, “water temp is holding, brakes are long and going to the floor.” Try to keep them cool. As it turned out there were enough cautions that the brakes were manageable throughout day one. When they were black flagged near the end of the day they bled the brakes and that seemed to take care of that problem.
How was the driver order established? After a little Friday evening refreshment at a really good restaurant, drawing straws seemed the best method, so that’s what happened. On Sunday Tom, Team Captain, established the order. Everyone had their assignments, helping drivers in and out, getting them strapped in, getting the cool shirts hooked up and the cooler refilled, checking tire temps, etc. Saturday could have been faster but was a great teaching tool for Sunday. Sunday went great. Saturday it was overcast, not really hot, and Walter spent most of his driving hour in the rain. Sunday was sunny and hot. The cool shirts saved the day and made VK’s hour and 20 minutes on Sunday morning easier.
Watching the People’s Curse car being destroyed was a hoot. One car got tarred and feathered and another driver had to plant a tree while being pelted with tofu. Now that’s just classy!
Thanks to our THSCC Prez, Stephen, who supported the team by driving all the way down just for a few hours. Also Gordon and Cathy Taylor and Alex Maier who came down for both days. Again, I want to thank the Men of DoriftoDog for letting me tag along, and feel like I was a little part of a really great event.
The Men of DoriftoDog (Please note the collars!)
Pleeease let this fix it!
Passing after T14.
Entering the chicane.
_________________
SCCA Solo Triad Award Recipient 2014
SCCA HSL National Champion 2012
SCCA DSL National Champion 2013
SCCA DSL National Champion 2014
NCR National Driver of the Year 2012
THSCC Heel of the Year 2011
Former Club Secretary
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