It was a long and exciting weekend for coaches at HOD’s return to VIR. Due to competition from other racing and HPDE events along the east coast, we initially had a shortage of coaches. Despite this, GTM made a strong showing of support to HOD and our fearless leader, Eric M., was able roundup a few extra coaches and have instructors lined up for every student on each day. As a growing leader and dedicated GTM member, John R. took the reigns as B-group lead and coached in a gamut of cars challenging his motorsports knowledge and driving abilities. This workload was common for most coaches throughout the weekend, but it was a great and fun weekend for all.
Image Courtesy of Mike C.
| Coming off the heels of a head spinning and extremely wet introduction to the cement barrier lining the Stone House Straight at Summit Point Shenandoah less than 7 days before, Erin (the Common-Law) made a stunning comeback at VIR: South, duct-taped car and all. Focusing on improving her time and taking advantage of the experience of Eric M. in the right seat, Erin pushed herself and worked consistently on her biggest pain point: shifting. By the end of Day 1, she had been soloed, and on Day 2 she was creeping closer and closer to the 1:26 mark. On her last session out, and finally shifting both before turn 10 and twice on the long straight, she hit 1:25.65, beating not only Brad N. in the GTI but also John R. in the same car! She proved herself determined to not let a literal run-in with a wall impact her beyond some duct tape and scratches. |
One of the most unique students we’ve come across through GTM’s years of DE experience joined us on Sunday: a sixteen year-old girl named Izzy. Her father, a B-group driver in his Porsche Carrera 4S, brought his daughter, with her freshly-minted driver’s license, and her Mini Cooper S to learn the ways of the track. With only 40 hours of driving experience, but years of go-karting under her belt, Izzy took to the track like a natural. She quickly picked up the racing line and ran some respectable times around the short 1.65 mile course. Most importantly, she kept a keen eye on her mirrors and gave deliberate and well-timed point bys to her other A-group drivers. Izzy showed a penchant for the sport not typical among other “never-nevers”, and even more unlikely from a 16 year old. We hope to see her and her father at future events!
| The fun didn’t stop after the track went cold. Eric M., Mike C. and Chrissy C. had somehow wrangled an entire unit in the Villas, securing an awesome location for some post-track fun. While watching the sun set over VIR, a few of us struck up a conversation with what ended up being one of the track’s owners. He graciously gifted a few medallions made out of the old Oak Tree from the infamous Oak Tree Turn. A while later, Brad N. and Kerwin W. returned with the “GTM XBox” and began an arduous setup journey. After Mike Arrigo from HOD and Chrissy C. arrived with what was some excellent pizza, people were fed and Forza could begin! Pete B. set a respectable first time, his best of four laps around Road Atlanta in a Miata, but Eric M took home first place finishing two and a half seconds faster. |
Images Courtesy of Pete B. | Other highlights from the weekend included Eric’s engine bay revealing that it definitely belonged to him, as it smoked its way back to the paddock. GTM’s token Viking and track scientist, Brad N., attempted to validate his ABS hypothesis, discovering that the fastest line through the infield was to cut off all the turns, thus dubbed “the Viking line”. And we can’t forget (mostly because Pete B. won’t let us), Pete’s opportunity to drive a brand-new Ferrari F12 around the track at a blistering speed of 73.9 seconds, shaming the rest of us and our much-less-than-$300K cars. As the hustle and bustle of the track slowly died down, those left were comforted by the familiar sound of a miata taking a ridiculous number of final laps around an otherwise empty track. In the distance you could hear radio chatter of flaggers teasing the lone driver. And no, it wasn’t Oleg. |
More photos available in the Vault!
