The first track day of the year is always highly anticipated. In the case of the RC Protege there was a new motor and suspension fixes to try out before the racing season starts in April. I was signed up to instruct at Lime Rock Park and this would give me the chance to test the car out. Things got off to a rough start at 6:30am when my garage door was blocked by another tenant...a little banging on the door took care of that. Sort of a problem and now I was late. So with the trailer hooked up I reach into my pocket and find that I've not got the car key! After the shouting died down - I think I was back in WP by that point thirty minutes later...I returned to the garage.

I love lists - they really help to make sure that you are not forgetting anything. I didn't take the time to make a new list of things to take this year for the track days. At about 7 when I couldn't find the car key I was really sorry I hadn't done my list - it will be done before the next event...so a quick round trip of an hour home and back for the key maent I was not going to be at the track even remotely on time. It's ok, now that I was really stressed i thought well I'll just drive up the ramps and get out of here - I don't need the extra little entry ramps...lets see - oh look the front bumper is being pulled off because i missed the ramps properly. Nothing a few zipties and a several feet of duct tape plus a little more cussing couldn't a-fix.And oh, I was meaning to take the fender liners out - they don't really do anything to help. Well since I ripped one halfway off i had to take the rest off before I could load the car.

Bright and not so early I arrived at LRP - 9:23am to be exact,only two hours late. I didn't get much of a happy look from the head of instructors and offered to do whatever needed during the day. I ended up in a very nice Saleen Mustang - its got gobs of power, but in this case the student was a bit intimidated by his own vehicle so he was safe if not really listening to the instruction.

Then again maybe neither was I - the first session was kind of rough - really cold track with an air temperature of about 35. The tires never really got much grip, but on the second lap at the uphill turn on the back of the course things went just a little sideways - enough that the corner worker was ready to bail his post, but things really were ok and when they straightened out I happened to be going the right direction over the hill and the corner worker was well he gave a thumbs up the next time by since i came through with slightly less histrionics or squealing rubber either.

Track days always bring an interesting mix of cars out. The prize at this one had to go to the Lola T70 coupe. It was form 1969 and had been converted to road use by the Lola factory for the owner. Unfortunately none of the instructors including me could get anywhere near fitting in the passenger seat so the poor guy didn't get much of a run. Lola was born in post-war England and has been a specialty race car builder ever since. The T70 debuted in 1966 and is one of the prettiest race cars ever designed. It was at the top of the performance ladder then and still is an incredible car.

Things got better as the day went on and by the last session things were feeling natural again. New Jersey Motorsport Park and the first race of the season is next. I've got my packing list ready.