After a ten hour drive, we were up early to get to GoodGuys in time for a good pit spot.
We took some shortcuts through parking lots and a gravel field (yes, I drove my car through gravel) to get to the gate as they were still setting up the timing and equipment.
It was looking like beautiful weather - perfect for racing as we started taking off sweatshirts after the first run.
After about six runs on Friday the competition was heating up. By the end of the day, I just managed to squeak out a small lead.
Come Saturday I had thought about the track all night and re-walked the course with a new attitude. After two runs I was able to further drop my times by a few tenths but Jeff Schwartz of famed Schwartz Performance and his 'Temptress' were chasing me down with a vengeance
So like all movie endings, the event came down to the last run of the day. At this point, I'd already had my turn and Jeff Schwartz was approaching the line with consistent improvements in runs prior. I had to turn my back. I heard the turns, listening for loose rubber or cone killing.... none. More turns and he's hitting the serpentine directly behind me when... I hear some skidding...then the deafening recognizable sound of a cone hit. I looked. Jeff had hit a cone and I knew the win was mine.
How do you get excited when your win means a really nice guy just lost?
How do you cheer when someone hits a cone?
I felt bad for Jeff but was so relieved to know that I had successfully pulled off my first AutoCross win - and a win at at Nationals. Time started to fly by and it was Johnnie Hunkins asking for my jacket size, GoodGuys asking about my car and time to run one last time around the course before the end of the day. GoodGuys wanted to take pictures and all I wanted to do was keep driving!
It hasn't quite set in yet but I'm sure it will when I hit DelMar and have the honor to run with the 'Pros' -- and get my ass kicked all over again. See you in Del Mar?