Day 1 (Thursday)
Practice
In the early morning hours a freak storm hit the paddock. The heavy rain and tornado like winds destroyed both of our awnings, which we had just set up several hours earlier. The awnings were all strapped down to the trailer along with weights added to each leg. The wind was so strong it broke the uprights on the awnings where they were strapped and launched the awnings into the air over our trailer and RV despite having over 200 Lbs of weight strapped to the legs as well. Not the way we wanted to start the weekend. Using parts from one of the awnings we were able to create a Frankenstein version of one awning. It wasn’t pretty but it worked for the rest of the weekend. On to the track stuff. It was a busy day on track with 3 long 40 min practice sessions. Austin did an ok job in each session working his way up the timing sheets as the day progressed even though he was struggling badly anxiety most of the day. It was a very tough and long day for everyone involved.
Day 2 (Friday)
Practice, Qualifying, Race 1
On day two we had a very early start with another practice session and Austin was in a much better place as he was belted into the car. After a red flag at the halfway point of the session, Austin’s clutch wouldn’t disengage as he tried to leave the pits to return to on track action. He would be forced to sit there for the rest of the session. After getting the car back to our trailer, the team quickly diagnosed the problem and repaired it a short time later. In practice two, Austin improved his best time on very old tires and things were looking good going into Qualifying.
In Qualifying, with 37 cars on track it was difficult to find a clear track to lay down a hot lap. Thankfully near the end of the session Austin improved his best time ever around Road America by almost 6 tenths!!! Even with that improvement, Austin would end up 8th in class and 17th Overall. The competition this season is incredibly tight!
Late in the day we had race 1 under sunny, but very windy conditions. Austin had a decent start and held his position. A few laps in he was closing in on a pack of cars. He went for a pass, and was forced off over a curb. He radioed in on the next lap saying he had a bad vibration and the steering wheel was no longer straight when going in a straight line. He was instructed to try and keep going for a long as he could. At the halfway mark he radioed in again and said he was now getting a vibration from the rear as well, and it was getting worse. He was able to bring the car home in the position he started, which I guess is a victory in itself.
We got the car back to the trailer and gave it the once over. We found one of the front rims was bent from the curb and the alignment was way off, but the bigger problem was discovered when we took the engine cover off and saw the whole engine bay was covered in transmission fluid. After closer inspection the transmission’s casing was actually cracked and when we unbolted it to examine it, it broke into two pieces!!!! I have never ever seen this before. This was a huge issue! The cost to replace the transmission(gear drive unit) is over $9k!!! Obviously this problem caused a lot of anxiety for Austin and the rest of the team. Absorbing a cost like this would affect what we are able to do the rest of the season. I made the decision to go ahead with a new transmission and that we would finish the weekend and figure how to pay for it when we got home.
The amazing crew we have got to work and by 12:15 am the new transmission was in the car and everything was put back together. An amazing effort by Austin’s crew!!!!
Day 3 (Saturday)
Race 2
After a few hours of sleep we woke to the pouring rain outside. The rain continued all the way until it was time for race number two for us. The conditions were terrible, visibility was very low and there was lots of standing water on the track. They say water is the great equalizer in racing, and it highlights one’s true talent. That certainly was the case for Austin. Off the start it was like Austin was racing in a different category compared to everyone else. On the first two laps he went from 8th in class and 15th overall to 4th in class and 9th overall!!! A very lengthy red flag stoppage caused by oil on the track. They would restart the race with one final hot lap before the checkered flag. We were hopeful that Austin would show a bit more magic on the final lap but despite being all over the top 3 he still crossed the line 4th. We were very happy with the result given the issues from the day previous. I am 100% sure, without the red flag Austin would have, at the very least finished on the podium if not the top step.
Day 4 (Sunday)
Race 3
For the final race of the weekend the rain had disappeared and the sun and wind were back. Austin would have a great starting spot, based on the results from the previous race and we were very hopeful of Austin making the podium. Austin had great start but after the first couple of laps he started to drop back. He crossed the line a respectable 6th in class. Because of the cost of the gear drive unit we couldn’t afford to use our second set of tires like everyone else. So Austin’s tires had done 3 long sessions and all of his competition ahead of him were on new tires. It really wasn’t fair to him, and as a dad it killed me inside. Looking at the onboard afterwards it was easy to see Austin wasn’t even pushing the car very hard. When questioned about it, Austin replied that “ I want to be able to finish the season and I know if something else happened to the car in the race that we won’t be able to race at Laguna Seca in two weeks”. The sad part is, he’s not wrong but we want him to race as hard as possible every single lap. It’s so painful for me to watch him race with handcuffs on. I want you to know that we are going to do everything possible to get him to Laguna Seca and then Toronto but it won’t be easy unless I can find some more help.
