A good night’s rest makes it easier to drive well.  Driving well doesn’t just include turning fast lap times; driving well includes driving safe. Open track days and lapping days aren’t races, so it is important that the car come home in one piece. My fear in a poor night’s rest before the track day is several fold:

• Unable to focus on driving
• Careless mistakes due to fatigue
• Risk to other drivers on track
• Unable to enjoy every minute on the track
• Retire early due to body and mental fatigue

Mayhaps, after doing this enough, the insomnia will go away…but somehow, I feel that it won’t.

It’s been track day after track day so far this year. I’m going to Quentin Tarantino this blog entry a little bit and begin with my 4th track day of the year first.  I’ll come back around to the previous events in later entries.I’ve done three other track days this year: two events at Nelson Ledges, and one event at Putnam Park.

[Disclaimer] I’ll begin with a disclaimer: I am no track star, nor a professional driver. I’m am simply a novice driver with a devout love for track days. My very first track day was only last year (2008) on Memorial Day weekend at Gingerman Raceway in Michigan.  I have very limited track driving experience, and I don’t claim to be a fountain of track day knowledge. That said, I’d always had a strong urge to keep a (somewhat) detailed log of my excitement surrounding the events I do.

[Dangers @ Nelson!] So, let’s start: Nelson Ledges – July 10, 2009. Of the three tracks that I’ve been to, Nelson Ledges has to be my current favorite. It is a two mile track with anywhere between seven and thirteen turns (depends on who you ask). It has been considered as one of the fastest tracks in America due to its long back and front straight with long and fast sweeping turns. The track is very quick and very dangerous.

First, the entire track is lined with tire wall.  From green the checkered flag, you will see tire wall running along both sides of the track.  On top of that, the walls are pretty close to the track (it feels like they’re no more than 4 car lengths away).

While that can be initially intimidating, the closer walls and narrow track make this course feel exceptionally fast. The small frame of references makes the scenery whiz right by. It adds to the urgency and rush of the track. I love it.

Beyond the speed, I’m intoxicated by the constant change in track surface and grip level.  This track is not a smooth paved track by any means and can be somewhat bumpy at times. While this can be unnerving to some, I find this to be an absolute joy when transitioning between surfaces.  I’ve never been to the Nurburgring, but I imagine that Nelson could be a slice of that wonderous German Green Hell.

And then there’s the kink.  It is the undoer for many vehicles.  It a deceptive bend at the end of the back straight which appears to be on camber. Word is that even if you feel the car is completely stable and that you can push it even furthur, do not tempt the fate.  You will lose her, and it will not be pretty because directly to the right is a tire wall, and to the left is a swampy marsh with uneven pavement.  Both options at 90+ MPH can lead to a barrel rolling car.

And this leads me to the next topic…preparing for the next track day…