Weekend at MidOhio

Last weekend I found myself at MidOhio Sports Car Course in both a supporting and spectating role during the KONI and ROLEX races. Before supporting my teammates with Freedom Autosport in the ST race on Sunday, I enjoyed some racing as a spectator. When one starts driving in a series, one seldomly gets to sit and watch racing – so I was glad to find myself in the perfect spot on a grassy knoll in front of MidOhio’s keyhole before the start.

In racing, the race is not over until the checkered flag flies. I have seen one too many cars that seem to have the race in the bag only to experience challenge during the last few laps and suffer disappointment.

Such was the case for Eric Lux and Dominic Farnbacher in the #86 FarnbacherLoles Porsche. Toward the end of the race, two race battles were happening simultaneously:  In DP, the 01 Telmex Lexus Riley with road racing juggernaut Scott Pruett at the wheel was fighting with the 76 Krohn Racing Ford Lola with former F1 driver Ricardo Zonta at the helm.  They were ripping through the GT cars and other DP cars. 

Simultaneously, Robin Liddell in the 57 Stephenson Motorsport Pontiac GXP-R was catching Farnbacher, who was running second. Liddell had saved some car for the end of the race and was really putting the pressure on the #86.

As the DP leaders came through the GT leading pack, the 76 Krohn car was working hard to stay with the 01 car.  In certain race situations, there is a distinct advantage to having a car in between you and your competitor. In trying to do just that – keep a car between them -- there was contact between the #86 GT and the #76 DP cars.

Zonta, who was looking for his second win this year, had not been willing to be the pawn and made his move. The slight contact cut Farnbacher’s tire, deflating Eric Lux and the #86 crew along with it.  Although the Farnbacher crew and driver had done all in their power to prepare for this race, the 1-2  win would have to wait for another day.

Lesson learned? It’s not over till the lady waves the checkered flag. And for every risky race move, as in life, the driver must always weigh the risks and benefits and cross his or her fingers that the latter prevails!

See you at MidOhio for my NASA race on July 11-12!

(Special thanks to Kathryn Rapier for the beautiful photos! (c) Kathryn Rapier / kathrynrapier.net)