Well folks it was great at Maxton temps were just right maybe just a
little too windy at times.
Saturday, after deciding to try again Sunday for the 200, Keith asks
me if I am ready for my first pass in a real race car. He didn't have
to repeat the question! Hell Yes we ain't up at the line yet. Let me
preface this by saying that I have spent my share of times in 11 and
12 sec street racers but nothing like this. A real race car with real
horsepower. Putting on the fire suit (purple at that) was no real
chore but made reality seem closer. The real fun begins as I try to
squeeze my tall 6' 2" body through the roll cage. Needless to say a
Monkey chasing a football had better luck. With that out of the way
and settled as best I could in that narrow seat I begin to fumble with
the belts. Nervousness had not set in yet. Once the belts were tight
enuff that it almost hurt to breath I begin putting the sock and the
helmet on. Hey what happen I can't see as much. I am not a
claustrophobic person, but this was getting a little close quarter
now. Ok now the sweat is beginning to pour off me yes I am nervous!
Gloves and neck collar are next no problem they fit better than OJ's.
Now some last minute words of wisdom from Coach Keith and a few word
prayers for me. Ok now time to fire the motor off. I definitely wanted
it to fire right off, took a little but it finally came to live. Oh My
GOSH I am sitting inside some kind a raving monster! Gently I work my
way to the line remembering what Keith had said about the clutch. Made
it now where is that dang Flagman. Can't see over this massive hood
scoop sitting right in front. With hand signals try to let Keith know
I can't see him. With this finally communicated Keith gives me the
wave. I off here I go. WRONG! Stall the car no problem. Hit the button
she roars again. Take it to 3 grand and slowly try it ease into the
clutch. Stalled it again is this sign or what! Not wanting to stall I
3rd time I gave it what I thought would be more then enuff and patted
the clutch enuff to get a good roll going and eased into the gas. Hey
I am off and running! Coming up quick is that dog leg and I don't want
to change gears there so I shift into second early and ease into it.
Remembering this thing has gobs of torque once it gets moving. Hey I
feel pretty good now just keep my head on straight and don't lose
track of what I need to do. For the life of me I don't know why I
short shifted to 3rd at 5500 instead of 7000 like I was told. Well
anyway with all this noise I am making I must be hauling butt. Now
this feels great but tunnel vision sets in and I am worried about the
end of the mile coming up. So I shift into to 4th hoping to cross
throw the lights at about 6000 but instead it was closer to 5000. Wow
ok now pull the chute. Wonder what this is going to feel like, didn't
feel it hit hard hmmmmmm! Well push in the clutch put it in neutral
and shut it down. Ok now locate the short shut down. There it is. Can
I get it slowed down in time to turn in? Press a little harder on the
brakes, feel the car begin to shake a little bit. No problem that's
just the rough concrete. Now just coast past the course watchers and
glide to a stop. WOW what a RUSH my first pass maybe I got 115-125.
Needless to say I was really surprised when the new tow truck driver
"Keith" showed up and informed me it was a whopping 98.901 MPH. Ah It
could have been 50 mph and I would have been happy. Wife finally had
to tell me to shut up my mouth was faster than my driving. This will
always be most unforgettable run ever. THANKS KEITH!!!
Bill Bennett
"Southern Salt Terror"
http://home.earthlink.net/~benettw/
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