It was almost a year ago when we first ventured out to Riverside’s Adams Motorsports Park in order to try our hand at Time Attack. Looking to step up the reality factor from the usual parking lot coursed by orange cones; we had fun, pushed some parts past their limits, and finally came back to break into the 50s. It was very nice being able to show up at 6 o’clock, run a few laps and then head home before it got too late. After spending some real early mornings for full-on track days, this more casual approach to getting your speed on was such a simple release.
Now that I am a racing driver, my first excuse is that the new track surface is super slippery. Like drifting on the RT660s slick, check the videos. The second being a scattering of small rocks right between the apex and track out leading onto the front straight in the third session. Lastly, we were supposed to get three hot laps per session (not two), but perhaps it was the compressed schedule that caused the loss of an extra lap at speed.
It felt very good to be back behind the wheel at what we consider to be the best “autocross with consequences” in Southern California. The top speeds were low enough not to be a reminder of Buttonwillow, and the tossable nature of the short wheelbase roadster racing on a go-kart track made it such a fun experience. While we didn’t set a record this night, I think there was a Versa wearing wider tires that lapped slower; and she made it home under her own power. So, this one will be chalked up as a win.
