Sixth Gear

May 7, 2009- Guardian Angel Motorsports team practice brings high drama as the hunt for lap time underscores the need for precision and accuracy.   Driver Bruce Ledoux was working to find time in the infamous ‘Esses’ of the track as the data showed a flat footed approach on the accelerator was both appropriate and would represent almost an entire second of gain in lap time.  Driver Bruce Ledoux put a high value on this potential time gain ahead of the team’s pending efforts with the PCA Club Race - The Clash at The Glen in just 3 weeks time.

As the out lap served to scrub the mold release agent off the ’sticker’ tires and warm them to temperature the car & driver began it’s first pass at a solid flying lap.   The video shows turn 1 after the start finish being approached with speed but off of the apex.   You can hear the engine building RPMs down the hill and into turn 2.   The next three seconds is critical and difficult to see in the video, unless you toggle the HD button in the lower right hand corner.

The data showed that the car’s right rear tire bumped the curb and slid the rear of the car to driver’s left before it SNAPPED back around to driver’s right.   Counter steering input & throttle release took a full 2/10ths which was simply too little, too late.   The great news is that driver frustration and tenacity led to a continued attempt to drive the car as it spun around and reduced the angle of impact to a glancing blow taken largely by the left front tire.   This means damage to car was greatly minimized and focused primarily on bolt on parts.  Driver was unscathed with nothing more than a shattered sense of confidence in high speed turns and bruised wallet.

Worth noting - the team had purchased a high performance driver’s education insurance policy with a company called Lockton Insurance.  They expeditiously paid the claim and the car is back out on the track just 18 days later.   A super confidence inspiring experience with Lockton as well as Dawe Motorsports, The Racers Group and the great couple John & Lori Bedell at T&S Motorwerks in W. Babylon, NY.

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