Hugginz….(don’t ask) at Sixth Gear

From: Tom Sheehan
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:17 PM

Toby's Render for the 48th Rolex24 @ Daytona

To: ‘M****, K A.’

Subject: RE: Hugginz

It was all surreal. I walked in to the Grand Am credentials office in Daytona Beach. I handed them my paperwork. I walked out in 35 min with a Grand am License, and FIA card. Being used to complicated SCCA licensing and registration processes with lots of lines, I walked back in to the credentials office seeking my next task to get me into the” Roar Before The 24“. The registration worker pulled down her glasses and peered over at me with a pleasant but puzzled expression. Her next words floored me. “Honey, you are all set, done, you don’t have to register for or stand in this or any other line again until this time next year. ” I shook her hand and knew I had reached into an entirely different world than the one I knew.

I drove to the track, in through the tunnel, parked the rental rig, and walked into the Garage area with Montoya and one of his buddies. I found the TRG garage. Got a trailer assignment and started to drop off my gear. When Jorg Bergmeister, grabbed my shoulder to let me know he was scooting by me in the tight quarters of the drivers trailer.

It was 4 days. I slept for broken 2-3 hr stints and would awake in the hotel sit up and try to stop my mind from racing around the events of the day before, forcing my self to stop hypothesizing scenario’s for the next day. The easiest time I spent was behind the wheel of the car. I got in to the 57’s I never pressed the car or me. I just wanted to ease into the pace of Daytona and give Wide birth to the guys who were putting down some fast laps. I can’t wait to get back for the race. The chemistry of the guys on our team is great. I feel like I am part of a team with the correct objective of preserving equipment and racing the track. It truly will be a case of the tortoise and the hare & the 24hrs in between.

Kevin Buckler and the guys at TRG run a first class operation they have it all thought out. Our crew Chief was on all of it. The weather was cold but it kept my nervous perspiration masked. I got some first class instruction and coaching from the worlds best drivers. They genuinely want to see us do well. Having Porsche experience but never having driven a 997 sequential cup car. The car was predictable and handled as expected. I feel like I am a session out from gelling my entry into 1. The kink feels good and the car has good grip under power. The bus stop feels great I just have to move my break point in 20′ I will let that come 1′ at a time and may never really through caution to the wind there. It is where most of the bad stuff happens. I do not want to let the team down with a bad decision. I do not get paid to drive this car (not even a little).

I’m especially grateful for our commerical sponsors:

Thanks for the ping. We are trying to raise money for The Guardian Charities. If you have an Email list, and would not mind spreading the word. We could use the networking. I am getting a late start on the whole thing and really need your help.

Also check us out on Twitter or FB Fanpage

Regards

Tom Sheehan - ‘Angel
Rolex GT #18
www.guardianangelmotorsports.com