Driver Weekend
This weekend I had no trip, no work, no conference calls, no fraternity work... just a weekend for myself to relax and get stuff done. So how did I spend my weekend? Driving... what else did you think?

Saturday I volunteered to help at the Tire Rack program called Street Survival. I figured they would have me helping with registration or other odd jobs. To my surprise when I showed up they had an Instructor poloshirt and said that I should be a driving instructor. I was flattered and then nervous... me a driving instructor? It was not a performance driving school, it was a driving safety school so I figured I would be fine.

We did in and out of car instructing.

We also taught them how to check tire pressures and know more about their car.

I had fun with my two students. I hope they learned a lot and it was fun watching them get faster and more confident on the skidpad, slalom and pushing their car hard and keeping it under control. I can't wait until Novali gets old enough and she can come to a school I teach! (I am sure she will love papi being there...)

Sunday was an Autocross. This week I got some used racing tires and was waiting anxiously all week to run race rubber for the first time. It would mean that I would have to arrive early and change my wheels on site (you shouldn't drive on the streets on race tires). I was looking forwarding to learn how to drive on them and move my skills up to the next level.

I got there early for set up and got a spot right in front.

Just changed my wheels... First run on V710s coming up!

I was surprisingly nervous running on my first runs on the tires. We were getting 6 runs and I figured it would be good seat time to practice the new wheels. It is supposed to be very different and yes it was. Well my first couple runs I was a little off and hitting cones but getting a little faster. At the end of the runs I was feeling great... my times were solid but I stilled end up in third (behind the usual suspects). Sounds like the tires didn't make a difference right? Well usually I am over a second behind the guy in 2nd, and then 1.5 or more seconds behind 1st place. The final times put me only a few hundredths of a second behind 2nd, and less then half a second behind first. So winning is in sight now! I ended 6th on the PAX Index and first in my class is in sight!

It was a great "Me" weekend... very relaxing. I am looking forward to this upcoming weekend because Heather is visiting and we will have Novali. Heather has a busy week at work so hopefully we can have a fun relaxing weekend as well. Til next post. Ciao.