2009 One Lap of America
Alternative Video Feeds
There are a couple of Video Streams that happen a little more consistently than ours. The UnitedBMW team has been setting up a webcam on a tripod every morning at the track, so be sure to check their channel out for updates.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/one-lap-of-america
Stephen
0Talladega Rally Laps
Huge thanks to Mitsu-Media for getting us on the track today. Without their support we couldn’t have made today happen.
Today was a fun day despite the rain. We put Tim into the car today, so he could have some fun. We also wanted to have him feel the eyeballed alignment and get some runs in before Sebring. The dampness attacked us last night on the way in, so we were drying out the intake and MAF in the room over night. It helped, but certainly did not get rid of our problems. Being soaked for days is not fun and the car certainly didn’t like it either.
We are still lining up in our Autobahn order, putting us in 16th. With a wet track, the corvette allowed us to jump positions for the first run, staging is 15th.
Tim did a recon run around the track, to come back to the Start Finish line behind the camouflage BMW M6. I could hear the car sputtering from the wet MAF still, but Tim was still cooking. I could see most of the track from where I was and Tim was closing in on the BMW already after a lap and a half. I watched him dissapear into the back stretch, and prepped the
camera for a few shots.
This is where the rally car roots of the car came in handy, as Tim came around the corner in the grass. The few moments after the off-course adventure change the direction of our points standing. Miscommunications on what we were supposed to do following an off-course moment led to some hesitation to get going again. Compounded with a point-in by the PiT entry spotter, Tim pitted the car. After rolling into the pits, we were told that we could and should have stayed out. That manuver will probably count as a DNF and forfit our event points.
It was a little frustrating but didn’t bring down the mood at all. It certainly helped when Rene presented Tim with the “girly skirt” wrap around with hearts on it for going offroad. It also landed Tim an interview wearing the wrap around with Motor Trend, so definately lo
ok for that video.
Halfway through the run order it started raining. By the end of the first runs, it was a trenchal downpour. We huddled around the main building for shelter and waited to see if it would let off before the afternoon event.
Alabama Rain
We are headed down to Talledega Gran Prix this morning in the rain. After being rained out at Highland Rim and being pretty soaked, it is safe to say we are all sick of the rain. Today we need to drive the longest shot of this trip to Sebring, which is looming in front of us.
Broadcasts have been a challenge. Broadband while moving, doesn’t sustain a connection and I am reliant on a power outlet track side, limiting our options. I know there are 3 or 4 teams broadcasting as well, so I will post thier streams up when I get them. I know the UnitedBMW group sets up every morning.
We had a few sponsors on this trip, who have been their since the beginning. Mitsu-Media stepped up early as a track day sponsor and we want to recognize how much that helped us get here today. If you are into DSMs and Mitsubishi cars, you will want to consider signing up in their forums.
