My First Televised Pro Race :) and I actually need to thank THIS SITE!
07-03-2012, 11:38 PM
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Driver of #50 RX8
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My First Televised Pro Race :) and I actually need to thank THIS SITE!
So its true... I met Don Walker (DWALKER) through this website. He happens to be an owner in Grid-1 motorsports whom races RX8s professionally here in the US. I got to know him well through PM here, e-mail, and even facebook. A few weeks ago he offered me a ride in one of his professionally built RX8s in the Pirelli World Challenge Race in Mosport. At first I said I don't think so... and took it as a compliment that he offered me the opportunity. But then I couldn't sleep and got to thinking... I may never get to do this again. Race in a Pro race, televised on TV... something my dad dreamed about and I dreamed about our entire life! So then I asked my wife. Ya I know what your thinking and so was I, No way in hell would she support that. But guess what she did! In fact she didn't even flinch and said lets go! So thanks RX8club for existing and introducing me to DWALKER and Grid-1 Motorsports. And a Huge thanks to Don (who knows his stuff with RX8's) to give me the opportunity to drive in such a high profile race at such an amazing track. Please Tune in this Saturday to NBCSports from 5pm-7PM and chear us on! as a teaser hear is a quick clip of the 2 rx8's nose to tail!
Here is my short story... I feel like I could put pen to paper and make a book about the weekend if I wanted to.
Friday was a Promoters Test Day giving us the entire day to become familiar with the car & track. The RST gang showed up around 5AM and wondered around checking out the track for the first time. We looked in awe at the awesome twisty track with blind corners, amazing elevation change, and long long back straight thrown in. As a driver I knew this was going to be challenge going in as everyone told me Mosport is one of the most challenging and arguably the fastest tracks in North America.
During the first session I was quite honestly terribly slow! With the fast blind corners I really had no idea how fast I could go and struggled to get up to speed knowing that if I pushed a bit too far I was crashing hard and our weekend was over. Mosport is incredibly fast with multiple 5th gear blind sweepers but those turns are unforgiving if you happen to step over that limit. The test day was great though because I did get time to feel out the car and get acquainted with it. I did struggle getting into 5th gear right from the first session which was a trend that lasted throughout the weekend but that was no real excuse for my lap times. I was really hoping to follow my team mate whom had driven the track before with TDI cup and therefore I felt comfortable that with all of his coaching during that experience he could lead me in the right direction. Unfortunately he didn't get on track much and I didn't have an opportunity to get behind him at all. As the day progressed I did get a few seconds faster but honestly still a bit slow. We went back to the hotel to get some needed sleep after driving through the night before and I think I was fast asleep before I even hit the pillow. On the way to the hotel my brother asked me how it was and if I liked it. I quickly replied that it is one of the coolest, fastest, funnest tracks I have ever driven!
Saturday came quick! We arrived at the track and Marlin Langeveldt had stepped in as my new teammate. I was excited about this since this was his home track and he races an RX8 in the Canadian Touring car series. I knew he would be fast and if I could stay up with him I would get to learn just how fast those 5th gear sweepers could be.
In the first session I did just that. Stuck to his bumper, found the line, and finally got up to speed! Within just a few laps he spun just in front of me getting up on two wheels! At that point I got a good view of the bottom of the number 98 Grid-1 Motorsports RX8 and said to myself, noooo not in practice… we still have a long weekend! I squeezed past him in the grass to the inside and continued on. After that I worked on building my confidence in the car and testing out different lines to see what worked best.
The next session was qualifying and I was determined to get quicker. I had a fresh set of tires along with some confidence and knew a few spots that I could gain some speed. I decided to follow Marlin again determined to knock off another second off my fast lap for the weekend. Marlin had a wire short out and stopped within just a few laps, and again I didn't get to follow him as much as I had hoped. I however did beat my goal and was pleased with how I did. During qualifying I was passed going down the back straight and by the end of the straight I was over 2 seconds behind! After seeing the grid I quickly realized how much faster our competition was down that back straight. Frustrating that we just didn't have the power of those other cars but that had nothing to do with Grid-1 motorsports just the fact that the car is outclassed. The GREAT news is that WC viewed our data and is making changes to the class for next year and we (The RX8) should be back in the game!
In the late afternoon it was race time! We were scheduled for a double header, basically 2 25min races with 10 min in the middle to regrid and start it all again.
At the drop of the green for Race #1 I had an awesome start. I had a great jump and moved up the inside of the row of cars in front of me. As we entered turn 1 we were 3 wide and I backed off slightly. As a driver I was reluctant to do this but knew I didn't want to be part of the highlight real on the start of my first Pro event ever. I slotted in behind giving up two positions. I found myself just in front of my team mate Marlin and we spent a majority of the race battling back and forth for position nose to tail lap after lap. Finally Marlin made an error and spun coming into the last turn onto the front straight. I safely proceded past him and managed to never look back! During the race our lap times dropped and I was finally in the 1:36's which is what I set out to do as my goal for the weekend.
Race #2 started very quickly with only that 10 minute window between races. My second start wasn't as good but I did manage to stay with the cars in front of me. Marlin and I again raced hard until finally on the last lap I blew the motor entering the long back straight. I got on my radio and let the crew know that I had blown the motor and they promptly replied that it was the last lap and I was in 5th place! With that being said I got it to the finish with a trail of smoke!
After the race we started to figure out what and if we could fix the engine to get the Red/Silver Grid-1 motorsports RX8 back on track for Sundays race. Can-Saf Motorsports was kind enough to decide to have Marlin run his Candaian Touring Car RX8 so that I could swap cars and run the Yellow/Silver/Blue RX8 in Sundays Race!
Sunday was a jam packed day! We had to get to the track early to tech Marlins new car, swap over transponders, numbers, the racekeeper and various other little things. Before we had time to really think we headed out onto the track for Qualifying. I headed out for qualifying determined to be as fast in this car as I was the other one. After just a few minutes of the session I managed to brake the shift fork for 5th and 6th gear ending my qualifying session. I still went fast enough to qualify but I was starting at the back of the grid. After qualifying we got the car back to the pits and immediately the RSTPerformance crew and Grid-1 Motorsports crew got to work to swap out the Transmission from the other car with the blown engine. While they worked on that I had to head to an autograph session just hoping they would fix it in time! I was pleasantly suprised during the autograph session to hear that the car was completed!
Race #3 was going to be my first ever Standing Start! As we grided up I would be fibbing if I said I wasn't nervous. It was very exciting and happend really fast! As we grided up a 5 second board came up, then the lights turned on, and then suddenly they turned back off and the race took off! During that short period of time all sorts of things run through your mind but I just stayed focused on the goal... A fast launch with minimal tire spin. I executed and was significantly faster than any car around me. During the race I battled with a VWTDI car that I was slightly faster than through the twisty curves but about 1.5 seconds slower than down the back straight. This "yo-yo" affect took place all race long until finally a few laps from the end I saw some smoke from the VW! A lap later he blew his power stering and headed to pit lane! I was having a great time racing him and trying ot determine how to get by but to finish first you must first finish so I will gladely accept that spot and move on up a position! After that I cruised to a 6th place finish in the final race of the weekend!
Overall it was an amazing weekend! I managed to finish in the top 10 in my first Televised Professional events with a 9th, 5th and a 6th. Being able to drive at MOSPORT itself was amazing with all that massive elevation change, high speed blind sweeping turns, and the long back straight! I would go back and race again at that track in heartbeat! I can't thank Don Walker and Grid-1 Motorsports enough for the opportunity that they have given me to race in my first televised event at one of the best and fastest tracks in North America!
Stephen Blethen
RST Performance Racing - Home
www.grid1Motorsport.com
Sunday Afternoon with the Grid-1 Motorports Team!
Awesome shot of the two Grid-1 Motorsports cars nose to tail!
5th gear downhill blind corner!
Sunday during the race
Taking the finish in 5th place on Saturday Race #2 with a blown motor!
Swapping transmissions after the transmission failure on Sunday AM
Facebook Post
Here is my short story... I feel like I could put pen to paper and make a book about the weekend if I wanted to.
Friday was a Promoters Test Day giving us the entire day to become familiar with the car & track. The RST gang showed up around 5AM and wondered around checking out the track for the first time. We looked in awe at the awesome twisty track with blind corners, amazing elevation change, and long long back straight thrown in. As a driver I knew this was going to be challenge going in as everyone told me Mosport is one of the most challenging and arguably the fastest tracks in North America.
During the first session I was quite honestly terribly slow! With the fast blind corners I really had no idea how fast I could go and struggled to get up to speed knowing that if I pushed a bit too far I was crashing hard and our weekend was over. Mosport is incredibly fast with multiple 5th gear blind sweepers but those turns are unforgiving if you happen to step over that limit. The test day was great though because I did get time to feel out the car and get acquainted with it. I did struggle getting into 5th gear right from the first session which was a trend that lasted throughout the weekend but that was no real excuse for my lap times. I was really hoping to follow my team mate whom had driven the track before with TDI cup and therefore I felt comfortable that with all of his coaching during that experience he could lead me in the right direction. Unfortunately he didn't get on track much and I didn't have an opportunity to get behind him at all. As the day progressed I did get a few seconds faster but honestly still a bit slow. We went back to the hotel to get some needed sleep after driving through the night before and I think I was fast asleep before I even hit the pillow. On the way to the hotel my brother asked me how it was and if I liked it. I quickly replied that it is one of the coolest, fastest, funnest tracks I have ever driven!
Saturday came quick! We arrived at the track and Marlin Langeveldt had stepped in as my new teammate. I was excited about this since this was his home track and he races an RX8 in the Canadian Touring car series. I knew he would be fast and if I could stay up with him I would get to learn just how fast those 5th gear sweepers could be.
In the first session I did just that. Stuck to his bumper, found the line, and finally got up to speed! Within just a few laps he spun just in front of me getting up on two wheels! At that point I got a good view of the bottom of the number 98 Grid-1 Motorsports RX8 and said to myself, noooo not in practice… we still have a long weekend! I squeezed past him in the grass to the inside and continued on. After that I worked on building my confidence in the car and testing out different lines to see what worked best.
The next session was qualifying and I was determined to get quicker. I had a fresh set of tires along with some confidence and knew a few spots that I could gain some speed. I decided to follow Marlin again determined to knock off another second off my fast lap for the weekend. Marlin had a wire short out and stopped within just a few laps, and again I didn't get to follow him as much as I had hoped. I however did beat my goal and was pleased with how I did. During qualifying I was passed going down the back straight and by the end of the straight I was over 2 seconds behind! After seeing the grid I quickly realized how much faster our competition was down that back straight. Frustrating that we just didn't have the power of those other cars but that had nothing to do with Grid-1 motorsports just the fact that the car is outclassed. The GREAT news is that WC viewed our data and is making changes to the class for next year and we (The RX8) should be back in the game!
In the late afternoon it was race time! We were scheduled for a double header, basically 2 25min races with 10 min in the middle to regrid and start it all again.
At the drop of the green for Race #1 I had an awesome start. I had a great jump and moved up the inside of the row of cars in front of me. As we entered turn 1 we were 3 wide and I backed off slightly. As a driver I was reluctant to do this but knew I didn't want to be part of the highlight real on the start of my first Pro event ever. I slotted in behind giving up two positions. I found myself just in front of my team mate Marlin and we spent a majority of the race battling back and forth for position nose to tail lap after lap. Finally Marlin made an error and spun coming into the last turn onto the front straight. I safely proceded past him and managed to never look back! During the race our lap times dropped and I was finally in the 1:36's which is what I set out to do as my goal for the weekend.
Race #2 started very quickly with only that 10 minute window between races. My second start wasn't as good but I did manage to stay with the cars in front of me. Marlin and I again raced hard until finally on the last lap I blew the motor entering the long back straight. I got on my radio and let the crew know that I had blown the motor and they promptly replied that it was the last lap and I was in 5th place! With that being said I got it to the finish with a trail of smoke!
After the race we started to figure out what and if we could fix the engine to get the Red/Silver Grid-1 motorsports RX8 back on track for Sundays race. Can-Saf Motorsports was kind enough to decide to have Marlin run his Candaian Touring Car RX8 so that I could swap cars and run the Yellow/Silver/Blue RX8 in Sundays Race!
Sunday was a jam packed day! We had to get to the track early to tech Marlins new car, swap over transponders, numbers, the racekeeper and various other little things. Before we had time to really think we headed out onto the track for Qualifying. I headed out for qualifying determined to be as fast in this car as I was the other one. After just a few minutes of the session I managed to brake the shift fork for 5th and 6th gear ending my qualifying session. I still went fast enough to qualify but I was starting at the back of the grid. After qualifying we got the car back to the pits and immediately the RSTPerformance crew and Grid-1 Motorsports crew got to work to swap out the Transmission from the other car with the blown engine. While they worked on that I had to head to an autograph session just hoping they would fix it in time! I was pleasantly suprised during the autograph session to hear that the car was completed!
Race #3 was going to be my first ever Standing Start! As we grided up I would be fibbing if I said I wasn't nervous. It was very exciting and happend really fast! As we grided up a 5 second board came up, then the lights turned on, and then suddenly they turned back off and the race took off! During that short period of time all sorts of things run through your mind but I just stayed focused on the goal... A fast launch with minimal tire spin. I executed and was significantly faster than any car around me. During the race I battled with a VWTDI car that I was slightly faster than through the twisty curves but about 1.5 seconds slower than down the back straight. This "yo-yo" affect took place all race long until finally a few laps from the end I saw some smoke from the VW! A lap later he blew his power stering and headed to pit lane! I was having a great time racing him and trying ot determine how to get by but to finish first you must first finish so I will gladely accept that spot and move on up a position! After that I cruised to a 6th place finish in the final race of the weekend!
Overall it was an amazing weekend! I managed to finish in the top 10 in my first Televised Professional events with a 9th, 5th and a 6th. Being able to drive at MOSPORT itself was amazing with all that massive elevation change, high speed blind sweeping turns, and the long back straight! I would go back and race again at that track in heartbeat! I can't thank Don Walker and Grid-1 Motorsports enough for the opportunity that they have given me to race in my first televised event at one of the best and fastest tracks in North America!
Stephen Blethen
RST Performance Racing - Home
www.grid1Motorsport.com
Sunday Afternoon with the Grid-1 Motorports Team!Awesome shot of the two Grid-1 Motorsports cars nose to tail!5th gear downhill blind corner!Sunday during the raceTaking the finish in 5th place on Saturday Race #2 with a blown motor!Swapping transmissions after the transmission failure on Sunday AM
Last edited by sblethen; 07-03-2012 at 11:40 PM.
07-04-2012, 11:09 AM
#7
Stephen did really well! It was great to work with him and the guys he brought along to help him. Driving across the finish in the second race with the bumper hanging off and pouring smoke was just awesome and had all of us cheering him on.
Remember- his first time on slicks, first Pro race, never saw the cars before practice, never been to the track, and he drove very well all weekend! Our cars are setup fairly different than his, and he adapted to it really well, and being able to pace Marlin while he was driving in his car was just really cool!
Remember- his first time on slicks, first Pro race, never saw the cars before practice, never been to the track, and he drove very well all weekend! Our cars are setup fairly different than his, and he adapted to it really well, and being able to pace Marlin while he was driving in his car was just really cool!
07-04-2012, 08:25 PM
#9
Shinka
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It's awesome to see your dream come true. I wish.. I used to race Karts, and the passion has never left. Now I just use the slick tracks and still feel like I could make a mark on racing if I had the money..
So cool you got to do that, I'm real envious.
Hope you do well in the future.
So cool you got to do that, I'm real envious.
Hope you do well in the future.
07-06-2012, 04:37 AM
#13
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Beaudy M8!
07-11-2012, 04:24 PM
#14
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Nice writeup...with the family emergency I didnt get the chance to watch it but it sounds like it was a great weekend and the weather looks like it held out good too!
07-11-2012, 10:48 PM
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Driver of #50 RX8
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Lucky for me I wasn't driving! Mosport was a few weeks ago and Don from Grid-1 Motorsports had rented it out this past weekend to someone else who happened to run into some trouble. Back in Mosport a few weeks back I stayed safe and didn't drive over my head. Built up speed a little slower than normal but that thread is the reason why!
Don is from CO and I am from NH. I do have my own RX8 that I run in SCCA, Grid-1 has 2 RX8s that they rent out and run in the Pirrelli World Challenge Series.
Stephen
Don is from CO and I am from NH. I do have my own RX8 that I run in SCCA, Grid-1 has 2 RX8s that they rent out and run in the Pirrelli World Challenge Series.
Stephen
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