It’s amazing how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday the season was just starting; now the racecars, at least for us, sit idle in the shop- waiting for their respective checklists to be completed. The weather is turning cooler here in the northeast, and instead of engines the furnaces will soon be running. The season of reflecting is now upon us, time to look back at the past year and remember the good and the bad.
This time of year is always a little depressing for me. The season is over, and other than some winter testing, I won’t be back in a racecar to compete until next spring. I think of racecars like people, and I don’t think the racecars like to sit any more than I do. Although we had some up’s and down’s this year it’s hard to look back at this year and not call it a success.
We visited some new racetracks and ran very well right off the trailer. That always makes a crew and a driver feel good. It’s always easier to find a little speed during the weekend, than being out to lunch and playing catch up. That was something that we worked on at the shop this year. Making sure we felt like the setup we put in the car would be what we needed when we got to the track. Running an in house car this year, we didn’t have the at track manpower that some of these other teams have. I am proud of my team to be able to compete at this level, it certainly wasn’t late models- which is where their comfort zone was.
This year was a big step out of my comfort zone as well. At the end of the day, the goal of racing is still the same, be the fastest car on the track- lap after lap after lap. While we were able win multiple times this year, I am more proud of how my driving has progressed.
I’ve been racing since I was 12 years old- get ready- that’s 17 years. I feel that I have made bigger strides in the last 2 years than in the first 15 combined. Due, in part, to the time I spent at Bertil Roos- if you haven’t attended yet; do it, its worth every minute. I am grateful for what I learned at the Roos school, but I think it has more to do with my age. As I have spent more time behind the wheel, I have gained more of a respect for the “craft” that driving a race car is.
I believe that anyone can climb into a racecar and go fast, relatively speaking. The concept of what we do is not all that complex- go fast- don’t wreck- win some races- visit victory lane. In theory, it’s not hard- but it is sometimes maddening how difficult it can be. 3 years ago, I finally learned how to qualify. That seems like a stupid thing to say, but it’s not. Qualifying and racing are 2 very different things. Most everybody can tape off the grill, and bump up the tire pressures and go bust off a quick lap. In doing so, most everyone tries to go faster when they qualify. I can’t explain it really well, but I actually try to slow down a little bit. I call it “backing up the corner”; getting slowed down before the corner and being able to accelerate sooner and longer down the straightaway. It goes against everything that feels right. Now, you have to have a good car to do that, but that’s all part of the package.
That has translated into road racing for me as well. The more I try to go fast and hustle the car, the more disappointed I am with the lap times. Taking only what the car will give you, being ultra smooth, like ultra-ultra smooth, and knowing the track as well as you can- you know; doing your homework. Before we went to every track this year, I would watch in car video for hours. My wife would get so mad, she would be trying to go to bed, and here I am with the volume up blaring a track video. Thing is- it works. Knowing every square inch of the track- BEFORE- you ever get on it, can help a driver so much.
When I was younger, it was hard to tell me anything. I knew everything there was to know about racing, racecars, and how to drive a racecar. I “didn’t even know- that I didn’t know”. Its funny, now when I watch races on TV, I’m not watching the “race”, I’m watching the racecars. I’m watching how they look on the track, under braking, the roll in the corner, ride heights.
As I continue to make this my career, I find myself discovering a whole new side of this sport. Everybody talks about it, but actually being disciplined enough to consciously being able to calm yourself down inside the racecar is pretty hard. Not getting emotional behind the wheel, not getting frustrated, or nervous, is a big key to taking big steps towards being a great driver.
For me, this is what I’m most proud of this past year. Not just strapping in and going full tilt till the checkers. Making the race a chess match of sorts- you know- a chess match at 150 mph’s. That’s partly why the end of the competition season is such a drag. Winter testing just isn’t the same.
As you can tell, I’m already looking forward to next year, and I can’t wait to tell everyone the plans as well. I guess its back to the shop, and maybe a few board meetings till then. We haven’t released our website yet, but stay tuned- its going to be pretty cool. Follow be on twitter @justinonderko, and justinonderko.com as well. Till next time. . .
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