Traveling across the country as well as heading to a new facility always brings new challenges to a race weekend.  We are headed to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the next two rounds in the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Series.

Learning a new track always brings multiple challenges for a driver.  Not only adapting to a new place but learning a track you yourself have never driven and brings what some may consider a disadvantage.  Luckily we have such awesome technology these days you can take laps on a simulator to get a feel for what the track has to offer.  Not every person has the opportunity to test before the series attends the event so it is a learning process for the whole team.  I have only ever been as far as Wisconsin/Minnesota west.  Taking the time to do a bit of research on a track is very important.  Ensuring you are prepared as much as possible for each event minimizes any upper hand others who also have never been to the track always helps.

There are a few things that are different for our single car team when we go across the country that some may overlook.  How does your car get there?  We are renting a space in a hauler with a few other cars to reduce the cost in fuel etc.  Due to funding issues we sleep in our trailers and cook out every night to minimize any extra costs.  However, when you do not send your car in your trailer you not only have a flight and rental car you also add in the cost of a hotel.  These are just a few things that are easily over looked when considering traveling across the country.  Also, these are the reasons you fall in love with the sport!  Traveling and making memories that one will cherish forever.

I am really excited to get to Mazda Raceway.  Other than the long flight I can’t wait to experience a new track and can add Mazda Raceway to my list of tracks I have raced on!  The famous hills and turns appear to be quite thrilling!  Always new challenges with air density, etc. and track conditions however, nothing wont welcome with open arms!

Lots of busy months ahead of us!  I can’t wait to share more news and experiences with you all soon!

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