2014 Drive Against Prostate Cancer: Nelson Ledges

Friday, May 7, 2010

Nelson Ledges - Day Eight (Part One)

Welcome to Nelson Ledges - Garretsville, OH about 25 miles west of Youngstown, OH. This track is not much to talk about from a facilities standpoint and the track itself is generally in a state of disrepair, but it is really fast and fun. Back in October, we ran a 24 Hours of LeMons race here which certainly allowed for a lot of practice on this course. Nothing like lapping for 2.5 hours in the middle of the night to know a track.

Despite the recent experience, I still walked the track and collected my thoughts. Neil joined me just after turn one. It also provides us with some much needed exercise - a good stretch of the legs. Strangely, it looks exactly the same as it did in October. I will admit that I had never walked the track at the LeMons event and it did open my eyes as to the amount of positive camber in most of the turns and the slight up hill portions allowing more grip for turn in or braking.

At 8:30 the call goes out over the PA for the first 15 cars. I suit up and start strapping in for the first session. The pressure is on as Woody is a great driver and we are tied for points in class as we enter the day. There are only three events left and if either of us walk away with two wins over the other the class win is over.

I make it to grid and Brian wishes me good luck, says be aggressive, and kick-ass. His last chore is to turn on the video and remind me it is a cold track. The temperature was in the high 40's as we arrive this am. I get my recon lap complete and it feels good. Coming up to the start finish I replay Brian's words in my mind - BE AGGRESSIVE (meaning.....grow a pair of attachments lad!!!).

I decide at the launch to not over do it and get the customary wheel hop as it just loses time. The run is quick (a total of about 4 minutes) and before I know it I have completed the 3 hot laps. At speed, the track is very bumpy and it makes for some excitement at track out locations and braking zones. As I come off the track I yell out - "I love this friggin' track". It so fun and FAST!

We'll have to wait for the final results of the morning to know if we have a leg up on Woody and Neil going in to the afternoon. Stay tuned.

Cheers!

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2014 Corporate Donors/Sponsors

THE 2014 TIRE RACK CANNONBALL ONE LAP OF AMERICA ROUTE/SCHEDULE

Ten Days - 4,550 Miles
May 1 - Drive to South Bend, IN (days drive 650 miles)
May 2 - One Lap Registration & Tech, South Bend, IN (days drive 0 miles)
May 3 - Wet Skid Pad Event, Tire Rack HQ's, South Bend, IN
May 3 (cont.) - Grissom Air Force Base, Peru, IN [autocross]
May 3 (cont.) - Sticker Stop at Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY
May 3 (cont.) - Bowling Green, KY to Memphis, TN (days drive 641 miles)
May 4 - Memphis International Raceway [time trial events]
May 4 (cont.) - Memphis International Raceway [bracket drag races], Memphis, TN to New Orleans, LA (days drive 406 miles)
May 5 - NOLA Motorsports Park [time trial events], New Orleans, LA
May 5 (cont.) - Mobile Raceway [time trial events], Mobile, AL
May 5 (cont.) - Sticker Stop USS Alabama, Mobile, AL
May 5 (cont.) - Mobile, AL to Dawsonville, GA (days drive 555 miles)
May 6 - Atlanta Motorsports Park [time trial events]
May 8 - Carolina Motorsports Park [time trial events], Kershaw, SC
May 8 (cont.) - BMW Performance Center [time trial event], Greer, SC to Alton, VA (days drive 388 miles)
May 9 - Virginia International Raceway [time trial events], Alton, VA to Wampum, PA (days drive 455 miles)
May 10 - Pittsburg International Race Complex [time trial events] Wampum, PA to South Bend, IN (days drive 343)
May 11 - Dry Skid Pad, Tire Rack HQ's, South Bend, IN to Arlington, VA (days drive 613 miles)
May 12 - REST and HOME, Arlington, VA

ABOUT THE DRIVERS

ROBIN SPARROW:

Robin Sparrow is a Director of Project Management Services in Studley's Suburban Washington office. Last year Robin and his co-driver, Robert Grace, finished the 2013 OLOA in the top 20 overall and third in class - thanks Robert!!! Robin also joined the racing ranks in 2012 by competing in the NASA Series Spec 3 for BMWs. Stay tuned to Robin's Blog as he travels the country again raising money for ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer during the 2014 Tire Rack One Lap of America / Drive Against Prostate Cancer!

WOODY HAIR:

Old fart, hot shoe use to be, generally all around good egg. Woody hails from Arlington, Virginia - his life long home. Woody is the former HPDE Champion of North America. He has also won numerous SCCA, NASA, and BMW National Capitol Chapter autocross events. This is Woody's 12th One Lap of America.