SCCA July "Pig Roast" Double Regional
July 12-13, 2003

The New England Region of the Sports Car Club of America held its annual pig roast event at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Mid July.  After some rain early in the week the weather broke for some spectacular conditions.  It was sunny, breezy and in the mid 70's making for great conditions.  Several of our friends came to watch and cheer us on.  Peter, Laura and Nick Seaone (4 years old) all came as well as Mel Prenovitz.  I can't say how much I appreciate the show of support. This was our debut event in the M3 and the primary focus of this event was to complete the races cleanly as possible and use the track time to sort out the car.  Unfortunately, we did not have the ABS reinstalled in time for this event.   To avoid locking up the tires (like the Porsche pictured below) and to keep the car under control my driving and braking strategy was extremely conservative.  I made it through my first competitive start with flying colors and after a few laps found a good rhythm.  This strategy worked well until I hit an oil patch, slid and kissed the tire wall in turn 3 on lap 13.  I was able to scrub off most all of the speed before hitting the tires.  I made it back to the pits under my own power where I decided to bow out of the race and head to the garages to assess the damage.   Fortunately, I had completed enough laps to officially complete the race.  Fortunately the damage to the car was very minor.  I sustained a few dimples to the right and left fenders and a number of tire scuffs.  No damage to the frame or any mechanical aspects of the car. Jeff Smethers and Daniel Meade who were helping Mike Gilbert jumped right in and got the car up on jack stands while I chilled out with Martha.  Mike was a great source of consolation and both Martha and Mike helped lift my spirits after this disappointing finish.  After I settled down Jeff and Daniel helped strip down the front end of the car and helped me get the front fenders back in shape.  They then helped clean all but the most stubborn tire marks off the car.  In short order I was race ready except for corner markers and a broken drivers side mirror.  I was able to locate a loaner mirror and replacement markers from Dave Morin at Turner Motorsports.  Martha was a real champ and after driving two hours home that afternoon with the Seaone's she hopped in her car and drove another two hours to pick the mirror and markers up from Turner Motorsports.  She then got up early the next day and drove two hours to the track and got them to me in time to run the qualifying session. The next morning was a new day and I was ready to get back in the saddle and try again.  Despite being down of power and having no idea of my speed, I  managed to improve my qualifying position from the day before.  That afternoon I accomplished a major personal life goal and finishing my first race  under the checkered flag.

Photos Day 1
Turn 3	Turn 3	Turn 3
Behind the Porsche	Into the wall at turn 3	Turn 10
Dave Morin helping on test day	Martha on the Segway	Martha flying on the Segway