Caitlin Johnston's VIR Blog
Hey Everyone!!!!!! Only one month has passed since my last blog, but there is always something new and exciting going on. I am right in the thick of final exams, as well the as the kick off of the race season April 9, 10 and 11, 2009 at VIR. Also, a few weeks back, the Z Sports Midwest Team and I went testing in Indiana at Putnam Park before the season began.
The weekend at Putnam Park in Mount Meridian, Indiana went extremely well, with me getting comfortable in the car again, and getting back up to speed, after not being in the car all winter long.
Working with the Z- Sports Midwest Team has been great. This past weekend at VIR, was definitely an all around great weekend. After writing one of my final exams last Wednesday morning, the trip to the track began. It was quite a long trip, and after getting a bit lost, and taking the "extremely scenic" route, we finally arrived at 5 am on Thursday morning. Practice Thursday, was very exciting to say the least.
For my first time at the track, I definitely loved it! VIR is both challenging, technical and fast, three combinations that I believe are an absolute necessity for a good track. For the first day of racing on Friday, I was a bit nervous going into the day. But after we got the morning qualifying session in, my nerves had calmed down. The session went well, but I knew that I had my work cut out for me starting from the 9th row. By this time in the day though, the skies had opened up and the rain was starting to come down. The rain did not bother me one bit though, I really like the challenge that racing in the rain is. As the field took the start, it got a bit hairy. Spray was flying everywhere, and the visibility was low. But after the first few corners, once the field got single file, visibility came back, and everyone was down to business. Once I came to the checker flag, I had made my way to 12th place. Very exciting for the first race of the season.
The second day of racing, with the nerves more calm, I was set to go. By the end of the racing day, after starting 19th, I had made my way to 10th place. The competition in the series is awesome, and the guys are great to race with. The photo finish for 10th place, definitely added to the excitement.
Along with racing the F2000 Championship series, I am also racing with the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge. I have been racing with the series for the past two seasons, and looking forward to my third. My first race weekend is May 8th through the 10th, at Mosport.
While spring does mean that racing finally begins again, it also means that I get to start riding my motorcycle too. I really enjoy riding my Ninja 650R around in the warm weather during the summer. I have had my motorcycle licence for two years now, and enjoy every ride that I can get in.
With my first race weekend of the season behind us, I can definitely say that I can't wait for the many more races to come this season.
Caitlin