Soft Top

This is somewhat old news now (1 1/2 weeks), but I installed a soft top on the Lotus and it is now 427 clicks more awesome. I love this car even more now. It takes about 2 minutes (tops) to install or remove the soft top, and it stows in the trunk very easily in a bag like a camping chair.

I spent today (my birthday) cruising and checkin stuff out. It was great! I looked at motocross bike trailers, test rode an Aprilia Scooter, then test drove a VW Touareg V6 TDI. I also spent a good deal of time chatting with the folks over at Silicon Valley Auto Group about doing a race instruction series for their supercar buyers.

Later I had dinner at the Quinn's and recorded another podcast episode. Life is good - even though I'm an old bastard now.

- Joe

(sent from my iTelephone)

Daytona Prototypes at Laguna Seca

I put a set of photos up on flickr from the Monterey Festival of Speed at Laguna Seca Raceway this weekend. The Rolex Daytona Prototype race was 2h 45m long in the BLAZING sun. I am totally sunburned, but it was fun watching the VERY FAST line through these corners that I drive so often. My best time at Laguna was a 1:41 in a Radical SR3 (after only 2 sessions); the Lotus gets a 1:45; and these guys qualified with a 1:19. Geesh.

- Joe

At the races!

Jill, Steve, and I are at Laguna Seca for the Rolex Daytona prototype races. Right now wer'e in the shade having a beer.

- Joe

(sent from my iTelephone)

Mother's Day

Mothers Day photo set, uploaded by joeracer.

My mom kicks ass. Period. We went to the beach today to just hang out and watch the waves. She really loves the ocean, and guess what? So do I. :-) I love taking her to beautiful natural places where we can just watch the show.

Infineon Raceway - May 4th, 2009

Here are a few laps at Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) on Monday, May 4th, 2009. I am driving my 2007 Lotus Exige S (stock). This was during an afternoon advanced session with Track Masters Racing. The track was starting to cool down - and this set of tires are toast. Nonetheless, it was a good session and I was able to turn some good aggressive laps. The fastest lap was 1:56, but you have to guess which one it was (hint: no mistakes).