We deplaned in Connecticut to a forty degree drop in temperature—75 in Houston, 35 in Hartford. The locals are walking around in t-shirts while Cristian and I look like we’re ready for an arctic expedition. We walked in the track and I was immediately intimidated. I’ve NEVER driven a 1:18 on a track, much less in an organized race……with jumps. After we setup our pits, I took my first drive around the track. Total devastation followed. Tomorrow is a new day right?

I received some tips from Cristian and some other guys at the track. After wearing down my tires (apparently referred to as “true-ing”) and adding some super glue to the walls, I had a little less grip and felt much more in control on that carpet. I also changed out my ballcups in hopes of making it around the track once without breaking down. Then I turned around a few parts that I had upside down. That helps. I was driving better immediately.

I performed a thankless job this afternoon. It’s not for the faint of heart. They call it “corner marshaling.” In Houston, we call it the Safe Clear program. I’m out there doing my best to help out the drivers by flipping cars right side up and clearing debris from the road; all the while dodging the one pound projectiles sometimes flying at my head. Then some ten-year-old kid screamed, “Hey you! Get my car!” I promptly took a break.

My first heat was the second heat of the day. Beforehand, I did some maintenance to my oil shocks and put on a fresh wing. As I’m walking to check-in, I realize I never put my hand-out motor in. How’s that for a rookie mistake? We broke in the motor late yesterday, but I never put it in my car. I rushed to get the motor swapped and with a lot of Cristian’s help, I made it to the check-in with no time to spare. There’s not much else to say about the race besides I finished…while dragging my transponder.

With my transponder secure, I started my second heat with high hopes. Those high hopes dwindled when I missed more jumps than I landed and finished dead last. Cristian thinks my hand-out motor has stronger magnets and creates a drag brake on the jumps. I think he’s just trying to say, “John, you suck.”

My third qualifier did not go well either. All my lap times in all qualifiers are surprisingly consistent though. Sucky, but consistent. Hopefully I’ll be placed in the last main so I have a fighting chance at redemption.

So I made the C Main in position six out of nine. Ironically, two-thirds of the way through the race, I finally figured out how to land a jump consistently. I ended up taking 4th place. Not bad for my first try. Today lasted from about 8:30 AM to about 11:30 PM. Fifteen hours. I’m totally burned out on the sweet jumps, the cold weather, and the scent of Paragon.