[dlwatry]

This was only my second TT after having attended 3 classes at The Streets. I think it would be best for everyone to attend at least one school before being on a big track. Steve Hamilton does a superb job of instilling the point-by etiquette and other good track behavior at the schools. Like other non-first-timers, I was very frustrated by the lack of point-bys and point-bys at inappropriate places on the track. That said, I appreciate the need for new track participants, and I would support segregating the DE drivers to their own session. I also support Terry's suggestion that the day get started earlier to help make time for this.

With respect to gridding, I definitely preferred the gridding at Willow Springs in January over what happened at BW. The sense of competition and "event" was much better, and it simply worked better. The person in front of me pulled away with every lap, and the person behind me fell a little further behind with every lap. Every lap was clean.

In contrast, at BW, I caught up with the person in front of me after 3 laps, did not get a point by on the front straight when I should have, followed the car around for an entire lap, and then passed him/her without a point-by on the front straight (as Dennis has said I could when I had complained earlier about the lack of point-bys). Not a great situation. Other than that, I actually had a very good Timed Session, unlike most others.

As it was, I won in Class P at BW, and I really appreciate the trophy I received. As Racer Z predicted, it allowed me to experience a bit of that "special race feeling."

I look forward to many more AROSC track events.

Derek Watry
AROC #S45506