Last Sunday was our first event of the California Miata Challenge series offered through Speed Ventures and sponsored by 949 Racing. It was at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, CA — off of the 5 and near Bakersfield. I was worried about running the event without having driven this track before, but once I was in the driver’s seat with Miata Challenge friend, Leonard next to me to guide me on how to drive the course without getting into trouble, I began to relax.
The day started out cold and still wet from early rain, so we took it easy the first session and I needed that time to become familiar with the course anyway. There were several cars we passed that went off into the mud. I spun the car once that morning myself, but stayed on the pavement. From autocross one learns to avoid trying to save it when you go into a spin and immediately place “both feet in” — depress clutch and brake. This allows you to spin in one spot. I don’t know whether that is any safer but at least I didn’t have to wait for a tow out of the mud. I spun a second time in the afternoon, too.
The day continued to shower periodically. I did get a part of one session that was drier before it started raining again. My boyfriend, Mako, posted on the CSCC forum about our experience with some photos: http://forums.solo2.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5055 He and I ended up very close in time even though this is the first time he’s been on a road course in several years.
At the Awards ceremony at day end I was the only female driver. I hope that will soon change and Jamie will finish work on her Miata and join us, though in a different class. I did meet two other gals, but I didn’t get their names. One would have been driving but her Lotus blew a cam. The other was a young lady that definitely has interest in trying, just isn’t quite there yet.
