AE86 Update: D-Day – AE86 at Dover! *Race-day

I read a few minutes earlier that 7-time Formula 1 World Champion, Michael Schumacher, has blinked during a series of tests that he is currently undergoing as his road to recovery is about to begin. It is still somewhat surreal to me when I think about all that has unfolded thus far. To think that Schumacher spent the greater portion of his life racing rockets – that is what an F1 machine really is – he retired unscathed and then to have an accident of this magnitude (in terms of implications) while skiing is incomprehensible!

I have also learnt that the medical team is saying that if he was not wearing a helmet when he fell, he would have died instantly! There is very little room for comfort though if we accept statements allegedly made by Professor Gary Hartstein. Professor Gary Hartstein served F1 as chief medic in the past and according to the report, he is of the view that the Michael Schumacher we knew and loved, will not return, when he emerges from the coma! We hope for the best.

AE86

The issues which arose with the AE86 during qualifying were beyond the realm of correction for race-day, so I decided to compete, grab some seat-time and give it my best shot. While we were in the pits, the drivers were summoned for the mandatory drivers meeting. This was my first drivers meeting. Verdayne Wallace, in his usual calm but business-like tone, gave the appropriate stern warnings and at times pleaded for sanity to reign on the track. I simply felt honored to be present and spent a lot of time observing the facial expressions of the drivers. Verdayne reminded the drivers of an interesting fact, to which David Summerbell Jr. reacted jokingly and said to Doug Gore – ” Hear that Doug? The race is not won at the first corner!” Doug Gore, in my view, was burdened by the task that he knew was ahead and he was in a no-nonsense mood – he wore a pensive stare – he did not respond.

Journal – 1/4/2013

As soon as the drivers meeting ended we (Bracket 38) were being called to the grid – we were the first race! First formation lap – rather fast until the last couple of corners leading to the start-finish straight – slow down and bunch up. When we got the green we were like 100 wasps released from a ‘Chubby’ bottle! Race-cars were darting everywhere! I was swamped by Turn 1 and the cars were disappearing. I had nothing for them! During the race I would gain on the cars, at times and then I would be left listening a fading rev- range as the machine (I was close to) would excuse itself and vanish! I tried though.

We planned to compete in only 2 races for the day, so for Race 2, I decided that I would ‘push’ as much as possible. Apparently I pushed too much. In the early laps I spun out, but determination is a b.tch! I rejoined and did what my friends refer to as – ‘pile on some revs’! I missed a shift at one point in the race and some time after that AE started sputtering – possibly overwhelmed by the moment. I had good fun throughout the race though.

There is no debate regarding whether or not I gained from the experience. I gained immensely! And it became obvious that AE’s transformation was far from complete. But guess what? We were at the 1.6 miles of Dover Raceway, not as spectators, but as competitors!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer