As we lined up in the paddock, Ron suddenly pulled off with what he'd later estimate was a clutch issue. I was sad for Ron as well as having an empty spot to my left meant Ken would get a easier line on me into turn one. Not seeing the flag again, we rounded turn fifteen in starting formation and Rick amped the revs. Two thirds down the main straight Jim blazed by a bunch of us with his newfound power and I saw Ken take position on Jerry behind me as the leaders dusted off.

Rick was managing a dash of time on Greg at each turn with Jim charging about. I was able to pull out some gap on Ken and knew if he could keep Jerry behind him for a few laps I might be able to hold fourth position.

It wasn't to be. I didn't see it, but I think Jerry got Ken into fourteen. What I knew for sure was that I had about six seconds of gap to manage the whole rest of the race with when I checked my rearview and saw Jerry come out in front onto the main straight. To give myself the best chance I knew I lost the most time in the twisties so I tried to be really smooth and consistent there and get as much exit speed as possible into the straights. I just hoped that lapping traffic would come up in a couple of laps to give me something to work with.

That plan went out the window a lap later. I missed my turn in on the cyclone and bogged away some time. Then I under-braked at eleven and gasped through the esses after correcting a slide. My mirror showed Jerry taking chunks out of my gap.

One more lap down and my mirrors were full. On top of that, lapping traffic was upon us. A leading 911 swooped through the esses onto the back straight and I stayed middle to let him get a good arc into fourteen. That lapse in concentration and a bit of lift gave Jerry all the time he needed to take position under me on braking and I knew the battle was lost. Disappointed but not disgruntled I let him through and tried to maintain cat and mouse of maintaining the gap distance for the rest of the race. My rookie inexperience showed as Jerry was able to position himself to lose less time letting the faster cars through and he stretched his lead to checkers.

We finished Sunday with Rick leading the pack once again, followed by Greg, Jim, Jerry, myself and Ken nursing the car home to finish. Yay for Toyo bucks! Yay for getting two races signed off! Boo for having to push Ron's car onto his trailer.

Special thanks to Ken, Steve and Sid for all the help getting my car race-legal. To Barb, the pit babe for cleaning the streaks and paint off the back of my car (some lady backed into me right after I had the thing painted), and to Ron's wife Kim for the strawberries.

See everyone at Infineon.