Topic: Gingerman by the numbers
A couple of quick thoughts, and our weekend by the numbers.
A Quart Low remain our heroes for being the team that talked us into taking the chance in 2016 to field a car. We went to the April 2016 race when they first showed up with a bunch of clueless guys (I mean that as a compliment) and a boring black Del Sol. We talked their ear off all weekend and they challenged us to just go for it and enter the October race. When we showed up for the 10th Anniversary race with our Lincoln, we couldn't help but be in awe of the Calvin and Hobbes themed little red wagon. Amazing. Wrongly, I assumed they could never top that, until they brought Oreo Speedwagon and mic dropped the whole field this year. Well done, guys! You remain our inspiration and possibly the best group of guys to ever "get" Lemons.
Save the Ta Tas had the inglorious responsibility of paddocking next to us in October 2016 for our first race. They gave us counsel, tools, tips and stares all weekend. They welcomed us into the Lemons fold that weekend. Even though they were and remain immeasurably faster than us, they never looked down on us, our efforts or our racing. When given the opportunity to run and move somewhere else on Thursday this year, they didn't budge and accepted us next to them in the paddock again. They are a great team and we are forever grateful for their support and encouragement.
For both races, we intended on a four person team, but both times only three of us made it to the track and into the car. A three man team has some unique challenges, but we've been fortunate to have a reliable car that hasn't allowed us to exceed our very very limited racing skills. It was an incredible honor to win IOE last weekend. I was in complete shock when they made the announcement and all three of us are grateful for the recognition. If we can pull that off, anyone can pull it off. Believe in the Lemons spirit, drive it like you rented it instead of like you stole it, and try to get out of the way of the faster drivers. That was our plan and apparently it succeeded.
To the judges, and to Jay - thank you for creating this community. We are forever grateful for having the opportunity to join it and to have met and enjoyed so many like-minded people.
Now, for the numbers
414 because Abe Lincoln was shot on the evening of April 14th, although history tells us he actually died the next morning.
3 team members/drivers
56 average age of the team/drivers
74 age of our oldest teammate/driver
3800 pounds (approx) racing weight
2:09.9 our fastest lap
85 gallons of 93 octane fuel used
14 hours completed
290 laps completed
0 black flags (one in the first race)
7 pitstops
280 horsepower
32 valves
8 cylinders
4 speed automatic
400 treadwear tires
225/60/16 tire size
$55 per tire shipped from Amazon (Sumic GTs if you want your own)
$110 our per-race tire cost (we've run the same 4 Sumics for both races)
2 quarts of oil consumed/burned/leaked over the weekend
26 height of top-hat in inches
1 score and 4 years ago manufacture date