1/4/01

What a great way to start the new year by getting on a plane and heading down to Florida for a little testing for the new season. Its usually around the holidays that I start getting that itch to get back behind the wheel again.

I was graciously offered by Alfred Kobacker, CEO of Pilbeam Racing America, to come down and drive one of their new Pilbeam MP 84 cars. This is a new car in the SRPII class in Grand-Am and P675 in ALMS.

They had brought down 2 new cars for some of their potential customers to drive. One car was ready to hit the track on Thursday while the other was "brand new" and needed a little more time to get ready for the track.

Unfortunately both cars experienced "teething" pains that preventing us from getting much track time. But the problems experienced were not large and abnormal for a new car. I really feel this car has some great potential given the right testing program and team.

When the testing was over on Saturday afternoon, I was only able to get 2 laps in the car. In fact, I probably shouldn't have even gone out on track. The car wasn't 100% but the opportunity to hop in was there and I guess the element of being a race car driver got the best of me.

Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed on not getting some quality laps in the car. But it was great to meet Phil Harris and Alfred Kobacker of Pilbeam Racing America and also Mike Pilbeam, the creator and designer of the chassis.

It will be interesting to watch how this car progresses throughout the year.