Here's a few pics I took at the Grand Prix in Austin so far this weekend. I'm sure most of you know what a racecar looks like so I'll mainly show some of the features of the track plus a few of my favorite car pics...
Race is tomorrow. Don't know if I will be shooting much but will definitely upload some more if I do. You'll likely see Tim's assortment of pics soon as well.
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Race day pics! Being situated at the hairpin facing to the South really made taking pictures a challenge.
Warning!!!****Will contain a spoiler***
Mr. Charlie Badass Whiting...
I am sure everyone here has heard that phrase before, especially when talking about motor racing. No matter how good someone is, the variables of motorsport trump skill and speed...so it says.
I was never one to believe in luck. I thought my actions influenced EVERYTHING out on track and for a time, felt so confident that nothing outside of my control could give me problems. That was 2008-2009 when I had one DNF and was scoring multiple wins per week. Championships were aplenty as well...
It was the most successful period of my sim racing career. On top of my game, I went on a multiple month hiatus. Coming back, I didn't necessarily think I could reach the same success as the year before, but I did think I could regain some of that "magic" again. I soon found out it was going to be the complete opposite.
Since late Feburary when I came back, I've had roughly 15 wins and many DNFs ranging from discos to getting involved in multiple car wrecks. What has annoyed me the most is the fact that I have committed FAR more mental mistakes than ever before which has lost me many races. This kind of trend is what I used to do back in TM.net and early R2P when I was still a "newbie". Interestingly, my pace has not fallen off at all. In fact, in some areas, it has quickened.
Now, what am I getting at here? Well, I tend to steward a lot of races here at R2P and see all sorts of drivers come and go. The ones that are the most interesting to watch are those that overstep their abilities trying to get a faster lap time or achieve the same pace of the aliens, only to find themselves in a wall on lap two of a race.
Being fast is overrated. It is pointless to try and achieve a godly pace right away when you can't run it consistently. Being able to finish races and learning to overcome/avoid trouble on track are far better qualities than trying to win practice with the hottest lap on the server. Who knows, luck might swing your way and you could get onto the podium from the misfortunes of those in front of you. Every little step counts...
Shit happens, Murphy's law, etc. It's definitely something I am getting a crash course in and it is quite humbling. A fast pace is not everything. Bringing the car home in one piece without trouble is much more rewarding.