MX-5 Cup/Mitty Race Recap (FIRSTHAND)

lyonelkent · Post by **lyonelkent** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:53 pm

First off, let me just say that I sincerely appreciate all the support I have received from all of you! I am certain that I do not have to tell anyone on this board what it means for me to be driving the #13 Alara Racing eData Solutions car in the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. Friday was the best day of my life, with the exception of my wedding day!

A coordinated effort with my Alara Racing teammates resulted in pole position by .4 seconds for my pro racing debut at Road Atlanta. The draft is key and we worked it well awarding us three of the top four spots on the grid.

Saturday's race would prove to be a little more difficult, as the transmission did not feel right on the pace lap. It was as if something was keeping it from wanting to go into gear or fully engage. Oh well...we were going green anyway, so I would just deal.

I got a good start and Ara tucked in behind me as planned. When we got to turn 3, it popped out of gear. When we came out of 7, leading onto the back straight, it did not want to go into 4th. When we got to 10, it popped out again. I was told to do my best to match revs and just hold it in gear, so I felt compelled to do that for most of the race.

It does not take much to fall victim to the freight train, so before I knew it, I found myself back in 10th. The series is known for its close, aggressive racing, and I ended up having to take evasive action in turn 10 to avoid contact and cut a tire on the curbing onlap 14. This made turn 5 coming out of the esses a little exciting at times. (Think oversteer, and then reach around grab another turn!)

Determined to make my way back toward the front, I was able to work around the issues and ended up salvaging a respectable 7th place and all-important championship points.

Alara Racing is a great team, so look for the #13 eData Solutions car (and the other yellow cars as well) to be running up front in less than 2 weeks at Mazda Raceway.

Thank you all for your support and hope to see you all again soon!

Lyonel

gbwrx · Post by **gbwrx** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:09 pm

Good job. I wouldn't doubt you getting 1st if you didn't have troubles.

scottgib · Post by **scottgib** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:10 pm

Lyonel, thanks for the update and good luck.

Scuffcakes · Post by **Scuffcakes** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:12 am

I was "watching" via the live T&S on the website. When it went green and you started dropping back my first thought was, "I wonder what happened to the car?" since I was pretty darn sure it wasn't a driver problem. From what you've described, 7th wasn't just respectable, it was downright amazing. Great job salvaging a really tough situation. I guess that's what being a pro race car driver is all about.

John Brown · Post by **John Brown** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:13 am

I have to say..Lyonels description of the "freight-train" just dont get the point across.... it was like an out of control Nascar Draft at Talledega..
cars going right and left faster than you could follow them.. really.

The competition is fierce! one small mis-calculation,and you drop at least two spots.
He really did drive his heart out.. I wish we had a few more ETR members there at the bridge cheering him on as he took the green... It was a crowded area..and all of them knew where that boy came from... East Tennessee Baby!!
I heard my GF and another girl mention how that start gave them goose-bumps!!!

yea... it was grand.. this is a HUGE event,and hearing the announcer talk about Lyonel in the same fashion that we all know him was,well.. enough to give you the chills!
Give them HELL LyoneL!

Steve-o · Post by **Steve-o** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:27 am

Good to hear the first hand account of the race. Wish I could have been there to see it myself! Good luck out there, Lyonel. I'll be cheering for you!

HoserRacing · Post by **HoserRacing** » Tue May 05, 2009 5:22 am

Congrats Lyonel, enjoyed the race recap, will look for another one in 2 weeks, hopefully with another pole & a win in it

Tyler H · Post by **Tyler H** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:07 pm

It was awesome being there. I wish I didn't have to work so I could go watch Laguna Seca.

gbwrx · Post by **gbwrx** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:21 pm

Tyler H wrote:It was awesome being there. I wish I didn't have to work so I could go watch Laguna Seca.

I bet that was a lot of fun. I have been saying for years that I need to go out and watch Lyonel but never get out to do it.

Wheelman_13 · Post by **Wheelman_13** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:42 pm

Resurecting this thread because I just noticed that the Mitty coverage is now up on the MX-5 Cup Youtube channel.

8 segments, here is link to #1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yVZ8FdKR2A

awdbandito · Post by **awdbandito** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:34 am

If you want to watch this weekends race in New Jersey live it will be broadcast on HDNet from 1pm-4pm on Saturday and again for Sunday's races.