So, here's the scene: It's the PCA Fall Carrera Classic DE at Gateway International Raceway, just outside St. Louis. It's my second track event, and I'm loving it. After getting bumped from the 2nd to 3rd run group, and signed off by my instructor, I'm contemplating trying a different instructor (for a new viewpoint).

Now, one of the guys here is a chap called Roland Linder. Apparently, Roland has won Le Mans twice, and was there with two Ferrari F40 LM race cars. Anyway, I walk up and ask him if he'd ride with me for the afternoon session. "Ya shoore" he says "but onlee iff the pretty guurrlzz don't come up to me."

No pretty girls in sight, so off we go. For the first few laps, I'm getting the race driver mantra "Paul, you must be schmooz. Schmooz on the gas, schmooz on the brakes, schmooz with the steering". I'm doing pretty well, so he apparently decides to push me a little harder.

Let's talk about Gateway for a second. It's basically a NASCAR oval with an infield section. After a tight hairpin, it spits you out on the banking, then the long straight, then you dive back into the infield. The banking is obviously the fastest corner, and because I'm timid, I've been pretty much staying in the center of the banked section, and riding it around 80mph, then gunning it down the straight. Not the fastest way, but comforting to my rookie sensibilities.

Roland dissents. So he has me ride up high on the banking, come down to the apex, then drift out toward the wall for the straightaway. I don't like to nail the gas too early, so I clip the apex, then roll on throttle. Roland dissents "Fooll szrottle, go, go go" for a couple of laps.

On the third lap, I think he got a little exasparated, because about 100 yds before the apex, I feel a hand on my right knee (mind you, we're already at about 95mph on the banking), and he pushes my foot down all the way to the floor, the car pushes forward, touches the apex, and drifts to about 4 feet from the concrete wall. He removes his hand, and says "Yoo take it like zat every time, ya? Flat out."

Roland is a crazy guy.

It was quite a privilege to get instruction with one of the greats.

I have *never* driven as fast as I did in those 15 minutes.

I know he's active on Ferrarichat, but if you browse this forum, thanks, Roland. That was an eye-opening experience.

 

that is one cool experience.

so what are the chances he'll let me drive his LM F40?

 

what an awesome experience!!

 

That's what I'm looking for as well. I'm a little timid at pushing the edge - I've yet to slide the car. Fast is easy - in a straight line. I've really got to find the time to go to a Hockenheim drivers school.

 

That's awesome! I guess it is always tough to get "ballsy" like that in your own car. Looks like you got just the right push to show what your pcar can do with a bit more experience behind the wheel. I'm sure you won't be driving the same now with Roland's comments permanently ringing in your ears

 

I just got goosebumps reading that, GREAT story!