This past weekend was DMCC rd 2, and I'm proud to say we finished 4th!!
The week leading up to RD2 we knew some changes to the steering setup on the FR-S needed to be made, so we pulled it all apart, modified the front cross-member and steering rack mounting position. What a difference! The FR-S's steering had never felt so good! I instantly felt much more comfortable with the car!
This round took place at Icar circuit, just outside of Montreal. The course was basically 2 corners with entry speeds hitting about 145kph. Morning practice went well, we spent time finding a good set up on the car and got our tire pressures dialed in on the Advans. We actually had lots of grip on the concrete surface and were running higher tire pressures than we normally would. I was feeling good about the car and the track, and was really enjoying drifting the FR-S!
Going into qualifying I just did what I had been doing all day, laid down a clean lap and qualified 8th! That locked us into the top 16 competition. We were paired up to go against Kevin Moran, who is fairly aggressive and likes to use lots of steering angle. I was first to lead. I hit all the clips and put my car in all the right spots. Kevin followed closely but made mistakes giving me an advantage. My follow lap I stayed clean and on line, and was rewarded the win! This marked the first time I have made it to the top 8 with the FR-S, it felt great!
Next up we were to go against Alex Michaud. He is extremely aggressive and was also the number one qualifier. I was to follow first. We launched from the start line, I stuck with him all the way in, we initiated at the same time, but Alex was going a bit too hot. He hit the wall causing him to straighten out, I passed down the inside and finished the course, big advantage to me! Alex knew he had to do something amazing to get the win. On my lead lap he stayed beside me the entire straight into the first corner. The follow car is supposed to tuck in behind the lead car, but he didn't do that. I initiated drift, Alex was right beside me putting him in the totally wrong spot. He bumped me about 3 times at which point I lost drift as he was blocking my line. The Judges quickly awarded me the win and we moved on to the top 4!
Next up was Jonathan Guitard. His car has quite a bit more power than mine, so I knew it was going to be a fight to keep up. I was to follow first. We launched together, and he gapped me about 4 car lengths into the first corner, but as soon as we got sideways, I started to close in on him in the braking zone. Great thing about having a light car like the FR-S is that you can close gaps very quickly in braking, something I've always love doing. This time though I was coming in a bit hot and on max angle. I couldn't hold it and spun out. My lead lap was good but so was his follow on me, so he was rewarded the win.
For the 3rd place spot on the podium, we were to go against Maxim Lemovne. Him and I have battled many times and we always put on a good show for the fans! I was first to lead. I laid down what was probably one of my best laps all weekend! Rounding the final turn I checked my mirrors, Max was close but not right on me. My spotter was trying to relay to me how Max did behind me, but I was having trouble hearing the radio. So on my follow I decided I would give pretty much 100% to get the outright win. I followed him into the first corner, he gapped me a couple of car lengths, but as soon as we got sideways I started to close in on him in braking. It was all looking amazing but once again I was closing in a bit too fast. I bumped into Max, causing my car to spin and basically giving him the win. Our end result was 4th place.
I was disappointed but still happy with how we did. We come out of this round with a new found confidence in the FR-S and in myself. The fans were coming up to me saying it was great to see me out there driving the FR-S like it was my AE86! We still have growing to do together but its only getting better! We will continue to make some changes to the car over the next few weeks before RD3, one of the major ones is hopefully having our Tremec transmission ready to install, which will really help us out with gearing, and is a major piece of the puzzle to making the FR-S even better! Also we will try to get a new radio setup, as spotter information is very important and can make or break a weekend.
Thanks so much for the support!
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