Murphy's Law is always in effect. How you choose to show up to that reality, well that's up to you. Veterans have been known for their adversity in overcoming obstacles, for their willingness to show up and face whatever the mission calls for. And for the last race of the season with the Lucky Dog Racing League, that's precisely what After Action Racing (AAR) put on display.
Here's a little backstory for you newcomers to the blog... The racing format with Lucky Dog follows a 2-day Endurance racing format where each day is a separate race. For example, Saturday is a 7-Hour Race & Sunday is an 8-Hour Race. Most race weekends do host a Friday track day that we use to tune our car for optimal performance come race day, and to gain invaluable on track familiarization i.e. "seat time". Teams are mostly comprised of 4-drivers and supporting crew. Each stint (period of time racing behind the wheel) cannot exceed a 2-Hour period, at which time you are required to pit, change drivers and then you can resume racing. All pit stops are a minimum of 5-minutes when changing drivers and/or refueling. So, the average race sees our drivers running 1.5 to 2-Hour stints. And when you're running race pace for 2 hours in the heat, you'll see what you're made of. Promise!
Back to the weekend story...
AAR faced a multitude of challenges and obstacles on the first day of racing (Saturday) at The Ridge Motorsports Complex located in Shelton, WA. From technical issues with the car (threw the belt early on, broken wheel bearings/CV axle, etc.) to unexpected weather conditions (sideways rain, windshield fogging and not heating, zero visibility) the team encountered setback after setback. However, instead of folding, the team rallied together and strategized on how to overcome these obstacles.
Importance of Teamwork
Teamwork played a crucial role in AAR overcoming obstacles at The Ridge. At the conclusion of racing on Day One, the Team immediately refueled with some hot chow along with a little race debrief, and then turned to — getting to work on the vehicle (Car #433) in preparation for Day 2 of racing. Each team member brought their unique skills and expertise to the table, working in harmony to address the issues at hand. Communication was key, with everyone sharing ideas and collaborating to find solutions. And there's never any shortage of trips to the local auto parts store.
Dedication and Resilience
Despite the challenges they faced, AAR remained focused on the task at hand: winning. The Team put in extra hours, fine-tuning the car and analyzing data to ensure they were fully prepared for the next day. Their resilience in the face of adversity was truly inspiring.
Triumphant Victory
On the second day of racing, AAR's hard work paid off. The team's dedication and perseverance shone through as they crossed the finish line in first place, Top Dogs in C-Class! It was a testament to what can be achieved when a group of individuals comes together as a cohesive unit.
Ultimately, AAR's triumph serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges. When individuals work together towards a common goal, there is no obstacle too great to conquer. The team's success is a testament to the power of collaboration, dedication, and resilience in the face of adversity.