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june 21 2009

june 20 2009

I spent the day at the Bridgestone Racing Academy, a part of Mosport Raceway just outside Bowmanville.  They’ve been open 24 years and get this – have a 24 year injury-free record.

There were 10 in my class, I was the only girl, and the only one who took notes during our morning class.  Some facts:

– they purchased a new fleet of cars just last year (above) – the Van Diemen Formula Car, $72K/each
– each car weighs 1000lbs and has an engine with 170 horses, the equivalent to a 500 horsepower street car
– there’s no neutral, no reverse, it’s a 5 speed sequential shifter without a gear indictator
– the car doesn’t like cruising, it likes only braking or gas (oh okaaaay) 
– driving in the rain (like we did all day) and hitting an oil patch (they’re everywhere) is like hitting black ice (musta spun out 7+ times)

We went out in groups of 5, and after your pit guy buckles you in and attaches the steering wheel you stall three times trying to get out to the track.

Made it up to 5th gear on one of the straight bits, and maybe the best moment was when I was zipping along, hit some oil and the car spun out.  It did a 360 but I pulled out of it and kept driving.  I felt like the coolest girl in the whole world.  Then I smacked the crap out of my right arm trying to cheer for myself and went right back to being Keri.

I filmed an episode (title pending) and you know, it was maybe my most nervous episode to film to date.  I mean, I am supposed to be concentrating on learning how to do something kinda dangerous, not having my mind elsewhere building an episode.

Late evening a phonecall came in saying someone had had to give up their ticket tomorrow, did I want it?june 19 2009

YES.  So I cancelled all my weekend plans and tomorrow I’ll tell you all about it.  I canNOT believe I’m this lucky… since I’m a little girl I’ve been dreaming about doing this.

I walked into the wrong apartment, who were also having a party. They all turned and said “Who are you?” I said “What’s up?!”  

And it wasn’t like a couple people saw me, the whole 20-strong group was posing for a photo, facing the top of the stairs.  

june 19 2009

On the left is during the middle of a toast, everyone standing in a circle.  The girls were done up big in their makeup and clothes; I’d slept in mine.  On the right is the birthday boy.

june 19 2009

I detailed it with a toothbrush and a lot of elbow grease.  Some tips:

– do the interior glass first, then toothbrush, then plastics, then vacuum
– on the doorjams (left photo) open all the doors while doing them, use just a clean dry rag
– do not be like me and leave the windows down while working so dust blows back in and makes you have to do it all twice
– enjoy how much better your car will drive when it’s so clean, no joke