1000 miles or 10 hours, whichever comes first.

Belinda and number 81 Porsche GT

Wow, there is so much to say about this event. First of all, I am so grateful for such an opportunity. The third driver unfortunately couldn’t get a medical release so Lux and Galica asked me if I would be able to team up with them in a first all female driving team for the Petit LeMans. Finding this out on the 14th of September, with the race in on the 30th and  G&W Motorsports needed to know by the 20th. Counting weekends, essentially all I had was two days to come up with a big chunk of change. By Friday afternoon, all the corporations were closed, and I said a prayer. The whole thing seemed a little out of reach, so I didn’t get excited about it. I simply asked God, that since the door is open, if He knows I’m ready, then He will supply the means. I left it at that. Saturday afternoon, I got a call from my sponsor, and going well over the extent of their present sponsorship, they decided that it was a great marketing opportunity. And boy, were they right. God’s faithfulness is incredible. 

Now, how do you prepare for a 10hr race? Not just any 10 hour race. A race with 3 different classes of cars. We are not talking slow cars either. We talking the best sports car racing machines in the world, along with some of the best, most competitive drivers as well. How do you focus for this? Well, outside of doing physical training 2 times a day, the only way to train for a race like this is drive it. Amazing! I have never raced a Porsche before so that was a first, but what a handy little car. G&W really did their homework and gave us a flawless car. But I have to tell you, the first time the wolf pack, the fast prototypes, passed me going into turn 10, I got on the radio with Cole, the team leader, and said, “If you could only see what I see, these cars are beautiful!” It took a bit to get used to the fast and incredible passes. At the night practice, I said to myself after one of the Audis passed me on turn 1, “Why don’t you try the chain link fence next time.” Not to be sarcastic, just to comment on how amazing these car and drivers really are. They are something to behold. 

The view from the cockpit is indescribable, and only from there can one really understand.It was a fun challenge to stay at a race pace and yet safely let the fast cars buy. It can be quite mentally exhausting which I’m sure we all three can attest to.

Through the esses at Petit LeMans

Lux and Galica were excellent co-drivers. I knew going in that we were looking for a finish and a good one at that. Taking it step by step and not overlooking anything, keeping a very level head and looking for the finish was the call of the day. G&W did an excellent job with the car, Terry, one of the mechanics who is like MacGyver, got us fitted well in the car. Cole did his magic on the radio, from start to finish. Outside of contact from a Panoz early on, we had a very clean race. 

The contact caused a spin and fortunately no concrete was hit. We duck taped it up and off we went. We did experience a tire rub exiting turn 5 with the right rear loaded. Lux started the race, Galica took the 2nd stint and I followed 3rd ,which led me to the night stint. Never having raced at night, this was an experience. There is nothing like it. I called it romantic, it was so beautiful.

However the 40’ tall Michelin Man with the orange light on it was a bit distracting. I came out of the pits and up the hill and there he was, filling the entire sky and I wondered not if, but how many, times someone shot him. I had no problem with the 1hr 20min stints. In fact they went by so fast. I think one of the wonderful things about driving in a race like this is a long stint. You get to savor the moment and try to perfect all your inputs. And what incredible moments they are. It wouldn’t have been possible if G&W didn’t give us the best possible equipment. The spotted yellow #81 Porsche was a sweet car to drive. 

Lux and Galica were not only very professional to work with, they did an excellent job out on the track. If I was going into battle I would want them to fight on my side.  

We finished 6th in our class out of 16 and 20th overall out of 40. G&W ‘s other car finished 4th. A testimony to their superior work. This was a first and bless God, I guarantee it will not be the last.  I have to thank God first and foremost. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Him. I also want to thank Xtreme Island Designs and my best friend Barry for believing in me, and Cindi and Divina for asking me to run and having confidence in my ability.

Also thanks to G&W for a well prepared racing machine, their expertise in racing strategy and patience with three talented race drivers.