February 24-25th, 2001

Panoz GT Series, Road Atlanta

Season Opener
The Eliminator. tm
www.cool1andcompany.com

Off since New Years from the 24hrs of Moroso, it sure felt good to be back at Road Atlanta. This ominous 2.5 Mile road track is what I consider my home road racing track. It's where I first started just a mere 2yrs ago. Of all the times I have been there, incredibly it has never rained! Not this wet weekend, yet every thing was warmed up by getting re-acquainted with the personnel that put on the Panoz program. Barry, my sponsor's "Xtreme Island Designs" rep, also came to lend support.
I invited a very special person out to the racetrack, Donny Jenkins, a paramedic by trade. Donny developed an innovative Cool Vest that I will be using at Sebring. His personal cooling system could prove to be invaluable to many drivers, as well as many industrial applications. Donny is a God fearing, humble man, whose main focus is to save lives and increase productivity. To find out more about this product, go to his web site at www.cool1andcompany.com
The rain provided a great experience, except for the fogging on the inside of the windscreen. Not good. Practice in the rain and wet was fun, but when you can't see, it gets very testy. Coming into the pits a few times to get the windscreen wiped off helped a lot. When I could see, the car handled surprising well with the new tires from Michelin, even when the track was like a river.
Not having run this car in these conditions before, and with new crew personnel, I did not question what they used. Liquid soap has been used for fog a lot, but it has to be applied when the surface is dry. On Saturday, the fog was on and off, pitting numerous times to get it wiped off. Sunday, during Qualifying it was completely clear. I got lucky, but kept thinking, "Hope they have the formula down". I qualified seven seconds in front of the pack; making some good passes early on to lock in a time before the weather changed for the worst.

Starting from the pole, I easily held the lead till the windscreen completely fogged up after a lap and a half! By turn 12, it was all I could do to see out of the right side of the car and by turn 6, I asked God to get rid of the fog, His reply was, "Did you think it would be that easy?" With my foot to the wood on the back straight my only front vision was looking out the side windows. I said to myself " This is nuts!" In a 16-lap sprint race pitting is terminal, so I just pressed forward, praying I would make the right turn at the right time and not get immersed in a puddle that would cause me to careen off of the track. Luckily, but unfortunate for the driver that slid off turn 6, we got a black flag. Holding the lead, they wiped off the inside of the windscreen, and on I went.
The fog got worse more quickly this time. Talk about frustration! I was reaching my head around, searching just to try to see something. It was like having a wall in front of my face. I got passed in turn 10! All I saw was the white hood out the window, and I told myself that now there was at least an object to follow.
Alas, came a second black flag and I thanked God for my situation. This time more soap was added and off we went. The part of the windscreen on the driver's side stayed somewhat clear, however all the turns are to the right and the passenger side of the windscreen was like a painted white wall. Not Good! By a few more laps the bottom of the windscreen was blowing both tiny bubbles and big ones that would hold on to the windscreen and them burst! Too much soap! Hey, I didn't order a Lawrence Welk show. Racing is so complex and interesting. To have qualified so well and then to be let down by something as simple as the wrong application of a defogger. Liquid Joy no less. By the grace of God I came home second and in one piece, keeping on the assault despite not being able to see. Mike Manner, an SCCA racer was a gracious winner

In Road Racing I think is so important to be able to adapt to every situation.
With faith you don't always see. You just have to believe. Walk by faith not by
Sight.
Well, it's off to Sebring! For the Panoz GT Pro Race.

Belinda Endress, Car #16
805-499-3977 - 805-499-5564 fax - 805-402-6865 cell, P.O. Box 501, Newbury PK, Ca 91319-0501
www.godswhls.com * Belinda@godswhls.com