RJRacing

Team Co-owner and Driver John Gibson prepares food for the community BBQ.

Buttonwillow, CA (April 09, 2011) – In celebration of the much-anticipated birth of the 2011 challenging Endurance Race Season, RJ Racing graciously hosted and sponsored a community BBQ for teams that were to participate in the evening race. The race occurred amongst the background of a beautiful orange glow, with mild spring temperatures, and not too much dust, on Saturday, April 09, 2011. Experienced and rookie teams alike came together to talk shop (mostly), socialize (much embellishment was overheard!), and indulge in a delicious full-bore lunch spread. As the chatter, food and drink supply dwindled down to a dull roar leaving only a few die-hards, the teams parted ways in order to prepare for the upcoming race against their contemporaries.

Earlier in the already event-filled day, RJ Racing had placed 4th in the PTE Sprint Race as well as qualified 2nd for the endurance race. After making the obligatory last minute final adjustments, inspections, and receipt of advice, Co-owner and team Driver Rob Gibson suited up. Rob began the race confident in his car seat, as all systems were running properly as designed. Soon though, the precisely tuned blue/orange MX-5 got stuck in 4th gear after only completing 3 laps of the 3-hour demanding gear-grinding race. After much debate and deliberation (mostly amiable), the team members agreed unanimously to finish as much of the race as possible, while still perennially and perpetually stuck in that darn 4th gear.

Team Co-owner and Driver Rob Gibson passes pit lane.

The team anxiously maintained tedious contact with Rob while preparing several back-up plans in the event that the situation worsened. Rob later said, “I am impressed with the level of professionalism maintained during the trying times. We didn’t know what to expect but everyone retained a calm and positive attitude as the routine pit stop neared. I couldn’t have asked for a better team!” Rob pulled into pit lane halfway through the race and the team completed a flawless pit stop comprised of fueling, safety precautions, and a much-needed driver change. Despite requiring a hefty push-start from several crew members, car #23 was back on track in just under two minutes with team Co-owner and Driver John Gibson now at the controls and manning the wheel.

Team Owners and Drivers Rob Gibson and John Gibson celebrate their win.

John continued the race in the compromised car, requiring all of his skill and much of his past training and he battled a competitor for the coveted 1st place position for the remainder of the race, ultimately placing 2nd. Seconds after the race concluded, an official adjustment was made to the live-timing and scoring, (being tested for the first time at this event) and RJ Racing soon learned that they had in fact held the 1st place position by an entire lap! John said, “We were all pushed beyond our limits and came through with a victory that we will be talking about for many years!”

Crew members work together to complete a track-side transmission swap.

The close-knit team humbly and honorably celebrated their victorious success alongside their peers and competitors with whom they broke bread with just a few hours earlier. Exhausted, most of the crew then called it an early night. The triumphant win wouldn’t keep RJ Racing from taking the necessary steps to prepare for the PTE Sprint Race the following day however. No rest for the weary they say in racing! The team rested up and arrived at the sun-soaked track early on Sunday morning and immediately began a transmission swap, among other work. With efficient communication and strong team dynamics, they completed their chores in less than 1.5 hours, leaving over 30 minutes to rest and reflect on the upcoming challenges, the previous day’s events, and wonder when the next BBQ will be. Overall, it was an outing to remember!

Weekend Results:

Saturday, April 09, 2011

PTE Sprint Race

Qualified 2nd (John Gibson)
Placed 4th (Rob Gibson)

WERC 3-Hour Endurance Race

Qualified 2nd (Rob Gibson)
Placed 1st (Driver 1: Rob Gibson, Driver 2: John Gibson)

Sunday, April 10, 2011

PTE Sprint Race

Qualified 5th (Rob Gibson)
Placed 2nd (Rob Gibson)