Freda Mooncotch member for 1 year 25 weeks Send a message

Today was one of the best days in my life and a day I will not forget anytime soon. I advanced from a novice racer to intermediate level during my race session today at The Joliet Autobahn Country Club. In addition, Joe Rizza Porsche let me drive my first Porsche ever - a brand-new Cayman S. Wow, I can't even begin to describe how exhilarating that experience was. The Cayman S goes from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.1 seconds and her top track speed is 170MPH. But, it is the fact that she is so light that makes her handle so well. It isn't only the speed on the straight away, but it is the way a car and driver handle the turns that makes the difference in winning and losing. The special design of each Porsche is what makes the ultimate racing car. Their light weight, along with their speed to weight ratio is very balanced and their ability to handle corners at top speeds is outstanding.

The Cayman S is an entry level racing car for someone such as myself. But, as you progress up the line of Porsche's, you will see the professional racers own the GT3's, and the really serious diehards upgrade to the ever elusive, sexy - RS. These cars are limited and custom. The availability is slim because only so many are brought into the US every year and they are not cheap.

My uncle is a professional racer. His racing company is called Hish Racing and he races all kinds of cars. He recently purchased the 2008 limited red series edition of the GT3-RS and let me tell you, it is breathtakingly, sexy-sweet. She is curvy, has wide hips and is low to the ground, not to mention that her looks are top of the line. She is race ready but is almost to pretty to take on a track. My uncle has a fleet of different types of cars including a semi and crew to go along with him. His partner and good friend is John Weinberger. They are very well known in the racing circles and are really good at it. I enjoy watching them. John Weinberger's lovely wife races her own car and has won a few trophies herself! Maybe my uncle's love for fast, beautiful, stellar cars has rubbed off on me and that is where my love for fast cars and racing originated from.

But, today it was about ME. I owned the track. I was at the top of my game and have really learned the lines of the track. With each instruction, I have learned a new technique and have increased my lap time by almost 20 to 30 seconds by learning how to control the car around the corners. I was running with the big boys today and it was fun. I walked with my head high and my shoulders back and got quite a few compliments from the guys. I have finally earned their respect on the track. I am no longer the "hot" babe with the BMW, but a force to reckon with. Not just because I was driving a Porsche but, my BMW was handling amazingly well today (although, my instructor Mike told me it was me and not the car that was the cause of her smoothness).

Learning about cars and racing them is truly a confidence building exercise. To have all that power in your hands and master it on the track is a very powerful experience. You have to think on your feet, make quick decisions, be able to recover from mistakes quickly without freaking out and loosing control of your car and you really have to learn to be alert at everything around you. I have had some of the best driving instructors and professional racing instructors teach me how to handle these high performance cars and today was the day that everyone realized just how good a driver I have become in such a short time period. I was so proud to be not only keeping up with them, but overtaking a few of them and kicking their pants off, in a BMW. My 650i weighs 4,000 pounds. She is a tank. Porsche's weigh half of that and that is the kicker and what everyone is amazed at. You see, I am living proof that it is not the car but the driver that makes the difference.

This hobby is almost as good as sex--almost. In some cases, absolutely. The rush that comes with this sport is very potent. Every part of your being has to be completely engaged and focused. Your mind, your thoughts, your energy must be channeled and honed in on your driving skills. One bad move, one jerky turn, going into an apex too early or too late can be costly. You have to be in sync with your car and know what is going on with her. It is as if you are "one" with her, connected. Not to mention, when you learn to master the apexes, racing becomes like a ballet- smooth and graceful and you literally pick up seconds on your laps. At the end of each session, I am drenched in sweat, my heart is beating fast, my face is glowing and I am full of passion. It is a complete rush, who needs drugs?