MM3.9GT3

So, most of us think we are fairly good drivers. I was at a private track day organized by one of my friends (Eagles Canyon Raceway), in my Ruf RGT. You can drive as much as you want because the track is green except during lunch.

I was driving my car at a fairly rapid clip when I see an Aston Martin DB9 slowly gaining on me. Now, the guy who normally drives this DB9 is not a very good driver, and I am beginning to wonder if I have completely lost it. I start pushing harder, and he is still gaining on me. But, suddenly the DB9 slows down, and all is well, including my ego

Once I came into the pits, I found out that the guy who was driving the DB9 was not its regular driver, but Pablo Sanchez Lopez, and he had cooked the DB9's brakes. Who is he? Here is his information. He was a Formula 1 Test Driver for Ferrari in 2009, at the age of 19.

http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/pabl...-lopez/career/

brendo

Humility takes many forms :-)

I had a very similar experience at porsche sport driving school masters class. A guy passed me in the wet like I was standing still. Completely out of sight in 2 turns. I found out later he was a factory test driver...I guess I'm not exactly senna in the wet

I still hold the course record for my driveway though

NorthVan

We need a PT day on your driveway. Make sure the nanny is there!

A430v

Great story. Many of the factory drivers are "pro" level (could have gone much further), but the ones I talked to at Leipzig told me that often, it's just not talent, but sponsorship that gets you into the sport and for many, they just didn't have the funds to make it. Even the factory drivers started racing at the age of 8-11. Us amateurs just can't compete. :-P

roberga

There is always someone faster.. usually in a slower car.

MM3.9GT3

He said you have to bring sponsors to the tune of 3 Million Euros, or, you can write a check

luv2race

I was at The Glen some years ago and it started sprinkling, the track was very slick so I slowed my GT3 to about 70% which is probably 60% for a skilled driver. This brand new Turbo passes me going in to the final turn entering the front straight. The car is in full opposite lock until he hits the far curbing which is about 18" from the wall and he catapults down the front straight.

I come back in to the pits and ask who was driving the brand new blue turbo. Some guy with a camera responds........Hurley Haywood, we are taking pictures for the North American media
launch of the 997 turbo.

GuyR

A friend of mine who has raced lots at the 'ring took me and two others round in a small diesel SUV. We passed a surprising range of theoretically far quicker cars

avader906

spot on on sponsorship, you pay for the seat....

Snowboarder54

I had my dose of humility when Patrick Long was driving my car here on of my local roads last year in the rain! He looked over at me and asked "do you drive this fast on theses roads". My only reply was "not in the rain"!

kyrocks

Wow. BTW, I like that track.

Terry L

I wonder if the pros like Haywood are saying under their breath the same thing we are saying at times like that... "Don't hit the wall please don't hit the wall **** don't hit the wall come on front wheels catch please catch whew that was close turn one coming up..."

911rox

Lol... You weren't reading my mind on what our reaction is, were you???

aussie jimmy

everything happens too quick to even think those thoughts.
only when you've lost control of the car does everything slow down, and these thoughts present themselves in full hd clarity.

luv2race

I know what my thoughts were......in succession..... Holy **** man don't hit that wall and then that guy is crazy which quickly transitioned to that guy is crazy good. Then sadness came over me as I realized I was half a man with no driving skill. Lol