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| Tim to Make Attempt at Resetting Track Record | |
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Tim to Make Attempt at Resetting Track Record
May 20, 2005
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| He currently holds the Grand Touring 3 (GT3) track record on Summit Point Motorsports Park's Jefferson Circuit—which also stands as the fastest lap turned overall by a closed wheel sports car—not just in one direction, but both clockwise and counterclockwise, and on May 28th and 29th, Tim Stephens will take to the track in the Toyota MR2 to once again better those lap records around the challenging 1.1 mile course. |
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| The race is a Mid-Atlantic Time Trial Championship Event and unique because day one runs in normal race direction and day two runs in the reverse, 'backwards', way around the track. As a Time Trial race, one car at a time races against the clock, just like normal single car qualifying before a race. Each driver is given four 3-lap runs per day. Their one single fastest lap stands and the driver with the lowest two-day combined time is the victor. Also carefully monitored are the prestigious lap records. In 2004, Tim broke both records with 55.37 seconds in normal race direction, and 54.47 seconds in counter-race direction. |
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| The format is described much like Pole Day at Indianapolis for the Indy 500; very intense as you get ready to run and you take your timed laps flat out as fast as possible knowing you only have three laps to get it right. It's great for the spectators too because they don't have to follow a long continuous race—just quick runs by drivers driving at (and beyond) the limit. Once a timed run is completed, you know right away if was fast enough or not. |
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| Driver skill and concentration really show through in this racing as well. Only running three laps at a time means that you have to be 100% focused from the moment you pull out onto the track. You have to be able to turn on a mental switch and say "this lap is going to be my flyer" and make it perfect. If you error, you have to quickly learn from it and put it behind you because your next lap better be right. |
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| As long as weather and track conditions are favorable, Tim believes he should have a shot at bettering those lap records.
"When you are making an attempt at a lap record, there are many variables that are out of your control; weather being the biggest factor. Regardless, it's a great event, the track is technically challenging, and the atmosphere is superb. The goal, first, is to win, but also to shave a little time from my existing lap records to make sure that they stand for a long time. It's my home track and it feels good when your name is on the track record list." |
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