Left Turn University

I received my birthday present a couple of weeks late -- a session at Left Turn University. This consists of a short "classroom instruction" session where they go over the cars, safety issues, the track and how to run it. This is done by a local mini-stock racer. Then you get to go out on the track for a couple of warmup laps, followed by ten hot laps.

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This was held at the Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford, CT and is run by local racers.

These are pictures of the track, taken from the pits. First is the front straight and the grandstands, and next is the back straight and scoreboard. The third picture is of a couple of the cars waiting in the pits. The third car is on the track, with a student from the previous session finishing up his run.

In this set of pictures, I am getting buckled into the car, then I am being shown how to get out of the car quickly. In the first picture, on the left, you can see the reigning American Truck Series regional champion, and this years points leader. In the third picture, I am putting on my glasses and getting ready to drive the car to the area to await going out on the track.

In the first picture, I am getting last-minute instruction as we watch one of the other students taking his hot laps. In the second picture, I am just about to go out for mine. Then the third picture shows me heading out onto the track.

Here I am, going through turns three and four.



And here I go down the back straight.


And here I am after it is all over. It was a great time. All I need now is someone with lots of money to back my new racing career!

(During interviews, I promise to say the sponsor name in every sentence.)