After the ridiculous highs and lows of last year, both on and off the track, the only thing that comes to mind after this weekend is a Forrest Gump quote about a damn box of chocolates. At this point I just have to roll with the punches and although the NOLA season opener in 944 Spec wasn’t the one I wanted, it’s the one I got.
It’s that time of year again when I catch up on a bunch of topics I should have discussed at the end of the previous year. Pretty sure I’ve used that opener before; but if you bear with me, I just may close out 2021 before the new race seasons starts.
Life’s been hectic and I’m a little late on this one. And if you’ve read my previous posts on NCM you know this is where I get most of my bad luck out of the way. This time was no different and I have to ask myself ‘NCM, why do you hate me?’
At Nashville Superspeedway, the transition from the NASCAR banking to the infield is an event. Upsetting not only the car but the driver in the process. The only way to go fast here is to know your car, know your limit and be willing to push both past your comfort zone.
NASA events tend to have some sort of quirky title and/or theme and in the 2021 season, the irony knows no bounds. First there’s the season opener called ‘Summer in February’ where rain and frigid temps are almost a rite of passage at this point. And that’s without the occasional snow or ice. Unsurprisingly, ‘Winter in July’ at Barber Motorsports Park was not...
I used to autocross a lot until I started wheel to wheel racing. Autocross is more available, cheaper and much less demanding on resources. It may not be as exhilarating as racing; but it is a great way to learn and practice car control, hang out with gearheads and in my case … finally test the Lotus.
Road Atlanta always contains teachable moments for me and this year is no exception. Even if some of the lessons may be self inflicted.
It’s that time of year again to play in the summer heat of New Orleans. Every year tells a different story making this event one of the highlights of the Mid South calendar.
World Wide Technology Raceway or WWTR is located just outside St Louis on the Illinois side of the Mississippi river. Previously known as Gateway due to it’s proximity to the St. Louis arch. The main track is a NASCAR oval with an infield road course section. World Wide Technology Raceway from Google Earth This was a new track for me and my fist time running a roval. A nice blend of the...
It’s the end of April, I’m 2 events and 6 races into the 2021 season and I’ve been MIA since the end of 2020. A new business opportunity presented itself early 2021 and pretty much consumed my life. It’s one of those high risk high reward moments with potential to fulfill every gearheads dream, to play racecars all day. I’m not quit there yet but I am at a point...
Racing in town is always a welcome break from the ‘go go go’ usually associated with travel events. Sleeping in my own bed, eating my own food and generally taking a slower pace throughout the weekend is a nice respite; although a lot of credit goes to the crew that runs the NASA Midsouth region as well.
I find it hard to write an introduction for my latest trip to the National Corvette Museum so I will say this; I have always had a love hate relationship with this track and this weekend was particularly difficult. Preparation I always stress having a plan for a race weekend and this weekend was no exception. NCM is a complex 23 turn course in it’s full configuration with a mix of turns...
Chris Simmons is a race car driver, instructor, business owner and all around gearhead. His passion for motorsport started in the drifting community and progressed into wheel to wheel racing of all kinds. When off track Chris can be found training and working on a myriad of projects. After a hiatus from writing, he is back to share his passion, knowledge and experience in regard to motorsports on and off the track.