The Cars Tell the Stories

One Lap in Review: Photos

Brock With Advice for Ric at Autobahn

Aunt June, Caitlin, and Peach at High Plains in Colorado

At High Plains Raceway in Colorado

Oh... No

New Car and Laundry

The Line-Up for Pictures on Sticker Day

Ric on Sticker Day

Steve and George - Some of the Colorado Gang

Reflections on One Lap

by Jerry Albertus

We are glad to be home and now trying to sum up our One Lap experiences.   As One Lap progresses you develop the routine of: get up, drive to the track, unload, wait, race, eat, wait, race, reload, drive to a new town, find the hotel, get some sleep, get up, drive to the track... repeat, repeat, repeat.  Your world becomes the One lap traveling carnival and the side shows and circuses within.  The outside world becomes unimportant, just something to be traversed on the way to the next challenge.

The One lap tribe is a close knit group and they withhold their approval of new members (Lap Puppies) until they have proven themselves.  When proven, the Puppies will become One Lap Dogs.  However, spectators and all who expresses interest are embraced and given answers to all their question, "What are you doing with that car?"  In return, spectators and passers-by are more than willing to do wonderful and amazing acts of kindness and generosity to help a One-Lapper repair his car and continue on his way.  It makes us very proud to live in a country whose people are so routinely generous.
 

Was One Lap a challenge…Yes!  Will we do it again…Yes.  After all, we will want to find out what is happening in the lives of our new friends.  The teams of father and son, father and daughter, old friends, new friends, brothers, brother and sister, husband and wife (including the honeymoon couple,) the young "hot shoe" drivers, the less skilled but enthusiastic converts to road racing, the 20+ years One Lap veterans.  They came from all over the world;  USA, Canada, Switzerland, England Australia and Scotland.  All of these people are now a part of our lives.  Scarlet took every challenge in stride and never missed a beat.  What a great car... Thanks FORD.

Ric and I and Scarlet will see you next year.

Home Safe

By Jerry Albertus

Scarlet has delivered Ric and I safely home.  I feel like I should be grabbing a snack, loading the car, and heading down the road again.  But One Lap is over, and now it's time for... SLEEP.

A final wrap up post later, but until then... Zzzzzzzzzz

Happy and Kinda Sad

by Jerry Albertus

We have completed the skid pad at Tire Rack.  The 2012 One Lap of America is over.  We are happy and we are kinda sad.  We will miss all of the fun we had, until maybe next year.  It turns out, it's not really about the cars.  It's about the people who have the cars.  We had a blast with our car... Scarlet was wonderful!  Final results were 7th in our class and 55th overall. 

One Lap Exacts a Toll... on Dubler's Caddy

It was a GREAT event.  One Lap is a 3,300 mile social event, which takes eight days to fully play out.  But it takes a toll.  I am going to rest up for a day or so, then I will finish the blog, and add pictures and videos.  Until next year...

I Got a Hot Rod Ford and a $2 Bill

by Jerry Albertus

Road of America in Elkhart Lake, WI (Ric in the Black Driver's Suit)

Today we completed the final road course for One Lap of America.  The trip has been amazing.  We have seen 3000 miles of "God Bless America."  Road America is yet another very fast track.  Ric had a good run this morning, finishing in 43rd place.  I took it easy on my afternoon run... the end is in sight!  I ended up 59th this afternoon.  We go into the final event in 54th place overall, and 7th in our class.  The last event is a dry skid pad tomorrow at Tire Rack (unless it's raining, then it will be another wet skid pad!)

Eric compares notes with Scott Coors and the driver from car #60

Sad news for Robert Dubler and the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon.  He experienced a brake failure and rolled the car off the track.  Again, no one was hurt, but the Cadillac is wrecked. 

We are now sitting in heavy traffic coming through the Chicago area.  We have traveled 10 miles in the last hour.   But good spirits persist, and we celebrated our final leg of the "Lap" with Brock's favorite road trip snacks... Gatorade and beef jerky!  As South Bend, Indiana beckons her One-Lappers home, Hank Williams provides the soundtrack, "I got a hot rod Ford and a $2 bill, and I know a place right over the hill..."

Another Day in Paradise

by Jerry Albertus

Eric having a Zen Moment Before his Run

Hello from beautiful Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.  We arrived last night at 1:00 am.  We are at Road America, another one of the fastest tracks in the country.  We are taking a moment this morning to reflect on what a great trip this year's One Lap of America has been so far.  It's hard to believe that we are almost back to the beginning of the circle.  A particularly big shout-out to this year's weather Gods... all through the week, the bad weather has gotten out of our way.  Today is no exception, sunny skies here with a forecast high of 74 degrees.  

Yesterday in my road race, I waived the Old Farts Racing Corvette around me, and they went on to spin out in a turn, ending up in the middle of the track in the tunnel, raising a big cloud of dust and slowing me to a stop on the track.  The good news was that we were all OK, the cars were fine, and we got going again.  I was super excited to drive in the drag race.  It was so fun!  The Old Farts team was matched up with me again, going on to place second.  We had a grand time!

Today, we will again have Ric driving in the morning going fast, and me in the afternoon trying to stay the hell out of people's way.  

The Old Guys Know How to Drag Race

by Ric Albertus

This morning found us in Brainerd, Minnesota after a very long drive from Nebraska last night.  The Brainerd International Raceway is one of the fastest tracks in the country, with a one mile straight before turn one.  In my morning run, I learned that the Mustang's speed is limited by the computer.  The car bogged near the end of the straight, and I wondered, "What's wrong??" I glanced down at my speed, and HOLY $&%*!!!  So we found out that 155 mph is the computer limit, and we know that the car will do 155 mph.  I ended up 43rd this morning. 

Dad did the afternoon run.  Unfortunately a car spun out right in front of him, bringing him to almost a complete stop on the track.  The lost time resulted in a 64th place finish. 

But the real story of today was the drag race.  We put Dad in the driver's seat for the drag race because he has the benefit of experience in this type of racing.  He ran just a bit over 14 seconds in the first race, so he chose 14 for his bracket time.  As he kept winning races, the excitement grew.  Finally, it was Dad in the Mustang versus Old Farts Racing in their 1989 Corvette.  By now everyone was cheering on the "Old Crow" and the "Old Fart" drivers!  It was the race of the day, and was very close all the way to the line.  In the end, Dad bracketed out, going just a bit under his 14 second time, giving him 4th place overall!!  The Corvette went on to the final race, ending up in second place.  It was so damn fun!!  The old guys really know how to drag race!

The team from New Jersey who wrecked their Mustang yesterday... in true One Lap spirit they have rented a car, and continued the journey.  They ran their rental on the track today, and are planning to finish the event with us. 

Being one of last cars to leave Brainerd after the rousing fun in the drag race, we are heading out pretty late on the road to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.  Pictures will have to wait 'til tomorrow. 

What Day is it? I Think it's Mon-Friday!

by Jerry Albertus

After a relatively short hop from Colorado to Hastings, Nebraska, we find ourselves halfway through One Lap.  Today's events at the beautiful Motorsports Park included morning and afternoon runs on the Road Course, and an Autocross.  Ric ran the morning, with a 44th place finish.  Ric also drove the Autocross, putting up a 43rd place result.

Autocross was not so kind to our new friends and fellow Boss Mustang drivers from New Jersey, Kyle Wechsler and TJ Kenny.  Disaster struck as they spun the car and hit the guard rail, ripping the driver's door off of the car.  Luckily, no one was hurt.  Unluckily, One Lap is over for this team.  The bad news was enough to slow me down in my afternoon road course.  My 60th place shows that I wasn't really racing, just doing parade laps so that I still have a car.  

Some Leave Their Cars Stock

Some Modify Their Cars Before the Event (KaleidoLINKS Racing Chevy Camaro)

Some Modify Their Cars During the Event

Yesterday at High Plains, the Edelman Racing Camaro (another father and son team) went off the track, damaging the front of the car.  Undeterred, with zip ties and spray paint put into action, the car had a shark-tooth grin and was ready for the track today.

The race goes on... we have a "Long Day's Journey into the Night" ahead of us.  Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota is our next stop.  606 miles to go before we sleep...

A Day of Personal Bests

by Michelle Albertus

This morning on my way to the track to watch One Lap, I switched on my radar detector (thanks, Dad!) and cruised out across rolling farms, past grazing cattle and wheat fields.  As I got closer to High Plains, tractors began to share the road with race cars.  The day was beautiful, with fluffy white clouds and temperatures in the 60's.  A perfect day for racing.

My family has been looking forward to this day for quite some time... ever since we had news that the 2012 One Lap schedule would include our "home" race track, High Plains Raceway in Deer Trail, Colorado.   My dad Jerry and my brother Ric were cheered on today by a crowd of family and friends, some of whom had never seen One Lap in person... we had only heard colorful, entertaining stories! 

Auntie June in the Mustang!

Ric Getting Ready for his Run

It was so exciting to see all of the cars and teams I had been reading about this week.  I arrived just in time to watch the leaders run... blazing fast and super fun to watch!  Soon enough it was Ric's turn to run.  Ric put down a personal best at High Plains and moved into 22nd place in the morning session.  We were all thrilled with this result and looked forward to a good run for Dad in the afternoon.  

Ric's wife Caitlin, and Friends Tony and Sebastian

Porsche Parking Area... for Michelle, Tony, and Sebastian

A lively discussion of driving skill included the following analysis by my Dad, "Professional drivers wait to brake before the corners until they see God.  Accomplished amateur drivers brake when they see Jesus.  Ric says he brakes when he sees baby Jesus.  I brake when I hear organ music!"  Fellow One Lapper Eric added, "I brake when I see Punxsutawney Phil!"  The laughs and fun continued through lunch, with Dad, Ric, and friend Loye doing a quick brake bleed on Scarlet before the afternoon run. 

Dad and Brock Jr Right Before his Run

Mom (Peach) hugs Dad After a Great Run!

Dad's run looked great, and sure enough, he too had put in a new personal best at High Plains!  When he heard his time, he had a wide smile, and said, "I'll take that!"  53rd place today, his best result yet!  He and Ric both are having a great time, and their love for the sport and passion for cars and racing is inspiring.  A great day, good friends, family love and support, and some way cool fast cars... WOW!  I think I am officially hooked on One Lap!  GO OLD CROWS!  Next stop: Hastings, Nebraska. 

Video Highlights from today...

Between Papa and a Prayer

By Jerry Albertus

Some photos from Hallet...

Between Papa and a Prayer... I Survived Hallet!

Some Have Been on One Lap More than Several Times

Some Cars are Little

 

 

Some are BIG

Here Comes the Son

by Jerry Albertus

Today at Hallet Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings, Oklahoma...

OK! Here we are at Hallet!  Ric has survived the morning run.  My turn next.  The weather is cloudy and cool.  Between Ric and Eric, they have met and are friends with everyone on One Lap.

Some Like to Have Both Speed and Comfort

Some Just Want Speed

 

Yesterday I tried to channel Carl Edwards, today I think I'm going to try to chant "What would Papa do?"

Yesterday at Mid-America in Pacific Junction, Iowa...

Here comes the Son... my son that is!  Ric takes 31st in the AM session! His best result ever...

Ric after a good morning run

Not your Mother's Minivan!

Logistics?

by Ric Albertus

Every year One Lap Of America Brock Yates Jr. puts together a hand made route book which includes turn by turn instructions from every race track to the next. During the driver's meeting at the beginning of the event he likes to point out that while the log book is a product of many months of hard work, it will certainly include some errors. Mind you, he's not quite sure where those errors will be - so if you find one, it's your responsibility to correct it. 

In past years we've learned that's it best to reference his log book and compare it to our GPS and follow his route until the log book and GPS are working together in harmony. Sometimes this works, but sometimes it causes more confusion than is necessary. This year we are not sure if we trust the log book more or the GPS. Unlike years in the past, our GPS seems to make more mistakes than Brock has ever made. So we've started to learn that Brock's brain may be a superior GPS. While this might be hard to believe, he has probably tracked more miles than Garmin. So we're starting to go back in time and read maps and read turn by turn directions provided by Brock.....sometimes technology doesn't reign supreme.

Holy Cow! Is Everybody Else Faster or Are We Just Slow?

by Jerry Albertus

The 2012 One Lap cars and drivers are way faster this year! The cars are strong and fast, piloted by excellent quality drivers.  We are happy to have survived yesterday, and find ourselves in 65^th place overall today.  

After his run yesterday, Ric compared his times from 2009 in his Boxster to this year’s run in the Mustang.  This year he was 45 seconds faster, ending up one place lower in the standings… proof that this year, the bar has been raised!  All of us at the bottom of the placings are amazed by the fast times and the high level of the competition this year.  Us country boys from Colorado have left ourselves plenty of room for improvement, but we are still in the hunt, and proud of ourselves so far!  We are having fun, and our car is excellent!  In fact, Scarlet wants to know, “How come we are at the racetrack, but you guys aren’t really racing??”

We arrived at Mid America south of Omaha, Nebraska late last night, and were awakened at 5:00 am by a huge thunderstorm.  The sun is finding its way out from behind the clouds this morning, and we are ready to take on the track!!  Ric will be driving in the morning, with Jerry doing the afternoon run.  

We Got Some Rain Last Night

Round and Round You Go!

by Jerry Albertus

The circle has always been mystical to man. From Stonehenge to the round table to Native American medicine wheels and kivas.  A figure with no beginning and no end.  So the One Lap experience starts, and you begin a process which will be endlessly repeated until the circle is complete.

Waiting

First you arrive at Tire Rack, unload the car, and scout out the time challenge. which is a wet skid pad, driven clockwise and counter clockwise, then you wait...

You are called to the grid, then you wait, then you run, then you quickly load the car and depart for the next event. Ten minutes later, you unload the car, scout out the next challenge, this time a 1/4 mile banked oval, then you wait, then you are called to the grid, then you wait, then you run, then you reload the car, then you head for the next run.

Two hours later you arrive and begin the process again... and you keep doing this until the never ending circle is complete.

Ric and I are sharing the events.  This morning he ran the wet skid pad and I ran the oval.  Both of us were very conservative, (i.e. SLOW.)

Next we are at Autobahn Country Club, waiting...

Some People Need to Bring Lots of Stuff

Some Not as Much

Some Almost None

Minor Adjustments are Common