Making a Track Ready Car Ready for the Track

by Jerry Albertus

This Mustang is a gift from Ford to the customers who want to take it to the road course track. It is a balanced, fun to drive package.  A factory track ready (almost) car.  Ford gives you a head start on making the track preparations with a box of goodies in the trunk.  These are a front brake cooling kit and a transmission cooling scoop.  My dealer installed these for me (Did I mention that Homes Tuttle Ford is a neat dealership?)  Sent separately is a larger front splitter which must be owner installed.  Ford also included a bullet list of things to change.

"I'm sure it says to look under the car!"

So now the work begins and choices must be made about what’s best for the road and what’s best for the track… On One Lap, as in life, a balance must be maintained. 

Ford says:

1) Change the brake fluid to Super DOT 4.   Plus we will add track brake pads and disks.

2) Remove rear brake dust shields and rear tire spoilers.

3) Install the trans cooler and front brake cooling kit.

4) To allow more cooling air…remove the upper grill.  We replace the stock grill with a Roush version.

5) Install the bigger front splitter kit.

"Where's my spare?"

In addition to all this, we must have Tire Rack One Lap approved tires installed, which must last the entire event. There have been shifting problems reported so we elected to install a MGW shifter kit.  Finally a front tow loop was fabricated.  No changes were made to the rest of the car.  It’s the stock drive train and suspension for us!

New grill is the one on top... now Scarlet can breathe!

Modern cars have a mind numbing amount of computer power which monitors and controls almost every aspect of the vehicle’s operation.  From how fast the windows go up and down to what happens when you step on the brakes, or gas , or turn the wheel. The computer makes a judgment about what is best for safety, economy, comfort and performance.  But Ford has the Red Track Key and programming (available for an additional charge of course,) which is a Ford computer re-programing for use on the track…… Verrrrry Interesting!

New spoiler is the one on the bottom... bigger is better!

 All we need now is a map (Folding GPS, no batteries needed,) a supply of fresh underwear, a smartphone app showing the nearest 24 hour Starbucks and fast food joints, and some other stuff, which I’m sure we’ll remember at 2 am while crossing Nebraska!

Bringing Home Scarlet

by Jerry Albertus

We took an airplane ride south to Tucson, and grabbed a room for the night near the airport.  The next morning we were picked up by Richard Delahanty, the internet salesman for Homes Tuttle Ford, and taken to their very nice dealership.  Even in this modern paperless world, buying a car involves lots of paperwork, but this was a very enjoyable transaction.

Scarlet says.. "Turn on the Heat!"

There were storms to the north so we go east to get on I-25 in New Mexico and head towards Colorado.  Somewhere south of Santa Fe we call it a day and the next morning (after worrying all night about Scarlet alone in a strange parking lot ) we head to Taos for some R&R.  Taos gets a snow storm (it is December after all) so we get a snow brush and 120 lbs. of sand for the trunk.  We wait a day for the weather to move out, brush off the snow and head north. Raton Pass is one nervous climb and Monument Hill is the last slippery spot to be navigated. Then we are safely home!

Honey I bought a car!

By Jerry Albertus

Boss Laguna Seca waiting for us in Tucson
With that red top, her name has to be... "Scarlet"

Ric and I had lots of discussions about what to take for a car on One Lap.  Since, for us, this is about the adventure and the personal challenge, we knew enough to leave the top levels to the pros.  However, a nice, modern, high performance ride was desired.  Ric is a fan of the German performance cars and I prefer the American Mopar types.  So it was a natural choice when Ric suggested I consider the new Ford Mustang Boss Laguna Seca, a step out of both of our comfort zones.

A check with the local dealers revealed that their allotment of this limited production car had been sold long ago for thousands above the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.  Searching and watching Auto Trader and eBay, we found some cars in distant parts of the US. But the price was still above list.  Then, one was listed on eBay in Tuscon, AZ, which is only a day or two away from our Colorado base.  Maybe I’ll place a bid of the list price to get the negotiations opened.  Hmmm, no one has even bid on this.  OK, I’m going to place a bid.  BAM, bid entered!  BAM, You are the high bidder!  BAM, your bid is above the reserve!  BAM, The bid is BELOW the MSRP!  BAM, Time's up!  HOLY COW …… You WIN!

Now there are lots of details to attend to.  And, I’ll need to tell my wife Peach about the new lady in my life!!  “Hi Honey, how would you like to fly to Tucson tomorrow?”  “Sure, why?”  “Honey, I bought (another) Car!"

We are going to need a car!

by Jerry Albertus

OK now we are committed. Choice number one: What car/vehicle to use for One Lap?  The race is open to almost any kind of car which could safely be used on the race track.  One of the unique things about One Lap is the broad classifications and lack of rules for the autos;  old, new, stock, modified, economic, expensive, large, small, homemade, or exotic.  All are welcome, if Brock approves.

Last year, Ric and his friends Sebastian Glowacki and Tony Song took an Audi S4 wagon, which did not complete the race due to mechanical problems.  Depending on who you listen to, it was because of …… Poor vehicle choice …… Over-enthusiastic piloting …… or Inadequate breakfast menus.  

Ric in 2009 with "Merlot Magic"

In 2009 and 2010, Ric took his 2000 Porsche Boxster S, the ”Merlot Magic” with co-pilot Loye Troxler.  This year Ric sold his Boxster to fellow One Laper Eric Scheimer.


While I love my 1994 Viper, I’m not willing to spend ten plus days and 5500 miles in a small, loud car with no cup holders and no cruise control.  There must be something we can find.

My 1994 Viper "Dark Matter"

OK…………...I’ll do it!

by Jerry Albertus

If you really want me to, that is.  So exactly what is involved in this One Lap Of America?  Do you bounce around the country like a loose cannonball?  Do you leap off of the high board and hope for the best?  Is it a speed contest?  Is it an endurance test?  Yes to all of the above.  Does it offer large cash prizes?  No. Will it be a challenge?  Yes.

One Lap as designed by Brock Yates Jr. for 2012 is a combination of visits to 11 auto race tracks plus the sponsor's (Tire Rack) skid pad, for 19 time trials and the outrageous 3330 mile commute that ties them all together.  Map of the 2012 One Lap of America.

Driving teams are a necessary part of One Lap.  If my son Ric is willing, so am I.  Let’s do it! 

Ric in his Porsche Boxster getting words of wisdom from Brock