2002 SEASON ::: Le Mans Gallery MORE RACING NEWS Johnny O's Miami Report Just when you think you have seen it all…well you learn that you haven’t !!! Over the years I have driven on some pretty challenging race tracks, but by far Miami was the most difficult. The layout was pretty good, but on one section, they had put a sealant down that just turned the surface into ice. It was so impossible to drive on, and made the racing very difficult. Fortunately, in the race everyone did a great job, and I don’t think there were too many problems. Now one of the things we always try to do when we go to a race is visit kids at the local hospital. While in Miami…I visited a hospital and met some great kids. One in particular was very nice, and I promised her I would get her picture on the website. She is a gymnast and a really cool kid. Unfortunately, I have totally messed up my computer, and need to get someone in that can get my scanner going again. Anyway Krystal, it was great meeting you, and I hope you are feeling better !! Keep watching the site here and I’ll get that picture up as soon as I can. Problems with the circuit aside, it was fun doing a race with the CART guys. Although it has been some time since I was a single seater guy, I still have a lot of friends there, and it was great getting to see them again. The crowd was really good, and both Ron and I were looking forward to a great battle. Images courtesy of Lee Self, www.selfstudio.com Without a doubt, as the season has gone on, everyone has gotten stronger. The Saleen got the pole, and both Ferraris were very close. We knew we would have to run a prefect race…no mistakes. Ron got a clean start, and in about 15 laps, got under the Saleen to take the lead. He was working hard…and getting a strong challenge from the Olive Garden Ferrari. Bad luck hit them though as they had a quick spin, which cost them a lot of places. Soon after that, about an hour into the race, there was a full course caution, and as things turned out, we once again wound up having almost a lap lead. Now being honest, I love leading. But when you have a big lead like Ron gave me, it is sometimes more difficult than being second. Rather than just pushing as hard as you can, you tend to concentrate on looking after the car, not taking any chances, just being clean. I lost a good amount of time early in my stint with traffic, but once clear was able to re-open the gap that I had lost being careful. I don’t’ know if I got fastest lap or not, but if it was not me, it would have been Kelly in the 4 car. He was totally pushing as hard as he could, and did a great job. Anyway, the rest of the race was pretty much trouble free for us, but man did it get hot. Not as hot as Laguna mind you…but still pretty hot. Now speaking of Laguna, while I was hanging out on a corner at Miami watching qualifying, I met a couple of the corner workers that were actually right where I pulled off at Laguna. We had a great time talking about the fire, and what went on. One of the guys had some great pictures of it that I signed for him, and we spent a lot of time just talking racing. It is always great when you get to hang out with corner workers as they have lots of great stories, and are without a doubt the sports biggest fans. So once again Ron and I were fortunate and had a good race. The car that we used for Miami was the same one that we used at Le Mans. She is next headed for the Corvette Museum, and it will be kind of sad to see her retired. It’s funny, but Ron and I never really liked the way she handled. Kind of an edgy car that was never totally comfortable. But man did she like winning races…and it is a great feeling knowing that she went out a winner. Petit is in a few day, and with some luck, Ron and I will get the Monkey off our back and finally win that one. Johnny O MORE RACE NEWS & REPORTS...   Site contents © 2002 Johnny O'Connell GM, GM Emblem, Corvette and the Corvette Emblem are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation and used with permission.