Our Board of Directors includes some high-performance driving enthusiasts, like our Events Director, Darrin Rich. He recently acquired a very low mileage 2012 R8 GT, and took the opportunity to explore its limits, and his driving skills, at Circuit of the Americas in beautiful Austin, Texas, February 24-26, 2017.
MVP Track Time is an event that is presented at various venues around the country to allow qualified private drivers and race teams the use of some of the best racing circuits in the nation, Circuit of the Americas is the only Class 1 Formula One track in North America. It presents a formidable challenge to professional drivers and privateers alike.
In addition to Darrin’s white R8, two other white R8s were driven to Austin from New Mexico. Darrin towed his from the DFW area behind his Q7. One of the New Mexico cars was supercharged! Lots of sports, exotic, and racing cars took part in the three-day event, with cars divided into appropriate groups for safety and efficiency.
Darrin made multiple runs to familiarize himself with the track and the characteristics of the car. He’s not new to track days, but this was his first with the R8 GT, and his first at COTA. He reports that back straight speeds were in the range of 150-160 MPH, and the car never lost its breath! It did eat through a set of tires very fast, though…
