Open Test Day ran in two groups - lap times under 1:50, and lap times over 1:50. I am, of course, in the latter. I went for three sessions, and posted my second best lap time ever at Sonoma - of course, it was on a nearly empty track. Still, it left me with confidence going into the race weekend (after a winter off).
When we got out of bed on Saturday, we noticed that the whole area was covered in a heavy, wet, misty fog - enough to make all the roads wet, but not something you could really call rain. Too bad (that it wasn't wetter).
The day started out with warmup early. But the track was really slick from the rain laid down on top of the oil. Not enough to wash the oil away - just enough to make it really slick.There was lots of entertainment before the checkered flag in the first session. Fortunately, by noon, the fog had lifted and the track had dried out. The rest of the day was a normal day at Sonoma.
Sunday was the opposite. It was dry for the first few runs, and then the rain started. At times, heavy. Here is a forward-looking lap and a rear-looking lap in the rain. What fun!!
Chris had an adventure leaving the paddock and entering the course duing qualifying.And, here's what happens when you try to pass in the rain, and things go... badly... (video)
We both learned a lot about racing in the rain and both finished without incident.