The Barber classroom is on the edge of the paddock area in the
racetrack's infield.
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The cars and the track were not the only attractions.
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After a short class, we went outside to get
our first look at one of the cars.
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With the top of the body off, you can see the
foot pedals and part of the frame. The driver
virtually lies down, with his head just high
enough to see out.
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The cars await us on pit road for our laps
around the track.
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We climbed into our cars and strapped
ourselves in.
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The red instructor car leads as the students
follow for our first lap.
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After a few laps, we were flying, and caught
up with the group in front.
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As we exited turn 5, I held my camera upside
down and backwards for this shot. The driver
of the yellow car was impressed.
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This is my favorite spot as a spectator. As the
cars fly up the hill, the engine noise echoes
loudly as they go under the bridge. This was
my least favorite spot as a driver, because just
over the crest of the hill--and totally out of sight
until the last instant--is a left-hand turn.
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Our group caught a couple of stragglers from
another group as we flew through turn 6 and
headed up the hill towards the famed Corkscrew
Turn. We passed the stragglers going uphill.
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Three cars head to the top of the hill, take
a little dog-leg to the right, then enter the
Corkscrew turn.
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The first part of the Corkscrew is a lot of work
as you brake hard and turn sharply to the left.
From that point on, though, it's a thrill ride as
you accelerate full throttle around the steep
downhill right-hand turn.
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This shot of some streetcars really shows
how steep the Corkscrew is.
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