<sigh> I didn't have it in me to be so harsh, but even after watching less than a lap, I agree completely.

I guess my biggest critique is that you simply didn't respect the fact that you were driving on a race track and the risks associated with it. You were doing so without a helmet, probably without a safety crew, on crappy tires and a wet track that you weren't familiar with and a suspension that you weren't sure of. To top that off, you were not only risking your own life, but that of your friend.

Now, under NORMAL circumstances (you know, wearing a helmet, with EMS standing by, good tires on the car, on a track that you know), any experience track driver knows to take it easy on AT LEAST their first lap to get some heat in the tires, warm up the brakes, learn where the puddles are if the track is wet, get a good look at the track if you're not familiar with it, GENTLY feel out any changes to the car, etc. You didn't do that. You just immediately went out and started pushing the car on about the 2nd turn... all the while with one hand on the wheel, as if you were cruising down I-4.

I sincerely hope you are a more attentive driver at Starke this weekend, and PLEASE be cognizant of the fact that you are not "competing" with anyone at this event. It's just a casual driver's ed event.