At the start of Tuesday evening's...
At the start of Tuesday evening's driving session, the advanced group headed out of the chicane (Turn 3) to the southernmost section of the Mid-Ohio course, where they'd be negotiating the keyhole (Turn 4) right in front of one of the track's numerous elevated photography/filming stands.
As an exciting prequel to the London Cobra Show, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, hosted the second annual two-day driving school. The event was so popular in 2006 that Cobra, Daytona Coupe, and GT40 replica owners came back for more racing fun in '07. In '06, KIT CAR flew out to Ohio for the second day of track time in the hopes of getting a bunch of cool action photography. Mother Nature made us pay for cutting class on the first day of the driving school. It rained the entire time. The only photos we could take on day two were of restless racers in the garages and their well-built creations; we played the waiting game, but were denied.
KIT CAR vowed to be at Mid-Ohio for the entire event this year. Mother Nature blessed the racers, instructors, and photographers with sunny skies throughout the participants' driving sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. Yes, we had rain, but it didn't interrupt any of the scheduled sessions.
Replicar racers received expert...
Replicar racers received expert instruction from Mid-Ohio Driving School instructors. David Roush, the man pointing and talking, is the school's general manager.
Racing is an intoxicating activity to watch and, especially, to drive. We enjoyed snapping photos of replicas going swiftly about the course almost as much as if we were behind the wheel. While waiting for the evening track session on Tuesday afternoon, several of us partook in one of the school's various handling drills by driving the Honda Civic Skid Car in the upper paddock area. Sitting in the passenger seat, a Mid-Ohio instructor dialed in and out on the hydraulic-controlled skid apparatus as we attempted to negotiate the skid course. In effect, he raised and lowered the car, which altered how much control we had over the front-drive wheels. Just when we thought we were getting the hang of it, our teacher humbled us by changing the car's pitch. At times it was as if we were driving on Lake Erie in the dead of winter. All we could do was enjoy the slide, or the doughnut we made along the course. Instead of eating humble pie, we dined on self-effacing doughnut on several occasions. The skid car gives students a feel for how to regain control of a car that's almost-or hopelessly-out of control. One quickly learns to respect the laws of physics, torque, and horsepower-precisely what one needs to know a great deal about when piloting a Cobra, a GT40, a Type 65 Coupe, or any race car on a road course.
Throughout the two days of racing and instruction, no one made an unintended acquaintance with a tire wall or a course barrier. By Wednesday afternoon, every participant wore a smile, even those who might have had a bit of mechanical difficulty with their cars. Because there weren't any weather delays, here's a schedule of what transpired those two summer days at Mid-Ohio.
Tuesday
7-8 a.m.: Introduction and drivers meeting
8-11:15 a.m.: Paddock and corner drills rotation
11:15 to noon: Lunch
Noon-12:45 p.m.: Class instruction
12:45-1:45 p.m.: Track
1:45-5:30 p.m.: Break/class/paddock drills/autoX
5:30-6 p.m.: Class briefing
6-8:45 p.m.: Lapping follow the leader by groups
8:45-9 p.m.: Parade laps for wives/kids/friends
Wednesday
7:30-8 a.m.: Drivers meeting
8-9:45 a.m.: Open lapping by groups, 15-minute sessions
9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Break
12:15-1:45 p.m.: Open lapping by groups, 15-minute sessions
With all this learning and racing for the modest price of $300, you can understand why participants were smiling by the culmination of the event.
If you're anywhere near the state-of-the-racing-art Mid-Ohio facility next spring and you'd like to exercise your Cobra, GT40, or Daytona Coupe, as well as improve your driving/racing prowess, watch for more information on this spectacular event. Web sites to visit that will provide additional details include www.londoncobrashow.com, www.clubcobra.com, and www.FFcobra.com. Until then, check out some of the action in the following photos, and visit www.kitcarmag.com for expanded coverage.
 |  |  Led by the #79 car, Ben Hranac...  Led by the #79 car, Ben Hranac followed in his dark blue 302ci Ford-powered FFR. |
 Through the esses of Turns...  Through the esses of Turns 6 and 7, Joe Anitra of Bloomingdale, IL, weaved toward the incline in his FFR Type 65 Coupe. |  |  |
 |  Watching Dennis adroitly drift...  Watching Dennis adroitly drift his Superformance Mk III through Mid-Ohio's southernmost keyhole (Turn 4) reminded older auto-racing fans of how his dad Bob drove to so many victories in the '60s piloting Cobras, Galaxy 500s, and many other racing machines on courses throughout South Africa and England. |  |
 |  For the final track session...  For the final track session of 2007, beginning, intermediate, and advanced race groups lined up in the staging area of the pits in their respective groups. |  On Wednesday, Dennis Olthoff...  On Wednesday, Dennis Olthoff piloted a Superformance SPF GT40 Mk II. Here, he lets Joe Anitra pass on the front straight. |
 Ohio Cobra Club member Nick...  Ohio Cobra Club member Nick Zeyen made haste down the front straight. He lives in Columbus, OH, and owns a nicely wrought yellow-over-black FFR roadster. |  |  Not one to stress about impending...  Not one to stress about impending track time, after a quick bite to eat, Bob Malmen of Huntley, IL, grabbed a siesta in his 427ci Windsor stroker-powered Superformance Mk III roadster. |
 Coming up the rise in the...  Coming up the rise in the midpoint of Turn 7, the suspension on Barry Ehrnochwender's Superformance Mk III roadster with an optional hardtop was under full compression. |  From atop Mid-Ohio's highest...  From atop Mid-Ohio's highest building, the Goodyear Tower, KIT CAR captured David Brown of Bel Air, MD, completing his last circuits of the 15-turn course and taking the exit apron to the lower paddock. |  It took us a while to identify...  It took us a while to identify the driver of this nice titanium-hued Superformance Mk III roadster. |
 Leading the way down the front...  Leading the way down the front straight was Backdraft Racing Roadster owner Dave Pilacky of Syracuse, NY. His car sports a Roush 342ci stroker and an auto trans. |  Leading the way down the front...  Leading the way down the front straight was Backdraft Racing Roadster owner Dave Pilacky of Syracuse, NY. His car sports a Roush 342ci stroker and an auto trans. |  Scott Schumaker of Clio, MI,...  Scott Schumaker of Clio, MI, brought his FFR Type 65 Coupe fresh from the paint booth to be part of the two track days at Mid-Ohio, and he plans on participating in the London Cobra Show. |
 When all was said and done,...  When all was said and done, the only roadster owner we couldn't identify was good old #66. The car does appear to be a FFR. |  White over Mini Cooper Electric...  White over Mini Cooper Electric Blue are the hues of Bill Donges' Backdraft Racing Roadster. |  |