DPerceptions

I was in Utah once before as a young lad.  Kim and I have also been through SLC airport many times on our way to Cali and Vegas.  Still, the differences I noticed when stepping outside in search of my rental car were staggering.  I left Atlanta on a red-eye and it was already oppressively muggy for May.  The 10AM air in Utah was warm, but completely lacking in moisture.  There were mountains everywhere, there was SNOW on them.  Weird.

I acquired my Hyundai Accent (no thank you, I don’t wish to upgrade to a similar POS car for only $3.86 more a day) and headed out of the airport in search of my hotel.  Strangely, my hotel was at the next exit, exactly where it was supposed to be. Even more strange, the chipper desk clerk Nancy let me check in to a room at 10:30AM.  Things seemed to be going well so I went to my room to freshen up and to send a twitpic back home to my wonderful wife.

I needed to drive out to Tooele to check-in and pick up my credentials, so I threw a few cameras over my shoulders and headed down to the car.  As the desk clerk watched me leave the hotel with my gear, she offered, “Good Luck”. This gave me pause, but I left anyway.

Driving on I-80 around the lake is surreal.  I assume it must be somewhat like driving on the moon.  Nothing, lots of nothing. Well, mountains and a big ass lake I guess, but that’s about it.

I followed my directions onto a few county highways and then exited onto “Sheep Lane”, no shit, Sheep Lane.  Lots of cows, a few horses, an airplane, no sheep.  Hey look!  A racing complex.

Miller Motorsports Park is fantastic.  The place is scenic, well maintained, clean, new, ready to roll.  The staff in the media center and in the courtesy vans were amazing.  I have not felt so pampered and cared for since the Omni Royal Orleans last New Year’s.  Even MMP’s marketing person, Jen (@MMP_Utah) was tweeting at me out on the track to keep hydrated. As a photographer, when I am working, I have become accustomed to feeling somewhat like an unwanted insect.  Miller’s people reminded me that I am actually doing something that a lot of people wish/think they can do.

Fast forward a few days and several Polygamy Porters.  Race day!  7:30AM photographer meeting.  I leave my hotel in the pre-dawn and watch the sun rise on the tops of the mountains as I head towards Tooele.  Its early, too early, but I have never been here before and don’t want to get stuck in traffic.  Not to worry as the mighty Hyundai gets me to my parking spot by 7AM.  I land next to some Patron team members who shout at me that my coffee mug is too small. Weird way to to start the day.

The morning continues on its oddball bent as I arrive at the locked Media Center.  The major-domo is standing there talking on her cell phone, trying to get someone to come unlock the door.  I drink my inadequately sized coffee and wait.  Eventually she finds her way in and we all go inside and prepare for the day.

Fire suits are hot.  Sounds stupid but true.  I had never worn one, but to shoot in the hot pits during the race, you have to be protected.  Eventually my body acclimated and I forgot about my discomfort.  Cars flying in and about and tires, fuel, screeching and away will do that to you.  At one point, I was leaning into a Flying Lizard pit stop and got hit in the head with the ground clamp.  It was disconcerting to get whacked, wonder what happened, look down, see a jumper cable clamp, realize you are not really hurt and then go back to shooting all in the space of 1 second.  I looked up later and saw the mortified look on one of the Lizard pit crew.  I gave him a thumbs up and he smiled and went back to work.  Good on him to notice and then drop it.

The race was great and the venue was tip top.  I met a bunch of people that I hope and expect to see again soon.  Oh yeah, my pix are sick. You can view the complete ALMS Utah Grand Prix photo gallery and the Mazda/Jetta photo gallery.

Life doesn’t seem too bad