Racerchick Robin Ailes of Stockton California gives us her thoughts in her very own racing diaries:

Robin’s Turn

 Hello race junkies.  I returned to the driver seat last night (Saturday May 12, 2001) to learn more about what to do and not to do on the track.  It was a very emotional night for me but in the end I had gained valuable information to add to my near empty war chest of driving knowledge.  I learned three valuable skills that should help me further my driving abilities: 1) trucks build momentum, 2) I must be more aware of whom I’m racing against, and 3) don’t race lapped traffic.  

During a conversation about qualifying, Ryan Phillpott stated “…trucks build momentum…” which is a no brainier, but something I had never really thought about before.  As a result, I posted my best time yet in qualifying.  I immediately went onto the track trying to build up my speed before starting my first qualifying lap, whereas in the past I didn’t really start going until the clock started timing me.  I guess this is a bit embarrassing to admit but it happened.

Then I got into a tiny scuffle with lapped traffic in the B Main that could have been avoided completely.  I came up on the lapped truck wanting to pass on the inside but I couldn’t find the room, so when I finally decided to go around on the outside the trucks behind me were trying to pass the lapped truck, resulting in some bumping.  I went from third to fifth.  Bad me.  I won’t hesitate to pass another truck on the outside again.  I guess to I was afraid at some point the truck would realize he’s getting lapped and would go high not seeing me trying to pass on the outside.  Another lesson learned the hard way.

 Until next time, Ciao.

 Robin  4/13/01

Hello all! Well (long sigh), I didn't make it to the main event. I took fourth in my heat and around seventh in the B main. But needless to say it was a very big night.

First off I had a blast, didn't crash, and learned a little more on how to drive. I was without my brother, so I was a little nervous on something breaking since he is the mechanic and I'm only the driver. That may have played some physiological gibberish on my head in regards to not doing well. Not to say it was my brother's fault, I just think it did impede upon my performance as a racecar driver (he he, just kidding Dug). 

Both the heat and B main were uneventful as far as wrecks go, but the B was very competitive I thought. Some of the top drivers didn't qualify very well and ending up in the B, making it that much more difficult for the less experienced drivers to move on to the A main. Something I didn't mention is that there were 31 trucks racing that night, with only 20 going to the main. Only the top 4 finishers of the B main transferred to the A main

For those of you who haven't seen 20 Mini Super Trucks duking it out on a 14 mile, you're missing out. It's very competitive and nail biting. This night was no exception. I lost count on how many crashes there were and that's unfortunate. Not all the trucks will be returning this next week, and some drivers may even have to show up with a different truck if they want to race. This night is commonly referred to as "Total Carnage". At the end of the main event I was relieved that I didn't drive in it. I would have definitely been involved in a wreck, and I'm just not ready to put my truck on the trailer via a wrecker. I wish everyone good luck this next Saturday night, . I'm taking the weekend off to play in Vegas. I'll be thinking of you all.

Be safe, Robin.