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I hurry back to the group, not wanting to take too much time getting ready. The stigma of a woman in racing is enough to begin with; I didn’t want to add any fuel to the fire because it took me too long to change. I hate that those thoughts are what’s clouding my mind and I’m not focused on the test now.
I see Elle’s smile as I return to the group. Seems as if the entire crew is here including the pit crew. I offer a smile back to everyone and hand my bag off to Elle. “Can you hold this?”
“Of course. You ready?” she asks as I smile again.
“As ready as I can be.”
“Haisley?” I hear Saint call me. I turn to face him. “Ready?”
“You betcha,” I answer as I walk to the car and take my helmet from Mac. “Thanks.”
“No problem. Let’s get you into the car,” he replies as Saint stands next to him.
I put on my helmet and adjust it to fit before climbing over the frame and into the seat. I squeeze myself into the tight space. Mac pulls the restraints over my shoulders as I adjust my arms into the seat cavity. I take each side of the seatbelt and click them into the holder between my legs. Mac tightens the straps and looks at me. I give him a thumbs up that it feels alright.
Saint hands me the steering wheel, and I attach it to the drive shaft. Saint plugs in my com. “Testing, can you hear me?”
“I can hear you,” I reply.
“Great. Let’s get the car fired, and we’ll start as soon as you’re ready,” he instructs as I fire up the car. I run my hand over the steering wheel as Saint goes through the setup again with me.
“Since we’re on an oval, you have the weight jack on each side, which will change the feel of the hydraulics. I set the dash up as a basic info system for the moment. We’re going to use the test run to familiarize yourself with the buttons, placement, and information you want or need to access. After that, we will custom design the steering wheel for you. Understand?”
I nod. “Yes. Shifters are behind, clutch above, I’ve got the radio button, neutral button, reverse, and the dials. You said the screens are set up stock-wise?”
Saint nods. “Yes, and let’s get a feel for what information we need, what Bud needs, and then we can spend time next week customizing the screens and buttons.”
“Okay, sounds good,” I say as I take a few deep breaths to calm the butterflies in my stomach.
“You okay?” Saint checks before he stands.
“I feel like I’m going to vomit in my helmet, but besides that I’m peachy,” I reply.
“It’ll be fine once you get out there. Just listen to Bud’s directions. I’ll be on the mics as well listening.” He shoots me an understanding glance.
“Isn’t he supposed to be the one offering words of encouragement?” I question, glancing at the gruff man on top of my pit box.
“That is close to the truth, but let’s focus on you and the car. Don’t crash my baby, got it?” He smiles as I flip down my visor.
“I’ll try not to,” I snort as I click the button for the radio. “All fired and ready when you are,” I talk into the com system.
Bud’s voice answers, “Well, what are you waiting for, your makeup to dry? Get out there.”
I steady myself again and take a deep breath before turning the steering wheel and applying gas. I start out slow, pit lane speed for the most part, until I exit pit road and increase the throttle. I shift up through the gears as I come through turn two. I glance down at the LCD screen to gauge my speed. I was only at 140mph.
“Come on, girl. Open her up,” Bud’s voice dictates over the radio.
I press the throttle and shift into higher gears on the back straightaway, clocking in at about 180mph. I downshift and pull off the throttle as I enter turn three.
“That’s it, keep her steady. Open her up on exit,” I hear Saint instruct as I focus on coming out of the turn. “You can do it, Haisley.”
I increase my throttle and shift again, this time clocking in at 200mph, right before the turn. I slow down and enter turn one, holding as tight to the wheel as I can throughout the banking. Once through the turn, I’m back on the throttle: 190, 200, 210. I smile to myself and enter turn three. The tension on the wheel is tight as I navigate through the turn and head to the front straightaway.
“You’re doing good,” Saint’s voice fills my com.
“I’m coming in,” I reply as I slow down after the exit following turn four. I wanted to touch base with the crew face to face, see if there was anything I needed to give them information about. I enter pit road and hit the neutral button on the steering wheel. I pull to a stop in the area where the crew and Saint are standing. Bud is still atop the pit box, and I can see a sneer on his face.
I start unbuckling the restraint and push myself out of the seat, removing my helmet. One of the crew guys takes it from me as Mac offers me his hand to jump out of the car. Saint is smiling, so something must be good. “How was that?” I ask, waiting for his response.
