Roland Hahn is our guest for this episode with Ann Moran occasionally chiming in throughout the episode.  Roland has been racing since the 80’s and has probably completed more races than we have laps (which is not really that much of an exaggeration).  Some fascinating stories and history that will help you and your team in the next race. 

 

On this episodes Dominating with Dawson, we go over Racing in the Rain.  No, not the book, how to do it and how to enjoy it more.

 

We hope you enjoy this episode!

 

Best regards,

 

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and

Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

 

Highlights from this episode include:

1)  What Roland has learned at his last 875 or so races in all types of cars and racing.  Yes, 875+ races and counting. 

2)  How he found his “home” in endurance racing and how endurance racing has changed since he first started at Nelson Ledges in 1987.

3)  Race prep, racing practices, and safety equipment have apparently changed dramatically (for the better) since the 80’s.

4)  Some team history about how Roland first met Ann and their current team began about two years ago, as well as how Ann began racing and met Roland.

5)  Vicki somehow manages to bring Xena into the podcast.  Still puzzled by how that fit into the discussion, twice, but it somehow fit, and led to a discussion of Vicki meeting Roland for the first time when he was in drag at NHMS last year.

6)  Things Roland has learned to do and perhaps even more importantly things not to do over his racing career.

7)  How Roland and Ann found their current BMW E36 and their thoughts about racing it and E36’s in general.

8)  Post race “hangovers”, even if you don’t drink, are real.  Especially if you race as often as Roland and Ann did last year.

9)  We compare our relative “Hot Mess” levels and performance at the recent Charlotte race with Lucky Dog.

10)  Roland does his best Karnac impression over a brake light switch at the Charlotte race.

11)  The Dip Stick disaster that was Charlotte Roval and a really good title to a TV show episode.

12)  How the two races at Charlotte went for their team.  It was a bit of a battle for a long time, but in the end, it seems to have worked out well in the 10-hour race.  This illustrates a series of the type of things that an endurance team can run into any weekend.  The impossible is not impossible, but merely unlikely.  The more laps raced, the more probably it becomes.

13)  How Roland employed his experience and knowledge to survive a bit better than most on Sunday.  17 hours of racing at the Charlotte Roval was pretty hard on all the cars that were there, especially with the heavy breaking required for the Roval.

14)  Jen does not share Roland’s preference for concrete canyon race tracks.  Maybe with time, but definitely not at the moment.

15)  Roland was very impressed with racing with Lucky Dog and with his level of experience, impressing him is not the easiest thing to do.  Especially impressive considering the COVID related conditions and the team not having its full team at the event.  More grown up but still playful is a great way to put it.

16)  Roland was kind enough to go into some of the race prep areas and philosophy he tries to employ for every race.  He may write a book someday.  We can’t wait.  Roland, do you need an editor or a co-writer?  We know a guy.

17)  ALWAYS learn something at every single race or you aren't really paying attention.

18)  Succinctly put, we need a Roland.  Every team does.  We will be asking questions of him, often.  Since he listens to our podcast, we are sure we have caused him to laugh out loud many times.  Lol.

19)  Tips to improve as a driver abound throughout this episode.

20)  Roland provides the definitive answer to the long fought over question that torments the internet on a daily basis.  Where do you put the transponder on the car to get the faster lap or to win at the finish line.  You are welcome.  (and we are sure the arguments will continue long into the future anyway)