Part 18: The car of Theseus.

Hello friends. You might notice something different about me next time we meet, other than that my hair is even greyer. I'll have glowing skin and a bounce in my step, because, I'm now a bonefide 1:25er. Great success.

That's right baybeee, I smashed my old PB and got into the much coveted (by me) 1 minute 25 second zone for times around Hampton Downs in a GT86.

Avid readers of Rally Quest will know that I've been chasing this time for a wee while. Nearly two years to be exact. To refresh your memory, a pro driver once told me that in a stock Toyota GT86 any lap time in the 1:25s or faster could be considered 'good'. So, I'm 'good' now. It's just science, folks.




But am I really good?

You didn't think you could make it through an entire Rally Quest post without encountering some philosophy and self-doubt, did you?

When I initially set the time in the first session of the day, I was over the moon. But then I got to thinking about one of my favourite thought experiments, The Ship of Thesaus. I mentioned that the target time was in a 'stock' GT86. Well, my GT86 is stock. Almost. Last year I went through the original tyres, and I replaced them with a slightly better set. Not fancy race track specials, but a definite upgrade. Is it still stock? Yeah probably. Then I went through my brake pads and I got a slightly better set. Not fancy race track specials, but a definite upgrade. To go with that, new brake fluid too. Is it still stock? Umm.Yes? Maybe? How much do I need to change or replace before my car is no longer stock? Does my time still 'count' as 'good'? 

It can be tiring being me.

But, as the day went on, more signs pointed to me being actually good, rather than just in a slightly faster slightly non-stock car. I reviewed my lap times for the first session and not only did I set a new PB of 1:25.34 (nearly 7 tenths faster than my last track day!), I also set two other laps of 1:25.60. In the second and third sessions I set more times in the 1:25s. Consistent. Much more than a fluke. Furthermore, I had a pro instructor in the final session who seemed genuinely impressed with my racing lines and general skills. I've still got room for improvement of course, but he was in no doubt that I would be able to hold my own in a national racing series. Whatsmore, I've never felt so in control and knowledgable on the track.

So, it is with great pleasure that I can now officially confirm that, to my own satisfaction at least, I am good.

Catch you next time.







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