CLARINGTON, ON – Thursday marked Day 1 at CTMP for the IMSA teams.
The paddock is filled with dozens of trailers of various shapes and sizes. Teams, suppliers, officials and corporate sponsors are everywhere, their logos splashed across 40-foot billboard-sized trailer sides, inviting spectators to take notice and partake in the sponsors’ products and services.
It is time to open the trailers, unload the cars, and set up the canopies, tools, equipment, spare parts, work pads and countless other items the teams need before they can even think about firing up the cars. The process takes most of the day, and it is a hot, humid one at that.
Then, in the late morning, the skies darkened and the threat of rain became a thing. Teams scrambled to make sure everything is covered, especially the electrical equipment. Crews of five to 10 people worked hard and fast, and finally they were ready to start the cars.
Then the rain began.
Drat. Are the rain tires ready? Can someone check with Michelin to make sure our tires are mounted? Drive the war wagon carefully – we don’t want to slide around in the wet.
Okay, lunch break. We can do the rest later. Right now, we need food.
Here are a few shots from this morning’s setup. More tomorrow when things are a little drier.
***
The Chevrolet Grand Prix at CTMP runs July 10, 11 & 12. For tickets and event info, click HERE.
Discussion about this post