Peter Granberg, Round II
James Woodard and I escorted the sun up the Taconic on the Friday of the Lime Rock Gridlife weekend, excited to meet up with our buddy Peter Granberg. We had very limited time with Peter last year around and were stoked to get some extra time kicking it and getting some more cohesive, thought-out shots in the paddock and with our lights after the sun fell. His BRZ is everything mine wishes it was, and the snazzy half-and-half blue/white scheme he's rocking now is really eye-catching.
Funny how things go. They started benign enough: as we rolled into Lime Rock, cloud wisps from the violent overnight thunderstorms still danced on top of each forested peak surrounding the track. In the paddocks, little puddles reflected neon racecar colors any direction one looked. The morning breeze carried a sweetness along with the hint of race gas fumes, and the hushed whooshes of the Tesla class racing set the peaceful backdrop for the media meeting.
Peter's first day of races didn't quite go as expected. Unaware of the issues from our media perches or prowling the infield, we saw him resurface for each session, but towards the end of the day, it was clear something was off. The way everyone was grinding in their own roles, communication was difficult, so we didn't get a chance to check on Pete during the day.
We pressed on with the plan not having heard anything, burned some time in the Concours (which was phenomenal, as always), and floated down to Paddock B with our lights and tripods, gathering up our weary, sunburned, limping bodies for one more creative push before heading home to collapse. After parking and grabbing our cameras, we strolled to Pete's tent. It was not difficult to see the manifestation of the 'off' feeling we got earlier.
The car was on jack stands under the his tent, and the transmission was laying on the ground under the car. The doors were open, the hood was up, and about 10 guys had gathered in the low light around the sickly racecar. Pete was under the car wrenching, occasionally communicating in quick, firm question-answer dialogue. The mood was down, but hopeful. More than once, other racers swung through offering help in many different forms.
Everyone could've been partying, but here they were, battling mechanical demons with Pete late into the night. The lifeblood of this sport was on full display here, and although we didn't get our sweet night shoot we were all looking forward to, Peter unbelievably had the car on track next day, shredding as much as the car would allow with some of the same people that helped him put his car back together.
We reached out to Peter recently and he was generous to give us some if his time, shedding some light on the source of his troubles over the weekend.
Tough to see you had a bunch of issues over the weekend at Lime Rock but, at least from our vantage point, you resurfaced to shred each session nonetheless! Obviously you probably wanted the car to behave a little better, what were some of the issues the car was giving you?
Thank you, and oh boy.. There’s a lot. The start of the issues happened when I was getting pressured late afternoon by a much faster Time Attack car that was behind me. With LRP being such a small track, I tried to get out of the way, but miscalculated the last turn and really smacked the hell out of the curbing going into the last turn on the front right wheel. I had to immediately pit because I had noticed my steering wheel was pretty crooked now. Long story short, after coming back into my paddock space, the car wouldn’t shift, I had a bent something which knocked my alignment out, and noticed my header cracked. I am so thankful that I had Abbott Auto Performance on my side as they quickly helped me to start to take the car apart. We bled the clutch slave and master cylinder, dropped the trans for an inspection, and found that both of my inner tie rods were loose.
Considering all that, it's absolutely incredible you were able to continue the next day. Regarding the racing itself, what changes have you made to your driving, mentally and/or physically, since last time we saw you a year ago? Has it helped?
As far as the many changes aside from the car (full Verus Engineering Aero, 1.5way diff, Fortune Auto Pro 2 ways, etc.), with Lime Rock in particular, the entire week before I took my preparation very seriously. It may have been overkill, especially racing that no one talks about, and it may even seem like common sense, but just making sure I slept well, eating healthy, and maintaining my workouts and being consistent. Being consistent outside of racing translates to being consistent while racing. I unfortunately don’t have a sim yet, but I plan on getting one this off season.
For the physical side of things, during the actual event, I had a plan going in making sure as soon as I got out of the car to stay hydrated. This burned me and my performance at Mid-Ohio. Being fatigued and dehydrated makes it very difficult to stay focused especially towards the end of the day. Doing this did wonders for my overall energy levels.
Mentally, what I like to do now is get to the grid early, sit in my car and unhook my steering wheel. I’ll close my eyes and drive the track in my head over and over and over again until it’s time to roll out.
Finally, at the end of the session, after I get my water, I try my best to upload my data to firelaps (shout out to Firelaps.com for their awesome data analysis) and try to analyze the previous session and see where I can go faster next.
For what it’s worth, I did take up Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) in February. I'd like to believe that this helps with my reaction time and reflexes since I can do this in the off season to stay crisp.
I hadn't thought previously to connect those two, but I can absolutely see how it would help. Car issues aside, how was the Lime Rock Gridlife weekend another time around? What are your prominent thoughts or favorite memories of the weekend?
Despite not getting on the podium and not being there for the Epic Karaoke session Saturday night, I did go faster and beat my PB from last year and almost broke into the 58 second marker. To be totally honest, LRP Gridlife is becoming my favorite event of the year. It gives me the vibes of Midwest Festival, but without the music and REALLY geared for the automotive enthusiast.
How sketchy does that downhill right sweeper really feel? Is there another corner that gives you more pause or is that the monster?
Funny you ask about this turn, this was the turn where I really screwed up my car. However, I honestly think this turn isn’t the worst. I’m actually more terrified over correcting going up the hill and the right hander before the downhill. There was one session where I felt the car getting a bit too loose for my liking and started talking to myself while I was driving saying stuff like “ok hold on tight, too fast!! Chill out this turn!!”
[Laughing] You're a good coach for yourself! Do you consider racing art?
Absolutely. Everyone has a different style of driving. It’s almost like a math equation. There may be a common/standard way of getting to the answer, but it’s up to the driver to put their own line together that might be fastest for them when compared to another line. Racing is definitely an art. Not just the driver’s style or even the line, but also the car itself. Driver’s like their car setup a certain way just like an artist likes their certain brushes or techniques to paint.
Whats the biggest thing you get out of driving?
This is a tough question. If I had to say, it’s learning how to push yourself and find the limits of not only yourself mentally and physically, but also the extension of the car you're driving. There have been so many times where things don’t go your way because stuff broke and you want to throw in the towel, but it’s those times where you’re really mentally tested to just persevere and push yourself through. Those tough times are what makes you who you are.
Well put. Along those lines, do you ever get to that blackout point where you've entirely given over to the unconscious reacting and you're driving entirely by feel, not thought; the car an extension of yourself? If so, what is your experience like, and how do you learn from those decisions made under fire?
I’m sure this happens more often than not, which makes it very difficult to even remember if it did happen. However, the one time where I felt this was at Mid-Ohio. It was the morning session, the temperature was just right. I felt really good mentally and physically. I went out there and I just was in such a flow state, everything pieced together. Things almost felt like slow motion, especially the big ass drift I had over madness. After that session, I knew I had a pretty fast time. It turned out that it was the fastest time of the entire weekend for the class, and I had beaten the ClubTR RWD record and I had no idea!
I saw that, that's awesome! Congratulations dude, your progression is really cool to watch! We sincerely appreciate your time, one last thing; what's one thing you want the good people to know?
Things don’t happen overnight, so don’t rush the process. Be patient. Be disciplined. Be kind. Surround yourself with good people, by giving off good energy. You’ve only got one life so enjoy it the way you want to enjoy it!
Wise words from a class act. Our supreme gratitude to Peter once again for his time and energy.
-Nicholas Pascarella // @nicksglasseye
Photos: James Woodard // Nicholas Pascarella
