photo by RPM
The Moat Mountain Legends Series returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) this weekend for another double header race. After having last weekend off from racing on the road course, Luke Hiebert of Bethel Maine, is all set to get back behind the wheel of the #32 legend car and take on the 1.6 mile road course at NHMS. “I am very excited to race this upcoming weekend. I found something at the last race and made huge improvements in both my lap times and also in my confidence. We finally figured out an issue that has been plaguing me this year. The weather looks like it is going to cooperate and make for some good racing.”
The road course at NHMS has long straight aways, hair pin turns and changes on elevation so what does Luke do to setup the car to account for all these variables on the track? “The road course set up that Bob Weymouth has hooked me up with has been very helpful to me this year. We set the car up different from last year and have made adjustments based on my driving and minimal adjustments if there is an issue the day of the race. The course has lots of different areas where you can gain or loose significant amount of time. My teammate Patrick Dillion helped me the last session in picking different areas to focus on and that has made a significant difference in the lap times.”
A lot of different types of races are on the road course at NHMS so how does the different types of rubber on the track have an effect on the racing? “This weekend the motorcycles are back on track with us. I don’t think that the rubber that they put down affects us as much as last weekend at the vintage race. We are first on the track for practice and then first for the race so the track is just starting to get heat in by the time we go out.”
The last few MOAT Mountain races at NHMS the rain has played a role in the race, “With rain I make changes to tires. The typical tires are cut for road course. With the onset of rain we change over to rain tires that have not been cut.”
Practice and Qualifying for the legends is early in the day, though the weather and temperature can change before the feature race. So what can the drivers do to adjust the car while racing? “While racing there is not much that can be changed while on track. The biggest change that can be made is the driver and the different lines, acceleration points, brake points and shift points. These cars are very sensitive and like smooth driving. The biggest difference that can be made is driving habits.”
Safety is always an important issue when racing and the race tracks are always improving to make the racing safer either on the track or in the car. “I feel very safe in these cars. NHMS does a great job at having safety crews spread out over the course. With the latest tragedy this past weekend, NHMS rule of staying in the car until instructed to do so is that much more important.”
So what will it take to get the #32 on the podium at NHMS this weekend? “To get the 32 on the podium will take some luck. This being my second year racing I am still learning the track and the car. I am very happy with the past weekend and the gains that I have made on the track. I hope to someday make it to the podium but at this point will need a bit of luck to get there.”
Many thanks to Team Alpine Ski Racing, BFW and my wife for the support. At the end of the day I have a great day at the track hanging out with great friends is what it is all about for me.