GUARD TRANSMISSION

The Tribute to Le Mans is the one POC tradition that has endured for twenty years.911 Design crew at work refueling while Robert helps Mike out of the car. — CaliphotographyThroughout the race, the car and my newMEGA-Line paddle shift system workedflawlessly. Mike drove a phenomenal firststint, which allowed me to essentially cruisewith the mission of not screwing up my shift.With Doug Baron cast in the hero’s role, weknew if anyone challenged us, he was the guywho would dig deep to keep us in first. We ledfrom the drop of the green flag to the checkeredflag, but what was most satisfying wasworking as a team with Loren Beggs’ crew toprepare for the race. We enjoyed each other’scompany over the course of qualifying and therace itself. In the end, that is what draws us tothe POC Tribute every year: friends workingtogether, exchanging barbs, and bonding witheach other in the hopes of doing well. It’s theendorphin release of just finishing the raceand knowing we depended on one another tostay out of trouble. It’s the exhilarating feelingof knowing we pushed it as hard as we could.I miss the fact that we do not drive at nightanymore, because there is a beauty in thetransition of sunlight into darkness and all thechallenges that brings. The Tribute to Le Mansis the one POC tradition that has enduredfor twenty years. I hope that drivers continueto see this event not only as a race, but as alife experience in friendship and in personalendeavor, and that the POC tradition of TheTribute continues to flourish.The race was a team effort and as such I askedmy co-drivers Mike Monsalve and Doug Baronto also add their perspectives of our race.Doug Baron — I can’t begin to say what apleasure it was to drive for Team McDreamythis year. I have been running the Tribute toLe Mans every year since its inception, andhave been a proud recipient of five Tributewins. I’ve always driven with cars preparedby 911 Design, and I can definitely say thatthis year’s car was the best prepared. I haveseen the Tribute go from a small club race toa nationally recognized endurance classic,with drivers ranging from club racing enthusiaststo racing professionals.Robert and I have been friends for more thantwenty years, and to get the opportunity tofinally drive with him was something I havealways looked forward to. Mike Monsalvedid a superb job of qualifying the car, andprovided us excellent feedback so we couldrefine the already superb setup. Robertdriving second gave me the opportunity toprepare myself for the final leg and allowedme to get in a car that was ready for the finalstint of the race.All the cars were well prepared, but Robert’scar seemed so easy to drive! It will alwaysstand as a high point of my driving careerwith the Porsche Owners Club. I hope thatthe POC can continue to thrive and offer thistremendous race for many years to come andthat I will be able to continue driving in it aslong as it lasts.Mike Monsalve — After qualifying theTeam McDreamy car on the pole in 1:21:6,my strategy was to turn a few fast laps andtry to pull a quick, comfortable lead. Shortlyafter, I worked into a steady pace that slowlyincreased our lead while still saving the tires.Soon after, with a 30 second lead, the trackwent double yellow. So, time to start again,and the strategy was identical. Toward theend of my stint, with a 30 second lead rebuilt,I was told via radio, “If you have any tires left,use them—we are bringing you in within afew laps.” So, I pushed what the car had left.However, those few laps turned into another12 as they decided to keep me in the car.Driving those last few laps in my 1.5 hourstint was not fun—I could almost feel thosecords unraveling. I suppose I was not aloneout there with bad tires, as we had a nicelead when I handed over the car to Robert.Toward the end, Robert and I were back andforth at timing and scoring, calculating ourposition. We soon realized we had this oneand the excitement started to grow duringthe closing laps driven by Doug Baron.Back to back wins in Robert’s car #85was an awesome experience. lNot a big name firm(thankfully)Sorry to the mega-corporations out there selling investment products.Bigger is better in some things, just not investing (in our opinion).Our firm serves as a private investment counselor to Southern Californiafamilies and individuals.We offer stock and bond portfolio management services. We don’t sellanything (insurance, hedge funds, etc.).Please visit www.triadim.com for more about our approach.Auto Club Speedway, March 2007(didn’t win, again)John Heldman, CFA (POC Member)(949) 851-7902 • jheldman@triadim.comSubscribe to our commentaries at triadim.com30 VELOCITY AUGUST 2015AUGUST 2015 VELOCITY 31