1,000 Miles or 10 Hours, Whichever Comes First

Belinda Endress's Impressions of the Petit Le Mans

Wow, there is so much to say about this event. First of all, I am so grateful for such an opportunity. The original third driver, unfortunately, couldn’t get a medical release so Cindi Lux and Divina Galica asked me if I would be able to team up with them in a first all female driving team for the Petit Le Mans.

I found this out on the 14th of September, with the race on the 30th, and the need to line up sponsors by the 20th. Counting weekends, essentially all I had was two days to come up with a big chunk of change. By Friday afternoon, all the corporations were closed, and I said a prayer. The whole thing seemed a little out of reach, so I didn’t get excited about it. I simply asked God that, since the door is open, if He knows I’m ready, then He will supply the means. I left it at that.

Saturday afternoon, I got a call from my sponsor, and going well over the extent of their present sponsorship, they decided that it was a great marketing opportunity. And boy, were they right. God’s faithfulness is incredible.

Now, how do you prepare for a 10 hour race? Not just any 10 hour race. A race with 3 different classes of cars, not just any cars. We’re talking the best sports car racing machines in the world, along with some of the best, most competitive drivers and teams as well. How do you focus for this?

Outside of physical training two times a day, and the sweat box to get used to the heat, the only way to train for a race like this is drive it. Amazing! I have never raced a Porsche before so that was another first, but what a handy little car.

The team really did their homework and gave us a flawless car. But I have to tell you, the first time the wolf pack, the fast prototypes, passed me going into turn 10, I got on the radio with Cole, the team leader, and said, “If you could only see what I see, these cars are so beautiful!”

It took a bit to get used to the fast and incredible passes. At the night practice, I said to myself after one of the Audi’s passed me on turn 1 going into turn 2, “Why don’t you try the chain link fence next time.” Not to be sarcastic, just to comment on how amazing these car and drivers really are. They are something to behold The view from the cockpit is indescribable, and only from there can one really understand.

It was a fun challenge to stay at a race pace and yet safely let the fast cars by. It can be quite mentally exhausting which I’m sure we all three can attest to.

Cindi and Divina were excellent co-drivers. I knew going in that we were looking for a finish and a good one at that. Taking it step by step and not overlooking anything, keeping a very level head and looking for the finish was the call of the day.

The crew did an excellent job with the car. Terry, one of the mechanics who is like MacGuyver, got us fitted well in the car. Cole did his magic on the radio, from start to finish. Outside of contact from a Panoz early on, we had a very clean race. The contact caused a spin and fortunately no concrete was hit. The team duck taped it up and off we went. We did experience a tire rub exiting turn 5 with the right rear loaded.

Cindi started the race, Divina took the 2nd stint and I followed 3rd, which led me to the night stint. Never having raced at night, this was an experience. There is nothing like it. I called it romantic. It was so beautiful.

However the 40 foot Michelin Man with the orange light on it was a bit distracting. I came out of the pits and up the hill and there he was, filling the entire sky. I wondered not if, but how many times he had been shot, and how the guys at Michelin fix him. I bet you I’m not the first driver to think that, but I’m probably the first to say it. Funny the things you think about on long stints.

I had no problems with the 1 hour and 20 minute stints. In fact they went by so fast. I think one of the wonderful things about driving in a race like this is you get to stay in the car longer, with time to savor the moments and try to perfect all your inputs. And what incredible moments they are.

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It wouldn’t have been possible if our team didn’t give us the best equipment and all us drivers didn’t take good car of the car. The spotted yellow #81 Porsche was a sweet car to drive. Cindi and Divina were not only very professional to work with, they did an excellent job out on the track. If I was going into battle I wouldn’t think twice about having them fight on my side.

We finished 6th in our class out of 16 and 20th overall out of 40. This was a first and bless God, I guarantee it won’t be my last.

I have to thank God first and foremost.I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Him.I also want to thank Xtreme Island Designs and my best friend Barry for believing in me. Cindi and Divina for having the confidence in my ability and asking me to run. Also thanks to the team for a well prepared racing machine, their expertise in racing strategy and patience with three talented race drivers.

Belinda Endress
3rd driver #81
Petit Le Mans

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