Super Lap Battle COTA 2021

2021? We're coming to the end of 2024!

I know, I know. I'm making this quite late but I feel like I did not tell this story. 2021 was an interesting time. We were in the middle of the pandemic, I hadn't stepped foot outside much since my position at work had transitioned into full remote, I was comfortable but also had cabin fever. I'm quite certain this point in my life, I had gone crazy. By crazy, I started shooting film and converting my film strips into 40mb digital files. And what perfect timing, Super Lap Battle was actually continuing to do their event with social distancing measures.

Shooting film in a digital age.

I am old enough to grow up having parents who had point-and-shoot Pentax 35mm film cameras, but not rich enough to have a SLR camera. By the time I was in high school, digital was taking over and that's all I learned on. At this weird point in my life, i had doubted my true skills in taking photos. I wondered if modern technology was masking my mistakes and hindered my creativity. This is where I deep dove into buying a GREAT condition Minolta X-700 SLR. My lens of choice was a 1st party 35mm lens with a F/S of 1.7. I dabbled and experimented in many different films. I decided to use the Cinestill 800t for it's unique color profile and medium use of ISO. So how does it shoot cars at Circuit of the Americas? It's great! There's certainly some noise, but the great depth separation with the F/S 1.7 gave it that 90s JGTC (Japanese Grand Touring Cars) vibes.

Time Attack

The American Time-Attack series isn't as large when compared to Japan. In America, it's more privateer teams doing it for the passion and a little bit of the bragging rights. What's great about Super Lap Battle taking place at COTA is that it brings out all the big players. To some, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive in America's specifically designed Formula 1 Track. Others want to test their machines to see if they can hold up against the 3-mile lap in serious elevation changes, long sweepers, and one of the longest straights that will test your engine cooling and brakes. Because of all these factors, you get a great mix of fully purpose track cars, to nearly stock cars with tire limitations. This is also due to the different class regulations the organization put together to keep the playing field fair and fun.

More than just Time Attack

This event brings many people from different parts of the world. Super Lap Battle also hosts a two-day car show for locals to show off their builds. This gives spectators who came for the racing, the opportunity to take a break from the constant battles and check out the car scene. This year, Super Lap Battle hosted an official after-party at Rally Ranch of Rally Ready Training School. Food was provided by COBB Tuning via Rudy's Texas BBQ and good vibes were brought in by those who showed up. It was a nice way to wind down from a full day of racing and slow down to talk to people and enjoy the sunset.

If you stayed late enough, there was a live band and a large bonfire to end the night.