PATTERSON'S MONUMENTAL CHALLENGE
Thu, 2008-11-06 10:29
New driving technique provides challenges for veteran Pro Modified driver …
Thomas
Patterson believed stepping outside of his comfort zone would make him
a better driver in 2008. The veteran Pro Modified driver from Houston,
Tex., who campaigns with his dad Richard, felt that it was easier to
change his driving style than to spend more money and exercise
resources bringing the car to his technique.
That’s why, Patterson said, the PMS Excavation team looked brilliant at times and well … not so brilliant in others.
New driving technique provides challenges for veteran Pro Modified driver …
Thomas
Patterson believed stepping outside of his comfort zone would make him
a better driver in 2008. The veteran Pro Modified driver from Houston,
Tex., who campaigns with his dad Richard, felt that it was easier to
change his driving style than to spend more money and exercise
resources bringing the car to his technique.
That’s why, Patterson said, the PMS Excavation team looked brilliant at times and well … not so brilliant in others.
“Our season was good, but there were times you were wondering where the driver’s head was,” Patterson admitted. “I basically had to change the way I performed my driving routine, all in the name of getting the most out of the car.”
Patterson admits the lion’s share of the changes came in the way he left the starting line.
“Since 1996, I’ve been driving the car one way and all of a sudden we felt we needed to go in a different direction,” Patterson said. “This old dog isn’t keen on learning new tricks but I wanted to do what I needed to make the car better.”
Patterson said he learned the meaning of “yipping” on the starting line, which is the act of jumping the lights when the driver brings up the rpms.
Make no mistake, Patterson will attest that yipping leads to yelling and the vocabulary isn’t always family friendly inside of the cockpit.
“I’ve probably filled up my fair share of cuss jars this season,” Patterson admitted. “I’d get myself psyched up and keep hammering in my head, don’t do this and don’t do that. I get up there and there I’d go and do it again.
“$%&**((())
“That was my most used word this year,” Patterson added.
Patterson is in the formative stages of planning for next year and while in years past he’s gravitated more towards the IHRA and NHRA Pro Modified tours, he’s confident he’ll be a regular in the ADRL’s Pro Extreme division. He’s also got a few more plans in the works, plans he’s not ready to reveal.
“We’re still working on some really big things and when they become public, I think a lot of people will be surprised,” Patterson said. “Trust me, I want to talk about it, I’m not into keeping secrets.”
Thomas
Patterson believed stepping outside of his comfort zone would make him
a better driver in 2008. The veteran Pro Modified driver from Houston,
Tex., who campaigns with his dad Richard, felt that it was easier to
change his driving style than to spend more money and exercise
resources bringing the car to his technique.That’s why, Patterson said, the PMS Excavation team looked brilliant at times and well … not so brilliant in others.
New driving technique provides challenges for veteran Pro Modified driver …
Thomas
Patterson believed stepping outside of his comfort zone would make him
a better driver in 2008. The veteran Pro Modified driver from Houston,
Tex., who campaigns with his dad Richard, felt that it was easier to
change his driving style than to spend more money and exercise
resources bringing the car to his technique.That’s why, Patterson said, the PMS Excavation team looked brilliant at times and well … not so brilliant in others.
“Our season was good, but there were times you were wondering where the driver’s head was,” Patterson admitted. “I basically had to change the way I performed my driving routine, all in the name of getting the most out of the car.”
Patterson admits the lion’s share of the changes came in the way he left the starting line.
“Since 1996, I’ve been driving the car one way and all of a sudden we felt we needed to go in a different direction,” Patterson said. “This old dog isn’t keen on learning new tricks but I wanted to do what I needed to make the car better.”
Patterson said he learned the meaning of “yipping” on the starting line, which is the act of jumping the lights when the driver brings up the rpms.
Make no mistake, Patterson will attest that yipping leads to yelling and the vocabulary isn’t always family friendly inside of the cockpit.
“I’ve probably filled up my fair share of cuss jars this season,” Patterson admitted. “I’d get myself psyched up and keep hammering in my head, don’t do this and don’t do that. I get up there and there I’d go and do it again.
“$%&**((())
“That was my most used word this year,” Patterson added.
Patterson is in the formative stages of planning for next year and while in years past he’s gravitated more towards the IHRA and NHRA Pro Modified tours, he’s confident he’ll be a regular in the ADRL’s Pro Extreme division. He’s also got a few more plans in the works, plans he’s not ready to reveal.
“We’re still working on some really big things and when they become public, I think a lot of people will be surprised,” Patterson said. “Trust me, I want to talk about it, I’m not into keeping secrets.”
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