VIR Archives | Page 3 of 3 | Out Motorsports

“If You Need a Straight, Make a Straight” – Unkefer Memorial at VIR

July 8, 2024August 24, 2017 by Jake Thiewes

The late Chief of Instruction, Dan Unkefer, had a saying he’d frequently utter to his HPDE students in the classroom. “If you need a straight, make a straight.” We lost Dan a few years ago, but our August event at VIR is named in his memory.

All of us who have ended up with racing licenses started off in Dan’s HPDE program and taken that phrase to heart over and over.

My trip to VIR started on a good note, though traffic quickly became unbearable. College move-ins, beach travelers and the upcoming solar eclipse meant everyone felt the need to be on I-95 on Friday afternoon. Thankfully, things eased up once I got past Richmond.

Hyperfest 2017 at VIR

July 8, 2024May 25, 2017 by Jake Thiewes

Hyperfest is one of my favorite events of the year, and this year was no different. I was excited to be back at VIR with full aero and the upgraded differential, plus I had my parents, some family friends, and friends from DC all coming to watch the racing on Saturday.

Competition School & First Race Weekend

July 8, 2024March 27, 2017 by Jake Thiewes

My driving progressed over the last year or so to the point where I (and others) felt that I was ready for wheel to wheel competition. I decided back in November that 2017 was the year I’d finish the car and do Comp School, and that I’d want to do it at a track where I was very comfortable, so that I could focus on the school as much as possible. I got the car prepped (ish) and headed to VIR on Thursday afternoon.