Road & Track: Running Your First Pro Race While Possibly Dying

Imagine something with us for a minute.

You’re a successful amateur racer and professional motorsport journalist. You get a call from Mazda Motorsports offering you a ride in the 2016 Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich’s debut weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. You’d take it. We know you would.

What if you were sick? We’re not talking a case of the sniffles. Full on fever, vomiting, bruised ribs bronchitis. Would you still do it? Sam Smith of Road & Track did. He lived to tell his tale and wrote about it at RoadAndTrack.com.

“I’m a decent club racer–I’ve won races, flirted with track records. I know what I’m doing wrong, I just can’t make my body do what’s right. How do you look through the corner when each of your eyes is in a different zip code? How do you have smooth hands when you can barely keep your head off your chest?”

You don’t; at least not well. Sam survived the weekend and got himself well. Hindsight says that he probably shouldn’t have been in a racecar. But we don’t blame him. Because Racecar.

To read Sam’s account of his weekend, visit RoadAndTrack.com.

Related Events

There are no current events on the schedule.

Check back soon for next season’s events!

Related News

Latest Articles

Become a Track Night in America Coach or Organizer. Here’s how…
SCCA’s Time Attack Season Isn’t Done Until Buttonwillow Says So
These Were the Hoosier Super Tour’s Tightest Point Battles and Biggest Winners in 2026
SCCA and Grassroots Motorsports Strengthen Partnership to Open More Motorsports Doors
Ideas will Spark at the 2027 SCCA National Convention
Which Trailer is Right for You? Hagerty Weighs the Options

Share THIS