Matt's September Update: Surreal Double Win on WRL Debut in Virginia

Matt’s September Update: Surreal Winning Debut in World Racing League at Virginia

ALTON, Virginia - It’s fair to say the result we achieved at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) wasn’t one we expected, but a monumental story none of us will forget!

RKMotorsports sweeps the weekend with back-to-back class wins in the 2021 World Racing League 8 + 8 Hour event at VIR with drivers Matt Million, Ryan Keeley, Greg Gomolka, and Jordon Musser.

They took 1st in GP2 from 11 entrants both days in the #87 BMW Spec E46 and finished 15th and 16th in overall standings of over 70 entries. This comes after an engine failure early in Friday testing left the team scrambling for options.

This month’s update covers the highlights of this experience. Further, there is a small recap of my month seeing some of America’s most iconic circuits.

MY STORY

A quick catch-up; my name is Matt Million, I’m a 21-year-old aspiring professional racing driver and full time college student from San Marcos, California. I’ve been racing since the age of five, spending the next eight years karting across the state. In 2014, I transitioned to sports cars in Spec Miata developing in the Mazda Motorsports ladder through Teen Mazda Challenge up to success in Spec MX-5 Challenge in 2018. In 2019, I became a 25 Hours of Thunderhill class winner and in 2020 a long-held aspiration of racing touring cars in Germany was first realized. For 2021, my season commitment has become NASA’s Western Endurance Racing Championship. I drive for GOneppo Racing in a BMW Spec E46 and after 4 of 6 rounds we are tied for 1st in the E2 class standings. I am also entering my final year of university studies with hopes to find my way into professional motorsport within the coming years.

I love sharing these experiences with hopes that those who read them can find value in following my journey. Thank you for the support!

*Our GP2 class #87 being followed by a GP3 Mazda and two GTO Cayman’s*

background

In July, I was approached by local racer friend Ryan Keeley to drive for his team RKMotorsports in their WRL debut at Virginia. Our car is the #87 BMW Spec E46 prepared and crewed by San Diego-based BIMMERSPEED led by veteran owner Ryan Lindsley. Keeley and I would be accompanied in driver duties by Greg Gomolka, local friend and racer from San Diego, and Texas-based hot shoe Jordon Musser. Jordon was a last-minute callup to replace our original fourth driver who became injured in the prior weeks. We’re immensely happy he was able to join; likely couldn’t have done this without him!

A bit of context on the series; World Racing League (WRL) is quickly becoming a primary U.S. championship for club-style endurance racing with a professional atmosphere.

It consists of four classes; GTO is the fastest and most numerous (populated with Cayman GT4’s, M4 GT4’s, Audi RS3 TCR’s, etc.) followed by GP1, GP2, and GP3. One special aspect which makes the series so competitive is how closely matched each class is. For reference, my best lap of a 2:09 in our GP2-classified BMW Spec E46 was only four to six seconds off the GTO leaders at any given time. Add in a mandate for road legal DOT-complicit tires of 180 tread wear and you get a tight field where drivers can really make the difference!

It all began at 6:00am Thursday in Terminal 1 of the San Diego airport. Gomolka and I flew together into Raleigh before picking up our rental and arriving at VIR just ahead of sundown at 7:00pm. The series’ check-in process for drivers was efficient and simple. We spend the remainder of the evening catching up with one another. I was particularly struck by the dense, rainforest-like environment alive with animals, energy and humidity. Stunning atmosphere and a beautiful circuit!

FRIDAY

*Ryan and Peter pulling the engine from #87*

Oh, how a day can change quickly!

I had the privilege of piloting the first warm-up. This marked the first laps of VIR for myself, the team, and the car. My simulator homework hadn’t been far off but some differences shocked me. Despite the grandiose magnitude given off by the scenery, the circuit itself felt narrow and condensed. The rhythm was absolutely thrilling, diving from corner to corner with various rumble strips, commitment levels, and visibility.

Unfortunately the day was short lived. As Jordon took the car out for his first laps, the engine decided to expire. The fortunate part was to have it happen at 10:00am. Our team sprung to action and rallied together assessing how to take the engine out and locate a new one!

The engine was out by noon, the backup had arrived an hour or two later, and Ryan Lindsley with his BIMMERSPEED crew finished their installation around 9:00pm. Us drivers decided it best to leave the crew to their work and make sure we arrived well rested. We received an encouraging text at dinner which allowed us to actually get some sleep!

saturday

Our hotel lobby chat revealed the good news. “Car is ready, engine is healthy, and dyno numbers are strong”. Talk about a jolt of enthusiasm! Now it was (hopefully) on us drivers to take the baton and deliver. The atmosphere on grid felt quite professional! 70 endurance touring and GT cars on the pit lane in the chilly, dense morning air.

Missing out because of yesterday’s early failure, Ryan’s first lap of VIR would be taking the green at 8:30am gridded somewhere around 50th overall. His ability to learn very quickly had a new standard!

A clean getaway and Ryan found himself in the middle of GP2 doing his best to comprehend a new circuit in the heat of battle. Team expectations for today centered around seeing the checkered in eight hours. With so many unknowns, it was ‘trial by fire’ for all of us to adapt. But with an experienced crew and Jordon’s series knowledge, we maintained strong optimism and a supportive environment which propelled us forward.

Ryan completed his stint and Greg was next to go. With an approximate fuel range of 1-hour-30-minutes, I was thrust into the race at the three hour mark.

Quickly I understood what made WRL such a viciously competitive and enjoyable series. A copious amount of cars vying for the same real estate with a surprisingly good driver quality. At one point I became the tail of a multiple car train winding up the world famous esses at full speed thinking to myself “this is incredible”! Sometime in the stint, I set my best lap of the day and the second best of the GP2 class of a 2:10:851. I’d gained lots of confidence through areas like T16 and T17 along with the braking zone of T1 and the patience required for T3.

At the end of my first stint, I dealt with our first and only fuel scare of the event. The car fuel starved and shut off with just five seconds of warning. Cycling the ignition for 15 or 20 seconds felt like an hour. Luckily, it didn’t occur again and our time lose was minimal.

The second stint was rather straightforward. Fewer Code 35’s, less traffic, more honed in on a consistent flow. I’d check in with the pit wall every so often to relay fuel numbers and gain affirmation my pace was sufficiently moving us ahead. This was confirmed a few times per hour as I’d gain back a lap from the GP2 leader or those in podium contention. I developed more efficient methods of passing slower cars and managing faster traffic as I became familiar with VIR’s subtleties. It was a long hour-and-a-half stint with the heat, humidity, and lack of airflow but the promise I made to myself was one of persistence through difficulty. It eventually became the most grueling stint of my career.

Into the pit lane on cue. Driver change, window net up, door shut, and I nearly collapsed climbing over the wall. Without a doubt the most fatigued I’ve been after a race performance. I lied on the ground with legs cramping, water pouring, and seeing stars. My training regiment allowed me to run flat out in 95% humidity and 90 degrees for three hours and nothing more! I could’ve backed off the intensity and conserved. But I knew the deficit we needed to claw back and we weren’t reaching without a miracle. I needed peace of mind knowing I did everything possible in the cockpit to get us there. We regained over four minutes and sat on the lead lap.

As I prayed to the gods of hydration and slowly regained cohesive thoughts after an hour, the picture of our race came sharply into focus. Jordon left pit lane in podium contention. One hour later and one hour to go, he worked himself to 2nd within a minute to the leader and closing.

*Ryan Lindsley watches intently as we enter the final two hours sitting in 2nd place*

We fought against a fueling deficit. The #21 BMW E46 we were racing had a fueling system designed to the rules and gained roughly 15 seconds per stop on us. Thus constituting how hard we needing to push. Matching their final pit call with one of our own, they locked into a battle with 30 minutes remaining.

None of us were internalizing what was happening. We paced around our pit glued to the timing screen. Jordon made a decisive move into T1 with 15 minutes remaining and sealed our fate as we all watched in awe. Four laps of disbelief later and we hung over the wall cheering and hugging. So much for having no expectations…

The entire celebration was unsuccessfully holding back tears while relearning how to walk my sickened self. The feelings hit harder than I’d thought. From no engine and nearly no testing to class winner and gaining 38 positions in overall standings.

It was proof every lap mattered. If I opted to let my times slip one second per lap over the course of an hour, no way this occurs. Same goes for Jordon’s effort with Ryan and Greg’s quick learning ability. None of us received a single penalty or suffered a mishap on pit lane.

sunday

*Getting ready deliver the opening two stints!*

If yesterday was our peak, it would’ve still been a milestone achievement. The morning conversation centered around “well, let’s go do it again!” After another eight hours of racing, was it a stretch to even consider it possible?

The decision was made to mix up our driver lineup order. I’d be starting and remain in for a double stint of 2-hour-30 to 3 hours. Greg and Ryan follow with a single 1-hour-30 apiece with Jordon closing the show with a full stint and splash.

My goal was to maximize the cold temperatures and new Cooper Tires to build a large gap behind. Knowing how close it came yesterday, we didn’t want to repeat the nail-biting finish!

The race got underway and I chased down the pole-sitting #525. We sliced through the GP1 field and checked out from the rest of GP2. It was a high pace to match but I needed to stay within range. I worked on more effective traffic management, more cautious to the new set of Cooper Tires, and got into a deep rhythm. Each lap was averaging nearly a second up on my afternoon pace yesterday. The conditions and tires helped, along with more confidence passing in different areas.

But overwhelmingly, it is remarkable what one night of quality sleep can do for comprehension and muscle memory. Each spot of weakness seemed to become my best areas of the circuit. Taking the inside kerb of T10 quicker and more decisive, charging Oak Tree Bend with a softer brake release to make up heaps of time scything through traffic, rotate and commit the car earlier in T3 to match traffic under braking into T4 for a getaway up the esses.

Crew Chief Ryan Lindsley decided on a fortuitous time for my splash-and-go. A Code 35 was thrown for oil covering the T14 and T15 apexes and looked like a lengthy clean-up. It cut my first stint 15 minutes short, but it was the perfect storm to knock out our splash early (instead of later on like the prior day).

My second stint was a blur. Lots more open track compared to my first stint. Now having escaped from the slower GP1 traffic, I was unleashed to extract what was available to me in the #87 RKMotorsports Spec E46. There exists a 10-to-15 lap segment in this second part of my 62 opening laps which had just a half-second spread. It’s bizarre how much time there is to cut out being effective in traffic. Not like these laps had no traffic, heck they definitely had a fair amount. But through the hours of studying and unconscious competence from the weekend, the paths of least resistance seem to open up and the confidence of car placement and abilities rises. Rising to the point where it doesn’t matter if you run up on two cars or seven cars in a lap; the variables enter the mental computer and spits out a better formula each time!

After an hour and a half of my best performance in the event (and likely the year), I turned the car over to Greg who was motivated to keep the momentum rolling. I don’t remember much in this time, probably since I was consuming copious amounts of nutrition drinks and had all the confidence Greg and the crew knew how to replicate yesterday. An hour and a half later, Ryan Keeley got his second chance to turn laps on VIR after fearing he might not turn any. Keeley improved and ran ridiculously consistent; everything he needed to do keeping us on the lead lap and in the fight.

Keeley entered his fuel window and suddenly a car was sent sliding across the grass into Turn 1. “Ryan, box this lap!” The timing was perfect. Code 35 called, a well-executed stop, and Jordon was now installed entering Turn 2 as the yellow flags became green. This situation had shocking resemblance to yesterday. We again put ourselves in position to win, and it was on Jordon to make the final move once again.

*Back-to-back! Top of GP2 for Sunday’s eight hour*

He closed the gap little by little and our final fuel splash put us within 10 seconds of the lead. With 15 minutes remaining, Jordon caught the GP2-leading #525 BMW E46 and made his move on the outside of T5. Cheers erupted and we were pinching ourselves. The competitor made a mistake working to retake the lead and we crossed the line with a sizeable gap. Again? What are the chances we lead no laps outside the final half-hour but still win… two days straight!

What a special event. Without BIMMERSPEED’s expertise and excellent strategy, no way we would’ve made this happen twice. My gratitude for their work is immense.

Maybe the most surprised was the Cooper Tires representative who told us on Friday they had special hats for class winners using their product. He’s not only familiar with us now, but might have a hat shortage to deal with. We apologize…

REFLECTIONS

The flight home with Greg tells the story. “Did… did that really happen?”

Maybe there’s something to be said about ‘taking the pressure off’. If I came home having driven a couple laps of VIR and showcased my abilities in a positive light, it would’ve been a success. What we got was a whole lot more. To pair three determined drivers and a capable car that have never been to VIR with a heavily experienced crew and Jordon who brought WRL experience turned out to be a fantastic combo.

It was an unexpected showcase of my fitness and adaptability having never been here before or driven this Spec E46. Completing a total of 132 laps at a consistency and window which pushed my own limits higher was motivating.

The decision to accept more mental and physical adversity in the scorching cockpit to perform a higher pace uplifting our chances of success meant the world to see it actually mattered. Clichés sometimes ring true. ‘Never give up’. If I did, or anyone else this weekend, the result would definitely not happen. Live by the mantra, ‘how you do anything is how you do everything’. Aim high and surround yourself with others of similar tempo.

Still, I remain in elation for my friend Ryan Keeley. Someone not much older than me with a spirited vision of team ownership, filled with integrity and dedication to his racing rarely seen. An honor to contribute in RKMotorsport’s first endurance win - twice! Neither of us could’ve predicted this, but knowing how much sacrifice went into pulling together this program, there was no result more fitting.

I sincerely hope results and performances as difficult as these are noticed by those who understand the sacrifices it takes and the potential that exists. You’ve got to ‘cut your teeth’ to make a name! Now, I return to the middle of my college semester as a senior at Cal State University San Marcos.

AROUND THE UNITED STATES

Besides the race weekend in Virginia, I’ve found myself at a number of America’s finest race circuits in the month of September. In the first weekend of the month, I jumped at a last-minute chance to drive up with and coach a friend in PCA Club Racing at Road America… In-between, I saw my delightful grandparents in Valparaiso, Indiana. One perk of a grandfather who is a lifelong professional pilot was the express travel down to Indianapolis! Very memorable day.

The weekend at Indianapolis was spent supporting GAS Motorsport, a local SoCal group specializing in air-cooled Porsche race cars who ran 5 entries in the PCA Club Race event. It all took place during Porsche’s inaugural Sports Car Together Festival which put us on the support bill for Carrera Cup North America and Porsche Sprint Challenge. Although I didn’t get any laps in, it was fantastic to learn this new circuit and experience the storied Speedway for the first time.

There was a three day break I spent at home doing college schoolwork before it was back to the airport and headed to Virginia International Raceway. An incredible adventure that turned out to be! Returning home, a short two day break for schoolwork was followed by a day-long drive north to Thunderhill Raceway for more PCA Club Racing. This time it was to coach my friend Sean Neel in his bid for an air-cooled Spec 911 championship. A fun weekend with people who’ve become quite special in my journey.

WHAT’S NEXT

Next up on the calendar is back to my main championship for this season; Round 5 of 6 for NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship will take place at Buttonwillow Raceway on the evening of Friday, October 15th. We return to a 3-hour race format which means two drivers and one-or-two pit stops. I’ll pair up with codriver Peter Oneppo once again for Team GOneppo. We are tied for 1st in the E2 standings with Team Bitteracing and their BMW Spec E46 so the championship will truly come down to this race and the finale at Thunderhill next month.

IN CLOSING

Thank you for reading and supporting my motorsport journey. Whether it be through these updates, social channels, or in-person, the small interactions truly make a difference. Using my motorsport path as a means to create value for others is very important for me. If you enjoy these reports or are interested in supporting steps toward professional racing, please get in touch! Stay up-to-date on mattmillionracing.com and my social media. And until next time…

Matt Million

San Marcos, CA - 10/06/2021