Jato 🏎️

Hey there! I’m Jato, a midwest mechanical engineer at a large engine manufacturer, regional club level spec miata racer, driving instructor & coach. Too many other hobbies to list that just don’t get enough time. Find me elsewhere on the web: linktr.ee/DestructoFox

Was up way too late finishing up videos. Bummed that my Gingerman footage disappeared, but Autobahn and NCM are up. Autobahn had some of the closest racing all year. I had to straighten my driver side mirror multiple times. I didn’t get the results I wanted at NCM, but the races were thrilling.

Alright, time to catch up on making & publishing onboard race videos. Only three race weekends to do… 🫠

Huge desire to finish up everything related to the racing season so I can focus forward on off-season prep work, sim racing, and catching up on everything else I just didn’t have time for.

Back from my sister-in-law’s wedding, unpacked and relaxing after the 5 hour drive back home. It was a very busy 4 days of setting up the venue, partying, and tearing it all down again. The Fallout theme for the event worked better than I expected it to.

Reskeet if you’re a weirdo furry socialist. Need to know who my tribe is.

Pretty neat getting featured like this: nasaspeed.news/columns/a-li...

Got back home late last night after a very busy final race weekend of the year, and I am not ready to be at work this morning. Still stewing over Saturday’s two races and how the cards didn’t go my way in either result, just knocking me off the podium for the season. Extra effort for next year…

Stopped by ‘Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store’ on the way to the airport and it did not disappoint.

The death by PowerPoint training I’m in wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t also freezing cold in this conference room. And what about lunch? Also cold. 🥶

Off to Minneapolis for a couple days for work training.

Today is Coming Out Day and we want to send love to all LGBTQ+ people whether you are out, out in part, not out, or only out to some people. ❤️

Couldn’t have picked a nicer day to visit the local farm to have a drink, pick pumpkins, and get lost in a corn maze

Finally… we have the 3 running again. Just in time for winter!

My immune response to the flu shot this morning is creeping in… GOTTA HANG ON

already longing for cozy autumn season #animalart #foxart #feralart

Yeeeee freebies came in the mail today. Looking forward to trying them out on the sim.

Big congrats to Newell for his Runoffs win. Wild that it’s his first SCCA win -ever-. Kind of a messy race otherwise, and what the heck was up with the lapped car getting in the way? Dude wtf are you doing?

Heh heh, prepare yourselves. It’s Foxtober! I haven’t visited the local Wolf Park in a while. I received a gift sponsorship in 2023 which was special. Got to hang out with (and get crawled on) by their two red foxes, Scarlette and Mulder, a few times that year.

Question: Did I actually sleep for a few hours or spend the whole time trying to? Answer: Coffee

Gas stop update: Fun weekend despite the final result. Happy with the charge from the back of the pack (34th) to finish in 16th for the Championship race earlier today. Maybe the next Champs I attend, I won’t get screwed in the first 5 minutes of the qualifying race. That’s 2 for 2 now.

Well, shit show of a race. Glad everyone involved in the large accident is okay and no one got hurt. Will be a long afternoon and evening getting the car fixed in preparation for tomorrow.

45 minutes ‘til we hit the track for our qualifying race.

Going to be fun working through the field tomorrow. Starting P19 out of 43. T1 is going to be chaos. Bring it on.

Qualifying did not go according to plan. My dance partner got stuck in line waiting to be gridded while the rest of us were released. Managed to hook up with someone halfway through the session and got a decent lap, but there’s clearly more work to do. P19 out of 43 currently

Made it to Sebring although later than originally hoped for. Mostly setup, and just trying to strategize for the weekend a little bit before getting some sleep. It’s going to be an awesome weekend as long as I don’t put too much pressure on myself.

That’s a wrap for tonight. Made it just south of Atlanta before finding a spot to sleep.

The trek to Sebring for the NASA Championships begins… ✌️

It's national fox day, I get to drive.

And here on national fox day, a win for the most critically endangered foxxos in the world: the Sierra Nevada Red Fox US fish and wildlife must now designate critical habitat for them. Give them the protected environment they need to survive and maybe eventually recover 🦊🧡

Little mid-week pick me up for dinner. Best ramen in town, and the spice level doesn’t let me down.

good morning: M2 1015, iykyk www.carsensor.net/usedcar/deta...

Of course gas prices would be doing this right when I need to drive across the country. At least i don’t use diesel…

This weekend was the confidence boost I needed headed into the Championships in 2 weeks. Pole position, two race wins, one third place, fastest lap in every race. Now… Lots to get done before leaving for Sebring in 9 days…

Feeling mostly back to 100% today after having a mild headache all day yesterday. Definitely overworked myself on Monday.

This is such bullshit.

Why did the NASA Championships and IFC have to be so close to each other? Hopefully next year I can spare the weekend to go to IFC. Feels bad not supporting a local con.

Ugh what a morning. Fixed the truck, mowed the lawn, got stung by whatever on the leg, allergies going crazy, started to get really hot in the sun… At least I scooped this tiny frog up and relocated them by the pond before worse could happen.

This exchange is so good.

I have just realized that I’m off work on Monday. I’m going to get so much prep work done this weekend!

3 weeks till I’m in the road to the NASA Championships at Sebring. Feeling like there’s not enough time to prepare. Do one thing to prepare and think of two more. Racecar Truck Trailer Parts Tools Supplies Is everything ready? Ugh

Doin’ a little sports ball spectatin’ as a diversion today. Free tickets are best tickets.

Well that was quick. As suspected, the MRI confirmed a meniscus tear. Now to wait until Monday to talk about next steps.

Hell yeah, who doesn’t love getting up before dawn to lay in a giant spinning magnet? Actually I don’t, can I go back to bed?