Neil Alberico – When You’re Thrown Into Deep Water, You Learn How to Swim

Los Gatos, Calif. (November 10, 2011) – It’s Thursday morning after the Walter Hayes Trophy and I’m writing this blog from the comfort of my own bed. You know, it’s funny how at one point all I could think about was going back to California, and now here I am wishing I was back racing in England! I suppose it’s easy to take things like that for granted. All I needed to do was sit back and remind myself, “When I was 18, I moved to England to race cars for a year.” I’ve been to Holland, lived there for about a month with some really good friends. Went to Belgium, raced on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Been to Ireland, enjoyed my first wedding and played a round of golf in the pouring Irish rain. Now that I think about it, I checked a lot of thing off my list this year. No doubt it’s been a long, rough season, but don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of it. Let’s see, I moved into my own apartment in February, took care of my own bills, had a roommate, bought a car (ABOVE LEFT) etc. There are a few other crazy things that happened this year, but I won’t get into that! This year wasn’t all about growing up and maturing as a driver. It was also about maturing as a person. To be quite honest, it was overwhelming at times. But I had Cliff and Michelle Dempsey to help me every step of the way! I made a lot of good friends this past year. I mean, genuine people. They’re all more so family than friends really. I have a lot to be grateful for and I couldn’t be happier. Hopefully, all of them will arrive on my doorstep at some stage.

So, Sunday – I lined up third on the grid for Semi Final 2. I got a great start and found myself in the lead straight away after the first two drivers put each other off. It was looking good at that point with open track ahead of me and a massive gap behind. All I had to do was drive a consistent race and it would be tough for the group behind to catch me. Unfortunately, there was a red-flag situation resulting in a full grid restart. After the restart I was second off the line looking for a way past Wayne Boyd. As I sat behind him nearly half the race, he was given several driving-standard warnings for excessive blocking. But to be honest, I probably would have done the same thing. It was a super frustrating Semi Final where I ended up fourth but had pace for a much better result.

My Semi Final efforts would start me seventh on the grid for the Final. I got off the line with a good clean start and diced my way up to fifth at one stage, before Abdul Ahmed drove straight over the back of my left rear going into Luffield, bending the track rod and ultimately ending my race. Between the chaos of the Semi Final and Final, it’s fair to say those were unfortunate circumstances that were out of our control. And that’s where the famous cliche comes from – “that’s racing.” But I’ll be back, that’s for sure!

I had a great time racing with Cliff Dempsey Racing. The team did a super job preparing the best cars possible for Trent and myself (RIGHT, courtesy Jeff Bloxham). I am extremely happy with their performance, but naturally enough I’m disappointed I did not put the car up front where it belonged. Trent has been a super teammate these past few weeks. The kid is a real team player. I have a ton of respect for him and want to wish him the best of luck going forward.

Overall, I can leave the weekend with my head held high! It’s easy to say that is the most fun I have ever had at a race weekend and I would love to come back and give the Walter Hayes Trophy another crack! I just can’t believe this season is already over. That’s it until next year. The main event at the WHT marked my 44th race of the season. WOW! But that’s exactly what you get when you spend a year in Europe racing Formula Ford. Not to mention all the winter testing I did prior to our season even starting. It’s been busy, but busy is good. The amount of experience I gained this year is priceless and will stick with me for the rest of my career. By far the best decision I could have made going forward.

Thanks a million to Jeremy Shaw and all the supporters of the Team USA Scholarship for making such an incredible opportunity possible! It may be the end our British adventure but I’m really looking forward to what we have next in store!

Au revoir