Hot, Shaken, Melted…
Photo Credit: No Pity Photography
Krista and John Long Jr swap seats for Race Week 2023
For this feature of the Mahle Motorsport Co-Pilot Spotlight, Krista Long tells us about her husband, John, sliding in to the passenger seat for Race Week 2023.
We all know that co-pilot selection is one of the most crucial decisions you can make during a drag and drive event. Husband and Wife teams are fairly uncommon within the community. Mainly because car guys and girls are known to be temperamental when it comes to their car and the added stress of long days on the road in a hot, sweaty, loud vehicle can test our patience.
For husband and wife teams, this can be extra difficult unless there are clearly defined roles and a deep love for each other.
Krista Long raced her V6 Chevette at Race Week 2023, with her husband John Long Jr taking the reins of co-pilot this time, a role that was historically reversed in their drag and drive history. For Race Week, they chose to compete in the 13.00 Index, one of the most competitive classes you can enter! This meant they would be at the track much longer than normal as they would be searching for a perfect pass each day if they hoped for a podium finish.
“A good copilot never lets you give up!”
Krista’s reply to our question of “What makes a good co-pilot?” is a sentiment we hear often: “A good copilot needs to be able to support you all around. From helping work on the vehicle, to navigating, helping to drive on routes, getting the car swapped over at the track and ready to race. A good copilot never lets you give up! They will be there even if you are the last car going down the track that night. A good copilot is someone you can count on until the bitter end.”
When asked to “Tell us a story about how your co-pilot saved the day”, she gave a great story! “On Race Week 2.0 2023, we entered the Chevette in the 13.0 class thinking the altitude change from Texas to Colorado and Nebraska tracks would slow the v6 down significantly. The car surprised us and was actually quite faster than expected. We fought to slow the car down all week. The last day at Bandimere, we were in third place and the guy in fourth was right on our tail. Again, the Chevette was flying on the mountain! We were doing all we could to get as close to 13.0 as we could to lock in our third place spot. My copilot (and husband), John, had a hand held weather station and was doing some math and working on ways to slow the car down. FINALLY on my last pass of the night we got the 13.0 pass we needed to lock in our third place spot! After a rough week of the car eating up parts along the way and all of the struggles to slow the car down each day, we were top three in our class. What a feeling that was!” Krista said she made 6-7 passes on that final night, that should give you an idea why the right copilot is crucial.
“Other than when his alarm goes off…..”
It isn’t all rainbows and sunshine in drag and drive and we ask each person to “Tell us a story about how your co-pilot ruined the day?” Krista’s reply gives a new outlook on the early mornings needed for these events. “I cant really think of a time my copilot ruined the day. Other than when his alarm goes off in the mornings and he makes me get out of bed to start the drives at the crack of dawn! There is no way I could do Race Week without him!”
“hot and shaken up from the ride and most of his melted chocolate donuts ended up under the Kirkey seat”
We save our favorite question for last, as this one gives the pilot a chance to remember a great time they had during an event. Krista’s story is meant to remind you that these cars are hot and sweaty, and that sometimes means you are eating melted chocolate donuts at the end of a had day…. Our final question is “Tell us a funny story about your co-pilot”.
“I had been John’s copilot previously and tried to explain the navigation isn't as simple as it seems. The first time the roles were reversed, he thought navigating the route was going to be a piece of cake. At the gas station before we headed out on our first stretch of Race Week’s route, John grabbed a Big Red and some chocolate donuts. By the time we got from Thunder Valley to Texas Motorolex, the 1/4 drank Big Red he was looking forward to was hot and shaken up from the ride and most of his melted chocolate donuts ended up under the Kirkey seat in the car and we had to fish them out at the track!”
For the Husband and wife teams that compete in drag and drive, my hat is off to you. Melissa and I are a great pair but there is no way we would take on this task together, we know our limitations.
Thank you Krista for submitting the stories of John, we hope this inspires more couples to take on this adventure with you!
To submit your own Co-Pilot Spotlight, fill out the Google Forms HERE
Gas station dinners are the best
