[aigel]

Of course you are going to try to fix the car at a LeMons race. It is an event to race and wrench with friends. You'll have to fix the car eventually anyway and the weekend is already booked. They will look back at this fondly, much more so than if they went home.

They were not terribly experienced on that car, which probably slowed them down. Even down to picking the car - who picks a 4wd car for a lemons race? Another beginner mistake is to not camp at the track and try to sleep at a hotel. All you need is a cot and a sleeping bag.