Napa’s Krider Racing towed its 2008 Shelby GT Mustang all the way down to sunny San Diego for the SCCA National Tour March 21-22, only to find it wasn’t so sunny after all.

Rain dampened the weekend’s event and also dampened Krider Racing’s hopes for a first-place finish.

“We came with the mindset to win the race, but having a ton of confidence just isn’t enough to get the job done at the National level. I think I actually needed a little less confidence and maybe a little more talent,” said Rob Krider, whose team finished on the podium at third overall.

Steve Kuhtz and Rob Krider, with the help of Napa shops Performance In-Frame Tuning, Napa Valley Muffler, B & G Tires, Third Street Auto Repair and T.E.M. Machine Shop, prepared the car for the race just weeks before the event.

“The car did what it was supposed to do,” said Rob Krider.

“It was our unfamiliarity with the Hoosier tire compound that gave us some unneeded grief. It was our first event on those tires. We were just behind the eight ball with the set-up all weekend.”

Krider Racing team members said they learned an enormous amount from the race, both about the tires and about humility.

“We won so many races last year in so many different series, and with different cars, I just became complacent,” admitted Rob Krider.

“I think I’m the greatest driver there ever was, just ask me,” he joked.

“But obviously that wasn’t the case last weekend. I had my head so far up my (rear), I think my helmet may still be lodged up there.”

Regardless of the third-place finish, the Krider Racing crew still ended its weekend on a high note.

They went to their favorite Southern California bar, Lahaina Bar and Grill in Pacific Beach.

Sitting on the deck and watching the sunset over the ocean, they raised their glasses and toasted, “To horsepower, speed, and checkered flags. Krider Racing. We’ll get ’em next time!”