One of the primary new new *car experience* to look forward to, any time you mention being in Germany... you canät get far without talking about the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Or the 'North Loop' of the Nurburgring.
20.8km, 12.93miles. 150-odd turns. And Wikipedia doesnät actually list the elevation change... but Dale from claims it's about 2000feet in all (1000 down, 1000 up) but it is just as dramatic as the other tidbits already listed. It used to be a well known challenge to European F1 fans... it's audience has increased as of late thanks to Jeremy Clarkson, and a the proliferation of small video cameras and youtube. It's become a destination for all petrolheads of all varieties... from American wantabe racers and tracktards, similar people from all across Europe, and now the monied Russian versions thereof.
It doesn't take a lot to get on the Nurburging. 24Euros (this year), a road-legal car, and an open touristifahren session are it. That's the good and the bad. It's relatively cheap, and easy to access. But, then again, there are minimal rules, and sometimes the people don't even realize that 'German Road Rules' apply. Additionally, some summer days the track can be absolutely packed with people.
Now, I admittedly fit among the "American Tracktard" set, although... I am perhaps on the "slow"/"conservative" end of that spectrum. Thus, going to the Nurburgring has been one of those "Bucket List" items all the people are talking about these days for me. It actually was something that I had talked about doing when my wife and I visited Germany for our 1 year anniversary... and probably more than a little affected my thought process for wanting to do One Lap of America not too long thereafter. But I knew back then that, having never driven a car on track, that I'd probably be in over my head if I went to the Nurburgring. Sure, I could have done a 20minute "holy cow I'm here" lap, but I probably would have gotten racy thereafter... and probably ended up folding up whatever car I had borrowed.
Alright, so... enough exposition. How was it? It was about like visiting Sebring for the first time. Awe-inspiring, and humbling. I might eventually admit to letting out a "woop" at some point in the evening; and leaving the cones for my first lap I definitely had the sense of "oh my gosh, I'm actually doing this".
But, Dale's right... the numerous youtube videos of a lap really can't do the track justice. And there's soo much of the track to learn. I came through the Lauda Links and was absolutely surprised by Bergwerks. I mean I knew there was a corner, and I knew it was to the right, but wow has it got a late apex, and some massive elevation to it, that just doesn't come through in the videos. Fortunately I was slow, and the car had plenty of margin, but it was a real wake up call for me.
My first lap was somewhere around 16minutes. I didn't press the car, and for the most part I stayed off on the right side of the track, which is really difficult to do in some places, and leaves you feeling quite unsettled due to the undulations and off-camber nature of some sections of the track. Over the next three laps I picked up some speed, and used more of the racing line... managing to pass an e30, and getting to play with one of the other Rent4Ring stage 1 rentals who eventually let me by at the end. I only had two "oh goodness" moments. One was while passing an Acura TSX... or the European Honda version thereof in the "upper section" of the course just after where the GP track joins... when I got worried he might come in on me as we both apexed a tight left hander, and the traction control kicked in a tad. The second time was overcooking Brünchen a tad on the last lap, and again the traction control kicked in just a bit.
On the other hand, I also managed to keep up with a Russian in Rent4Rings top-of-the-line rental that had 2x the power from Brünchen all the way to the gantry. So that was... satisfying.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Frankfurt IAA
So, I mentioned much earlier in this blog that I had an impending "life change" ahead of me. That life change is that my wife took an employment opportunity that has brought us to Germany for the next couple of years. This means, I won’t be able to do One Lap of America during that time... and also means that trackday coverage will be a bit sparser than it’s already sparse coverage.
However, one of the things it will provide are some interesting new experiences... and new car experiences. The first of these new experiences happened a couple of weeks ago. I got to visit the IAA Frankfurt Autoshow, where I got to take some pictures, especially of Miatas. You've probably already seen photos of the show from Autoblog, and similar 'glossy' sites... but maybe I've captured a couple things you haven't already seen?
IAA Frankfurt Autoshow
However, one of the things it will provide are some interesting new experiences... and new car experiences. The first of these new experiences happened a couple of weeks ago. I got to visit the IAA Frankfurt Autoshow, where I got to take some pictures, especially of Miatas. You've probably already seen photos of the show from Autoblog, and similar 'glossy' sites... but maybe I've captured a couple things you haven't already seen?
IAA Frankfurt Autoshow
Monday, September 5, 2011
Photos Posted
I've uploaded some of the better photos that Robert & I took during One Lap. Unfortunately I was an idiot and dropped my 55-200mm lens off the rear fender of the Miata while stagging at the Drags. So, thereafter we had to rely on Robert's point-and-shoot. Most of the photos are of the teams that were around us in the back of the field; and obviously the miata.
Over the next couple of days I'll try to arrange them a bit better so they flow through the week in order. But, enjoy!
Over the next couple of days I'll try to arrange them a bit better so they flow through the week in order. But, enjoy!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Day 8: TireRack (again)
This morning, like most of them, started early... so that we could get to the TireRack in time for the group photo. Plus we wanted to unhook the rear swaybar (after getting the recommendation from several other participants) in time for the dry skidpad. Just as that and unloading the car got done, we were called up to grid (because the dry skidpad runs in reverse order). After a quick dash to pump up the tires (another cold morning!), it was time to go. I did pretty well, getting a score of 0.878. Jack was slower, but it wasn't enough to close the gap.
We loaded up the car, said goodbyes to those leaving early, and hung around 'till the award banquet. We also setup some arrangements to caravan back to NoVA with Brian, Woody, and Robyn (of the NoVA BMW contigent). The banquet was nice, albiet bittersweet, since it signals the end of another one lap. Around the tables, soft mummurs of planning for next year could be heard... along with a certain amount of Bull, and war stories from the week.
After getting some gas, we hooked up with the convoy back at the hotel and peeled out of South Bend at 3.15. Google things we'll get in at 2am. I think it'll be closer to 1am. Afterall, we're all lap dogs headed back, and know what it takes to drive long distances faster than google thinks is possible. I'll try to provide a recap of our event in the next day or so, and maybe bug Robert to give me another post.
-T
We loaded up the car, said goodbyes to those leaving early, and hung around 'till the award banquet. We also setup some arrangements to caravan back to NoVA with Brian, Woody, and Robyn (of the NoVA BMW contigent). The banquet was nice, albiet bittersweet, since it signals the end of another one lap. Around the tables, soft mummurs of planning for next year could be heard... along with a certain amount of Bull, and war stories from the week.
After getting some gas, we hooked up with the convoy back at the hotel and peeled out of South Bend at 3.15. Google things we'll get in at 2am. I think it'll be closer to 1am. Afterall, we're all lap dogs headed back, and know what it takes to drive long distances faster than google thinks is possible. I'll try to provide a recap of our event in the next day or so, and maybe bug Robert to give me another post.
-T
Day 7: Autobahn Raceway
Robert and I got in to Joliet around 3:15am... after a long drive up from Alabama and a stop to help the M-roadster guys (Jim/Francis) and a long-ish dinner stop... getting in to the super8 at about the same time as Jack. The desk guy was a bit incredulous that we (both cars) were headed out again at 7am. Robert then got a talking to about using the front door (which the desk guy had to buzz us through) instead of the side door w/ the room key. We were up at 7am, and I packed the car while Robert showered. I tried to use my room key to enter back through the side door... without success. We both got a kick out of that bit of irony, then headed over to Autobahn... getting there around 7:45.
I walked the north track with him, trying not to sound like too much of a "limited experience, walking the track, giving advice of limited value." I haven't had a lot of experience walking a track and then driving it... so I can only give so much insight from doing that. I also have a hard time keeping the track picture in my head. I drive, on the street and track, by winding through a "visual movie" of where I'm going in my mind's eye. And it's hard to construct that movie while walking. Interestingly, we found out that Robert best learns a track using the track map... and making annotations to it.
Robert then downloaded and watched some spec miata videos of the north track while I unpacked the car. I checked the car over, and added air to the tires (the morning was a cold one)... after borrowing a portable airpump from Jim/Francis. Then it was time to stand around, check the GoPro, and wait for the last run group to go out. I made a deal with Robert, that if he spun the car during the North track, that'd drive the South track in the afternoon. Robert didn't, and slowly began to figure out what the car could do at the track. It can be very tough to be at a new track that you haven't driven before... which is a large part of the challenge of the OneLap. It is considerably more difficult to learn a new track from cold when you're still a Novice HPDE driver. It doesn't matter if you've got a lifetime of "driving quick on the street" and/or good car handling skills. Driving on the track requires all that, plus being able to judge how much braking is required and at what speed/gear each corner should be taken at. And with the miata, we don't have an excess of power to make up for braking early (or too late), taking a corner too slow, etc.
Robert didn't spin, so we started to prepare him for the North track in the afternoon, downloading some video. Then Tracy (from the VW TDI) came over and gave Robert some pointers based on his experience driving the track in the Spec Miata series (which our car is very similar to). Meanwhile B96 radio setup their tent and started broadcasting from the paddock. It was the usual "pop radio" shock jock inanity. The hilarity of it all was that we were originally told there would be "thousands" of spectators milling around because of B96 and them raffling away a new Mazda 2. Well, it was friday, in the boonies of chicago, the car raffle lasts for two months(?), and the track was charging $5/head of visitors. So, to no large surprise, a very limited number of spectators showed up. I can't complain about B96 too much though, because they and Autobarn dealership paid for our lunch... and they were a nice change from the regular track food.
After lunch Robert walked the track... well, half the track. As Brock came around while he was walking to boot him off the track because the first run group was about to head out. So, then it was a wait until we were to line up. We checked the oil and added about half a quart... well, since I was doing the maint (while robert prepped) it meant that half a quart came out of the bottle with most of it going in the fill hole. It looks like we've been burning a consistent 1/2 a quart a day... which, considering the age of the engine, isn't too surprising. After gridding up, I was surprised to see Howard LeFevre's Dodge Challenger lined up around our run group... since he and his car are usually considerably faster. Talking to him revealed that he had had his power steering go out. They'd flushed the fluid, and added new fluid in, but were still running essentially depowered. His codriver was asleep in the passenger seat, and Howard was also trying to buy a t-shirt (I assume from the track)... so he told me "the keys are in the car, can you pull it up if the grid moves?" Sure, why not. So, then I got to have a nice converstation with his codriver when I popped in to move the car. :) One Lap really is a unique environment to be around.
Robert went out at the tail end of the second to last group and did a good job of keeping the car on the track. His time was a bit down the charts... but he was still quicker than I was in a similar situation with the Fit two years ago. So I can't complain about his performance. Robert than took some seat time with JC in the RX-350, getting to see the line at speed. After that they pulled in, hopped in the miata, and swung out to the pits to get "conditional" approval to go out with my car. They spent a number of laps out there in the car, while I chatted up the people on pit road. Then he pulled back in to the paddock. No stopping in the pits to offer me the car (and my helmet), just back in the pits. Apparently, I was supposed to indicate my interest in driving the car in the open session ahead of time. As you might tell, I've been giving him quite a bit of good -natured grief about that since then. :)
Then it was a matter of packing up, and fighting Chicago traffic back to South Bend. We got there a little after 8pm, and then procedded to get absolutely lost trying to find the watering hole all the OneLappers were congregating at to relish the accomplishment of successfully getting back to South Bend. After some food, and a couple of barley-hops-waters and some good conversations w/ Tracy & Mattias (of the TDI) we decided to head back to the Quality Inn and turn-in. The last week had definitely caught up to us... despite the potential for continued carrousing back at The Gipper. This year's one lap definitely took a lot out of both of us... in part because of the later/longer transits (compared to '09), plus I picked up a fair bit of sun (unexpectedly) on friday.
I walked the north track with him, trying not to sound like too much of a "limited experience, walking the track, giving advice of limited value." I haven't had a lot of experience walking a track and then driving it... so I can only give so much insight from doing that. I also have a hard time keeping the track picture in my head. I drive, on the street and track, by winding through a "visual movie" of where I'm going in my mind's eye. And it's hard to construct that movie while walking. Interestingly, we found out that Robert best learns a track using the track map... and making annotations to it.
Robert then downloaded and watched some spec miata videos of the north track while I unpacked the car. I checked the car over, and added air to the tires (the morning was a cold one)... after borrowing a portable airpump from Jim/Francis. Then it was time to stand around, check the GoPro, and wait for the last run group to go out. I made a deal with Robert, that if he spun the car during the North track, that'd drive the South track in the afternoon. Robert didn't, and slowly began to figure out what the car could do at the track. It can be very tough to be at a new track that you haven't driven before... which is a large part of the challenge of the OneLap. It is considerably more difficult to learn a new track from cold when you're still a Novice HPDE driver. It doesn't matter if you've got a lifetime of "driving quick on the street" and/or good car handling skills. Driving on the track requires all that, plus being able to judge how much braking is required and at what speed/gear each corner should be taken at. And with the miata, we don't have an excess of power to make up for braking early (or too late), taking a corner too slow, etc.
Robert didn't spin, so we started to prepare him for the North track in the afternoon, downloading some video. Then Tracy (from the VW TDI) came over and gave Robert some pointers based on his experience driving the track in the Spec Miata series (which our car is very similar to). Meanwhile B96 radio setup their tent and started broadcasting from the paddock. It was the usual "pop radio" shock jock inanity. The hilarity of it all was that we were originally told there would be "thousands" of spectators milling around because of B96 and them raffling away a new Mazda 2. Well, it was friday, in the boonies of chicago, the car raffle lasts for two months(?), and the track was charging $5/head of visitors. So, to no large surprise, a very limited number of spectators showed up. I can't complain about B96 too much though, because they and Autobarn dealership paid for our lunch... and they were a nice change from the regular track food.
After lunch Robert walked the track... well, half the track. As Brock came around while he was walking to boot him off the track because the first run group was about to head out. So, then it was a wait until we were to line up. We checked the oil and added about half a quart... well, since I was doing the maint (while robert prepped) it meant that half a quart came out of the bottle with most of it going in the fill hole. It looks like we've been burning a consistent 1/2 a quart a day... which, considering the age of the engine, isn't too surprising. After gridding up, I was surprised to see Howard LeFevre's Dodge Challenger lined up around our run group... since he and his car are usually considerably faster. Talking to him revealed that he had had his power steering go out. They'd flushed the fluid, and added new fluid in, but were still running essentially depowered. His codriver was asleep in the passenger seat, and Howard was also trying to buy a t-shirt (I assume from the track)... so he told me "the keys are in the car, can you pull it up if the grid moves?" Sure, why not. So, then I got to have a nice converstation with his codriver when I popped in to move the car. :) One Lap really is a unique environment to be around.
Robert went out at the tail end of the second to last group and did a good job of keeping the car on the track. His time was a bit down the charts... but he was still quicker than I was in a similar situation with the Fit two years ago. So I can't complain about his performance. Robert than took some seat time with JC in the RX-350, getting to see the line at speed. After that they pulled in, hopped in the miata, and swung out to the pits to get "conditional" approval to go out with my car. They spent a number of laps out there in the car, while I chatted up the people on pit road. Then he pulled back in to the paddock. No stopping in the pits to offer me the car (and my helmet), just
Then it was a matter of packing up, and fighting Chicago traffic back to South Bend. We got there a little after 8pm, and then procedded to get absolutely lost trying to find the watering hole all the OneLappers were congregating at to relish the accomplishment of successfully getting back to South Bend. After some food, and a couple of barley-hops-waters and some good conversations w/ Tracy & Mattias (of the TDI) we decided to head back to the Quality Inn and turn-in. The last week had definitely caught up to us... despite the potential for continued carrousing back at The Gipper. This year's one lap definitely took a lot out of both of us... in part because of the later/longer transits (compared to '09), plus I picked up a fair bit of sun (unexpectedly) on friday.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Day: 6
We got to Moody, AL and our Super 8 at a relatively early 10:30pm. I thought about writing a post, pushing pictures up, etc. I even thought about taking a shower. Instead, I made sure my alarms were set, changed into sleep gear and fell asleep on top of the covers. That was something of a relief. Robert and I had stopped for Waffle House on the way... just to change it up from chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, and Subway. I made the mistake of ordering coffee, and about 30mins out from the hotel I got a bit "jumpy", with the caffeine settling in the joints of my legs and calf muscles. In part exacerbated by having the helmet right in front of the passenger seat. So, finally getting rid of that feeling and "crashing" was quite nice. Plus I've relearned my lesson about coffee and the long road.
We got up about 7.30 and got to the track around 8.30 after getting a scenic tour of Leeds. Barber Motorsports Park is... beautiful. In a pretentious, "Judge Elihu Smails" kind of way. You definitely get a feeling that they're looking down their noses at other tracks. And that doesn't sit too well with me. There's just one thing that really spoils it all:
The track itself is awesome!
Man I had a lot of fun driving it. Driving it iRacing beforehand definitely helped. I watched some videos and all, but I could really tell the difference in my comfort in knowing what I should be doing with the car at Barber compared to Grand Circuit Bayou. So that made it very fun. However, iRacing really fails to convey the impact of the elevation change. It's better than a lot of things... but my basement doesn't have a motion system, my logitech g25 is too loose, and only have one monitor. A lot of this is my fault. But, I've realized I'd rather go drive the real thing.
Now, again, I wasn't able to extract it all out. I was still braking a bit more than I should for the turn 7-8 combo... but I made a lot of time up on the 911 in front me even running that section slightly below max. I was over braking turn 1, 4, and another (can't remember the number). Also there was another turn I couldn't take another flat even though I should be able to. However, there were a number of combinations that I managed to link up, and I finally figured out the corner combination leading onto the front straight, all of which was very gratifying. I also managed to almost catch Theo's 911 in both sessions. We managed to pull about 40points out of our next closest "all remaining cars" competitor (Jack in the 944T). Shaving the distance to 55points. We might be able to pull it off... but it's not going to be a cake walk. Funny, though, what I'm really saying is that I'm trying not to win the award. Believe it or not, there is a slight competition for not being last... although I'm not sure Jack is very much aware of it. So, ya know... don't let him know I said anything.
We pulled out of Barber at 3.15, and stopped at a Radio Shack in Cullman to get our "stereo" working, and get some more Mobil1 5w30. The car's been burning about a 1/4qt a day. But, it does have 183kmi on it now, and we've been flogging it mightily. We ended up meeting up with the guys in the VW TDI as we got back on I-65 and rode with them for a while. Until we say Jim and Frances (our SSGT2 competitors in the M-roadster) on the side of the road. I executed a quick 'ditch the highway and stop, then reverse' manoeuvre to see how they were doing. Meanwhile, Robert cleaned up his soldering... no really, Robert was soldering in the car. We have video proof too. The M-roadster's trailer had a axel that got loose and smoked the rear tire. There was a local already stopped and giving a hand. Robert crawled under and a gave a hand. I stood back and entertained the local and Jim. After a certain amount of cursing, and prodding the axle was forced back into a fixed position. Then we were all on our way.
Funny from the road for the night. On I-65, near Upton KY, there is an Adult shop with a large lighted sign (note, why are their signs always yellow?); while on the other side of the highway and directly across there was a sign that read "Hell is Real". Only in America? Only in Kentucky? Maybe both?
Anyhow, it's now about 11pm. We've had dinner, the car is running smooth, and we've got pretty good ways to go still.
We got up about 7.30 and got to the track around 8.30 after getting a scenic tour of Leeds. Barber Motorsports Park is... beautiful. In a pretentious, "Judge Elihu Smails" kind of way. You definitely get a feeling that they're looking down their noses at other tracks. And that doesn't sit too well with me. There's just one thing that really spoils it all:
The track itself is awesome!
Man I had a lot of fun driving it. Driving it iRacing beforehand definitely helped. I watched some videos and all, but I could really tell the difference in my comfort in knowing what I should be doing with the car at Barber compared to Grand Circuit Bayou. So that made it very fun. However, iRacing really fails to convey the impact of the elevation change. It's better than a lot of things... but my basement doesn't have a motion system, my logitech g25 is too loose, and only have one monitor. A lot of this is my fault. But, I've realized I'd rather go drive the real thing.
Now, again, I wasn't able to extract it all out. I was still braking a bit more than I should for the turn 7-8 combo... but I made a lot of time up on the 911 in front me even running that section slightly below max. I was over braking turn 1, 4, and another (can't remember the number). Also there was another turn I couldn't take another flat even though I should be able to. However, there were a number of combinations that I managed to link up, and I finally figured out the corner combination leading onto the front straight, all of which was very gratifying. I also managed to almost catch Theo's 911 in both sessions. We managed to pull about 40points out of our next closest "all remaining cars" competitor (Jack in the 944T). Shaving the distance to 55points. We might be able to pull it off... but it's not going to be a cake walk. Funny, though, what I'm really saying is that I'm trying not to win the award. Believe it or not, there is a slight competition for not being last... although I'm not sure Jack is very much aware of it. So, ya know... don't let him know I said anything.
We pulled out of Barber at 3.15, and stopped at a Radio Shack in Cullman to get our "stereo" working, and get some more Mobil1 5w30. The car's been burning about a 1/4qt a day. But, it does have 183kmi on it now, and we've been flogging it mightily. We ended up meeting up with the guys in the VW TDI as we got back on I-65 and rode with them for a while. Until we say Jim and Frances (our SSGT2 competitors in the M-roadster) on the side of the road. I executed a quick 'ditch the highway and stop, then reverse' manoeuvre to see how they were doing. Meanwhile, Robert cleaned up his soldering... no really, Robert was soldering in the car. We have video proof too. The M-roadster's trailer had a axel that got loose and smoked the rear tire. There was a local already stopped and giving a hand. Robert crawled under and a gave a hand. I stood back and entertained the local and Jim. After a certain amount of cursing, and prodding the axle was forced back into a fixed position. Then we were all on our way.
Funny from the road for the night. On I-65, near Upton KY, there is an Adult shop with a large lighted sign (note, why are their signs always yellow?); while on the other side of the highway and directly across there was a sign that read "Hell is Real". Only in America? Only in Kentucky? Maybe both?
Anyhow, it's now about 11pm. We've had dinner, the car is running smooth, and we've got pretty good ways to go still.
Day: 5 (Grand Bayou)
We got in to Circuit Grand Bayou around 4am. Or we got to a gas station off the highway at 4am. Then we drove to where the GPS indicated the track was and found a construction site and a cop there instead. We decided it probably wasn't the track, and that it was in our best interest to not disturb the cop. So we headed back the way we came, and then happened upon the track afterall. Since it was, by that time, 4:45am we decided to just park and sleep in the car... something I'd kinda been planning from the start. In part, just to try it out. In part, as a nod to the old school One Lappers. And in part, because I didn't particularly figure there'd be that many open rooms left. It wasn't *real* comfortable, and the car got a bit cold; but the real bummer was not having a shower.
However, the upshot was, we got a garage space (first come, first serve), and I managed to walk the track 2x before hand. This was good, because I was having difficulty holding the track in my head. Then it was sit & wait time, hang out w/ Walt & JC Krueger in the RX-350 (that's a 1989 RX-7 w/ a chevy 350 in it). Then it was time to grid up and wait, where we got to hang out with Jim from Jim Bob racing who has been running exhibition laps after he blew the motor in his corvette at Summit Point.
Then it was my time to run. I did pretty well, got a feel for the track... but did still manage to forget the final R/L/L/R 'hump' complex before you enter the long right hander that slings you onto the... "front" straight that takes you down the "braking" area of the drag strip in the first session. That was a bit of surprise, like "oh! yeah! there are more corners here!" I also never managed to take the left/right off the front straight flat out. The car can probably do it, but I was having trouble judging the turn-in. I got close in the final session. I left a bunch of time on the table, but then again, this is less about nailing every course perfectly for me. I'm still an intermediate level driver. Taking this car as close to the edge as I've been able to at a track I've never been to is a victory in itself after my first trackdays after buying the car. I got comfortable enough to nab some braking between corners and even *in* one or two.
However, the upshot was, we got a garage space (first come, first serve), and I managed to walk the track 2x before hand. This was good, because I was having difficulty holding the track in my head. Then it was sit & wait time, hang out w/ Walt & JC Krueger in the RX-350 (that's a 1989 RX-7 w/ a chevy 350 in it). Then it was time to grid up and wait, where we got to hang out with Jim from Jim Bob racing who has been running exhibition laps after he blew the motor in his corvette at Summit Point.
Then it was my time to run. I did pretty well, got a feel for the track... but did still manage to forget the final R/L/L/R 'hump' complex before you enter the long right hander that slings you onto the... "front" straight that takes you down the "braking" area of the drag strip in the first session. That was a bit of surprise, like "oh! yeah! there are more corners here!" I also never managed to take the left/right off the front straight flat out. The car can probably do it, but I was having trouble judging the turn-in. I got close in the final session. I left a bunch of time on the table, but then again, this is less about nailing every course perfectly for me. I'm still an intermediate level driver. Taking this car as close to the edge as I've been able to at a track I've never been to is a victory in itself after my first trackdays after buying the car. I got comfortable enough to nab some braking between corners and even *in* one or two.
Robert's First Post
I sent Robert and invitation to have access to posting the blog. He was, indifferent about blogging initially. However, he's finally be goaded into it, but it's too tough to get him access right now... so I'm just going to post what he started writing on Wednesday night on the road below (and finished tonight), with no further editing:
Robert here,
so as Tim stated earlier, I ran both sessions at Daytona yesterday. It was definitely an exilarating experience going around the high bankings and being pushed into your seat by the g-forces at 100+mph. I can only image what it must feel like at 200mph! The first session was very exciting. I spun trying to figure out how fast I could take turn 7 on my first timed lap, so I had to let the VW TDI that was behind me pass before I could get back onto the track. Once there, I was able to slowly reel in the TDI. Meanwhile, a Corvette went into the tirewall at the "bus stop" causing him and the Porsche behind him to go through the pits and get behind me. The Porsche then caught up with me in the infield and I gave him the pass by on the infield straight. He then caught the TDI and passed him on the high banking. I Finally caught the TDI myself at the exit from the infield on my third lap. He kindly moved up to the top of the bank and gave me the pass by so I ended up passing him on the inside of the high bank. After I passed him, he slide in behind me right on my bumper and drafted me all the way down the straight and into the braking zone for the "bus stop" talk about super exciting!
In the afternoon session I pushed my braking zone for the "bus stop" too far on my second lap and spun right at the entrance to the bus stop, kicking up a ton of dust, some of which got into the car. when the dust cloud cleared, the corner worker waived me back out and I put in a good remaining lap and a half. I was admittadly pretty bummed that I spun both sessions but I was happy to find out I still managed to shave 12 seconds off my lap time from my first session!
Robert here,
so as Tim stated earlier, I ran both sessions at Daytona yesterday. It was definitely an exilarating experience going around the high bankings and being pushed into your seat by the g-forces at 100+mph. I can only image what it must feel like at 200mph! The first session was very exciting. I spun trying to figure out how fast I could take turn 7 on my first timed lap, so I had to let the VW TDI that was behind me pass before I could get back onto the track. Once there, I was able to slowly reel in the TDI. Meanwhile, a Corvette went into the tirewall at the "bus stop" causing him and the Porsche behind him to go through the pits and get behind me. The Porsche then caught up with me in the infield and I gave him the pass by on the infield straight. He then caught the TDI and passed him on the high banking. I Finally caught the TDI myself at the exit from the infield on my third lap. He kindly moved up to the top of the bank and gave me the pass by so I ended up passing him on the inside of the high bank. After I passed him, he slide in behind me right on my bumper and drafted me all the way down the straight and into the braking zone for the "bus stop" talk about super exciting!
In the afternoon session I pushed my braking zone for the "bus stop" too far on my second lap and spun right at the entrance to the bus stop, kicking up a ton of dust, some of which got into the car. when the dust cloud cleared, the corner worker waived me back out and I put in a good remaining lap and a half. I was admittadly pretty bummed that I spun both sessions but I was happy to find out I still managed to shave 12 seconds off my lap time from my first session!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
coyote ugly
no, this is not a reference to the movie.
no, this is not a reference to Robert and I taking advantage of scenic "dollar ballets".
this was meant to be a temporary place holder for me to relate what happened to me in the middle of the night in the panhandle of florida, west of pensacola.
The challenge of One Lap is more than just time on the tracks. It is the almost endless highway miles. Dicing it with the general public, which frankly, can't drive. Driving through construction zones in a car with "firm" suspension... *always* fun. Then there are the little love notes the truckers leave us, mostly on the side of the road. However, as happened to Walt & JC in the RX-350, those love notes are left in the middle of the lane.
There is also the challenge of wildlife. Bugs, Birds, Deer, heck Greer and I hit a bat in 2009! This year, I was cruising along in the right lane of I-10 when I saw the next car ahead, half a mile away brake then swerve half way into the left lane. Not that I was sleeping, but I was in 'auto-scan' cruise mode... and their manoeuvre definitely woke me up. Such that I saw something in the road, it looked large and maybe furry. Then I saw something dart into the road over the other object, and it looked up at me with two eyes illuminated by the miata's headlights. It was big, it's head was low... and was of dog-like proportions.
Now, this would most likely scare the excrement out of most people. However, I've spent the better part of this week finding out the limits of the miata. So, the instant I saw the situation I could feel in my fingers exactly how much I had to move the wheel left then right to pop into the left lane. What the feedback in the wheel would feel like, and how the lane change would feel through my backside. I did it on instinct, tapping the brake to set the nose, flicking the wheel. Out of the corner of my eye I saw it flee back to the right side of the road. We all got away clean, in large part to my driving on track and the instincts of whatever it was. It was an experience like I haven't had in a while. One that I've become prepared for, one that is a large part of One Lap... and I wanted to make sure I had a reminder that I should share it with you.
no, this is not a reference to Robert and I taking advantage of scenic "dollar ballets".
this was meant to be a temporary place holder for me to relate what happened to me in the middle of the night in the panhandle of florida, west of pensacola.
The challenge of One Lap is more than just time on the tracks. It is the almost endless highway miles. Dicing it with the general public, which frankly, can't drive. Driving through construction zones in a car with "firm" suspension... *always* fun. Then there are the little love notes the truckers leave us, mostly on the side of the road. However, as happened to Walt & JC in the RX-350, those love notes are left in the middle of the lane.
There is also the challenge of wildlife. Bugs, Birds, Deer, heck Greer and I hit a bat in 2009! This year, I was cruising along in the right lane of I-10 when I saw the next car ahead, half a mile away brake then swerve half way into the left lane. Not that I was sleeping, but I was in 'auto-scan' cruise mode... and their manoeuvre definitely woke me up. Such that I saw something in the road, it looked large and maybe furry. Then I saw something dart into the road over the other object, and it looked up at me with two eyes illuminated by the miata's headlights. It was big, it's head was low... and was of dog-like proportions.
Now, this would most likely scare the excrement out of most people. However, I've spent the better part of this week finding out the limits of the miata. So, the instant I saw the situation I could feel in my fingers exactly how much I had to move the wheel left then right to pop into the left lane. What the feedback in the wheel would feel like, and how the lane change would feel through my backside. I did it on instinct, tapping the brake to set the nose, flicking the wheel. Out of the corner of my eye I saw it flee back to the right side of the road. We all got away clean, in large part to my driving on track and the instincts of whatever it was. It was an experience like I haven't had in a while. One that I've become prepared for, one that is a large part of One Lap... and I wanted to make sure I had a reminder that I should share it with you.
Day: 4
Red Mist.
It's somwthing that happens at the track. Seeing it is often followed by bent metal. We managed a little of that, fortunately it was only a camera lens. :) And it was me that did it... and u wasn't even driving today!
However, Robert did find the limit if his talent twice... spinning 1x time in each session. The first time at the exit to turn 7, the second time at the entrance to the bus stop.
As such we were slowest in both sessions. However, Robert has learned several important lessons, and reminded me of them before we head to some of the more technical track.
Robert redeemed himself at the drags. scoring a 16.284 low et, and getting to the second round of the brackets.
We're now hunting dowm some chick-fil-a, then starting the long haul to Louisiana.
It's somwthing that happens at the track. Seeing it is often followed by bent metal. We managed a little of that, fortunately it was only a camera lens. :) And it was me that did it... and u wasn't even driving today!
However, Robert did find the limit if his talent twice... spinning 1x time in each session. The first time at the exit to turn 7, the second time at the entrance to the bus stop.
As such we were slowest in both sessions. However, Robert has learned several important lessons, and reminded me of them before we head to some of the more technical track.
Robert redeemed himself at the drags. scoring a 16.284 low et, and getting to the second round of the brackets.
We're now hunting dowm some chick-fil-a, then starting the long haul to Louisiana.
Day: 3
Robert and I decided to sleep in today since I knew CMP, and that we wouldn't be off for a while. We got to the track around 8:30, and the first group was just getting off. Unfortunately, later in the runs a porsche blew its whole coolant system across a quarter of the track. So I didn't go off until noon. I had a great time throwing the miata around the track... although I and the tires crested their peak at the start of the third lap. So, i dialed back & calmed myself and finished out the last 3/4 at good pace. Looking at the times I'm pleased... it showed a 22sec improvement over my run of the course two years ago in the Fit!
A lot of attrition increased our points hall even though we were only faster than a couple cars.
The second session started a tad late, and the Autobarn Mazdaspeed2 blowing up slowed things further. My run was good, and a tweak to the tire pressures helped manage them over the run. I couldn't quite get myself to take the kink flat out... since I was having a little trouble judging the turn-in while thinking about keeping it flat. But I did manage just a squeeze off, and the full throttle through it, ending up exiting around 95mph indicated.
Meanwhile, Robert was putting the excellent diagnosis skills he learned at R&R Automotive to assist the 535i... the *turbo* 535i... that was having inspecific engine problems. With his help, they get the car buttoned up in time for the second run of CMP.
We ended up shadowing the 535i half the way to the BMW Performance Center, since their engine happened to die just s they were passing us on the highway. We got there after a couple of roadside stops to let their ignition coil cool off.
Then I got to enjoy the madness that is the session at BMW performance. Because it's a late run, and everyone's itching to get in and out so they can get a head start towards the night's long haul... tempers are often short. I ended up landing myself in the middle of that accidentally by griding up a little bit early, then misunderstanding what group Brock wanted me to go out in. So I had to throw on my helmet and buckle in real quick. Dan and Mark of the timing and scoring team made sure I was safe a settled, despite be flustered. I did ok. The first lap wasn't great, but it was good. The second lap felt better, but there was still time to be had. I can't tell/remember if it's the same course as '09; but I did manage to shave two seconds off. All things considered, I'll take it.
When we got done, the 535i guys had followed Robert's suggestion that they move their coil pack to a cooler location. However, doing that they found one plug wire that was burned through, and another connector whose plugs seemed to have been pushed in. So, after I packed up the car, Justin (who owns the 535) and Robert hopped in to the Miata to take off to an Autozone that had the parts they needed to complete the fix. As such, we didn't end up leaving Greer, SC until 8.30pm. It looked like it was going to be a long night. I navigated Robert through the first couple of interchanges, and then took a two hour nap; during which we got a call from the 535i that they'd got the car running.
At about 10.40pm I took over. Despite a longish gas stop thanks to a closed Wendy's and McDonald's (that advertised late service), and stopping to check on the Optima Batteries Camaro that was pulled off on the side of the road just north of the Florida border (some kind of rear axle problem), we managed to pull in to Daytona at 3.30am. It's now a little after 4, and I've gotta be up at 7.30, so that's it for now.
-T
A lot of attrition increased our points hall even though we were only faster than a couple cars.
The second session started a tad late, and the Autobarn Mazdaspeed2 blowing up slowed things further. My run was good, and a tweak to the tire pressures helped manage them over the run. I couldn't quite get myself to take the kink flat out... since I was having a little trouble judging the turn-in while thinking about keeping it flat. But I did manage just a squeeze off, and the full throttle through it, ending up exiting around 95mph indicated.
Meanwhile, Robert was putting the excellent diagnosis skills he learned at R&R Automotive to assist the 535i... the *turbo* 535i... that was having inspecific engine problems. With his help, they get the car buttoned up in time for the second run of CMP.
We ended up shadowing the 535i half the way to the BMW Performance Center, since their engine happened to die just s they were passing us on the highway. We got there after a couple of roadside stops to let their ignition coil cool off.
Then I got to enjoy the madness that is the session at BMW performance. Because it's a late run, and everyone's itching to get in and out so they can get a head start towards the night's long haul... tempers are often short. I ended up landing myself in the middle of that accidentally by griding up a little bit early, then misunderstanding what group Brock wanted me to go out in. So I had to throw on my helmet and buckle in real quick. Dan and Mark of the timing and scoring team made sure I was safe a settled, despite be flustered. I did ok. The first lap wasn't great, but it was good. The second lap felt better, but there was still time to be had. I can't tell/remember if it's the same course as '09; but I did manage to shave two seconds off. All things considered, I'll take it.
When we got done, the 535i guys had followed Robert's suggestion that they move their coil pack to a cooler location. However, doing that they found one plug wire that was burned through, and another connector whose plugs seemed to have been pushed in. So, after I packed up the car, Justin (who owns the 535) and Robert hopped in to the Miata to take off to an Autozone that had the parts they needed to complete the fix. As such, we didn't end up leaving Greer, SC until 8.30pm. It looked like it was going to be a long night. I navigated Robert through the first couple of interchanges, and then took a two hour nap; during which we got a call from the 535i that they'd got the car running.
At about 10.40pm I took over. Despite a longish gas stop thanks to a closed Wendy's and McDonald's (that advertised late service), and stopping to check on the Optima Batteries Camaro that was pulled off on the side of the road just north of the Florida border (some kind of rear axle problem), we managed to pull in to Daytona at 3.30am. It's now a little after 4, and I've gotta be up at 7.30, so that's it for now.
-T
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Day: 2 (Summit Point)
Our day started when the previous day stopped, when we decided to stop in Winchester instead of heading the extra hour their and back to home. We rolled in about 1:30am, and got to bed about 2am. Then it was up at 6:30, and out to the track around 7:40... after a slight detour.
Robert got a walk around the track, while I unloaded. The fan club slowly trickled in while we emptied the car, checked the lugs, and set the pressures; and some various talking with other teams, and welcoming Sebastien from the Audi S4 who had finally caught up to us after having trouble flying in to South Bend from Denver.
Robert managed to slot himself into the tail end of the 3rd to last group out, and did quite well... or at least quite well for his experience, and our setup of the car. He ended up 65th, which is about where I expected us... since we're down on power compared to most of the other competitors... and also about where Brock expected us... given our car number. The one shred of brightness is that he managed to be faster than the m-roadster... helping us to claw our way back from the bottom of the class ranking. Well... we're still back there... but we might have a shot at not be last in class. Not that anyone will notice the 'non-battle' going on in the tail end of SSGT2SB.
We ate some lunch, and then lent what hand we could give to Sebastien, Rick, and Tony in the S4. He apparently was running a phenomenal warmup lap, and ended up at start and finish with no brakes and no clutch (the S4 apparently uses a common brake/clutch reservoir)... and ended up with smoke pouring out of the front of the car. I'm not sure, but I think he elected not to carry out the run, and came back to the pits to see what was wrong with the car. Adam Hennessey from the Dubler's team, Tim Harper from the Magnus Motorsports car, and our benefactor Rob of R&R Automotive tried to diagnose the problem. The end result is an agreement that the 100kmi clutch is most likely shot.
They decided to pack up and find an Audi dealer to see if they could get it fixed up in time to meet us at Daytona. If not, they're considering renting a car and driving the rest of the event in a Rental.
Robert lined up in 64, and then waited. Unfortunately, we were far enough back that the rain picked up by the time he went out, and the surface got very very slick. Robert didn't think it was quite that slick and tried to keep it flat on the gas through turn 9... which resulted in quite a bit of sideways action, and cross control to keep the car on track. It made for an entertaining in-car video... other than the continuing problem of the fact that the GoPro is exposing the picture for the detail inside of the car, which is causing everything outside the windshield to be overexposed and washed out. We ended up dropping 11sec compared to the morning session, but moving up to 64th due to our friend Jim Roberts blowing his corvette's motor in the morning session and having to tow his car back home. Word is he's going to grab another 'vette to finish the week out in the Exhibition class.
The end result of all this is that we've slipped back to 62nd over all. I'd say this is reasonable, but hopefully we can keep it there... or start gaining ground a little bit... so that if the Special Construction misses an event we don't end up last(?). :). We've also picked up 35points in class, which puts us 15points behind the M-roadster. So we can catch him if we continue to stay ahead of them, which may be a tall order with Daytona on the horizon.
Other than that, we got in to Lancaster, SC early. Unfortunately the blue laws meant we had to find our own source of ravel rousing... which was conveniently provided by the Tracy and crew in the VW TDI. Thanks again Tracy... you've got the spirit of OLoA well in hand!
Robert got a walk around the track, while I unloaded. The fan club slowly trickled in while we emptied the car, checked the lugs, and set the pressures; and some various talking with other teams, and welcoming Sebastien from the Audi S4 who had finally caught up to us after having trouble flying in to South Bend from Denver.
Robert managed to slot himself into the tail end of the 3rd to last group out, and did quite well... or at least quite well for his experience, and our setup of the car. He ended up 65th, which is about where I expected us... since we're down on power compared to most of the other competitors... and also about where Brock expected us... given our car number. The one shred of brightness is that he managed to be faster than the m-roadster... helping us to claw our way back from the bottom of the class ranking. Well... we're still back there... but we might have a shot at not be last in class. Not that anyone will notice the 'non-battle' going on in the tail end of SSGT2SB.
We ate some lunch, and then lent what hand we could give to Sebastien, Rick, and Tony in the S4. He apparently was running a phenomenal warmup lap, and ended up at start and finish with no brakes and no clutch (the S4 apparently uses a common brake/clutch reservoir)... and ended up with smoke pouring out of the front of the car. I'm not sure, but I think he elected not to carry out the run, and came back to the pits to see what was wrong with the car. Adam Hennessey from the Dubler's team, Tim Harper from the Magnus Motorsports car, and our benefactor Rob of R&R Automotive tried to diagnose the problem. The end result is an agreement that the 100kmi clutch is most likely shot.
They decided to pack up and find an Audi dealer to see if they could get it fixed up in time to meet us at Daytona. If not, they're considering renting a car and driving the rest of the event in a Rental.
Robert lined up in 64, and then waited. Unfortunately, we were far enough back that the rain picked up by the time he went out, and the surface got very very slick. Robert didn't think it was quite that slick and tried to keep it flat on the gas through turn 9... which resulted in quite a bit of sideways action, and cross control to keep the car on track. It made for an entertaining in-car video... other than the continuing problem of the fact that the GoPro is exposing the picture for the detail inside of the car, which is causing everything outside the windshield to be overexposed and washed out. We ended up dropping 11sec compared to the morning session, but moving up to 64th due to our friend Jim Roberts blowing his corvette's motor in the morning session and having to tow his car back home. Word is he's going to grab another 'vette to finish the week out in the Exhibition class.
The end result of all this is that we've slipped back to 62nd over all. I'd say this is reasonable, but hopefully we can keep it there... or start gaining ground a little bit... so that if the Special Construction misses an event we don't end up last(?). :). We've also picked up 35points in class, which puts us 15points behind the M-roadster. So we can catch him if we continue to stay ahead of them, which may be a tall order with Daytona on the horizon.
Other than that, we got in to Lancaster, SC early. Unfortunately the blue laws meant we had to find our own source of ravel rousing... which was conveniently provided by the Tracy and crew in the VW TDI. Thanks again Tracy... you've got the spirit of OLoA well in hand!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Day: 1
The day started pretty well for us, although a little early. we got to TireRack a little after 8, and used the time to turn the rear suspension up about. It makes the car look more flat in stance, and has reduced the crashing we feel while going over the bridge expansion joints.
Then i got ready for the wet skid pad. we had a nicely low fuel tank, so i had us push the car through the queue. I had a goal of getting above 0.7, and was getting worried because all the front runners where much slower than before (tire rack repaved their paf in November). I went up and did my best, although i could tell I'd left a little out there when i goosed for the last .25 turn. but, i ended up with a 0.733. the times were posted earlier (but are now down), and they indicated that was good for 39th, and. 004 off from snagging the RX-8 in our class... probably the last time we'll be that close :(. oh wel, afterall that would have just been icing on the cake since i met my goal.
then we hopped in the car and trekked south 2hours for an autocross. we got there a little late, and Robert only got a quick jog around the course, while i took care of the car: unload, lug check, & set tire pressures. Robert's first run was a 64.742s, while the supercharged miata was @ 57s. The course was big and flowing, which favored the big powered cars. We tweaked pressures, yanked the hardtop off, and by the third run Robert had gotten down to a 59.463s. I was quite happy with him knocking off 5sec. We'll see where we end up, once the scores are posted.
Now we're cruising through ohio on our way back east. after a stop at walmart for snacks and a second headset... the intercom is now working! unfortunately the line-in signal isn't amplified... so music from Robert's phone is inaudible. oh well... small victories. :) maybe we'll have the whole setup working in time to drive back home ;).
Then i got ready for the wet skid pad. we had a nicely low fuel tank, so i had us push the car through the queue. I had a goal of getting above 0.7, and was getting worried because all the front runners where much slower than before (tire rack repaved their paf in November). I went up and did my best, although i could tell I'd left a little out there when i goosed for the last .25 turn. but, i ended up with a 0.733. the times were posted earlier (but are now down), and they indicated that was good for 39th, and. 004 off from snagging the RX-8 in our class... probably the last time we'll be that close :(. oh wel, afterall that would have just been icing on the cake since i met my goal.
then we hopped in the car and trekked south 2hours for an autocross. we got there a little late, and Robert only got a quick jog around the course, while i took care of the car: unload, lug check, & set tire pressures. Robert's first run was a 64.742s, while the supercharged miata was @ 57s. The course was big and flowing, which favored the big powered cars. We tweaked pressures, yanked the hardtop off, and by the third run Robert had gotten down to a 59.463s. I was quite happy with him knocking off 5sec. We'll see where we end up, once the scores are posted.
Now we're cruising through ohio on our way back east. after a stop at walmart for snacks and a second headset... the intercom is now working! unfortunately the line-in signal isn't amplified... so music from Robert's phone is inaudible. oh well... small victories. :) maybe we'll have the whole setup working in time to drive back home ;).
Friday, April 29, 2011
Day: 0
Today was tech inspection. We started the day after a 4 hour rest at 7am this morning, and hit the TireRack just before 9, ending up as a part of a convoy of 2 with Jim Roberts as the first cars there. :). I will admit to being a little over eager.
The tech inspection really has less to do with checking every nook, cranny, and nut and bolt. It's really your responsibility to make sure your car is setup and ready for this event. Instead it is more about managing the stickiness of stickers, and the predisposition of the (ever present) wind to make placing those stickers as difficult as possible. Hopefully you'll agree that we managed to triumph over the efforts of the wind with some success.
We ended up taking up most of the time, as we needed to put the last few R&R Automotive website address graphics to the car; and all the individual letters required some patience to complete correctly. As we were finishing that up, the Dunlop Brand Manager and two assistants walked up with two goody bags of swag and four stickers to put on the car! Heck ya! I'm glad that I followed the advice about these tires in comparison to the Kuhmos that Stephen Burke and Tim Harper from the Rochester DSM / Magnus Motorsports crew posted last year before their second One Lap!
It's been a lot of fun catching up with everyone that I met in 2009, around the paddock and during the driver's meeting. Some people are surprised to see me back, since I expected my run in 2009 to be a one-time deal. What can I say? Maybe, I'm a smoother talker and better salesman than I give myself credit for. Regardless, I know that I found *very* wonderful wife, who isn't a 'fixed in stone' type; a woman who knows me and makes me happy. Hopefully the same can be said of me.
None-the-less, all my OneLap friends seem to miss the Fit... ALOT. Brock even asked where his Fit was! They apparently, would have preferred that I brought it instead of the Miata. I'm not so sure it would have stuck out as much among the cast of Econo cars assembled this year... other than being soo slow ;).
Unfortunately not everything is "happy go lucky", "friends and stickers" for us. We've got some extended-family issues that we're keeping an ear to the ground about. Nothing any of you, dear readers, need to worry about. But, we'd appreciate it if you kept us in your hearts and prayers.
On a more lighted note, Robert is currently hacking up our recently acquired intercom and other recently acquired radio shack headphone jacks in order to get it to work. He seems to be in his element... although I'm sure he'd prefer to be relaxing in other ways.
That's about it for now. I'll try to update y'all about our doings tomorrow.
(edited to add a link to the RochesterDSM/Magnus Motorsports blog. Check them out, Tim and Steve are first class guys!)
The tech inspection really has less to do with checking every nook, cranny, and nut and bolt. It's really your responsibility to make sure your car is setup and ready for this event. Instead it is more about managing the stickiness of stickers, and the predisposition of the (ever present) wind to make placing those stickers as difficult as possible. Hopefully you'll agree that we managed to triumph over the efforts of the wind with some success.
We ended up taking up most of the time, as we needed to put the last few R&R Automotive website address graphics to the car; and all the individual letters required some patience to complete correctly. As we were finishing that up, the Dunlop Brand Manager and two assistants walked up with two goody bags of swag and four stickers to put on the car! Heck ya! I'm glad that I followed the advice about these tires in comparison to the Kuhmos that Stephen Burke and Tim Harper from the Rochester DSM / Magnus Motorsports crew posted last year before their second One Lap!
It's been a lot of fun catching up with everyone that I met in 2009, around the paddock and during the driver's meeting. Some people are surprised to see me back, since I expected my run in 2009 to be a one-time deal. What can I say? Maybe, I'm a smoother talker and better salesman than I give myself credit for. Regardless, I know that I found *very* wonderful wife, who isn't a 'fixed in stone' type; a woman who knows me and makes me happy. Hopefully the same can be said of me.
None-the-less, all my OneLap friends seem to miss the Fit... ALOT. Brock even asked where his Fit was! They apparently, would have preferred that I brought it instead of the Miata.
Unfortunately not everything is "happy go lucky", "friends and stickers" for us. We've got some extended-family issues that we're keeping an ear to the ground about. Nothing any of you, dear readers, need to worry about. But, we'd appreciate it if you kept us in your hearts and prayers.
On a more lighted note, Robert is currently hacking up our recently acquired intercom and other recently acquired radio shack headphone jacks in order to get it to work. He seems to be in his element... although I'm sure he'd prefer to be relaxing in other ways.
That's about it for now. I'll try to update y'all about our doings tomorrow.
(edited to add a link to the RochesterDSM/Magnus Motorsports blog. Check them out, Tim and Steve are first class guys!)
Day: Start -1
It's been a long couple of days since we got back from VIR Saturday night. R&R has been wrapping up some things on the car. Swapping the One Lap rubber from the Tire Rack onto the Enkei's. It's a bit odd to see the Kuhmo's from OLoA 2009 finally go, although Robert thought they still had a good bit of life in them... it's better to start off with fresh rubber, and no concern about wearing through the tires during the event. Plus, I'm not sure they'd be allowed back.
R&R also worked through our overheating problem, and then some additional items that cropped up while fixing the first problem. They tracked the problem down to a radiator cap that wasn't holding pressure. Then, while draining the fluid, they found that the AL radiator had an AL drain plug, which had completely stripped out the radiator's threads. So they retapped those, dropped in a helicoil, and then safety wired the plug shut.
R&R also swapped in our new rotors, a fresh set of Hawk HP+ pads (bringing the hardly used ones as spares), and tracked down our cruise control woes to a broken brake sensor switch. Finally they managed to get the R&R decals on the trunk, rear bumper and front hood. Unfortunately, getting all of this done wasn't completed until 5pm today. Which, fortunately gave Robert and I enough time to work through what we had enough time to take, and pack it all into the trunk of the miata. It's a tight fit, but we can make some space by bringing a few choice items up to the package shelf behind the seats and under the hardtop... a space made bigger, and more useful by the lack of soft top.
So, we finally got on the road about an hour and half later than I wanted to. But that's how it goes sometimes, and it's not like this is going to be an especially different drive from the rest of the ones we're going to be pulling the rest of the week. And I'd rather be an hour and a half late, with more peace of mind, than leave ontime or early and have a few things still outstanding... or at least that's what I have to tell my impatient side of myself while the clock ticks past my original schedule. Hopefully, I wasn't hovering too obnoxiously ;).
In conclusion, we're off! We currently in the bumps, slows, and construction of PA wending our way towards Wauseon, OH for the night... so that we're a short hop from South Bend in the morning. Assuming we manage to successfully navigate our way through the conspicuously absent of speed limit signs roadway that is the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I'll try to send another update after we get through tech inspection tomorrow.
R&R also worked through our overheating problem, and then some additional items that cropped up while fixing the first problem. They tracked the problem down to a radiator cap that wasn't holding pressure. Then, while draining the fluid, they found that the AL radiator had an AL drain plug, which had completely stripped out the radiator's threads. So they retapped those, dropped in a helicoil, and then safety wired the plug shut.
R&R also swapped in our new rotors, a fresh set of Hawk HP+ pads (bringing the hardly used ones as spares), and tracked down our cruise control woes to a broken brake sensor switch. Finally they managed to get the R&R decals on the trunk, rear bumper and front hood. Unfortunately, getting all of this done wasn't completed until 5pm today. Which, fortunately gave Robert and I enough time to work through what we had enough time to take, and pack it all into the trunk of the miata. It's a tight fit, but we can make some space by bringing a few choice items up to the package shelf behind the seats and under the hardtop... a space made bigger, and more useful by the lack of soft top.
So, we finally got on the road about an hour and half later than I wanted to. But that's how it goes sometimes, and it's not like this is going to be an especially different drive from the rest of the ones we're going to be pulling the rest of the week. And I'd rather be an hour and a half late, with more peace of mind, than leave ontime or early and have a few things still outstanding... or at least that's what I have to tell my impatient side of myself while the clock ticks past my original schedule. Hopefully, I wasn't hovering too obnoxiously ;).
In conclusion, we're off! We currently in the bumps, slows, and construction of PA wending our way towards Wauseon, OH for the night... so that we're a short hop from South Bend in the morning. Assuming we manage to successfully navigate our way through the conspicuously absent of speed limit signs roadway that is the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I'll try to send another update after we get through tech inspection tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Car 64
I looked at the entry list today, and apparently we've been seeded as car 64:
Entries List
Not that that means a 'whole lot'. But, it's cool to know the number.
Entries List
Not that that means a 'whole lot'. But, it's cool to know the number.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
VIR Shakedown
Robert & I ran a shakedown of sorts this weekend. Robert wanted to try and get another trackday in, and I needed to knockoff some of the rust that's built up on my track-driving since October. Unfortunately, this weekend was packed with plenty of other things, so we ended up doing a single day at VIR w/ TrackDazes. You might have noticed that I tend to favor their events. They're well run, you get a good amount of track time for the money, and the people that come are generally laid-back and fun to be around.
We drove down to Friday night and stayed at my wonderful in-laws. We got a little bit of a late start, leaving NoVA around 6pm, and getting down south about 11.30pm. Then after a short rest, it was off to VIR around 5.45am... good warm up for OLoA.
I had the first session out of the two of us, being in intermediate, and the track was still slick from rain that we drove through Friday. I had one 'brake too much' slide goin into turn one, which unlink last time did not develop into flat spotting... I've managed to learn that lesson. Then I had a fairly lurid slide through south bend (turn 10), which I managed to catch, and then catch again as going over the crest broke the car out a second time. My instructor was complimentary of my save. Both events were quite confidence boosting, although I continued to drive my sessions with a fair amount in reserve... especially since by the last session Robert clocked in a lap as fast as my fastest.
Robert probably made the most improvement. Getting used to the car, and managing to shake the 'shifting woes' that slowed him at Summit Point. I watched a couple of his sessions, and was quite pleased with how quick he was moving. Then I recorded his last session with the GoPro, and was humbled a bit with him grabbing an equally fast lap time. Although, he does have more RWD driving experience, and as such more comfort with putting a car sideways... something I'm still coming to grips with.
The only real fly in the ointment was that Robert had to cut his last session short because the car began to overheat. This has us all a bit worried, since it only got to 85F, and we've got Daytona to face down. Then again, we did leave the front plate in front of the radiator. We've got a couple of mitigation strategies that we're going to implement, and R&R is looking over the cooling system for any telltales. Like I've said before, it's quite helpful for me to have their assistance in making sure a 178,000 mile car is ready for the rigors of One Lap!
We drove down to Friday night and stayed at my wonderful in-laws. We got a little bit of a late start, leaving NoVA around 6pm, and getting down south about 11.30pm. Then after a short rest, it was off to VIR around 5.45am... good warm up for OLoA.
I had the first session out of the two of us, being in intermediate, and the track was still slick from rain that we drove through Friday. I had one 'brake too much' slide goin into turn one, which unlink last time did not develop into flat spotting... I've managed to learn that lesson. Then I had a fairly lurid slide through south bend (turn 10), which I managed to catch, and then catch again as going over the crest broke the car out a second time. My instructor was complimentary of my save. Both events were quite confidence boosting, although I continued to drive my sessions with a fair amount in reserve... especially since by the last session Robert clocked in a lap as fast as my fastest.
Robert probably made the most improvement. Getting used to the car, and managing to shake the 'shifting woes' that slowed him at Summit Point. I watched a couple of his sessions, and was quite pleased with how quick he was moving. Then I recorded his last session with the GoPro, and was humbled a bit with him grabbing an equally fast lap time. Although, he does have more RWD driving experience, and as such more comfort with putting a car sideways... something I'm still coming to grips with.
The only real fly in the ointment was that Robert had to cut his last session short because the car began to overheat. This has us all a bit worried, since it only got to 85F, and we've got Daytona to face down. Then again, we did leave the front plate in front of the radiator. We've got a couple of mitigation strategies that we're going to implement, and R&R is looking over the cooling system for any telltales. Like I've said before, it's quite helpful for me to have their assistance in making sure a 178,000 mile car is ready for the rigors of One Lap!
Friday, April 22, 2011
An overview of the transits
This gives you an idea of what we'll be facing. We've obviously got a long night ahead of us between Florida and Louisiana, mainly because of the drags @ Gainesville after running Daytona. Does this mean we'll actually pull in at 5am? Who knows. That depends on how far we make it through the bracket drags, or how are we try at the bracket drags. I've also got a 'somewhat' conservative average speed in there (recall that has to cover food/gas/bathroom stops too). Viewing this spreadsheet does help point out the places where we're going to have to be 'Johnny on the spot' with the pack-up and head-out after events:
CMP to BMW, Daytona to Gainesville, and Gainesville to Circuit Grand Bayou.
Hopefully doing a look at this now will help us avoid getting blindsided like Greer and I did in 2009 while driving between CMP and BeaveRun.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
?? unFit4Racing ??
unFit4Racing?
Maybe you followed the link from the One Lap 'entries' page, and you're wondering WTH?
(we're a PG blog)... the blog says 'L8.Apexr'!
For those less in the know, I ran One Lap in 2009 in a Honda Fit... grabbing the auspicious "All Remaining Cars" award: i.e. last of all the people who finished every event.
Hence: unFit4Racing
The inspiration for the blog was more 'universal car craziness' not One Lap 2011 only craziness. Maybe if I get real motivated, I'll change the banner graphic. Then again, maybe not.
Maybe you followed the link from the One Lap 'entries' page, and you're wondering WTH?
(we're a PG blog)... the blog says 'L8.Apexr'!
For those less in the know, I ran One Lap in 2009 in a Honda Fit... grabbing the auspicious "All Remaining Cars" award: i.e. last of all the people who finished every event.
Hence: unFit4Racing
The inspiration for the blog was more 'universal car craziness' not One Lap 2011 only craziness. Maybe if I get real motivated, I'll change the banner graphic. Then again, maybe not.
Getting Official
Well, the entry fee is on it's way in. Robert got through his track weekend at Summit Point two weekends ago. We've buttoned up some of the required paperwork, and then we should be ordering tires. Once the entry free clears, we're official.
Robert and I have also signed up for a day of HPDE w/ TrackDaze this weekend, which will hopefully knock some of my rust off and get Robert more comfortable with car. We'll also be able to muck around with the setup a little bit.
We've got a couple of other bits and bobs to fit to the car... some of which might not get done 'till we're in IN (like maybe the R&R graphics). But the major stuff we've got fixed & covered... other than maybe a stereo. But, that's more Robert's department than mine. He's a good electrical bodger... so we should be able to whip together something functional; even if it isn't especially pretty.
Robert and I have also signed up for a day of HPDE w/ TrackDaze this weekend, which will hopefully knock some of my rust off and get Robert more comfortable with car. We'll also be able to muck around with the setup a little bit.
We've got a couple of other bits and bobs to fit to the car... some of which might not get done 'till we're in IN (like maybe the R&R graphics). But the major stuff we've got fixed & covered... other than maybe a stereo. But, that's more Robert's department than mine. He's a good electrical bodger... so we should be able to whip together something functional; even if it isn't especially pretty.
Monday, April 4, 2011
OneLap Preparation #2
Whew! This weekend was a whirlwind for me, including 12hours in the shop working on the miata. She seems determined to make us earn her respect... or maybe she's just mad about sitting in the parking lot for so long.
We got the airbag computer fixed, finally on Saturday night after a long session of plug and check and diagnose. I've learned more about that system than I care to have. We installed some CGLock seat belt tensioners late Sat night to feel like we accomplished something else.
So, Sunday morning we went to work on replacing the brake pads, swapping in the new-used sway bars and finishing the airbag computer re-install. The bars took longer than expected, and required some shimming on the front bar. Also, it turns out the car already had aftermarket bars on it, albeit with smaller diameters. So we ended up with an upgrade after all; which makes me all the happier about not buying new ones. Although getting them into place with the new endlinks took a bunch of work that my pansy-sitting-on-my-whatoosie-in-front-of-a-computer-code-monkey bottom isn't used to. I enjoyed each minute of it, even knocking my head into the suspended rear brake caliper a total of 3(!) times.
However, we did find a cracked rear piston boot, and with the other assorted difficulties will have to lean on R&R to finish up preparations on the car before Robert's track day on Sat/Sun. Like I said, it's good to have their support, and experienced hand checking over the car before then.
We got the airbag computer fixed, finally on Saturday night after a long session of plug and check and diagnose. I've learned more about that system than I care to have. We installed some CGLock seat belt tensioners late Sat night to feel like we accomplished something else.
So, Sunday morning we went to work on replacing the brake pads, swapping in the new-used sway bars and finishing the airbag computer re-install. The bars took longer than expected, and required some shimming on the front bar. Also, it turns out the car already had aftermarket bars on it, albeit with smaller diameters. So we ended up with an upgrade after all; which makes me all the happier about not buying new ones. Although getting them into place with the new endlinks took a bunch of work that my pansy-sitting-on-my-whatoosie-in-front-of-a-computer-code-monkey bottom isn't used to. I enjoyed each minute of it, even knocking my head into the suspended rear brake caliper a total of 3(!) times.
However, we did find a cracked rear piston boot, and with the other assorted difficulties will have to lean on R&R to finish up preparations on the car before Robert's track day on Sat/Sun. Like I said, it's good to have their support, and experienced hand checking over the car before then.
Friday, April 1, 2011
OneLap Preparation #1
So, last weekend Robert and I spent most of Friday in the shop fixing items on the miata. We replaced the window and rear tail light that unknown persons decided to smash in with fist-sized rocks. After retrieving the window-smashing culprit from the passenger side pack shelf, Robert suggested we mount it in place of the "toilet-bowl" mazda logo on the front bumper. I've decided to pass on that, for now.
We also dug into fixing the airbag computer that had failed and started flashing '51'; which has precluded my getting the car through VA safety inspections... which unfortunately caused us to pull apart most of the driver's side dash and instrument console... whereupon we found that the speedometer cable was on it's way out. So I've got a new one of those on the way as well.
We also spent a couple hours cleaning the rust off a set of JacksonRacing Sway Bars sourced via craigslist... thanks mainly to the eagle-eyed watch of my previous OneLap co-driver (an miata nut) Greer. They're clean and painted.
So that leads to this weekend. The tasks ahead are pretty clear: finish up the airbag fix, replace the speedometer cable, and install the sway bars. If we've got time left over we'll look into the brakes... the pads have arrived, but I'm not sure about the rotors. The clutch and flywheel are here... but that task is a bit daunting, so we'll put it off for a bit more.
We also dug into fixing the airbag computer that had failed and started flashing '51'; which has precluded my getting the car through VA safety inspections... which unfortunately caused us to pull apart most of the driver's side dash and instrument console... whereupon we found that the speedometer cable was on it's way out. So I've got a new one of those on the way as well.
We also spent a couple hours cleaning the rust off a set of JacksonRacing Sway Bars sourced via craigslist... thanks mainly to the eagle-eyed watch of my previous OneLap co-driver (an miata nut) Greer. They're clean and painted.
So that leads to this weekend. The tasks ahead are pretty clear: finish up the airbag fix, replace the speedometer cable, and install the sway bars. If we've got time left over we'll look into the brakes... the pads have arrived, but I'm not sure about the rotors. The clutch and flywheel are here... but that task is a bit daunting, so we'll put it off for a bit more.
OneLap 2011 Intro
So, a funny thing happened on my way to a life-change. It looks like I won't be able to run OneLap after this year for a couple of years, so I sent an RFI to the usual car nuts I know. Eventually, a close friend from way back expressed some interest, and then (more importantly) managed to get spousal approval. I also go some interest from another friend, but he wasn't sure he'd be able to put things together.
Originally I planned to use the Fit again. However, after some consideration about the life-change, some introspection about not wanting to be last again, and then having someone vandalize the miata... I finally pulled my thoughts together and have decided to take it to OneLap this year.
Robert and I have some work to do to get it ready. We'll need to add back some of the interior, and figure out a way to play some tunes (an area Robert is quite qualified to assist in). I'm also going to toss a new set of rotors and pads on (moving up to HP Plus'), get some stiffer sway bars, and do a clutch change. I can't tell for sure, but I think the car is still on it's original clutch @ 175kmi.
Robert and I are also going to try and do this on a tight budget. Life-changes tend to shrink the excess income situation, plus I've been interested in trying this out after hearing people complain that they couldn't afford to do OneLap. So we're going to look into ways to reduce the costs of hotels, and food. The miata is already pretty good on gas, and a couple of the transits aren't going to leave much option other than sleeping in the car. As for food, bringing some of it along will be a little tough in such a small car, but not eating fast food the whole time will help our wallets and our waistlines.
So, that's the plan... for now. We're still gathering things together and working out how we're going to pull this off. Fortunately, we've gotten at least one sponsor: R&R Automotive who have offered to provide free lift time, and 'at cost' pricing on parts. They've been good to me over the years, keeping some expensive BMW's going, along with most of the rest of my mini-fleet of cars; and I look forward to having their logo on the miata's hood.
Originally I planned to use the Fit again. However, after some consideration about the life-change, some introspection about not wanting to be last again, and then having someone vandalize the miata... I finally pulled my thoughts together and have decided to take it to OneLap this year.
Robert and I have some work to do to get it ready. We'll need to add back some of the interior, and figure out a way to play some tunes (an area Robert is quite qualified to assist in). I'm also going to toss a new set of rotors and pads on (moving up to HP Plus'), get some stiffer sway bars, and do a clutch change. I can't tell for sure, but I think the car is still on it's original clutch @ 175kmi.
Robert and I are also going to try and do this on a tight budget. Life-changes tend to shrink the excess income situation, plus I've been interested in trying this out after hearing people complain that they couldn't afford to do OneLap. So we're going to look into ways to reduce the costs of hotels, and food. The miata is already pretty good on gas, and a couple of the transits aren't going to leave much option other than sleeping in the car. As for food, bringing some of it along will be a little tough in such a small car, but not eating fast food the whole time will help our wallets and our waistlines.
So, that's the plan... for now. We're still gathering things together and working out how we're going to pull this off. Fortunately, we've gotten at least one sponsor: R&R Automotive who have offered to provide free lift time, and 'at cost' pricing on parts. They've been good to me over the years, keeping some expensive BMW's going, along with most of the rest of my mini-fleet of cars; and I look forward to having their logo on the miata's hood.