Alright, so I mentioned before a couple of links for you to follow the 2012 One Lap of America on. Here's a more comprehensive selection:
Official One Lap Event Links:
www.onelapofamerica.com/Home.do
https://www.facebook.com/OneLapOfAmerica
http://trackguide.com/OLOA/category/one-lap-blog/
Scoring:
http://www.onelapofamerica.com/event/ResultsIndex.do?eventId=31
Title Sponsor Links:
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/ride-along-with-grm-at-one-lap/49157
GRM's "man on the ground" is pulling dual duty though, with Andy Hollis' OneLapCRX, who's updating here:
https://www.facebook.com/OneLapCRX
Tire Rack:
https://www.facebook.com/tirerack
TireRack supplies the tires, and two of the venues. Plus they support Joe Woodward's Miata. He's awesome (you'll be seeing that a lot), and is running pretty quick this year.
Rosenthal Media is supposedly doing stuff as well, and has their own page. But I'm not going to link to it. You can get all their updates through the OneLapOfAmerica Facebook page, or "TrackGuide" page... and the TrackGuide page is easier to navigate.
Blogs of Note:
Stephen & Tim in the Rochester DSM Evo:
http://onelap.rochesterdsm.org/
http://onelap.rochesterdsm.org/track-the-team/
These guys are awesome. Stephen posts a bunch, and all of his posts go up on the blog, even if it's a tweet. Which makes it soo much easier. Plus they're delightfully funny, and honest. Finally, they're pretty darn quick to. So, hit them up!
Jerry & Ric 302 Boss Mustang:
http://oldcrowsonelap.blogspot.com
Ric is part of the "Golden Colorado Crew", which are a ball to hang around with. He also offered to buy me a new set of tires back in '09... although I wasn't quite up to the challenge. He and his dad are posting about daily (so far), so keep an eye on them.
JimBob Racing:
onelapadventure.blogspot.com
Jim is another great person (it's hard not to meet great people on OLoA). He blew his motor last year, trucked home, grabbed a spare car, and finished the rest of the event in exhibition. Not to jinx him, but so far he's running pretty quick... although not updating very much.
http://onelapforlife.blogspot.com
The NoVA BMW group. Looks like Robin is handling updates for him and Woody's cars: and he's managing about a post a day. They're pretty good about finding interesting stories, or creating them on their own.
http://oloateambadcredit.blogspot.com
Two guys from Iowa, in a borrowed Supercharged Jag. Lap Puppies last year, Lap Dogs now.
http://www.g66racing.blogspot.com
Apparently had a parking lot accident yesterday, but getting back into the swing.
http://www.expatoloa2012.blogspot.com
I don't know what to make of these guys. They're a little all over the map, although they were quite good in their "pre-game" (re:Hoosiers).
Jon & Peter Lier
http://www.racerjon.com/events/onelap12/intro.html
Other (Facebook, the Twitters):
http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23OLOA%20OR%20%23OneLap
http://twitter.com/#!/grm_mag/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Honda-Manufacturing-of-Alabama-Race-Team/313894358653360
https://www.facebook.com/jennawagnerracing
AutoBlog:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/05/2012-one-lap-of-america-starts-today/
Chris Paukert is in the timing crew, so this might be his only post until next Sat/Sun. But, one of the best collections of the photos of the majority of the Grid that I've seen.
Google+ has been pretty devoid of #OLoA, but that doesn't exactly surprise me.
So, I think that's most/all of it. Some interesting news/stories filtering out so far. Competition has certainly stepped up over last year. I'm definitely going to have to find some more ponies (and maybe cajones?) for when I head back to the OLoA start line in the future!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday Note
There's a pretty real chance this Blog is going to be pulled down. I'm particularly unhappy about being forced into the "new Gmail" look. I know some people would probably have labeled me as something of a Google "fanboi" in the past, and considering the breadth of their services it's going to take some time to figure out alternatives, or if those alternatives are right for me, etc.
So, stay tuned Spacecowboys
So, stay tuned Spacecowboys
Friday, April 20, 2012
A Smattering of Notes
Yes, I've been back to the Nürburgring since the last post here. I've got some info on my last visit "in the works". Not that there are a lot of you out there awaiting my updates fervently.
In lieu of that update... some notes:
1) I have been following Dennis Palatov's blog for a while (probably around 2005 for me). He's developing a version of his DP4 Pikes Peak this year. He could probably use your help.
2) Because of my following of DP, I found out about/Drive ...
and have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent watching it since. I was a lurker on Driver's Republic, back before it tried to go all Web3.0 (i.e. we will use your data against you) and fell apart. So, it's nice to have an easy place to get my Chris Harris fix. Now I just need to find an automotive eMag that has an equivalent level of photography that Driver'sRepublic used to have. Oh, yeah, and Leo Parenta (sp?) has been quite entertaining as well.
3) OneLapofAmerica is kicking off soon (two weeks!?!?), so I figured I'd collect some blog links that I want to keep track of (that I have so far)... and you might enjoy their... tribulations too:
Rick & Pop: http://oldcrowsonelap.blogspot.com/
Tony & Sebastien: http://evergreen1lap.blogspot.com/
Tim & Stephen: http://onelap.rochesterdsm.org/
Jim: http://onelapadventure.blogspot.com/
Robin Sparrow: http://onelapforlife.blogspot.com
As always, there's a certain amount of "horsing around" going on in the entrant's list.
It'll be interesting to see how it actually shakes out.
One interesting point (w.r.t. entries): Pete & Matt have ditched their 328i for an '02 Vette.
In lieu of that update... some notes:
1) I have been following Dennis Palatov's blog for a while (probably around 2005 for me). He's developing a version of his DP4 Pikes Peak this year. He could probably use your help.
2) Because of my following of DP, I found out about
and have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent watching it since. I was a lurker on Driver's Republic, back before it tried to go all Web3.0 (i.e. we will use your data against you) and fell apart. So, it's nice to have an easy place to get my Chris Harris fix. Now I just need to find an automotive eMag that has an equivalent level of photography that Driver'sRepublic used to have. Oh, yeah, and Leo Parenta (sp?) has been quite entertaining as well.
3) OneLapofAmerica is kicking off soon (two weeks!?!?), so I figured I'd collect some blog links that I want to keep track of (that I have so far)... and you might enjoy their... tribulations too:
Rick & Pop: http://oldcrowsonelap.blogspot.com/
Tony & Sebastien: http://evergreen1lap.blogspot.com/
Tim & Stephen: http://onelap.rochesterdsm.org/
Jim: http://onelapadventure.blogspot.com/
Robin Sparrow: http://onelapforlife.blogspot.com
As always, there's a certain amount of "horsing around" going on in the entrant's list.
It'll be interesting to see how it actually shakes out.
One interesting point (w.r.t. entries): Pete & Matt have ditched their 328i for an '02 Vette.
Monday, October 31, 2011
First Nurburgring Outing
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.
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.
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.