And...we know your alignment is pretty good. Tony K, after driving in my car, told me to experience how well your car handles in Turn 3. Of course, the backed-off rear wheel nut, and loose front strut might have had something to do with why my car was not doing so well there, but at least we know your car was!.

Aren't you a DE tech inspector?

I believe I suggested you ride in Rob Tellastas' car, which handled beautifully and has similar suspension to yours. Ryan's car is in another dimension, of course.

What about the loose nut between the seat and the steering wheel? ;)

Ah, yes. I stand corrected yet again!

Actually, Ben wasn't driving at the time... ;)

Yes I am. The problem didn't manifest itself until Sunday. I also didn't tech my own car at the official tech inspection, not that I would have picked up the loose strut housing (it was the huge nut around the housing/cover, half-way up). I did check the front and rear wheel play myself prior to the event and there was no play on that rear wheel.

I guess you were only good enough to drive the wheels halfway off that thing.

Smart line of the day! :D

Another vote here stating that not all of the national chains are terrible. The NTB in Lutherville has been mounting and balancing my race tires for about ten years. Excellent balancing and have never said that they won't mount tires with 15+ heat cycles. They have only once nicked a rim in the past decade and often never charge me a freaking thing. The guys there seem to get a kick out of me bringing the 993 since they don't get too many track cars.

FWIW.......in Gaithersburg, on the corner of Odendhal and Rt. 355, near Lafeforest Mall, used to be a Merchant Tire shop. It was the pits. Period. Finally went out of business.

The shop's been vacant for a while, but recently noticed signage (as well as blue & yellow paintage...) that is going to be re-opening as a Curry's Automotive shop. Just an FYI for folks in the area. :)

what a coincidence this thread was updated today - i just had a HORRIBLE experience at NTB in germantown. way too much to explain but in a nutshell, for 2 loose tires to be flipped:

• tires basically sat at the shop overnight/11+ hrs, only to be actually worked on after i came back and complained.
• as the idiot installer was having trouble unmounting the first rim, calling others over to help including the manager (?), the other desk employee appeared frustrated at ME and said...look, our policy is not to flip, why would you want them flipped, it doesnt help camber, yadda yadda, and proceeded to lecture me about camber and why do i need them flipped. STFU! it has nothing to do with camber!!!
• the idiot scratched the hell out of one of them, probably when manager was watching him, but no one said a word to me. technically i dont care - theyre track wheels - but it's the point...customer service, hello???
• i learned that they will literally hire ANYONE at that location, regardless of smarts or work ethic.

sorry for the essay but it actually helped me vent. :D needless to say i will be trekking to paul's from now on.

seriously tho, other than scratched rims and possible out-of-balance issues, what's the worst outcome? i mean, there's no prossibility the things will fly off the rims as i'm heading up the esses, is there??? it just seems to me that if the tires are holding air on the rim then they must be seated/mounted properly and ready for the track regardless of the idiot installer.

thanks for listening. :p