Sp DE - "experiences" 3/13-14
 

I didn't like that old title.

Although it was freezing ... fun was had by many. Here are my favorite moments in no particular order:

1. Shift knob decides to leave shifter on 4-to-5 going past Pit-out. Was back on by the braking zone after being located bouncing between the seats :-) Real McGyver moment.

2. Creating smoke screens into #5 so other Dorki couldn't see turn in.

3. Performing intricate tank-slapper into a 180 to get a better view of others coming into #1-2 combo.

4. "Inadvertantly" leaving cap off fuel cell to create strong cam2 smell in the cockpit :shock:

5. Adding ~180 lbs to passenger side to get a better run through the carousel and #9 and #10. Better than fresh R compunds!

6. Deciding I had better slide it in #3 b/c Mr. hard peddle left the tub in #1-2. Always a pleasant surprise...

Isn't DE fun? Can't wait for VIR.

Jase

For me:

1. Getting Jason to ride right seat with me for a run session. I've never worked as hard, or driven as fast, going around that track! Thanks, Jase. Let's do that again soon.

2. Riding right seat with APKhaos in the Ath-ole Motors car. Wheeeeeeeee.

3. Hearing RL describe new repairs he needs. .....

4. Seeking shelter from the cold in Jason's trailer when the instructors took over the only heated room in the paddock.

:lol: :shock: :wink:

Due Credit
 

We are all accustomed to ready assistance when needed at the track, but sometimes the solution is beyond the resources available. Saturday, after discovering the hard way that a 275 is indeed too wide for the front of an RS America:cry: , I needed someone to install a replacement 245 on a BBS race wheel.

After a few unsuccessful attempts on Saturday afternoon I spoke with Danny at Craven Tire in Tyson’s Corner. Danny is their resident expert at handling expensive, delicate wheels, and he agreed to wait for me to get there – which was about 10 minutes before they were scheduled to close. Not only did he wait for me and do an excellent job of installing and spin balancing the tire, but he handed me the finished product with a smile and said “Have a good weekend at the track.” Without charge.

It was only a sample of one, and I’m sure that doing things for free is not standard practice. But he certainly deserves credit and a hearty thank you for saving my track weekend!

Ahhhhh.....

Had a whole day to recover and process the weekend. This was my first DE at SP, what a fun track. Much more technical than VIR.

A few things I learned.

1. After Tony mandated I practice heel/toe all the way home and back, I found on day 2 that turn #5 and #1 can be MUCH smoother. BTW: Careful rev-matching into #5 can prevent the rears from locking/sliding :shock:

2. Praying to God that the 944 in front of me would turn in NOW before I tapped him after my brakes faded into #10....another :shock:

3. Careful feeding of the throttle around 5, 6 & 7 is imperative and FUN! :D

3. And yes, thank you Jason for finding my shift knob right in time for my shift into 3rd :oops:

Pictures coming.........

BTW: I'm canceling Zone 2 @ VIR to join Schatt at SP.......

I'm uploading photos that Steve and Jim took with my camera. Great job, guys... thanks for snapping the pics.

Good fun and much learning this weekend! The lightbulbs that went on for me:

1) It's easier to stay warm, than get warm!

2) Tire pressures really do make a difference.

3) Sticky rubber changes everything.

4) Dorki's are great mechanics and even better drivers!

All in all a good weekend. I have to give a big thanks to the Potomac Tech Team for two chilly Grid techs. No long waits or cars left to be teched after the drivers meeting. You guys rock.

3 days of driving, 2 days of right seat with a good student, no offs, no breakdowns couple of hairy corners but no unscheduled underwear changes.

I really missed my enclosed trailer until the drive home...Nice easy drive except for some little green car that was tailgating me all the way home.

What a great weekend. We were fortunate to have good weather, much better than the past when we had snow storms. A safe weekend. Everyone drove home except for a few unfortunate engine problems. Four months it has been since we got to play with our toys. A great group of people. I met some good new friends, learned lots from my fellow drivers and my students. Look forward to VIR and then Mid Ohio.

Oh, let me see where to begin ...

1) according to Mr. Policeman we are not allowed to congregate at 6 am on the shoulder just north of the Greenway Toll plaza. The last words I remember him saying were something to the effect of "if you don't get out of here now I'm gonna write you all a ticket." :shock:

2) my rebuilt motor can safely run at 6k+ rpm's :D

3) a loose clamp on the oil breather line into the breather cover will spray oil all over your engine compartment :oops:

4) both myself and my car managed to survive 50 minutes of straight track time when I ran a Blue and Green session back-to-back :wink:

5) 5 Dorki in Jason's trailer with the door closed on a cold winter day ... well, you get the picture :P

6) next March we draw straws to see who brings the propane heater and who brings the propane tank because I'm not sure we can survive another high 30's / low 40's degree weekend with 10-20 mph winds :roll:

7) missing out on any right seat time with our resident expert drivers (TK and JS) :cry:

#8 ) caravaning home on RT 7 behind one of Loudon County's finest for over 20 miles :twisted:

9) hanging out with fellow Dorki's and getting track time ... PRICELESS :)

10) T-minus 4 weeks until the next event at SP 8)

1. Having an instructor that got more out me and my car then anyone in the past, and with less effort, including the president of the PCA.

2. The look on Doug's face when he discovered that his "oil injection system" had sprung a leak, thereby threatening a day of track time.

3. The look on Charlie's face after the 1st run on Sat after his agricultural excursion. (I can say this because I went off just before he did).

4. Recieving a passing signal that looked more like a gun pointed at the driver's head than anything else.

5. Having lots of time with Bill, Doug, John, Jason, Richard, Charlie, Dave, Jim, Jim & Tony. Thanks to all for making the weekend tolarable while waiting to drive.

1. Getting a sweater from Jason to improve my feeble cold-weather tolerance. Notice that this ranked #1. :shock:

2. Seeing the gang trackside after a our Winter respite.

3. Watching y'all lock up your brakes at 5, must've been the cold weather, or was it irrational exhuberance coming down the chute. :lol: Or was it the instructors doing? :twisted:

4. Aaah, the smell of race gas in the morning. :)

Can't wait for my first DE this season, April 9 & 10. Whoo hooo!