[jpnovak]

Tony, Yeah, you can take the person out of NoVA but you can't take the NoVA out of the person.

There are a few events next month but I have plans on the two weekends. This just bumps me to November and gives me some time to sort the ST. I need some miles on it before I get it on the track. Unlike the East coast, there are many events Dec. -Feb. Its nearly a year-round season here. There are almost fewer events in the summer due to the heat.

The good news about the TX scene is the number of people with newer cars that track them. It seemed to be less of the club racer types or track junkies. Some of theh owners looked to be out for a Sunday drive. Don't even get me started on the sponsoring dealer's demo cars and the people that were driving. Some were downright dangerous. I saw the Maserati coupe spin 4 times. Once in traffic 2 cars ahead.

The paddock was full of 993s, 996s, boxsters and even a few Cayennes (though they weren't on track). There were only three early 911s and a handful of SCs and Carreras. I got lots of practice closing the gaps under braking and then almost having to lift with the higher exit speeds. It was really noticable in the set of turns (9,10,11) that they call Rattlesnake. If you make a mistake it will bite, hard! There were many offs here. Its basically a double S turn that runs on a ridge. Each turn is off camber and then drops down a hill at the end into turn one. Very rewarding feel when done correctly, Very slow when done wrong.

Oh yeah, best moment was finally getting Rattlesnake correct and sliding the car into position for exit.

best moment #2 - Nailing Big bend, foot on the floor in 4th, 5krpm in a drift, Oh what a feeling. One of the pictures looks like I am almost on 3 wheels at 100mph!

Pucker moment! Coming into 4 (buzzerd neck) hot under braking, more bite on the front tires, turn in early and clip the curb which sent me into a downhill pirouette (sp?). I never left the pavement.