[rs911t]

[Marc A]

Greg:

Still exhausted from 3 days of absolute bliss. Just posted pics in the gallery. All pictures of the "Greenies" (Bill, Ted and I) were thanks to Jason.

I could write a book on the weekend, but it wouldn't do it justice. All I can say is this event WILL be attended every year, come hell or high water.

I'll leave you with these tid bits to wet your appetite . . . 4 of 7 Dorkies had agricultural excursions without sustaining any damage . . . . Ask Bill how it feels to smoke a Turbo S . . . . Ask Ted how it feels to smoke a 930 slant nose . . .

Thanks to Bill, Ted, Jason, Tony, David, Bill J & Kurt for a truly once in a lifetime event.

[Mackpipes]

UNFREAKIN BELIEVABLE!
I have never had more fun in my life.
Day one:
Short drivers meeting, instructor assignments and a brief classroom session for the new meats. I had no idea what I was in for. This was my first DE. My instructor, Pete Kaufman, took me for a ride in my car for a couple of laps to show me the line and then let me loose. I was as f*#@ed up as a tennis helmet my first session. I was all over the place.
Second and third run of the day were a bit better. It was great to talk to the other Dorki between runs to get a different perspective on the good lines to take.
Day two:
Rain for most of the day. Used it as a good "learn the track day". Went for a ride with my instructor in the blue group. I then realized how much I had to learn. The last run of the day was dry. Had a great run. Passed and got passed. Started really getting a feel for my car at the limit. Explored the red area of the tach afew times .
Day three:
Arrived with a mission. I was going to pass Marc, and take BillW up on his passing signal . Mission accomplished 8) The last two run sessions of the day were combined Blue and Green groups. Good experience to see how we (Green) stock up against them (Blue). To be honest, not that much of a difference. The last run of the day we got to run solo. What a rush.
All in all, a fantastic weekend. I can't wait for my next DE. My car performed very well, no mechanical drama to speak of. With Bill, Marc, Jason, Kurt, Tony and myself, Team Dorkspeed was well represented.
Thanks to Jason for the use of his trailer as the Dorki HQ, and for the good driving tips.
Thanks also to Pete Kaufman for being a great instructor and keeping me in check.

Ted

[APKhaos]

Ted understates. He was the only double green track virgin in the Dorkspeed crew, and was signed out for solo by Sunday afternoon.

Nice work Ted

It was great to see the Dorks dicing in Green - Bill [the crafty old bastard] Welsh, Mark, and Ted stuck together for quite a few multi lap dices, and all were running hard. Bragging rights at stake.

Think I win the spin trophy. Had two wet track rotations on Saturday, a massive full throttle hurl off track at Nascar on Sunday when my left foot brake on the clutch pedal failed to slow the car to corner entry speed, and a two wheels off on the Nascar exit a few laps earlier. The last two were in the last run group on Sunday, which is a good example of why we say take it easy late on the last day.

[DonNewton]

And, Tony took it like a man. He knows what I mean. . .

[rs911t]

Glad to hear y'all had fun. Great track, eh?

Tony. I trust you had video and data rolling .....

[Trak Ratt]

I agree w/you all, VIR is probably the premier event/track on our schedule. This was not my first time though it was for Linda. Last year I could barely find my way around the track, this year I actually felt “fast”! I did have 2 dirt excursions, both because of entering T4 way early. Funny thing was the second time I continued along for 2 more corners before finally falling off the track! If I ever get the DADs installed I might actually find a comfortable position for heal & toeing, then watch out.

Lets talk technique. Remember stock ‘82 SC. I started off using 2nd on T1 but eventually got fast enough to use 3rd. It seemed faster around the turn but “flat” exiting for a few seconds. I had a chance to ride w/some instructors who all used 3rd. How about you guys? Never really got a good jump out of the Oak Tree (poor seating position precluded smooth 3/2 down shift), but was still able to see 133+ (indicated) before braking for the roller coaster. Did better entering the front straight & usually was well over 120 by my braking mark. Did manage to hydroplane at just over 100 on Saturday afternoon right in front of the tower at pit out!! You can bet I moved my line track left on my next pass!

Linda had fun too; this was her first time on VIR. She stepped back into Green, so we could share the car but was moved back into Blue on Saturday. Though “signed off” Saturday afternoon she chose to keep her instructor on Sunday. She’s very technical so she felt her way around the track Friday morning, familiarizing herself w/the line. Her instructor commented to me how she must have learned her lesson well because she was “quantitatively faster" right after lunch!

[APKhaos]

Greg: Full video record of the Nascar corner event

David: there was water welling up on the track at the tower. I found it when nailing fifth at that point and having the rear twitch out. Very exciting at those speeds

[BW911]

It was a fabulous weekend, and I've been too exhausted to type since getting back home Sunday night. We even had a little "fun run" up 29 on the way back, with Ted taking point most of the way for Tony, Marc, myself and the "other' Pete Kauffman.

The track was a blast -- and intimidating. It takes some time, at least for me, to get up the nerve to drive right up to the late turn-in at the Roller Coaster 14, where the Earth falls away from you, and dive down under acceleration. Same for those last 2 turns before the finish-line straight. I loved that back straight, and it gave my new engine a chance to shine, but I have to admit I didn't reach the 133 that Dave did. Close, maybe, a few times. I felt like I got the hang of the Oak Tree turn, but only after Marc shared his driving and turn-in tips with me. Once I started doing it the way Marc did, my instructor kept saying, Wow, you've really nailed that turn now.

Ted really became quick, quickly. On Friday I gave him a one-finger pass signal and kept the pedal down, laughing at him staying behind. But by Sunday when we played cat and mouse, I had to "let" him pass me. I was pressing so hard to keep ahead of him that I started blowing my turns. Once around me, he was gone.

Tony's an inspiration, not only for his agressive and undaunted driving, but also for his shrug-it-off cool after an off-track adventure. I happened to be chowing down at the restaurant and watching when he straightened the Nascar turn. I thought maybe he was trying to join me.

This was the first event I can remember when I had no mechanical problems and no oil leaks! I'm loving my newly rebuilt engine and brake upgrades. Again following Marc's lead, I installed the Boxster monoblock calipers up front.

Most fun of all though was hanging out with the other Dorkis in the shade of Jason's trailer. He graciously let us store all our crap in his dry trailer and provided entertainment for us with his 356.

All in all, a memorable and fabulous time that left everybody eager for more opportunities at track time and VIR.

-- Bill W.

[APKhaos]

Track hungry Dorkspeeders might want to check out the Northern New Jersey PCA three day event at VIR - 7 - 9 November.

NNJR run a first class operation, and provide plenty of track time. I still remember my first run at VIR with NNJR as a great weekend!

Details at http://vista.pca.org/nnj/
Registration form at http://vista.pca.org/nnj/Inprogress/LongForm2003.doc