[qwk_croc]

Originally Posted by Robert in Potomac

Looks like a pit in signal would have been nice and probably beneficial.

Agreed. Gave no signals and liked to flash his lights at people when approaching. Closing speeds were very very high, so I guess it makes sense, but not something normally done at DEs.

[qwk_croc]

Originally Posted by BMAN

I was thinking :12

Non-S Cayman? Gearing looks different/longer.

A 2:05...hum....one day!

Yes, gears are much longer in the 5-speed. You drive it! Top out in 4th gear around 130mph on the straights.

[Hunter]

Originally Posted by Varejao17

Yeah - Chip had a spare hitch with the correct ball size.

Short version: On Thursday, picked up the trailer, loaded the car, drove to VIR with no issues. On Sunday, hooked the trailer to the Jeep, tried to load the trailer, and the trailer kept slipping off the Jeep. Upon inspection, I had the wrong sized hitch ball.

Who is the Saint that protects idiots? I need to pay for a mass to be said in their honor.

I guess like a lot of folks, I need bigger balls at the track.

ed

Glad Chip had the right one for you.

And note I was not the one who said you needed bigger balls at the track.........

[Dandelion]

Originally Posted by Hunter

Glad Chip had the right one for you.

And note I was not the one who said you needed bigger balls at the track.........

Yeah, I was disappointed in you.

ed

[Dr K]

Originally Posted by qwk_croc

Set a 2:17 personal best during the last session on Sunday. Glad we finally got some awesome weather!

Originally Posted by arob

Nice driving! I see a potential :15 in there.

Originally Posted by BMAN

I was thinking :12

Non-S Cayman? Gearing looks different/longer.

Originally Posted by qwk_croc

A 2:05...hum....one day!

Yes, gears are much longer in the 5-speed. You drive it! Top out in 4th gear around 130mph on the straights.

Seriously - very smooth! What tires are you on? In terms of those faster times, keep it up, stay smooth, and there are a few places to gain. I think you're giving up significant time up the esses (they're more stable with throttle on) and in fact Turn 10/South Bend is now faster with less off-camber at track out (but still a car eater if taken too fast!) so you can try to edge up your speed there a bit, but try faster esses and faster South Bend on different laps...

The right hand kink before Oak Tree can be taken a little further from the curb, to widen out the arc there and gain speed going into that long straight.

Also consider begining the roller coaster in 3rd rather than 2nd - I don't know your car, but in both my 911 and my Miata (both 5-speeds) it feels faster in 2nd, but data shows it's actually faster in 3rd. You can also pick up some time by braking less before the last left-hander and brushing the brake (ideally with left foot although I can't pull that off) just after the turn, as you come off the curbing which you just rode to give a wider arc going into the right-handers that include Hog Pen. Finally, I think you're giving up speed in turn 3 (by the cafe) because you should be fighting to stay on track there, at least a little. You're so smooth there it makes me think you could be faster, but maybe you're just smooth.

Although everybody wants more power, I think a non-S is more fun in that you can approach the limit more easily and really keep the revs up. Watching your video gave me a huge smile!

[qwk_croc]

Originally Posted by Dr K

Seriously - very smooth! What tires are you on?

Dr K, thanks for all of the comments. I'm on NT-01s and loving them. That 2:17 lap was the fastest I've taken T10, data says 86mph, and the variance graph shows a lot of time gained there versus normal laps (2:19-20). Inching up the speed in T10 was a big focus for me last weekend.

I'll have to try T13-14-15 in 3rd next season. It's possible I'm braking too much to get down into 2nd.

There are plenty of places I'm sure I could pick up some time if I pushed, but I'm having fun and have to drive the car back home at the end of the weekend

[N0tt0N]

Originally Posted by qwk_croc

Set a 2:17 personal best during the last session on Sunday. Glad we finally got some awesome weather!

Nice job, Steve. Non-S driven to/from track car. Well done. Looks like you were having a ball. Sunday was awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[N0tt0N]

Thanks to all the volunteers for making the weekend happen. I continue to be impressed by the flexibility of the DE team to roll with the punches and come up with a win. Thanks especially to the grid team and the stewards for braving the weather all day long Friday and Saturday and the sun on Sunday. I was equally impressed by the willingness to learn and adjust like the decision to not have combined Red/Black with the crowded upper run groups where maybe two drivers left early after the less than optimal PorscheFest experience. The schedule was adjusted, nobody lost track time, and everyone had a great finish to the weekend. Thank you!

Given the lead in to the weekend it really turned out to be epic.

We picked up the F250 early Wednesday, got the trailer from storage, picked up #401 at Mihnea's, and showed them all DC for the first time. #401 was not impressed although it took a good look at Rock Creek Parkway on the way in, contemplating a WOT run all the way up. Tina and I wrapped the car in industrial plastic wrap in anticipation of a wet haul down on Thursday.


Luckily it was a perfect day for a drive down (we avoided the frozen chicken giveaway scene) and only began to get overcast as we pulled in to VIR.

We had to evict Jan Magnusomebody from our garage spot when we arrived but he seemed to take it well. We couldn't get one of the Risi Competizione Ferraris to leave so we assigned them to Black Run Group.


We immediately began to acclimate ourselves to 'driving quickly with others' shuttling the golf carts over. Here Vranko demonstrates a safe reentry to the track after a spin.


Saw some nicely duded up cars that looked really nice standing still at the evening Tech. This was a very successful session with almost everyone coming through and reducing Friday morning Tech to just a trickle of late arrivals.


Unfortunately, the later things went the worse the weather got. It began to look downright ominous by the early evening.


I'm not sure if Vranko called ahead but his garage was labeled thusly:


When Saturday showed up it was basically:

and


Most of us went out for some fairly tense sessions with students and Vranko went out like a madman though he did pay the price in paper towels sopping up the monsoon after each session


Otherwise it was a series of detailing seminars from 987kmns

leaving 401 feeling pampered and somewhat flushed


There's a possibility we'll be expecting little Caymans in the Spring


Saturday was kind of

Though the later part of the day was down to some damp track and cold drivers.

We find out how many people can get the heads through the front engine compartment hole in a 986. Sorry Ion!


My student was a fiery Aussie that made huge progress during the weekend. I had a great time with her once the weather cooperated. I also did a ride along with Mark S - nice job, buddy!

I enjoyed spending time with Vranko's Green Classroom as well as BMAN's White Classroom.

Sunday. Now Sunday....

[Le Cochon Volant]

And then there was that White run group guy who wouldn't give up despite the downpour, but gave you lunchtime viewing entertainment...

[RV4Flyer]

Originally Posted by Varejao17

Yeah - Chip had a spare hitch with the correct ball size.

Short version: On Thursday, picked up the trailer, loaded the car, drove to VIR with no issues. On Sunday, hooked the trailer to the Jeep, tried to load the trailer, and the trailer kept slipping off the Jeep. Upon inspection, I had the wrong sized hitch ball.

Who is the Saint that protects idiots? I need to pay for a mass to be said in their honor.

I guess like a lot of folks, I need bigger balls at the track.

ed

Now I don't feel so alone. I did the same thing at VIR in March while towing using my buddies truck and trailer. Chip helped me out but unfortuantely he did not have any balls to save me. Was able to hit the Auto Zone just up the road and purchase the correct size to drive home with. This must be a conspiracy between Chip and VIR.