[BW911]

Dorkis were ably represented by a small but enthusiastic band of NoVa trackheads at VIR this weekend. Tony, Charlie and myself joined the Tar Heel Sports Car Club and Triangle Z Car Club for two days of winter fun on the full VIR track. It was the first event of the season for the VIR track. We had two great days, although approaching bad weather from the south sent everyone scurrying home early, forcing us to miss the final run session of the weekend.

Tony's new Ath-ol 944 Turbo made a spectacular debut. It looked great on the track and kept a smile on Tony's face all weekend. Tony hadn't even driven the car until Saturday morning; when Charlie and I got there around 7am, Tony was tooling around the paddock in his new ride.

Charlie got a right-seat ticket with Tony for one session and came back, um, impressed. Unfortunately my promised ride was cancelled by the weather. Charlie's own car looked and sounded great in its first track outing since the rebuild, although a loose spark plug wire caused some momentary excitement. The big news, though, is Charlie can honestly brag he was repeatedly passing a 12-cylinder Lambo Countach! I'll leave aside the detail that its driver was a 0/0 greenie. Damn impressive anyway.

My Carrera with upgraded brakes and rebuilt engine performed flawlessly too. We all had a blast. And the Tar Heel club really put on a well-organized, well-run event. My instructor really knew his stuff. And it was a lot of fun running with all sorts of other makes. There was everything from Honda Civics to radical prototypes not much bigger than a go-cart; Corvettes, Alfas, a 2002, M3s and an M5; even a Chevy Impala, and lots of small front-wheel drive cars. I can tell you from experience that those WRX STIs can move. And even those Miatas can fly with the right driver behind the wheel.

Oh, and a nice selection of Porsches.

Anyway, it was a great tune-up for the season on a fabulous track. Only thing missing was more Dorkis -- and we could have used your trailer too Jase, as shelter from the wind.

Marc and Smackpipes, bring it on.

Bill

[Mackpipes]

This is killing me! I've got a totally empty case in my garage awaiting internals from the machine shop and you guys are out shaving tires. I can't wait to get out there. Glad you guys didn't get totally snowed out.

Charlie, nice kill on the Lambo.

[Doug E]

Glad to hear it was a successful first outing.

Look forward to seeing you in the paddock soon

[87turbolook911]

Sounds like you had a great time. Can't wait to hear more of the Lambo details.

[APKhaos]

This will be short - I'm leaving for NYC in a minute!

The three hardy Dorkis represented well. I had students in green and yellow groups, so had a chance to run with Bill and Charlie on track. Charlie's new engine sounds fantastic, and pulls strongly. Stong enough to pass a very nice speed yellow Countach that sounded like a wailing banshee Nice kill, Charlie!

Bill was rocking around in fast section of the yellow group. His instructor had professional race experience and a gorgeous BMW race car, which grenaded a zero-hour engine on the first day. Ugh!

The new car was a real surprise. It was far stronger and better balanced than I had expected, and really tempted me to stretch the limits of the ultra-cold VIR surface. In reality, I probably got no closer than 70% due to a combination of the cold and a bit of holding back till I learn more about the way the car handles. Managed to nail it a little too hard coming out of turn 2, and looped it several times - too much power for the cold track. Charlie came for a ride after lunch on Saturday, and nearly lost his lunch as a result [sorry Charlie]. Bill was due to ride in the after lunch session on Sunday, but the weather turned nasty - snow and ice - so the event was closed early.

ATTENTION DORKIS!! Tarheel/Triangle Z club run a fantastic event. Organization, safety, and track time were first rate. The instructor crew was very impressive. A good mix of cars - some Porsche, plus lots of Z-cars, Corvettes, Bimmers, SCCCA racers, etc. I instructed in a track prepared 360Z that was very impressive - nice car!

Anyone who is looking for track time with a great group should look at this club. Highly reccommended!

[Charlie Stylianos]

Got home around 6:00pm last nigt and crashed out until 8:00am this morning.

It was a great weekend and a very well sorted event.

I'll post more deatils and a couple mini videos later this evening.

[CrewChief]

I sympathize with you Tony. Sure it's not easy learning to drive a well designed car with with inherently good balance.

[APKhaos]

One gratuitous pic.......

[rs911t]

but ... but ... it's gorgeous ... but the engine's in the front ... but ... looks fast ... slippery green water in the engine?! ... cool! ... only four cylinders? ... but a turbo ... hmmmmm :P

[87turbolook911]

Looks great Tony....hope you're having a blast with it!