[Mackpipes]

Okay Dorki track junkies, lets hear some smack!

[Jim Richards]

I survived VIR.

[rs911t]

[APKhaos]

What was the final tally of run group promotions and solo sign-offs?

Greg was promoted and signed off, and I'm sure there were others. I ran every run group but the last Red on Sunday, so did not have time to check out everyone's progress.

C'mon, who made progress?????

[APKhaos]

FWIW, I have been having diaobolical trouble with understeer. Finally had Charlie at Intersport put it on the rack, and make some adjustments. It was like a new car! Very neutral, turns in nicely, and no sign of the horrible ploughing as the gas came on in higher speed corners. Had my best lap time at VIR by several seconds. Great stuff!

Highlights of the weekend:
- Green students [dad & son] in a nice new 996TT. Amazing car. Bags of power, and enough sensors and computing horsepower to bail the driver out of the most egregious screwups. Don;t let anyone who drives one of these tell you they know how to drive a 911. Nothing like it!

- Power trip 1 Right seat riding in Greg's turbo was a blast. That car is really nicely set up, and really shines on the larger VIR layout.

- Power trip 2 Right seat riding in Tom Falkenberg's yellow 928-based race car. This is the Tilos car which was owned by a past Potomac member. Two owners since, and both sold after the car about scared them senseless. For those who have not seen it, its a totally stripped 928 shell with tube frame/cage stiffening, huge brakes and massive suspension. Power is around 650HP from the stroked and supercharged Porsche V8. It is a beast, and a blast to drive. Tom is getting it tamed, and doing some really nice laps. Great fun.

- Test Drives Art Parsons and Kurt M each had a session in my car. Art is thinking of buying one, and I just wanted Kurt to get a sense of what a FEWC felt like [both of us have now only driven one 951 - mine!]. Both came back grinning.

- Rode with Marc, who is driving a righteous line and getting the best out of his car. Nice ride.

- I owe Chris M a right seat ride. Simply ran out of dance card this weekend. WIll make it up to you, Chris!

[rs911t]

Ok, guess I can elaborate. In short, had a great time. Here's the summary.

Power Trip 1: Riding left seat in Greg's turbo. Wow! This car and VIR get along quite well.

#1 Fun Moment: Going into Turn 14 really fast, braking at the arrow and trail braking all the way thru. A hoot!

#1 Pucker Moment: Going into Turn 14 really fast, but offline due to a late pass.

#1 Funny Moment: Coming around Oak Tree and seeing Chris 100 yards ahead with his arm out the window giving me the pass.

#1 Sad Moment: The car developed a distinct metallic rattle under the right valve cover on the last lap Sunday. Haven't pulled the cover to see what lies underneath.

Great weekend. Can't wait to do it again.

[Jim Richards]

As a VIR first-timer, I have to say that it's an amazing track. So many turns, elevation changes, and some serious pucker moments. Beautiful setting, excellent track surface, lots of runoff area. I had a great time there. I'm really looking forward to my next DE at VIR.

[Mackpipes]

God I love that track!

The first day I was more F'd up than a tennis helmet. I was all over the place. I was kind of glad I was back in green. The second day was much better, more confident and more trusting of the car. The third day I was on my game. I got re-promoted to blue. (Thank you Pete Kauffman) Had some really great runs.

#1 fun moment: Right seat ride in Kurts car. Lesson learned: Don't EVER underestimate that 4 banger!

#1 pucker factor: Right seat ride in Tony's 951. I don't advise doing this first thing in the morning after an Octoberfest party the night before. Amazing car!

#2 pucker factor: I looked away from my EMPTY rear view mirror for about two seconds only to look back up and see it filled with Greg's 930 trying to turn "The Pipes" into a hood ornament. (Sorry I didn't see you sooner)

Catch of the day: Got Josh spinning on video on the turn after Nascar bend.

I'm happy to say my rebuild withstood the riggers of track use beautifully. It pulled stongly all weekend, and managed to get me home. It is great to be part of the group on this board, It wouldn't have been the same with anyone else. Can't wait for the next VIR event.

[jpinkert]

What a weekend. VIR is very sweet and we had great weather (except for some nasty fog on Sunday morning). I'm still unwinding from the great time...I haven't unpacked yet! I did fire up my video camera last night to see if I got anything interesting...just a bunch of laps that are blurry due to the vibrations. One thing to note -- Betty uses a lot of hand gestures as she talks. Of course I didn't see them while driving.

Thanks to Betty for being my -final- instructor. I can't recommend her enough...she was very helpful. I also can't wait to get to my next event so that I can continue learning left foot braking. I was warned by Tony that it's an evil thing with nasty consequences. Ted caught the result on video...hopefully he'll post it in all its glory. And yes, I had more than one...actually 3 in the end. Call it 4 if you count my ride-along with Kurt (which was very educational).

#1 fun moment: Nailing hog pen the first time (and the second, and third...)

#1 pucker factor: Hitting hog pen early, easing into the gas, providing a little counter steer, and somehow managing to keep the car on track and moving along at a decent clip.

#2 pucker factor: Going agricultural at the indirect request of instructor #2 by braking at the 200 ft marker for turn 1 because he was sure my car had more braking power.

A big thanks to all for the great weekend and usual Dorki camaraderie.

So where's the best source for RA-1s?

PS - Lets get some pics up in the gallery.

[Mackpipes]

Josh,
Paul at Radial Tire has the best prices. Make sure to tell him you are with PCA.