Yeah, it should be sent to Don Flow at dflow @ flowauto .com (dunno if it even matters typing it out like to prevent spam...lol).

Everyone please send an email of appreciation and ask for a 2-day event next year!

 

That's so funny, Ambrosia. I was fascinated by that same bridge you were on, just from a different perspective.

Danville did a great job of reclaiming the waterfront to make a 7 mile river hiker/biker trail. The odd thing is that there's this wonderful waterfront on the right and all these dilapidated bridges and factories surrounding the trail. Strangely beautiful in their decay.

Sorry for the off topic photos but it's a part of Danville I don't think many people got to see. I'll have track photos coming up shortly.

Glenn


1) I think this is the same bridge from Ambrosia's photos.




2) Awesome waterfront on the right of the trail.




3) With rundown factories lining both sides of the river.




4) Here's an old bridge that they made into a pedestrian walkway.




5) Same bridge.

 

These are some amazing photos! Thanks Ambrosia and Glenn!

 

Here are my track photos:

1) Sunday's tech inspection. Didn't really check for much, did they? Tires...yep. Engine? You're good to go!




2) Uh oh, 98 degrees! ....... Actually, I never once noticed the heat. Never noticed sweat. Maybe I was distracted but the temps were never a problem.




3) Setting up nice and early Monday morning.




4) Larry (playplay) getting ready.




5) The gang hanging out, trying to calm our nerves.




6) Laura (greencactus) heading to the (non)Skid Pad. Novices heading out here first before heading towards the track.




7) Tom's (t&cmcsa) turn.




8) Laura and Tom out on the pad.




9) In class with Phil Wicks.




10) Laura out on the track.




11) Ed (hypnohealer) takes the infamous Oak Tree Corner. Gosh I never got the hang of that corner!




12) After we were all out on the track.




13) Some of the other MINIs at the event.




14) Parade lap time. Around lunchtime they let us go around the track at a leisurely pace and take photos and to take family members for a ride. Sorry to Marina, who was behind me, if I was all over the track. Kind of hard to drive with one hand and take photos.

 

Cool !

 

Nice pics! Especially the one of me being passed.

 

Yes, for those who went to VIR this year, and even those who might go next year, please send Don Flow and e-mail with your thanks, praise, and interest in attending another event next year.

 

David G. Thank you very much for the public humiliation of my score !!!
Just in case someone forgot my prior posting I arrived last : now we have blue on white (at least I was not the worst time of the SOLO I !!!) .

I think you guys - the instructors- did a fantastic job. It's always very hard to understand what the student's expections are and yet, push each one of us to test our limits...

I went to the 2 day BMW Performance Driving School last year and took the autox courses from the local SSCA group: the PW Academy Driving School was the one that gave me the confidence I am building up in the last couple of years. I couldn't have been better paired with an instructor like Chris - kinda different from the others, but perfect for what I needed. Thanks to him I was driving on my own thrughout the 3rd session... I never would have dreamed to be on a track on my own... actually passing a couple of cars .. and of course, being passed...

For a woman is bit different and intimidating, but I felt at ease throught the day, talking with other instructors and asking for tips how to improve my heel and toe technique ..

I have a powerful MINI and I learned a lot about her on Monday, mostly not to panic when she seems to have a mind of her own (particulary around Oak Trees ) but to gently re-direct her ... I continued until the end and when a lot of people withdrew from the 4th session I was pushing hard, OK I could have pushed a bit harder..but I will leave that for next event...

Do I have to wait 'til next year ????.

 

I've been asking myself that very same question!

 

Some more action shots from the track. This is pretty much all I have from the track.

g.

1) Continuing on the Parade Laps. Laura is leading us with Ed, Daniel (d-unit), myself followed by Marina.




2) Marina (lastrega) in the rearview.




3) By far my favorite sequence of curves on the course!




4) Group photo time. Laura poses for Dave (wronglanedave).




5) Ed and Dr. P.




6) Marina hits the straightaway. I was shocked my first time around to hit 98! Made it a point to hit 100 every time after that, the first time I've ever gone that fast. My max speed in my stock S was 105. BUT...I only hit that once before my instructor told me that I was concentrating too much on speed and I'm losing my lines. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.




7) Larry chases down a HO MINI.




8) Ed passing.




9) Laura leads the way.




10) Marina heading back out.




11) Larry down the stretch.

 

@PlayPlay: The restaurant is called the Yancey House: http://www.yanceyvillage.com/contact_directions.htm
Maybe it's a good thing that you didn't go there - they're closed on Mondays.

Sounds like a few people got bitten by the bug. =) Check out your local SCCA for driving schools. (In NC, there's the Tarheel SCC, Tarheel BMWCCA, Triad SCC, and NCRSCCA, not sure about DC.) Autocross is also another way to test your driving skills, although it feels like mini golf (aka putt-putt) after you've driven on the track. It's a little easier on your car because you're not going as fast, and the entry fee is in the neighborhood of $25. Kind of like hot wings compared to a full rack of ribs - can be spicier and satisfying in its own way, but not the same level of commitment.

-Ben

 

For the newly addicted, there are several organizations that have upcoming events at Summit Point and VIR.

For top quality instructors, IMHO you can't beat the BMW Club. There is an annual membership fee, but if you plan on doing several events per year, their track day prices are typically less than what other groups charge, so it evens out. The National Capital Chapter (www.nccbmwcca.org), Delaware Valley Chapter (www.delvalbmwcca.org), and New Jersey Chapters (www.njbmwcca.org) all have events at Summit Point.

August 2-3: NCC BMW Club Highway Safety School and Driver's School @ Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit
September 13-14: NJ BMW Club Driver's School @ Shenandoah Circuit
October 11-12: NCC BMW Club Driver's School @ Shenandoah Circuit

Other groups, which are free to join and open to all makes of cars are MazdaDrivers (www.mazdadrivers.com) and TrackDaze (www.trackdaze.com)

August 28-29: TrackDaze VIR Full course
August 30-31: MazdaDrivers VIR Full Course
October 4-5: TrackDaze Shenandoah Circuit
November 1-2: MazdaDrivers Shenandoah Circuit
November 17: TrackDaze VIR Full Course

If single day events are more your thing, there's Summit Point's own instructional group, BSR (Bill Scott Racing - track owner) www.bsr-inc.com
Their Friday at the Track program is good for beginners.

October 10: Summit Point Main Circuit
October 24: Shenandoah Circuit
November 7: Summit Point Main Circuit

My fiancee and I have had good experiences with all of the above mentioned groups. There's also CDC, NASA, SCCA, EMRA, and others we have not tried out yet.

Happy Motoring

 

What an incredible weekend! The track was fantastic, and everyone I met was friendly.

I don't post on here much, but I'm Jackson, Maddie's boyfriend, and we were down there driving Ambrosia the Mini around the track. I was the guy sweating all over the place from the get-go. Here's us: http://dirtboxradio.com/images/20080...s/IMG_1563.htm

I thought the class was a great value. We've gone to an autocross school before, but I could never quite get into it like I did over the weekend on the South Course. My instructor (David) was really helpful, patient, and a really nice guy. He give me some excellent tips and tricks, and before I knew it I was scooting along feeling very smooth and consistent. I'm completely hooked. Must. Have. More. Track.

The Mini was great out there, too. I felt like I had a lot more car than skill, my only complaint was some pushing at the limit... larger rear sway bar time, perhaps? The trip further reinforced my want for all things cooper, and if I wouldn't end up so upside-down in getting out of my current cars, I'd be in one tomorrow (or whenever it arrived. I'd have to special order).

Cheers to John and the rest of y'all that I met this weekend. I'll try to make it down for a cruise with Maddie sometime.

 

MrMellowYellow - that's exactly the bridge that we were running around on. I couldn't pass up a tasty bit of urban decay to hone my n00besque photog skills on.

 

No need to be sorry at all. During each session I usually ending up behind you and your friend Heather. It was fun watching both of you improve each time you were on the track. I might have driven faster but you were a lot smoother in the turns and made it harder for me to play catch up

After each session, I could tell that all us Novices were improving and getting really excited about our next adventure on the track.

I remember how nervous all of us were before our first session

I personally cannot wait to do this again

 

Thanks for all the great info, especially about Summit Point, since that is only an hour and a half away rather than six hours. I love VIR but it is a long haul!

.

 

OMG, Glenn...those track photos are fantastic! Thanks so much!

 

Okay here is my measly contribution :

1. Pre-Reg/Inspections (Brian0758, PlayPlay, GreenCactus):



2. Rise & Shine Racers!



3. DCMM in the South Paddock





4. Mr EZ and others in the Paddock



5. Jerrianne cleaning her windshield



6. Poor MINIs letting off some steam!



7. Jerrianne and Heather cooling off with ice packs - Great Idea!



8. Many thanks to Laura & Ed for their canopies!



9. MINI's on the grid:




10. JUST LOOK AT THOSE SMILES!!!! (and the crazy guy in the full nomex suit)





11. The Beast

 

Great photos, Larry! LOOOVE the picture of Heather and Jerrianne! What a great time we all had!

g.

 

I wish I were there.

 

Oh yes, I just love the pictures of Jerriane and me
Thanks to the entire DC club for including me as a "honory member" -- what a great time.

 

Hey "Apex" it was nice meeting you and I am glad you enjoyed the drivin

Did you hubby ever get the hood scope reinstalled?

Brian

 

I just downloaded a video editing software....I gotta post some vids of the novice group, one of Marina zipping by, and The Beast. Watching you guys zipping by on cam just puts a bit smile on my face.

Kcfrank1, very glad to have met you! You already feel like part of the fam. Hope you can join us for another Mini event soon

 

Darn - I'm really sorry I missed this one! Part of the reason I never signed up was that I wasn't sure I'd have my MINI at the time it was on. I'll definitely be up for the next one if Phil ever comes into town again.

Glad you all had a great time!

 

Let's leave out my U turn on the track should we??