Yesterday was a grand day at LRP for the my season opener track day. Crystal clear blue sky, about 55 deg when I arrived and a strong cold wind out of the west. I could have done without the wind, but it was otherwise perfect track day weather.

This was an afternoon event put on by the Patroons chapter of BMWCCA. A lazy start to the day, which was nice. 4 hrs of open track for those signed off with the group. Only about 35 participants, so no crowded track (but I wonder if that covered the track fee?)

Smokey was brought out for the event.


Smokey all shiny and ready to go

Cobb webs and rust were the order of the first 2 times out. Ugh! And the new driving shoes didn’t help. There is only one place which requires a downshift and the heel and toe wasn’t working. Oh ya, the driving shoes aren’t as wide as my previous track shoes. I seem to remember having this issue last season, but that failed to carry over to this season. Cobb webs...

Into the second session the Cobb webs started to clear. The downshifts were better and I gained the confidence to take the downhill without hitting the brakes...

This the first time I had been out with the new Supra. This was a really quick car. And someone showed up with a monster C7 ZO6 Corvette (the lope in the idle gave hints to a none stock cam). It sounded great, but didn’t see much of it being driven. It would have been interesting to have been on the track with it.

I had one issue that was with a Miata that thought that slowing on the uphill was a good idea... Nope, it’s not. I came too close for comfort to tapping its rear bumper as a result. No harm, no foul. Maybe a bit of that rust kept me from reacting a little more quickly to his slowing and staying further from his bumper. Something to think about for the future.

Best part of the day was seeing a Veggivet show up in his classic Mini. The best car in the whole parking lot...


A perfect day for a cruse in the classic Mini

Overall a great day. A few rattles have started to show up in Smokey, which need to be looked into. They sound like loose sway bar bushings. But otherwise, he performed as great as always. And I will continue to sing the praises of the Falken 660 tires.

 

Great to see you too, Eddie 07S 👍 A picture perfect day to start your season. I couldn't believe all the open space out there on the track. Everybody looked quite smooth, even if they weren't driving 9/10. I suspect that this was the first day out for many drivers that were there. No sense risking things before the cobwebs and rust have dissipated. I'll be heading back to LRP next Saturday, if the weather cooperates, not for a track day but to spectate at a VSCCA event, which should have a couple of classic Minis in the lineup. If my car can pass inspection, I may sign up for May 13th, even though it is a full day schedule, and I prefer the half days in the afternoon. Thanks for all the info on those codes, and the suggestions to prevent one of my wheels from falling off while on track...

 

I'm jealous. Hope to see both of you soon. Until I get the classic Mini running and off the lift, I can't do the work needed to get the R56 ready for track days. Hopefully I'll be ready to track in June. VV: Is that an engine I see? What happened to electrification?

 

It was a perfect day. The classic cars I saw were a treat. Besides the classic Mini, there was a TR3 and a ‘50s Volvo. Yesterday was another perfect day and took a ride in the JCW on the Rt 2. At the passes trail head parking between NY and Mass I got to talk to a guy in a ‘56 or ‘57 Porsche. Beautifully restored. It was unique in that it carried the designation “European” on the side. The guy said this was only put on for about 2 months of production and that his was one of less than 10 (maybe 5 or 6?) that he knew of... Made our day!

VV - Enjoy next weekend...

 

GKP, yes, indeed, you do. I decided to keep it in for old time's sake. All the batteries are behind me in what used to be the rear seats. Since nobody ever sat back there, we figured to make use of the space. On the down side, we had to move the giant tower stereo speakers out of the car...☹️

 

I gotta see this thing! How is it to drive?

 

Scoped out some VSCCA action at Lime Rock on Saturday...

Do you think this Mini has enough camber dialed in??😉

 

I could do with a bit of that camber on my Gray MINI... It looks like this guy has some to spare...

And look at the width of the seat inside.
It goes past the center of the car and out to the second bonnet strip.

Looks like it was a nice day for it.

 

Driver wasn't there, but judging by the seat, he definitely wasn't Mini-sized!😁

 

Sunday we headed down to the Rhinebeck Fairgrounds for their vast car show. This is the first show of the year for many, and the turnout was impressive, despite being Mother's Day. There was a very nice Speedster not far from the British car section. Here are a few pix...


Side by side Minis...there was a Rolls Royce to the right of my car, the only one at the show.


Beautiful Speedster (Note the Citroen wagon in the background. Original paint and interior!)




Great matching paint job on these two. The bug was hitched up as if getting towed.

 

[QUOTE=veggivet;4621656] Sunday we headed down to the Rhinebeck Fairgrounds for their vast car show. This is the first show of the year for many, and the turnout was impressive, despite being Mother's Day.

Until recently, I wasn't aware of the Rhinebeck shows. I read they are worthwhile. I would have gone had it not been for Mother's Day. Maybe next time.

In other news, the classic Mini fired up (!!) a miracle after taking everything apart and putting it back together again. There's still work to do, and a brake line leak to sort out, but I'm getting there. Will post pix soon.

 

I found that Porsche 356 I saw a week ago Sunday. It is listed in the Porsche 356 European registry. So cool to have seen it. It is current registered in MA...


Porsche 356 Cabriolet 01/1956

This picture is from that registry...

 

Fyi guys, FCP Euro is hosting another gathering this Sunday at LRP, features mark this event is Porsche. Last event a few weeks ago was BMW.

Not sure the weather is going to good this time around tho..

 

That should be fun.

 

Eddie, lmk if you plan on going and we can drive down Rt. 22 'lead/follow'...😁

 

As much fun as that sounds, I’ll be sitting that one out. I thought about it, though. Enjoy and post pictures if you go.

 

Last event was heavily attended but the weather was perfect…..hope it works out this time.

 

Sunday, LRP - 80 deg and a chance of T-Storms...

 

Well, off to a bit of a late start this year, but I just signed up for a two day event at LRP sponsored by Empire Drivers, LTD. Looks like a fun group, with oodles of track time. Plus the price was right 👍

 

Go You!

Never heard of that group. Interesting, though. Saturday looks to be the better of the 2 days. Wish I could do it, but, alas poor Yorick, I can’t.

 

I never heard of Empire Drivers either. Let us know how the day is, and the group. I'm still wrapped up in house projects and getting the classic Mini running again. I bought a SCDA 5-day package and I'm starting to worry about getting my days in.

 

I will definitely report back. I may just do Saturday if the wet forecast for Friday holds up. I don't have to pay until I get to the track! Your 5 day track package will disappear quickly once you get the Classic sorted, I'm sure!😁

 

It looks like Friday’s weather for LRP is about 50% chance of rain at 6AM and that drops to about 25% by 9AM. Should be good from there. Might be a good day for getting the cobwebs out and then go full tilt on Sat. At any rate, hope you have a grand time.

 

A 2 day run to WGI will eat a lot of that...

 

I have my eye on the August event at Club Motorsports.