Had a great and much different experience at VIR yesterday. I've done this track three previous times, but they were always in the dry. This was my first track experience in the rain and it was humbling! For most of the day it was pouring down rain which made the track conditions much, much different. There were puddles, running sheets of water down the hills, poor visibility, particularly on the long straight when behind other cars. Turns were probably 10-15 mph slower than in the dry, depending on the turn. Top speed was also limited by hydroplaning and extra braking distances. My first session was in the intermediate group with an instructor and a good feeler for track conditions. Those instructors who felt comfortable could sign off students to to drive during the instructor/expert group. I was signed off and the video below is a portion of that 2nd sessions for the expert levels. I was really starting to feel quite comfortable (my first problem!) and was trying to keep up with the Corvette. At the end of the video i was really trying to close the gap and my back end got loose, causing me to spin during the "S" turns. Luckily, no damage, other than a bruised ego. I pulled into the inspection pit and had the car looked over and continued on. My second spin of the day was during the Solo Autocross, where you race others in class against time. The track had become much more slippery by then and I carried a bit too much speed into the "S" turns and lost it again (and I wasn't the only one!). No problem, they let me do a do-over and I won for my class! All in all it was a great day!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unjx3e7d9tE

Thanks to my pals Paul and Mark for spinning out as well so I wouldn't feel so bad .

 

Doing pretty good chasing down the Vette.

Never done the north course only, just the full circuit old course. Looks like the north end misses the best, the snake, the roller coaster, hog pen and the real fast run up the climbing esses.

 

Twas a fun day at VIR, my first and only spin and then good results in the autocross with a third over all (Vette won) and second amongst the Minis.


PS: Did get the flyer by 3 seconds too...

 

Well, there was NO way I was going to take a chance spinning out again, so I did go quite a bit slower

 

.....suuuurre. And who's spin stopped my first run?

 

Spins...yuck!!

 

Wasn't that Paul

Until next time......

BTW, who had the fastest lap at the last session, both in class and overall.

 

What's that old saying... "Your only as good as your last........"

Look forward to the next time my friend!!

 

Good stuff!
Think it was running on the curb that got ya?

Jim

 

Hmm, hadn't thought of that. Could be!

 

You are so lucky... Everytime I go to a track weekend, I pray it rains. I want to be able to feel the car slide out from underneath me.

Glad you had a great time, I wish I could have been there.


Mark