This evening I had time to look at the digicam photos from this past weekend. I had my MCS at Putnam Park, running with the Porsche Club. This was my third time out in the 'B' group, but this event was styled after a university, so they call us the Junior Class now (hence the green "Jr" on the windshield).

It was the first time I also was able to attend the open lapping session on Friday, and if you ever get invited, it is worth every penny. I got more track time on Friday than I did on Sat/Sun combined and there were fewer cars to hassle with!

My driving on Friday felt really sloppy. Couldn't hit the apex in turns 1 or 7 to save my life. The other turns were almost as miserable. It was the first chance I've had on track in dry conditions with my new Azenis (rt615), so I was experimenting with tire pressures. I finally had it dialed in and Saturday I was flying - humiliated a Cayman S (I later learned he was running on R compound tires) and a GT3. I normally would not be bragging like this, but neither of these guys would give me a point by until I had spent some time right on their bumper. The GT3 was hit with the passing flag (on sunday he was demoted to the Sophmore group). Saturday sessions were the best laps I have ever run in any car I've driven out there. Too bad I didn't have someone timing me that day. Someone did time me on sunday at 1'31.2" and that was not during my best session of that day.

Sunday afternoon had JR and SR classes combined, and I schooled a different GT3 from the SR group. Gapped him so much through turns 1-4 that he didn't catch up until after turn 10 (and then he blasted past like a rocket).

All in all, it was the best weekend I've ever had on track. Perfect weather. Car was running beautifully. All was right with the world. There was even another MINI in my group!! (that almost never happens when I'm in the 914) Here are a few pictures:

 

And one more picture - the only other action-ish one that turned out. I'm exiting turn 7. The Superformance coupe in the foreground is at the exit of turn 8...

 

Thats one fun track, loads of runoff room except for the last turn. They still have those soybean fields off turn 1? Drove a Viper off when the brakes failed, shrubbery was everywhere!!

 

No, just grass and a big dirt pile now. There were a few drivers who went "agricultural" from the apex of turn 1 and filled their cars with grass clippings. Now turn 5, if you really overcooked, you would end up in a corn field....

Here is a link from a semi-professional photographer that was out with the club all weekend:
Clicky clicky

 

I miss Putnam, that was a fun track......

 

I started on Putnam and have to say it's my favorite track. A close second is Mid-Ohio, though....

 

I'll be at Mid-O on Oct 11 with the MINI again. This is our make up day from when the track flooded last month. Many people have told me that between Putnam and Mid-O, there aren't many better and more fun tracks to drive...

One final story from last weekend (I can't believe I left this out before) - Sunday before the lunch break and after my second session, I decided to gas up. So off to the Marathon station. I pulled off track and went straight there, I still had all my driving gear on and in the car. While I'm at the pump, a local pulls up in an 80s dodge minivan that looks like it could be a mobile meth lab. I notice him staring at me, and he asks "Where ya racin' at?" (use your imagination to recreate his accent). I mention that there is a club event at Putnam Park, but guessing from his reaction I don't think he knows where that is. I give the directions, say that there is open viewing after signing the waivers, etc. There were a couple children in the meth van, I thought they might enjoy watching the cars. He looks even more confused at this point, so I just go back to minding my own business. He asks "what'll that thang do in the quarter?" I politely describe the track a road course, 1.8 miles, 10 turns, and I can run laps in the 1'31" range. I think his last brain cell exploded at this point and I drove away.

 

I'll be at Mid-Ohio the last weekend in Oct., for the Buckeye Club [BMWCCA] Hallowe'en Party [club races and HPDE].