Whats the track layout now?
Do they run a chicane into 10 and out of 11 like they do for the bikes?

 

Full course, original turn 9, down trough 11. using short turn 7.

 

Sunday was a fabulous day with Shiva running better and better until some bonehead put his BRAKES ON on the back side of the hill at 3B which left me no where to go when I got there with 30 degrees of steering dialed in and my foot on the floor except into the back of his car or into the tires. I chose the latter. No physical damage to me, but the sheetmetal is bent again. Man, I'm getting tired of running with amateurs. I'm gonna hang up this track day stuff and go racin'. At least I'll be able to trust racers not to throw the anchor out over a blind hill or in the S's or in Turn 10.

I'm going on hiatus until the car is fixed and I have my provisional racing license.

That is all. Carry on.

 

Jerry, Sorry to hear that. Didn't you get a racing license when you went through the russell school?
Let me know if I can help in any way. Plenty of space to park at my place, not sure what else I can offer.
3B is hard enough just trying to stay on track without a bone head stopping in the way. It was good to see you on Sat. and see Shiva's short run. Hope the repairs are not to bad.
PM me with your plans and contact info.
vince

 

Jerry,
Major bummer. Sorry to hear about the "issue". Was looking forward to "chatting" with you at AMVIV. Hope you're back on the road/track soon.

 

 

aww man I hate when people go to thunderhill and decide to "cruise the track" I mean come on man you are on a race track!!! you are there to go fast and take some risks too.

 

True, but being on the track doesn't make you a "racer." You still need to be responsible and drive within your abilities. Having other drivers with that kind of mentality is why my Mini is never going to the track. If I'm going to spend the money to go to the track, I take my sportbike.

 

I agree that you should drive within your abilities. what I was getting at in my post was: slow drivers on a demanding course such as thunder hill or laguna seca can be as equally dangerous as an insane unexpeirenced driver. now Im not saying I am a "racer" but I will push myself and my car to our respective limits (while maintaining safety).

 

The car will be ready for the March 8th-9th NASA event where, if all goes well, I will make my racing debut in Performance Touring as a rookie.

There will always be hazards and risks involved in any track event - that's what gets the adrenaline pumping. And I agree that if you are more concerned with those risks than with the rush that comes from going fast at a controlled, safe, and purpose-dedicated facility, you should stay on this side of the k-wall.

The first thing you must do when you go racing is accept the risks; the next thing you must do is write off your race car. This sport is not for everyone.

 

Good on yer.

See ya thar.

Wheels still on B/O, efers.

 

I don't see the correlation between a track day and a race day. Just driving at a track even doesn't mean you are racing. Many drivers use it to better their skills so they are better drivers, especially in emergency situations. Driving fast doesn't mean you are learning anything or becoming a better driver. This is very common with motorcycle track events. I haven't been to a car one so maybe it's different on the 4 wheel side.

 

Maybe I don't understand.

Did you mean correlation or distinction?

The correlation is that both track days and races are conducted on a purpose built race track.

Track days are amateur events that require no safety equipment other than a helmet and nothing of the car except it be in good condition. They are not about competition but about exploring the capabilities of one's car and one's own abilities in a safe environment, with instruction if requested.

Racing requires much more safety equipment for the car and driver as well as much more experience and a racing license for the driver.

The distinction is that the former can be done with your daily driver; the latter cannot.



I have been doing track days in my Mini since the fall of '03. After two shunts at the last two events, both to avoid another car on track I am moving up to racing. I figure if I'm going to have to play dodge ball anyway, it might as well be for a trophy.

 

Once your abilities are above the other drivers you are on the track with, I can see where playing dodge ball avoiding them as you drive at your comfort level can be an issue. What I was getting ay is a track day is a non competitive event and you can always expect to find a varying range of talents. Coming over a blind hill and finding a slower moving vehicle can be expected. I've been through the dirt in the corkscrew at Laguna Seca (I haven't been to THill) on my sportbike missing a slower rider. After that I gave a bigger cushion to other riders so I could push my limits without fear of catching someone at an inopportune time. Since I do not race, keeping it full tilt "so to speak" all the way around a track is really pointless. Slowing in some parts to give me space between myself and others when in corners or approaching blind areas is common sense. In a race environment, it's obviously a bad idea since WFO is the name of the game and low lap times is the key.

Is there a local racing series for Mini's? I'd like to see some in person.

 

The "slower vehicle " in this case was a Mitsubishi Evo that had just passed me going away down the front straight. Therefore, it was a BIG surprise to find him with his brakes on over the crest of the blind hill. Nevertheless, you are right. I was caught out and paid the price.

MINI Racing: Randy Smalley (Grand AM) in the east, Bob Scheer (USTCC) and me (PTD) in the west. Vince (and maybe Matt) will be running Time Trials this season.

Maybe there will be a Challenge Series for us to run in 2009 if MINIUSA makes good on their promise to bring the Challenge cars over here.

 

<lots of bitter SCCA racers> chuckle cough cough.... </lots of bitter SCCA racers>

 

You were surprised that an Evo went really fast on the straight, but not in the corners?

 

Hope enough time has passed so you don't take offense to this...

HOW DID THE MOSQUITO LARVAE TASTE!

 

That's right! You ran aground there, too. I guess we can say that at the Sears Point party, we've both danced with the fat chick.

 

Dude. A well driven Evo is hella fast on the straights AND in the corners, as is a well driven STi. I have nothing for either of those cars if their carbon units are functioning properly. In this case, the driver obviously had a brain fart at a critical point. He knows bettter. He's an instructor.

 

He should have pulled to the inside over the top if he was going to roll off the throttle there. Its a blind over the crest right hander.

 

So he was an amateur instructor?

 

 

Nice of you to chime in, sled boy. We've really missed your scintillating commentary. Are you going to AMVIV this year? There's a race on Friday the 28th at Spring Mountain. Nice track. Are you on the grid? I am.

 

HAHAHA! That's not exactly what I meant. He doesn't run Time Trials or race. I'm sure he's a very good instructor. None of us instructors get paid, BTW, it's strictly voluntary, so I guess you could say we're all amateurs.