2:12 at Thill using the turn 5 (crow's nest) configuration?
That's pretty good.

During our NASA Sears Point track day in October 7/8, we had a 400hp turbo Elise running like it was on rails.

Just got some tickets for this weekend laguna seca race (ALMS) for friday, saturday and sunday - anyone else going?

 

2:12 at Thill using the turn 5 (crow's nest) configuration?
yep.
That's pretty good.
Coulda been better. Need more seat time.

During our NASA Sears Point track day in October 7/8, we had a 400hp turbo Elise running like it was on rails.

400 hp? That's just . . . not right!

Just got some tickets for this weekend laguna seca race (ALMS) for friday, saturday and sunday - anyone else going?

Me. And a bunch of my LA and Dago peeps from the m|u. Bonfire Friday night, Grand Prix Campground, Site #153. Starts at sundown. Here's the link to the m|u thread.

 

The FMOD cap is again up for grabs this weekend (4&5 Nov) when the Golden Gate Chapter of the BMWCCA holds a two day driving school event at Infineon Raceway. Come and see the Black Wall of Death approach at over 100 mph. Definitely a sphincter exercise.

"You can't win if you don't play."

 

No takers? C'mon, guys!

BMWCCA invites all MINIs as "little brothers" to their events. The only thing I worry about is embarassing too many of those big heavy Beemers. It'll be cold and wet and the track will be slippery as goose snot; pefect weather for a low and light front driver. There will be ABS aplenty going into 4 and trying to get slowed down for 11. Anyone with a video camera who wants to park at the top of Turn 2 will get some great slide and spin footage! Gar-on-tee!

 

Can't do this one. ....but will be at ThunderHill on the 17th........a virgin at that....

 

Woo Hoo Willum! See you there. How was the Phil Wicks Buttonwillow event? I had a conflict and couldn't make it.

 

Kinda the normal "Phil Wick's" event.....had to recruit corner workers (good thing because Terrie "volunteered?" and now I have a comp track day coming), Snack bar wasn't open, not enough instructors (2-3 students per instructor). But I did have Brian Black as mine......helped a lot on an unfimiliar track........all was going good until the next to last session when I over shot the last turn heading onto the front straight and put 2 wheels off 'n lifted when I should have put the pedal down and did a nice 360 across the track and through the agriculture.. ..no harm no foul Felt REAL stupid 'cuz I know better. I was still picking dry grass, dust 'n dirt out all the way home Now she's all cleaned up a ready for the next adventure....

 

I think I'm the patron saint of agricultural excursions. Don't forget to check your air box filter. I clogged mine up big time while traveling through the weeds at a high rate of speed just past turn 8 at T-Hill last spring.

Sorry to hear about the instructor:student ratio at Buttonwillow. I don't like the idea of sending fresh newbies out alone for their first track experience, but it doesn't bother Phil, so there you are.

Glad you got a ride with Brian. Did you happen to ask him if Webb Motorsports still a going concern what with Randy back flying for United?

See you in a couple of weeks.

 

You guys missed Laguna today. It was damp, then dry, then wet, then fog socked in in 3 minutes and shut our session down. Lunch, then 70 degrees and sunshine for the afternoon. Carerra GT onsite. A Ferrari Challenge car was held off by my little MINI for 5 laps before I let him go out of 11...brakes to the floor, so I thought I should dial it back a little...LOTS of fast Audis on track today, damn RS4 makes me want a 4 door...Good event...missed other MINIs though, only 2 in A group and of course the one instructor

 

Infineon NOV 4&5

 

NASA is done for the year - long wait til February for next NASA event at Sears Point.

Any track day plans for the remainder year?

Looks like we have:
T.E.A.M. Thunderhill 11-17 and 12-11-06
NCRC Thunderhill 11-18 and 11-19-06
H.O.D. Thunderhill 12-9-06
Track Masters Thunderhill 12-10-06?

 

Yep. That's about it. I'm signed up for the T.E.A.M. Racing and Trackmasters events.

Last chance this year to give the FMOD hat a new home, folks! Come on down.

Buttonwillow yesterday. Got a ride in a full race Panoz and was able to give the driver some tips on improving his line through the grapevine and over Lost Hill. He tried them and they worked. What a ride!! Sad Arthur needs new brakes.

 

Any more information on the T.E.A.M event this Friday

 

Follow the yellow brick link.

 

hey Willum are you going to be at Thunderhill on Dec 9th. It's a saturday,should be fun. Hope to see you and the other fast MINIs.

 

Not this time.....family obligations......Holiday Party's....etc......

 

Fastest MINI of the Day hat is again up for grabs next weekend.

Sunday Dec 10 - Trackmasters @ Thunderhill
Monday Dec 11 - T.E.A.M.Racing @ Thunderhill.

It's easy. All you have to do is catch me and pass me on track and it's yours.
As well as bragging rights.
And the adulation of the multitude for making me shut my big mouth at last.

This could be yours:

 

It looks like it's going to rain all 3 days. If it does I'm not in. What do they do if it's a rain out, or do they not have rain outs? The weather forcast shows rain on the 8th,9th and the 10th.

 

Bummer. Just yesterday I checked and it was all sun...

 

Not to worry, Checkers. Really. You have a roof. Just slather on some Rain-X and you're good to go.

The events run rain or shine, but rain is great for training. It's like adding 250 horsepower to your car; that's how delicately you have to work the brakes, clutch and throttle. You will be surprised at how fast you can get around the track on the wet driving line. More than any other conditions, wet rewards smoothness.

It is also great practice for knowing how your car will handle in the wet, because, as you know, rainy season in NorCal is approaching and you will be driving in it. Don't be scared of the rain, just be careful, and you'll have fun and some great stories to tell afterward.

 

Drive in the rain. Its good for you...

 

Hey Jerry it was a fun time at Thunderhill yesterday. Trackmasters was a good deal at $125 and I liked how they allowed passing anywhere in the intermediate and advanced group. It sure beat the time I went there for the SCCA HPDE and they put up chicanes using cones and only allowed passing on the front and back straights.

I enjoyed following you and checking out your lines. The first session on a wet track was interesting. It evened up the differences in the cars and let me see how the Mini does when it is slippery. I was hoping it would pour so I could get some real rain practice, but since it dried up it was almost like any other day at Thunderhill, just much colder.

Hey do I get the hat? I passed you on the track when you were instructing in the S2000 and sitting sideways after the student spun it. You didn't say you had to be in your Mini and driving did you?

 

dbl post. sorry.

 

Hmmmm. I seem to recall when we were playing hare and hounds, I tried to show you the fast line when I passed you and tapped the roof indicating follow me, and then again when I passed you a couple laps later! And yes, there is no hat for fastest S2000 of the day. They really don't give the MINI much trouble.

Glad you had a good time. Winter driving can be challenging, but it is great fun and really good practice for improving your smoothness behind the wheel.

 

Oh yeah, I remember that part, where you came by with your tires screaming. So I guess you get the hat.