Any room left for a newbie on the 10 & 11th Feb.? I've never had my mini on the track but I race karts at Infineon and have been through the advanced race course with Jim Russell. Any idea which group I would fit into? I was'nt able to get into the nasa web page to check on registration I'm just using my MotoQ phone to read this thread and it's a little cumbersome. Sounds like it will be a good time.

 

NASA will give you a chance to post your quals when you register and pick a run group. I'd recommend you start in 2 or 3 and take a check ride before moving up to 4, which is basically door to door racing (even though it's not a race, right Mickey?)

 

Thanks for the input. If I ever get off work tonight I will check out the registration page.

 

At Infineon what is a good time for a stock MCS with uprated rubber (Goodyear F1's). Configured with the slower 9a & 9b complex?

 

minispeedrcr: Just checked NASA's registration website, and looks like all HPDE groups are still open for registration.
Contact Barry Hartzel (831) 394-6002 NASA HPDE Director for HPDE group assignment.
Contact the Regional Director of Northern California 510-232-6272 for signing up (if you can't do it through the web).
Sign up soon. NASA always fills up very early for Sears Point.

My son races with the Jim Russel kart series, in which they typically race up on top of the hill at the kart track and not the car race track.
Not sure which track minispeedrcr is referring to.

Wow Jerry, you've really started something here, 6 MINIs signed up!
(wiping tear from eye).
Work up to group 4. You will soon know what it must be like running a MINI in a enduro. Lots of cars and great speed deltas.

 

Thanks for the info on NASA.
Kmickey, I race the Russell Saturday series at the kart track up the hill. I race in the old fat guys class, 80 Grand Masters, 45 years or older in 80cc shifter karts. It's just a smaller version of the Mini. What class and day does your son race? Maybe we have already met. Did you attend the year end awards banquet? I look forward to driving with you and Mr FMOTD.

 

Im an old fatty too. I should try karting with you...

Come out, this is my first NASA event too, but I have lots of HPDEs under me, and am a TRC/ARC graduate, Russell ex racer (whoa! That was a nosewing that just hit my roll hoop)

 

Karts are fun, cheap, with lots of wheel to wheel compition, but they will beat your ribs to death if not fitted correctly. The russel cars were a blast to drive but way different than the kart. So how does a rear wheel drive, open wheel formula car handle differntly from a front wheel drive MCS?

 

I am sure I'll get a ration of SH*T about this question ... but ...

It is very likley that it will be raining.
Is this a rain or shine event.

How "fun" is ot to drive in the rain all day ???

 

They go rain or shine.

 

The very first day I ever drove a racecar with wings on slicks was during a torential downpour. I was scared out of my mind, but all of the instructors were saying "go home, all of you, we would love the open tracktime". So I stayed. I learned more about car control in 5 hours than most people ever dream of. Rain is our friend, since this is an HPDE and we are not racing, dial it back to your comfort level, and try to learn how to wiggle and work the car in the rain. Its a great way to improve your street driving too.

to the question of ARC vs. MINI's, here goes: Biggest difference is weight. The MINI feels heavier because it is, and the suspension has more travel, so things feel a bit sloppier. (think rolling over in the carosel) I think the wings and suspension on the Russell cars make them feel more stable. I run R compound tires on my MINI, so I have grip. Honestly, to me, its not the same. The open wheels, 2 inches off the ground, engine in your helmet feel is totally different. Im slower for the most part in the ARC cars than in the MINI, but it feels like warfare in the ARC cars (note flying bodywork reference above). So I like being in the MINI, its brilliant fun to drive on the track, and you can really work up to speed (see Clive, Sid, Mickey, etc). Also different, the concept of throwing away a $30K car vs. the $3K deductible on the ARC car. I always have in the back of my head that my car is for going flat through 7 and 8 @ TH just as much as picking up dry cleaning and getting Thai food take away on my trip home.. Ive never raced the MINI, so Im not sure really what "100% all out" feel like in it. And Im a better racer now than I was in the last Russell race I did, so....the short of all this is, I have no real idea how much different, but they are so different in my book I dont treat the experiences the same. I will say that lots of people are starting to look and MINI's more seriously (thank you turbo engine stereotypes) for competition and they are excellent fun for performance driving...but there is something extra special about an open wheel racer.....

 

or my newest adventure....

 

RADICAL, dude! I'm jealous!

 

Found this while searching Google Videos:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=thunderhill

Nice going, Jerry!
Jim

Too bad about the bad Techno Music soundtrack, though!

 

Nice!
I cant help thinking there was more in that M3 than what was shown. Also, whats with GT2's being passed all the time? It seems like every trackday they wind up getting "owned"!

 

Jerry must have changed his mind since then, :impatient that sure not the line he showed me.

 

Dood! Now all the hotshoes will be studying this vid to see where they can pass me! (j/k)

 

Yeah, Grandpa still has some tricks up his sleeve.

"Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill."

 

They have to catch you, first!
Jim

 

Anyone joining me with the BMWCCA at Laguna on Monday?

 

The FMOD hat still ripe for plucking. There were two MINIs at Laguna, Kevin's Cooper and Walter's brand new Pepper White JCW MCS. They were not in my group so we had no chance to play. I had to comfort myself with mowing down various big heavy bimmers. I gave a total of two pointbys in A Group all day: one to a GT3 Porsche Cup car, and one to TC Klein's racecar. Everyone else went DOWN!

Missed you guys. I can't wait for the family reunion at NASA Sears Point next month!

 

Jerry are you going to Vegas this year and are you going to coach it Phil Wick's?

 

I'll be coaching for Phil and running Sad Arthur in the MC2 Shootout event at AMVIV. I'll only be in Vegas Thursday night and Friday night. Heading back on Saturday. Will I see you there?

 

you bet. I'll be there until monday. I'm working on getting a little more HP, maybe by then i hope.
If there is away i can have you as a coach let me know. I've never driven there before and could use a little help. Jim and Willium will be on the track and i was planing on being out front, no hat just fun.

 

Who Jim? Me Jim? Nope, won't be drivin', I'll be shootin'.
Nikki will be driving though, so WATCH OUT!!!!
Jim