I'd like to thank everyone here who went to VIR.

It was my first twisty track event - -- ever.

I'd spent a lot of time and money making my car faster (and, yes, even rice). And as a result, I was impressed by the speed it could generate (about 130MPH down the back straight).

But, I really had no idea how much talent (effort, natural skill, training, etc.) it took to guide a car like that through the twisties. Grandmothers on bicycles could have outpedaled me on turns 1-6 on my first session, first day. Maybe I have more to do (I do have ten year old shocks and springs on it, and the Eagle GT-II's did NOT seem up to the task).

But - nobody made fun of me --- at least to my face anyway. The environment was fairly cordial, and we all had a good time. I hope to make it back to a track event sometime soon.

Shawn Hayes
novice class #76 (yes, the riced out white EH2 hatch)

 

Shawn,
Up in the the the Race control both you look like you improved from when I first saw you on track compared to the end, personally I liked the hood on your car... but of course my 73 Dodge Challenger has the same hood

 

We don't really make fun of people who are there to learn, no matter what their car looks like.

Now, if you happen to be like those Riceboys that showed up on Saturday to park and shine their rides in the paddock and show off their intakes, we'll have no mercy

 

Well, I did improve - but it's easy to improve when you first drive like CRAP. I think I was just plain scared to death for the first event. I don't remember even being anywhere near the line at all.

Oh, the hood - well, it's functional too. The right scoop is a ram air into the intake (also makes it cold air), but I have to tape it off when it rains hard (hydrolock BAD!, hydrolock BAD!). The left scoop cools the supercharger exit (ghetto intercooler, maybe?).

Thanks for the encouragement.

Shawn

 

Hey Shawn, I didn't meet you this weekend but I have an idea of which car you were driving. (FYI- I was the bearded, scruffy-looking guy lining people up in pit/grid during various portions of the weekend.)

I can tell you one thing. NOBODY this weekend made fun of you, behind your back or otherwise. You know why? Because you were out there with us, ACTUALLY DOING IT, going fast on a road course and learning to go faster.

Seriously- you get the utmost respect because you took the chance and signed up for the event and did it. You drove, and you learned, and you went home in one piece thinking about ways you can go faster next time.

We all started in the beginner group at some point, in cars that perhaps weren't maximized for the task at hand... so we can't fairly make fun of anyone for simply doing that same thing a few years later than we did. Your stock suspension and less-than-sticky tires held your cornering speeds back today for sure, but now you know that a set of Koni's and a set of Kumho's will make you 5mph faster out of Oak Tree, which will make you 5mph faster at your braking point.

At any rate- you did great because you did it. Welcome to the addiction.

Jon
who didn't drive on-track all weekend, but doesn't care because he still got to hang out with the greatest bunch of folks in the world!!!

 

Hey shawn it was nice to meet you and your lady I too had a great blast and now I'm exhausted from my drive home today

 

Hey Shawn this is Dave! We had a nice quiet area of the paddock eh? I didn't know you were on the board. Cool.

 

shawn...i told you, you would do ohkay!!! glad you made it out!!

lynchburg in da HOUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZE

hey jon i have 2 newbies coming from lynchburg this time too (speedtrials)
please don't hate on me!


[Modified by Chad, 5:45 PM 2/18/2002]

 

If anyone makes fun of you, rest assured that it's only in the best spirits. Hell, everyone in the paddock calls me "Rice." Now you'd think as an instructor and co-director of the Honda Challenge, I'd get some respect. But no.

Karl "I really hate you guys" Shultz

 

Is it because blue on black is ricey?

 

Oh come on Karl. You know they just want a piece of the legend...

 

If people are NOT making fun of me at the track - then I know something is wrong!!

ceas..

 

Maybe this'll help:



Who says you look scruffy? I think you look great (wink wink, nudge nudge)


I hope to be on track soon.

Shawn

[Modified by shawnhayes, 4:01 AM 2/19/2002]


[Modified by shawnhayes, 4:11 AM 2/19/2002]


[Modified by shawnhayes, 4:16 AM 2/19/2002]


[Modified by shawnhayes, 4:18 AM 2/19/2002]

 

RICE!!!

 

I heard some real funny chit this weekend but *that* comment won the prize. And the award goes to Karl - made the room say wwwwhat did you just say - Shultz.