I just decided to start out another thread for the EXPO. Since there are so many out there already so I guess it wouldn't make a difference to have one more.

I wanna give some recap mainly focusing on the "bright side" of this EXPO so the ones who were not there can share our enjoyment.

I arrived at the hotel parking lot Sunday evening at around 7:30pm with my canine companion Takumi. Bunch of ITRs were already there. Got off the car, met everyone and tried to remember as many names as possible. That night was awesome. I first had dinner with Jim (typer1189) and Scott (chomp_on_this) then hung out in the parking lot, checked out how sgT dropped his tranny ghetto style, talked about cars and met even more people. At around 1:00am I went back to the hotel tried to get enough rest for the next day.

Jack (typer77) was sharing the room with me, but he couldn't come until like 3 or 4am. So he came, knocked on the door, I let him in and he just fell asleep on his bed within 3 minutes. Damn now I couldn't sleep because he was so tired and snoring like a THX system. Well, that's what the second pillow is for --- suffocate him, or cover my ears. I chose the latter. We woke up the next morning, met with Scott for some breakfast then headed out to the track.

I sat out for the first session because I was still changing pads and tires. Then I went out for the second session and took Joseph (R-Adrenaline) with me. Got rolled by a few cars since it was their second session. Nice, I would get you guys back (well except for the King's ITR). Actually I only had one solo session in the first day. This is how my sessions went:

1st - DNR
2nd - out with Joseph (R-Adrenaline)
3rd - out with Glen (Left Laner)
4th - Solo
5th - DNR (test fitted Josh's 16" TE37 over my Spoon calipers. Fits perfectly!)
6th - out with Krista (not on h-t, chomp_on_this' gf, owns a black ITR)
7th - out with Keith (not on h-t, friend of mine who came with Leo ITRinEJ1)

Second day:
1st - Solo
2nd - out with Leo (ITRinEJ1)
3rd - out with Charlie (not on h-t, friend of Leo's)
4th - out with Oscar (WhosITR)
5th - Solo
6th - DNR (started to pack)
7th - DNR

I wanted everyone, both drivers and non-drivers, to enjoy the event as much as possible. So I didn't mind at all for not having many solo sessions. Especially for those who travels such a long way spectating, I wanted to make sure that their trip was worthy. There was a slight delay in schedule for the first day due to the driver's meeting. But we made it up and had all 7 sessions as scheduled. That was really a LOT of track time. More than most of us could handle.

On-track performance:
I got passed by some, and passed some so that was pretty even. I got passed by the King's car (suprising huh?), this RX7, Mattj (Dropspeed), Ed (sackdz), Mike (EFFECT), Kevin (krbobcat), Wes (White Dragon), some Z06, etc. In some other sessions, I had some close laps with Wes, Mike and Kevin. It was great fun. Although it seems that our group was pretty competitive, I have to give to everyone because there was no hesitation to give out pass signals. No ego racing at all. (Just FYI, that RX7 passed the King's car. ) The time I pulled was around 1'41" in the first day and 1'40" in the second day. I believe a better alignment would make me a bit quicker. My brakes were awesome. No issue at all. By the end of the second day, my Endless MA-11 pads could finally rest in peace. They only had like 5% pad material left. Perfect reason to call for the event.

Despite the little drama here and there, I think this event, in terms of fun, was pretty successful. There're a few things that can be improved upon, but overall I think it was a great event with lots of smiles. The $355 is a bit steep but I just compare it to the Gingerman school from BMWCCA, which costs about the same but with half the track time and much more traffic. Granted the EXPO banquet sucked but I don't eat much anyway. So I just drank enough lemonade and took enough potatoes and beans for Takumi to make my $25 worthy. It's funny that after the banquet, Jack was still hungry and we stopped by Big Boys for some late dinner. We ran into a group of familiar faces there (Edwin, Tonya, Ken, David, Aaron, Ralph, Oscar and Ray.) Obviously the banquet didn't fill them up either.

Lastly, I would like to thank King Motorsport for the beautiful key chains and pit pass holder. That was awesome.

 

Will
-who is trying to type his recap...

 

Nice recap - I like the session info. Good stuff!


Pat, who brought his range earmuffs with him for Willard's snoring

 

nice recap and yes it was the participants that made the 02 expo enjoyable (even though i didnt get a chance to go out n smack some ITR's around)

wai's driving ownz

and thanks for taking me and a few others out on the track with ya

le - who will be eagerly awaiting 03 expo or maybe a 02 expo part dos

 

nice recap wai

 

Wai, I didn't hear myself snore! are you sure that wasn't you?

 

Jack, I don't think anyone is capable of hearing themselves snore.

 

Wai, great meeting you (and Takumi!), hopefully I'll catch you at Gingerman again this summer Talk to Mike on that Club Si event.

 

Leo, hope next time you can drive on the track with us, not just being a spectator. I'm sure you would like it.
It's all good Ed. Hope the little dramas didn't get to you too much.
Hmmm I don't think so. Maybe it was Takumi??
Same here Ed! I was really impressed by how fast you were with only I/H/E and slight suspension mod. I would try to make the Club Si event.

 

Funny, that's exactly what I did in my initial post about the event - and promptly got accused of "damage control".

 

just give it a rest....

Brian

 

It was good to see you again Wai! I kept warning people that rode with you that I had to buy JDM recaro's after riding in your car last year...

I really had a fun time the whole weekend. It was fun to hang out with people in the hotel parking lot, and the driving sessions were some of the most fun I've ever had on the track.

Jim

 

.... Takumi went?!!?!? hmmm... did he bring his ae86 and start drifting? heh... to me...

 

Excellent recap Wai. Nice meeting you.... and again sorry about turn 11

 

i'd have to disagree with that. ralph woke himself up at one point during the weekend from his snoring. matt will back me up on that one.

 

Hey Wai....I am glad that you had a good time. I had a blast even though I didn't take my own R but I will be behind the wheel next time . It was nice meeting you and everyone that was out there. I was very impressed on how nice everyone was and how willing everyone was to help out when someone needed it. If only all of society was like that we would be in a much better place. A big for letting me ride with you and check out those recaro seats! They were awesome . Take care and hope to see you and everyone else that I met soon on the track.


[Modified by R-Adrenaline, 4:02 PM 5/31/2002]


[Modified by R-Adrenaline, 4:02 PM 5/31/2002]

 

Now Joseph or Glen might be the next victims....

 

It's all good Clayton. Mattj did that to me at turn 3, but he was able to pull it straight. See how much pressure I gave you guys from behind?? (j/k, Mattj was having too much fun chasing down EFFECT.)

 

Nice Write up Wai!

It was great seeing/hanging out with you again, hopefully I'll see you again out at Gman this summer. Then I can steal your dog

 

lol..wish Oscar had this capability. Otherwise, I won't have those 5-hour sleep nights with wet tissues in my ears.

 

Nah... I don't need type R underwear. I would use Takumi to steal your gf. She likes him.

 

lol