Well last week i attended ITR Expo9 at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. To be honest this was by far the greatest track experience i have ever had! Instructors were great and so was the classroom seminars (taught by Shields Bergstrom *Professional Race Car Driver*).

First day on the track was a learning experience, i have never set foot on this track let alone drive the Ep3 on it. So i decided to run with my 17x7.5 Work Emotion XD9's w/ 225/45/17 Bridgeston RE01 street tires. I started things off slow, focusing all of my attention on learning the course. I picked up on it pretty well. Gradually i picked up the pace, before i knew it i was flying around the corners using all the available grip i had.

*Once you reach the tires optimum temps and using them to their full limit, you'll get a strange sensation. Almost feels like you're sliding on glass.*

I didn't get any vids of these runs however some attendees got some great shots of the car the first day! I'd like to thank them greatly for the awesome shots!

Pics:







Day 2

Well for a warm up session i decided to once again go out on street tires. Fell right back into my groove, i got the tires working right to there limit and i was comfortable pushing the car a bit further a couple laps in.

On the second session i decided it was time to step it up! So i swapped on my track wheels (16x7.5 Kosei K1's w/ 225/50/16 Kumho V710's in the front and same sized Toyo RA1s in the back). Let me say the difference in grip is night and day! This was the first time i have ever used r-comps on a track. It opened the door for some awesome grip in the corners! Allowing me to push the car towards it's limits.

Then i had the opportunity of a lifetime! The 3rd session i got to take out our classroom teacher, Shields Bergstrom (opportunity to drive on Aston Martin's 2010 F1 team). I wanted to have someone with his racing background and experience to help me become faster.

For the first couple of laps i did it my way, allowing him time to observe and break down my driving. After about the 4th lap he started telling me how i could maximize my speed around the track.

Well enough talk about it, here's the vid! *It's LONG!*

ITR Expo9 @ Autobahn "F1 Hopeful Riding Shotty"
ITR Expo9 @ Autobahn "F1 Hopeful Riding Shotty" (Part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTY7BR0YRNU


During this session my car started to show signs of fatigue. Brakes were becoming inconsistent, meaning pads had little to no life left in them. While my clutch master cylinder started acting up.... So it a day and packed everything up for the long trip through Chicago Rush Hour home.

I can't wait for ITR Expo X! I'd like to thank the people who made it happen greatly! Can't wait to see you all next year!

PS:

I just got an offer from Shields to take a ride along with him in a BMW at Race Speed! Can't pass this one up!

Little Info on him:
http://www.redflymotorsports.com/cat...x.php?cPath=73
http://www.examiner.com/x-7861-Milwa...s-Car-Examiner

 

That is pretty nice! The pics looks great and the video is great also!

FYI Aston Martin does not have an F1 team nor has it made a bid for the 2010 season! The only link Aston Martin had to F1 was David Richards wanted them to join up with his attempt to start another F1 team called Prodrive... Its been 2 years he has been trying to get into F1 and still has had no luck and the Aston Martin never went threw. If Prodrive does get into F1 they will be using Cosworth engine... Just wanted to point that out.

 

Damn, sounds like a sick couple days you had at the track. Any pictures of the other cars that attended?

 

Sorry buddy, i'm going to take the professionals word for it over yours. I think he knows a little more than you do in this area. I didn't say it was going to happen, however Aston Martin is trying to put together a team for 2010. It may happen it may not.

 

Go to the Integra Type R section. There are plenty more pics of everyone else's car.

 

Looks like fun. I'm jealous.

 

You can take his word but my sources are not wrong... my cousins brother in law works for Scuderia Ferrari. Also Aston Martin trying to create a team is old news which never fell threw but I guess will see if they will submit their entry this Friday to the FIA for the 2010 F1 season

 

We will see that's for sure.