Cliffs Notes: Wheel-to-wheel racing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

Saturday:

Woke up bright and early (oh joy!) Saturday morning to head out to Charlotte. Hit the gas station (ouch!) and the McDonalds and got on the road about 7:30. All hands meeting was at 11AM, and my first practice wasn't until 12:15. Had an uneventful drive to CMS (the Tahoe rules!) and rolled in about 9:45 to find a pit space.

Ended up pulling in behind one of the other Spec Miata racers and pitted with him. (We did the school at CMP at the same time in Aug). Rolled the car off the trailer, and went in search of the "media center" for the all hands mtg. Left Chris (other spec miata car) and his crew (Brian) bleeding the brakes (?). It's a Miata, what's up with bleeding the brakes? Anyway.

Found some of the folks I knew while in search of the "media center", including Karl, all the ECHC guys, David Teague (announcer man), and Oscar. Oscar talked me around the track which helped some (I have only ever done touring laps there in Stoner's car). Found the "media center" and went to the meeting. We were told all the usual stuff, and sent on our way with our wristbands and tech stickers from our group leaders. At that point I decided maybe I ought to see what kind of air pressure was in my tires, so headed back to the car... hmmmm... 31 all the way around... I can live with that. So just kinda hung around until time to practice...

Got in grid early so I would maybe have a chance to get a few laps in before having to "race for it". Worked, I think, since I only had 4 cars pass me (and it wasn't cause I was fast). In that short 10 minute practice session, I discovered I had absolutely NO idea what I was doing in the infield, though the banking was hella-fun. (Almost 120mph... on the oval... in a Miata... wow... my neck is going to be sore.) So after that practice, I'm desperately seeking Oscar to get a ride in the next instructor group. Finally found him and he agreed to take my around. This helped immensely, even though his poor car overheated after 5 laps, it was still enough to see what I should have been doing. THANKS OSCAR!

Again gridded up early for qualifying. Went back out and took 3 seconds off my time. Problem was, so did my competition. I qualified at 1:36s, I believe the fast SM guys were running 1:32s that session. Qualified in the 2nd half of the small bore pack, and mid-SM pack. I can live with this for my 2nd ever race weekend.

I also had my first "moment" in this qualifying session (yes I said first)... You really have to find the right line through infield 5, leading out onto the banking, or you'll eventually scare yourself... So I head into 5, which for those of you who haven't driven it is off camber and down-hill/up-hill all at the same time, turn in early/wrong (oops), so I know I'm going to put 2 off on the outside... well, it's was a good part of the car off with those 2 right side wheels, and staying in it just didn't help... so I end up sliding between the concrete walls sideways and backing up the banking, at which point I had a fantastic view of all the cars behind me in the field and their lines through turn 5. Once I realized I wasn't going to hit anything, it was actually kinda a fun spin... Talk about an adrenalin rush! (But it wasn't one I really cared to repeat.) I caught a couple of cars back before the end of the qualifying session, so that was fun too.

By this time, it's apparent that we'll be running the race under the lights, so folks are making sure their headlights work in case they are needed in the infield, and making final preps for the usual stuff. I simply hoping for a good start... starts are something I really need to work on. We head out to grid when the group before us vacates the area, and it takes them forever to sort us out... we weren't all paying good attention, and to line up cars in 2 lines, on a 2.5 lane width road, when we all insist on coming up in the wrong order, and some folks not bothering to pay attention to the grid workers. (They had this grid thing figured out by Sunday's races). So it's finally our turn and the pace car takes off (literally) and along with the pole sitter, leaves the rest of the group... the ensuing next 3 laps of trying to get a green flag are a cluster. I think they just finally gave up and green flagged us, but there was LOTS of passing under yellow and needless to say, since I was following the rules, I yet again got screwed in a start. Once we finally did get the race going, I was moving along pretty well, passing folks, etc, when I had my 2nd "moment". One of my favorite places to pass folks was to outbreak them coming back into the infield, take the inside, and run with it... Well, I'd been chasing this Miata for a lap or 2, and had him going into 1... if I'da just scrubbed a hair more speed off, I'da made it too... But ended up doing a 180 just past the apex of 1, and sliding backwards towards the cornerworker station. Stopped well short of it, but did have a memory of the black car sliding backwards into the tirewall at VIR. Again I watched the field go by and said, "Self, this really isn't the way to win a race!" I caught a couple guys back, so didn't end up DFL, but I sure did throw away a decent finish with that blunder.

The Honda Challenge race was after sometime after mine. Watched it from on top of the OPM trailer (THANKS!!!). That had to be one of the best races I've seen... About 4 good battles going on for most of the race. I believe they fielded 27 cars on Sat night. What an accomplishment for a series that only started this year. Kudos to Karl and Scott!

At that point, it was about 9:30, and Mike, Kendra, Kendra's cousin, Matt, Karl Kauffman (<-- yes, you read right), and I headed out to Friday's for some food. Finally made it to the hotel at 11, and was asleep before I checked in, well, not quite that fast, but pretty close.

Diane's theory on her "Spinderella" resurrection (after almost 1.5 dorment years): I was never a student at CMS... so I didn't get to do my offs as a student... so I had to find the limit in 5, and then 1, and I'd be good to go the rest of the weekend. Read on to find out if I was right.

Sunday:

I set the alarm for 6AM. I had told Chris Cobetto that I'd help out with the HypeRdrives (single session "school" like groups) Sunday morning. At 6, my alarm goes off, and I hit the snooze for that last 9 minutes of sleep. Next thing I know, it's 7:30. :-O Oh my... all hands meeting for the school groups was 7:15... guess I missed that... first instructor session is 8:AM. Might miss that too. I believe I was out of the hotel room in 15 minutes, and to the track right at about 8AM. The "wow, you were doing really well last night right up until you spun" comments started right about when I got there, and I must have heard it from 10 different people over the course of the day.

Turns out the track told the EV guys not to be there until noon, so we had to wait for the EMT and Fire guys to get there before we could start, so my 1.5 hrs extra sleep was ok, but it sure gave me a heart attach first thing in the morning. Things got started at 9:15. About 6 laps into the instructor session, I'm meatballed... oh chit, what's busted that I can't feel??? Oh, maybe I'm too loud? So I head in and talk to Chuck Reyes (fellow SM driver and grid guy) and he says, yes, indeed someone thinks my car is to loud, so I'm out until noon. OK, cool, at least the car isn't broken. (Can we just maybe use the black flag next time guys?)

My first HypeRdrive student was David Teague (club guy and NASA announcer). We were out for 20 minutes, and David picked it up quick. I talked him through the first couple of laps, and then it was just minor comments most of this rest of the session. My one repeated comment was "stay in it, stay in it stay in it" coming through NASCAR 3 and 4 when I could tell he wasn't so sure he wanted to be going that fast, and was thinking about lifting (not surprising really, I was driving through there the first session or so going "don't lift, don't lift, don't lift" to myself!). All in all, great student. (Thanks David!)

The Racer's all hands meeting was at 11. Grumpy (Jim, race director) yelled at all the groups for something... Small Bore was our horrendous start, honda challenge it was getting a little too friendly, can't remember what Big Bore was in trouble for, but it was something. All in all, it was a good smack in the head for most folks, as there weren't any major screwups on Sunday by us (at least not that I saw).

Small bore was one of the first [qualifying] races today. I started maybe 5 from the back on the inside position (remember my spin in 1 put me there since we grid sunday race 1 based on sat's results). For the first time ever, I get a good start. Passed a couple of cars at the green flag and going into turn 1... what a rush. Had several laps of fun racing until the pack got all strung out. I passed some folks, got passed by some others, and all in all it was a good race.

Race 2 had me farther up in the grid, by a row or 2, but farther up. Got another decent start, but was blocked by some kind of little spec racer thing I thought it best not to run over. Another good lesson learned... just cause I thought of a strategy doesn't give me sole right to use that piece of track. Spend most of that race with a neon and 2 other SM cars. That was fun. Dunno how the results fell out. I left before they were posted.

Got all packed up and almost ready to go. Just had to hang around for the ECHC race (they are SO much fun to watch) and pulled out just as they were being released from impound, about 7:15. Pulled in at home at 9:45, this including a parking lot on I40 between mm271 and mm274, and a stop to gas everything up (tahoe, racecar, and gas cans). Was unpacked and in here writing this by 10:30 (man this got long).

I think I'm gonna be late to work tomorrow (today).

Diane ~ who thinks this racing is as fun as something that is very much fun indeed!

(Did anyone make it this far???)

Quote of the weekend by Scott Giles: "Racing is better than bad sex."

 

cool Glad some people had fun this weekend. Thats a read and a half. Good story. You should do a Speed Channel Diary.

Dave is STILL pissed at NYC traffic which caused him to turn around and not go.


[Modified by BDiddy, 12:21 AM 9/9/2002]

 

MM just got in, good read. My guess is that I should start working on the paper that is due at 11am instead of playing around on h-t You looked good out there Diane, can't wait to see when you finally get 100% comfortable.

 

melissa and i had a blast even though we only did one 20 min session. 115 mph felt fast enough on that 28 degree banking.

whooo go lil DX

we will put up some pics


[Modified by shane Z, 8:25 AM 9/9/2002]

 

I have to say being up on top of the the Grandstands and Suite gives you a great view of the Whole Course. Also thanks Diane for Ridding with me... 110-115 into nascar three defintaly has a high pucker factor!!

 

Getting your feet a little wetter at a NAZCAR speed way! That must have been a rush...

I'm thinking that you East Coasters must have a higher tolerance of fear if you all learn to race on high speed banks.

 

it was nice seeing you get away safely from that spin in one. we were up against the pit wall and saw you spin going in. definite cringe factor seeing that happen.

Brian

 

Keep in mind that she could have had a Honda. She chose the Miata.

 

Looked good out there

Great write-up too!

 

I was on that damn corner. Although her spin was bad, she didn't scare me nearly as much as those SCCS guys. Better luck next time Diane

 

Yeah I know, and I was thinking, man I like that guy... I hope I don't hit his station! [I need MM stickers to put on the car... got any in Black???]

George - I could have gotten a honda, but decided to stay with my original plan when Ron's car went up for sale... just couldn't pass it up. Also, I have so much fun watching the ECHC races, I don't feel like I'm missing out at all. And anyway, I'd have to drive a honda around backwards to get the drive wheels in the right place!

 

You should have hear few of the sccs guys after thier first practice... I think thiere is something on the track going into turn one.... However Dan Fife did tell us that one drive did own up to it... Crew Chief asked whats the problem going into 1?
Driver " Tom Much Right Foot Not enought Left!"

 

In regards to MM sticks: Unfortunately we only have yellow right now since they're supposed to be window stickers. Maybe we can figure something out though.

 

Ooooohhhhhhh! Window stickers... I have windows! Bring 2 to VIR for me and I'll get them on the car. How much $ do I bring to liberate them from you?

 

I'll discuss with Gerald. I'm the new president but he's the one that ordered them all.

 

Mike a friend of mine has a vinyl cutter and runs a small graphics business. If you can get me the vector file for the stickers I can get him to make us some, in any color.
I have the T-shirt vector file but not the one for the stickers.

Evan

 

Heck, my dad can make them for me if they'll give out the file (he has a sign shop), but I figured they probably wanted to make their organization some money off of it by selling it to me.

 

Look at my location
I guess that should have been a IM Sorry to take things off topic

Evan


[Modified by elgorey, 3:25 PM 9/9/2002]

 

Profit is cool, but that's not what we're all about. You can get one through becoming a member! $20 gets you a year's membership (access to our super-elite mailing list), a free window sticker, and a $3 t-shirt. If you're in for multiple years we can work benefits out (nobody wants a new decal every year).

 

Which is why some of our member's entire wardrobe consists of MM shirts
ooh ooh I do! I was just thinking how pimpy I would be with big MM s on my helmet

Evan
-who is bored at work and has nothing better to do than hijack threads



[Modified by elgorey, 3:44 PM 9/9/2002]

 

We rocked this thread didn't we? Sorry Diane!

 

This is certainly more replies than I expected, posting a SM thing on the Honda board... who cares what topic it's on!

And MM rocks for working all the events for us. You guys are the best!!!

r2x ~ who is VERY appreciative of the workers who stand in the sun, wind, rain, heat, cold just so I can have fun. and to all of you!

 

About the SM thing: same concept of a Honda (light, nimble) w/ RWD, how could it not interest us?

edit: grammar


[Modified by JMU1337, 5:45 AM 9/10/2002]

 

heh... MM ownz....

And yes some of us own a plethora of MM t-shirts. I think i have 5. Stickers are $5 i believe... we should just setup and sell these at the track. Karl asked me if these stickers bought any sort of help from pulling his car out when he stuffs it in a tire wall... i said it was like 'protection money' like the mafia, only we're broke college students and $5 is plenty