Hey, I’m falling behind here.
Yes, Jim and Eric are both quick, but from what I’ve heard Eric is also smooth. I’d guess Jim is too from what I could see trackside but none of us rode with him. (hint hint :; ) Smooth is the key to being quick
consistently. Unfortunately, I think I was born without the smooth gene (or so the ladies have always said.
) Automotively I grew up sport motoring through the back roads in equipment that was not up to the task, trying to keep pace with buddies in some pretty nice rides, and later crewing for their race efforts. On the rare occasion that I got out on the track for a lapping day (at the old MAR) the desire to “go fast” got the best of me and I drove like an idiot and learned nothing. Well, not “nothing”. I did learn to drive poorly balanced cars on junk tires past their limits and still recover, so if I have a strength it’s probably car control at the edge. I’d rather be smooth, but old habits are hard to break. That takes seat time and until 18 months ago I hadn’t been on a track in many years.
But sadly, good tracks and events in this area are scarce so I jumped right into the wheel-to-wheel thing last spring by joining the Midwest Council Sports Car Club. They spun off from the SCCA decades ago and managed to stay true to the original vision long since forgotten by the big club turned big business. I highly recommend them for good old grass roots racing. However, since they only run at a few tracks, the nearest of which is Blackhawk, this year I got my SCCA license as well. Hopefully that will make it easier for me to log seat time, although I’m off to a slow start missing more targeted events than I’ve made this spring.
Woooops, sorry for the boring bio! I guess it was a defensive move because it makes me nervous to be lumped in with guys like Eric and Jim. I’m just an old street hack trying to learn some new tricks. I’ve even kept the “good” 510 engine in the garage and stuck with the drone “school” motor (cast flat-top pistons, intermediate cam, street clutch, etc.) to help remind me that I’m out there to practice, not dominate. Likewise I’ve been running the hardest Hoosier slicks available (R60) but will be getting some medium compound R45’s next.
As for the GT2 NSX idea, it’s still just an idea. Scanning the results of past events I see that GT2 lap times in
regional events are well within reach. The bad news is that there are precious few GT2 cars being campaigned in this area, the same problem I have with the 510 where I’m frequently the only GT4 car to compete. That’s OK for a while because I just duel with whatever car is closest, but eventually I’d like some real competition in my own class. So it looks like GT2 may not be the answer. Even at national events the turnout is light, plus of course the lap times are much faster and I’d be left behind in my budget racer. If I did campaign an NSX it would be a very modest regional effort with the focus on a reliable drivetrain. I don’t have the time, interest, or finances to maintain a car that needs frequent teardowns. Unless of course there are some sponsors out there.
Angie, I think you’ll have a blast with the Spec Miata project! No shortage of competition in that class, anywhere, any time. I’d love to see you show a few of the more arrogant guys the way around a track. No need to tell them about your background, just go out with your novice X and whip their butts.
You might want to rent one in the meantime to get a feel for them. Get your license this fall and be ready to roll next spring.
Speaking of which, anyone with thoughts of doing some wheel-to-wheel racing should start by renting a Miata. There are lots of them available and you can often get your school(s) and first race out of the way in a single weekend. We rented one at Blackhawk last year when the 510 was out of commission and were not disappointed. Of course, besides a helmet you’d need a driver’s suit, gloves and appropriate shoes, but some of the guys may even rent those. As much fun as lapping days are, wheel-to-wheel racing takes it to a whole new level. Remember how long it took to wipe that grin off your face after your first track event? You can feel that all over again. And if the idea is a bit intimidating, trust me, all of you are plenty good to run with the pack right now. There are a few real hot shoes who figured out that the SM class is the best value for close competition, but most of them are just like us. But even if you don’t plan to continue racing it’s something every track junkie should do at least once.
The August event at Gateway could be a problem. I’ve got a race at Blackhawk that same weekend. (Len, you mean 16 & 17, with instructors on the 15th, right?) As much as I’d like to run with you guys, I’ve got a GT4 title to defend.
But hey, I may register and see what happens. There’s always a chance the 510 will be broken or the weather forecast up there will be horrible. Len, how much do I forfeit if I cancel?
Well, I’ve used up my lunch break. Time to stop rambling and get some work done. I’m still finding it tough to focus after this morning’s news that Oracle will attempt to buy PeopleSoft. The announcement alone will put an immediate crimp in my business, and if it happens we’re in for some very big changes down the road.
There is a small part of the festivities reserved for cars of distinction. They call it competitors row.
