- Kettle Morraine Double Regional - 8/24-25, 2002
Friday: - Got to Elkhart around 5:00 p.m., earlier than
expected! Me in the RX, the family in the Passat. The earlier plans to
tow the car in a friend's camper washed out with a call from him that
the camper engine had blown. Bummer. Glad it did a week before rather
than during the weekend though. Went ahead and checked into Seibkens
and then headed back to the track.
One of the best moments of the weekend happened at registration that
night. As I'm waiting in line, a couple of the "older" officials
stopped by the car and were exclaiming how it was neat to see a race
car actually driven to the track. Quips such as "Wow, I didn't think
anybody did that any more", and "THAT'S what club racing is!". Well I
naturally had to stop over and own up to it. One of the guys excitedly
blurted out "You're my hero! Let me shake your hand!". I gladly did.
The other guy was the chief steward from my driver ed weekend, who,
during that weekend had stopped over for an official chat about running
race engines too early. I had explained to him that it is street legal,
and I was just driving into the track! I took this opportunity to
mention that fact again if he heard any complaints about running a race
engine.
We talked a little more, more like reminiscing about days gone by.
But I felt good that someone else remembered and recognized the effort,
restraint on track and everthing else that can complicate a race
weekend when the preferred tranport home is to drive the race car back.
Picked out a spot just below the hill going into the north paddock
area with a great view of turns 5 and 14 and right on the street so
visitors would be able to easily find us. Turned out to be a nice spot,
not so loud for the kids, yet near both viewing and race functions, and
easy in & out with the race car (no backing up required. Set up
"camp", first time with a canopy (a $7 12x12 dinner canopy) which
provided a nice retreat during the coming days. Packed the car back up
AND LEFT IT THERE! That's a first too. Nice. But another change in the
task list, so had to make sure I had everything in the right car.
Back to Seibkens to grab a bite. Met up with the Brunners in the
(sandwich) bar and had a good time eating, drinking and talking for the
rest of the night. Up to the adjoining rooms (sharing a bathroom in
this vintage 1916 B&B/Hotel, remember), for more eating, drinking
and trying to get the kids to bed.
Saturday: - Up early. Dan and I head out to the track to prep
the car. Change tires, bleed brakes, check fluids, set video, and
otherwise "de-street" the car. Dan was a big help in the tire changing,
brake bleeding dance. Get done in good time, even had some time to
double-check and wind down a bit.
9:50: Qualifying. - The rest of the Jacobsons and Brunners
show up as I'm getting in the car. First time on track in four months.
It might as well have been winter all summer. Lots of cobwebs to work
out. Mentally I'm set to take it fairly easy, and work back up to
speed. But on track I'm further off the rythym than I expected. Feel
very "out of synch", turning in early, braking early, and other
horrendous-feeling mistakes. By the end of the session, I'm feeling
better, but having serious doubts about this. Qualify 30 out of 40.
Better than I expected, being in the slowest class in SCCA, and how
crappy I was driving. More down-time until 3:00 to reflect and try to
pull together.
We do some wandering aroung the track, eat a wonderful lunch
prepared by the ladies, and generally camp. Three Pinnows arrive around
noon. Wow, spectators! Randy brought his dry-erase board for use as a
pit board to flash times versus the magic three minute mark, 3:01:8
being the track record for SRX7. +3 would be 3:03, etc. As I climb into
the car, I truly wonder if I should be doing this in light of how
crappy I felt I drove in qualifying. But hey, we got people watching.
Oh yeah, it's why I'm here too.
3:30: Race. - Lots of carnage in each of the earlier races.
GT1 race is called after 4 laps. Seems the boys aren't behaving too
well. Long wait on grid. That's always a test of patience and
endurance. It gets hot. But we finally get going. To me, the pace lap
is always a nice finalization of the day's activities, and a proper
crescendo to the ensuing battle. Someone blows the start, and we do
another pace lap. This one's clean.
Once again, the primary thought is to keep it cool, no screw-ups.
But I stay up with the pack this time, and even gain a spot or so down
the front stretch.
More to come.....
- Drivers School & Race - 4/26 - 4/28, 2002
Took Thursday and Friday off to get a couple last minute items squared
away on the car and to get everything packed up and loaded in. And of
course do some needed work around the house too. I had decided not to
take the motor home and tow dolly route which was available through
some friends as I thought it would be a hassle to get everything lined
up and set the car up for towing. This decision proved less than
optimum as I had a lot to cram in the car as rain and cold was
expected. But it was soooo nice on Friday, the weather forecast has
been wrong before, right? WRONG!!
Friday: Got out to the track on time Friday evening, registered
and made it through tech. Then went to the classroom session. This
turned out to be little more than some fun racing stories, basic
expectations and basic flag descriptions. Back to the hotel, did some
homework (GCR questions) for the next day, and made sure I had
everything in place and ready for Saturday. The family had come out
while I was at the track and did some swimming and supper. They had
snacks ready for me when I came in which was really nice. Late night,
finally fell asleep about 1:00.
Saturday: Up at 5:30, once again didn't even need the alarm.
That tends to happen on these weekends. At the track by 7:00 to start
the final prep for the day. Raining, periods of sleet/snow. Dang,
didn't bring snow tires ;-) 7:30 roll call, 8:00 on track with the
instructor driving their car. In this case he had to borrow a first gen
Dodge Dakota with plow mount installed. Wooo hoo! Curt (ex-RX-7 racer
buddy) comes out to lend a hand on the car. Thankfully, not much had to
be done, but it was good moral support. Then on to the real track
sessions consisting of two groups (open wheel and closed wheel)
alternating track time in 20 minutes sessions. After the on-track
session, check in with the instructor. These were totally open
sessions, do what you want after the first lap or two of double yellow.
Good track time, was able to re-familiarize myself with the course. Of
course the rain line was needed, and I had never really driven that
before. Found out something that worked and let it rip. My tires must
have been really working, cuz I was really fast compared to others. Got
a number of compliments on great speeds and smooth driving both from
other participants and officials. The family stopped out about 10:00 or
so after doing some shopping. They leave after having lunch around 1:00
to get back for a benefit that evening. Last session of the day was a
series of test starts, then a final one for a 20 minute or so "race".
Ahhhh, the first feeding frenzy. Tried a lot of passing in different
areas. Very helpful. (and amazing that I was ABLE to pass someone!).
After it was over, had a beer and talked shop for awhile. Back to the
hotel early, but again, not to sleep until late. Couldn't find my pic
ID with gate entry sticker on it. That upset me, but I'd figure out
something.
Sunday: Flash a credit card as I do a rolling stop at the gate
and I'm in. Not raining now, but everything still wet from overnight
rain. Cloudy and cold. Again at the track early. Just me, the track, my
car and about 30 others. I'm in group 1, so qualifying starts at 8:00.
Clean out the car, get suited up. Qualifying was a bit more wild than
the school sessions. More cars, faster cars. Really had to be aware. My
goal is to not cause any problems for myself or others, so I'm taking
it easy. Still slippery on track. Second qualifying session is a little
more wild as more cars arrive and need to get a good time in. I'm still
running rains as the track still has some wet sections and standing
water. At the exit of 3d a Golf dives inside which puts him on the
outside through the next chicane. I move over a bit too far, not
realizing there is an Opel Manta inside my rear tire. He goes off, and
as I'm setting up for turn 4 notice him coming across the grass toward
the corner exit. I slow way down and let him in (the least I could do).
We had a discussion after the session. Apology accepted. I went back to
the stock inside mirror as the wink mirror was too high up and couldn't
be lowered far enough below the cage. Lost some periphery, but I can at
least see further back.
Race Time: Switched to the dry tires. This is what it's all
about. Keep calm, no heroics. Out to grid, pace lap starts, warm things
up, tires, brakes, check mirrors. The cars wind around the track like a
disjointed snake, bobbing, weaving, sometimes together, sometimes
holding back, then sprinting forward. Around the last corner, the pace
picks up. The field packs in. Green flag. The din rises to a roar. Cars
poking and prodding trying to get the best spot down the stretch. I
stay put, keep up, but not too close to the pack. Around the outside of
turn 1. Things are sorting out. Pick up a spot or so into turn 2. Hold
on around the outside of the carousel to let some faster guys through
the inside. Again, no heroics. Survive. The field spreads out and a
certain rhythm can set in. For a while I'm fairly alone, with some cars
behind a good distance, most in front.
Get sight of a Rabbit GTI and 510 up ahead. Looks like a target. Start
reeling 'em in. Concentrate on smooth, brake, turn, accelerate through
the corner. Accelerate earlier, brake a touch later, track out under
power. After a few corners of that I'm on their tails. Lap traffic
comes into play (those lapping me!) This takes away a certain chunk of
concentration, but doing well. A couple times I get beat to the apex,
throwing off my rhythm. But I recover and get back to work.... brake,
turn, accelerate through the corner, keep it smooth, play a tune with
the car. Accelerate earlier, brake a touch later, track out under
power. After a few corners of that I'm back on their tails again.
Overtake and start putting some distance between us.
A different Golf dives inside on corner 6a. He shouldn't have done it,
he didn't have the corner plus less room due to an exhaust pipe at the
apex. I move over so he doesn't run over the pipe, but that tracks me
off into the grass. I keep going along and get back on the track down a
ways, but it was enough to watch the GTI and 510 go by again. But not
by much.
Next lap is next to last. I pass the 510 going into 7, overcook a bit
and get wide. He's able to get back by me. The GTI's in front of him.
Last lap. I'm on their tails again, waiting to spring the trap. A BMW
is now in the mix. 510 cuts the Beem off in turn 6. I'm right with 'em.
Hang back a little into 7 to set up a run. 510 smokes the tires under
braking again, goes a bit wide. Perfect! I'm in the right spot for the
slingshot into the apex. But wait. The Beem decides he doesn't want to
get cut off again so he brakes just before the apex. I'm already on the
power, closing fast toward the apex and the Beem's trunk. Damn rookies!
(LOL) Got to get out of it. Throught the corner, I'm now slower than
planned. The Beem pulls away down the stretch (a 525i), but I'm in a
drag race with the 510 as we've both lost momentum. I'm closing, but
come up about a car length short at the finish. Bummer. Bimmer!
Summary: "Lost" the battle, but much good came out of the day;
Set a new class track record. Goal #1 accomplished. I survived with no
damage, and didn't cause damage to anyone else. Goal #2 accomplished.
Had a lot of fun, got into the mix and fired up the adrenaline pump.
Goal #3 accomplished. Overall, a very good day.
- Preparation
It's been a long (but nice)
winter. Kept busy looking for stuff, cross-checking lists and rules to
make sure everything will be in order come driver's school. Got most of
the personal safety equipment, transponder on order, etc., but still
need some (easy) stuff. Finally got club apps in, still waiting on some
SCCA goodies though (like a GCR!). Next up is the license apps, which I
have lined up except for some of the doctor's stuff. Being diabetic,
there are some extra hoops to jump through. Hopefully I haven't waited
too long, but I think I'm OK.
Found a cool older Sony 8mm video editing deck (#EVC-8, same as a
EVO-210 but black) with hard wired remote, 12v adapter and repair
manual. A buddy gave me his not-recording Hi-8 handycam, but it
provides good video (cam #1). Cam #2 will be a X10 wired (Anaconda)
cam. This should be the fun one to move around to different locations.
I'll be using an older cable switch to select cameras, will run audio
from one location until I can pick up on a full audio/video switcher.
Some mounting complications and lots of wiring to do yet to get power
and video cables in the right spots, but should be easy once I get
started. Setting it up is lower on the priority list, but it should be
fun.
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