shakes_26
04-23-2006, 08:22 PM
First things first, I have to thank the SVTOA for putting this event on. It is one of the best organized, professional car related events I've had the pleasure to attend and participate in.
Those of you who missed it, don't read any further, dont view the videos when I post them in the next day or so....you'll be hating yourselves. I mean really, what could be that important, and old friend come in from out of town? Your tux not come back from the cleaners? No money for cab fare? :D
Heres a quick breakdown
Friday,
met at the track for tech inspection, then to hotel Kenilworth where I was informed they dropped my reservation and they were booked solid. The $50 cancellation fee to not sleep there (they listed me as no show and gave away my room) was the best money I ever spent. the B&B across the street which I ahd to myself was sooo nice. Anyway Met with Hotrauder and wife, Rich Long and wife and we headed to Bradenton for some 1320 action, returning late that evening.
Saturday
Late to bed early to rise...8am at the track for the drivers meeting, we meet up with JimLam and his son Paul, groups 1 and 2 (beginners) go for some class room time, while 3 and 4 go to the track for some run time. Before we know it were leaving the paddock for the pit row (starting grid). The stomach was dancing the samba, my instructors hops into the car. A big man, Dell was most appreciative of the Marauder creature comforts. Off we went, running the course under yellow the whole time to learn the course and get a feel for what we could do, and what the car could do. We ran about 6 laps or so, all went well.
My brain gets fuzzy here as to the order, but we ran another session with the pace gettign stiffer, and passing brought into the mix. And yes I got to use the passing, more times the passer than the passed. I was fealing my oats or somethign because we were carrying way more speed now, and yours truly clocked an honest 120mph+ on the back straight, hard brakes, turn into 17 at about 70mph all 4 wheels begging for mercy, back on the hammer, 105mph down the front straight. Spectators told me ( Saleen rep) "it sounded like an jet screaming down the straight"...makes my heart warm just thinking about it :D
After that session, maybe before?? We had parade laps at noon, supposedly tame, single file, no passing, no helmet required, just cruise the track... well I rode shotgun with Jimlam, kind of 'showing' him the 'line', man its easier to talk about it in the psgr seat than to drive it!
Afternoon another session, as hot if not hotter than number 2, I decided to back her down a few notches, I brought extra brake pads but was hoping not to need them, and I wound up not needing them.
Saturday Night Banquet
Held at the Chateau Elan, great time talkign to everyone, some cool raffle prizes, Rich won a $100 Steeda gift certificate!
I was in bed at 9:58pm, I did not see the clock hit 9:59, seemingly three seconds later the alarm was going off
Sunday
8am fog now lifting, drivers meeting again, then group 1 and 2 class, good stuff, really crucial stuff to learn. And out to the track, doesn't take long for the tempo to get turned up a few notches past hot, I'm passing 05 gt, an Acura Legend, a few others I dont even remember, I get passed by a fox body convertible that sounded as if it was really mad about something, and then a Z06... I let him slide by...I could have kept up... :rolleyes:..if he had a flat tire maybe.
Juno and I finished run number 2 today and then called it quits I was getting tired and thought it prudent.
Point here is this. If there is an SVTOA event near you or not so near, go. You will be welcomed, you will learn, you will enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. This is infinitely cheaper than any driving school and the track time is worth way more than what these events cost.
I'll post in car video tomorrow, me go sleep now.
ps sorry for the long post
Those of you who missed it, don't read any further, dont view the videos when I post them in the next day or so....you'll be hating yourselves. I mean really, what could be that important, and old friend come in from out of town? Your tux not come back from the cleaners? No money for cab fare? :D
Heres a quick breakdown
Friday,
met at the track for tech inspection, then to hotel Kenilworth where I was informed they dropped my reservation and they were booked solid. The $50 cancellation fee to not sleep there (they listed me as no show and gave away my room) was the best money I ever spent. the B&B across the street which I ahd to myself was sooo nice. Anyway Met with Hotrauder and wife, Rich Long and wife and we headed to Bradenton for some 1320 action, returning late that evening.
Saturday
Late to bed early to rise...8am at the track for the drivers meeting, we meet up with JimLam and his son Paul, groups 1 and 2 (beginners) go for some class room time, while 3 and 4 go to the track for some run time. Before we know it were leaving the paddock for the pit row (starting grid). The stomach was dancing the samba, my instructors hops into the car. A big man, Dell was most appreciative of the Marauder creature comforts. Off we went, running the course under yellow the whole time to learn the course and get a feel for what we could do, and what the car could do. We ran about 6 laps or so, all went well.
My brain gets fuzzy here as to the order, but we ran another session with the pace gettign stiffer, and passing brought into the mix. And yes I got to use the passing, more times the passer than the passed. I was fealing my oats or somethign because we were carrying way more speed now, and yours truly clocked an honest 120mph+ on the back straight, hard brakes, turn into 17 at about 70mph all 4 wheels begging for mercy, back on the hammer, 105mph down the front straight. Spectators told me ( Saleen rep) "it sounded like an jet screaming down the straight"...makes my heart warm just thinking about it :D
After that session, maybe before?? We had parade laps at noon, supposedly tame, single file, no passing, no helmet required, just cruise the track... well I rode shotgun with Jimlam, kind of 'showing' him the 'line', man its easier to talk about it in the psgr seat than to drive it!
Afternoon another session, as hot if not hotter than number 2, I decided to back her down a few notches, I brought extra brake pads but was hoping not to need them, and I wound up not needing them.
Saturday Night Banquet
Held at the Chateau Elan, great time talkign to everyone, some cool raffle prizes, Rich won a $100 Steeda gift certificate!
I was in bed at 9:58pm, I did not see the clock hit 9:59, seemingly three seconds later the alarm was going off
Sunday
8am fog now lifting, drivers meeting again, then group 1 and 2 class, good stuff, really crucial stuff to learn. And out to the track, doesn't take long for the tempo to get turned up a few notches past hot, I'm passing 05 gt, an Acura Legend, a few others I dont even remember, I get passed by a fox body convertible that sounded as if it was really mad about something, and then a Z06... I let him slide by...I could have kept up... :rolleyes:..if he had a flat tire maybe.
Juno and I finished run number 2 today and then called it quits I was getting tired and thought it prudent.
Point here is this. If there is an SVTOA event near you or not so near, go. You will be welcomed, you will learn, you will enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. This is infinitely cheaper than any driving school and the track time is worth way more than what these events cost.
I'll post in car video tomorrow, me go sleep now.
ps sorry for the long post