First time at Summit........advice/tips/warnings.

#1

I’m going up to Summit this weekend for my 2nd race ever and 1st time to Summit. Any of you veterans have some words of wisdom for a rookie. Also, is anyone going up from the Triangle area? If so I’d like to caravan in case anyone has a breakdown like Carter did going to RA.

#2

[ul][li]Check your brakes on the straight before the braking zone into T1 (there’s a decent run-off from the straight towards the skidpad, but only if there isn’t a school using it)[/li]
[li]Check your mirrors before turn-in on T1 – someone may overcook it down the straight and bounce off of you at turn-in. (Of course that is the method I use for really tight turns in GT4 on the PS2.)[/li]
[li]There’s invariably debris dropped on the inside line of the first apex of T1. Use some practice time to play with the grip on the outside – but not too far out, it gets mighty marbly.[/li]
[li]It’s counter-intuitive, get your shift and braking done going uphill after T3, but keep some maintenance throttle in after the crest of the hill and into T4. (You’ll have to consciously fight your instincts the first few times through here).[/li]
[li]T5 is the slowest turn on the course – there’s no speed to be gained by wailing through there, you’ll just end up in the berm.[/li]
[li]If you drift outside in the carousel (T6), let it come out – as Han discovered, the banking of the grass will help you keep it under control.[/li]
[li]Don’t drift all the way out to the left through the bridge, as the track jinks back in on you.[/li]
[li]Don’t lift completely/severely off the throttle in T10 – you can loop, or even flip your car. Conversely, if you take it too hot through ten, the track-out gators are rough and end abruptly – if you can’t get the car back on the track safely, drive further off towards the grass and come back on further down the straight.[/li][/ul]

Here’s Eric Wong’s (E36 IP #95) video from last year at Summit:
http://www.bryanwatts.com/videos/EW-SP-BMWCCA-HIGH.wmv
(I’m still impressed than Dan Martin won the IS class after getting pitched off by a white E36 in T6. And watch for the 3-wheel mini in T9 about halfway through the race, and the errant 4th wheel.)

And the last bit of advice – don’t follow Vic’s line through T1:
http://usa.kawarini.com/video/Dave.wmv

Post edited by: sharkd, at: 2006/08/21 13:54

#3

sharkd wrote:

[quote][ul][li]Check your brakes on the straight before the braking zone into T1 (there’s a decent run-off from the straight towards the skidpad, but only if there isn’t a school using it)[/li]
[li]It’s counter-intuitive, get your shift and braking done going uphill after T3, but keep some maintenance throttle in after the crest of the hill and into T4. (you’ll have to consciously fight your instincts the first few times through here.[/li]
[li]T5 is the slowest turn on the course – there’s no speed to be gained by wailing through there, you’ll just end up in the berm.[/li]
[li]If you drift outside in the carousel (T6), let it come out – as Han discovered, the banking of the grass will help you keep it under control.[/li]
[li]Don’t drift all the way out to the left through the bridge the track jinks back in on you.[/li]
[li]Don’t lift completely/severely off the throttle in T10 – you can loop, or even flip your car. Conversely, if you take it too hot through ten, the track-out gators are rough and end abruptly – if you can’t get the car back on the track safely, drive further off towards the grass and come back on further down the straight.[/li][/ul]

Here’s Eric Wong’s (E36 IP #95) video from last year at Summit:
http://www.bryanwatts.com/videos/EW-SP-BMWCCA-HIGH.wmv
(I’m still impressed than Dan Martin won the IS class after getting pitched off by a white E36 in T6.)[/quote]
This is pretty good advice. Definitely keep going off in the grass if you booger up T10. trying to get back on quickly here is an invitation to meet the concrete wall along pit road.
T3 is harder than it looks, the turn in point is the beginning of the service road.
Don’t lift going down the chute (T4>T5)

#4

screwynewy wrote:

Hey Ken, ditto for me, except I’ve been to Summit a few times before. Anyways from the standpoint of another Rook, I really like the advice given by the guys above because it reminds me to start thinking of Summit under race conditions, not just the HPDE environ. For an E30 perspective, here are my vid clips from Summit, all taken from my car this year. See you there.

shakedown at Summit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOafwLiu5SQ

with Greg Lane (great instructor):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY5qlO06WoQ

fast traffic after Turn 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-CN5hE6H7Q

cockpit cam in the rain at Summit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YacaA3Z3hY

#5

Well, I was fortunate to get Carter as my instructor the first, and only, time that I’ve been on the main circuit. Not only did he help me learn the track, but he gave me a number of pointers and helped me understand what I need to be thinking about and what needs to be automatic when I’m out there in race traffic.

That said, talking to Dan Martin, Eric Wong, a couple of BMWCCA instructors and a number of the other SpecE30 guys, as well as watching 4 SpecE30 races and 2 Jefferson 500’s from the infield and trackside has given me a passable sense of the track.

If you want good vantage points: the infield of T1, the T4 flag station and the barbecue pit at T5/T6 (not the grandstands).

Post edited by: sharkd, at: 2006/08/21 16:51

#6

MOST IMPORTANT

use the newer toilets that are behind the pro shop, the crabs and germs in the old bathroom could survive a nuclear blast.

Al

#7

FARTBREF wrote:

[quote]MOST IMPORTANT

use the newer toilets that are behind the pro shop, the crabs and germs in the old bathroom could survive a nuclear blast.[/quote]

Wait!? You mean there are clean(er) toilets at Summit?

Are there, by chance, clean(er) showers, as well? (I’d like the option to camp out.)

#8

FARTBREF wrote:

[quote]MOST IMPORTANT

use the newer toilets that are behind the pro shop, the crabs and germs in the old bathroom could survive a nuclear blast.

Al[/quote]

I may come in last place in both races but I am glad to know which crapper to use. :wink:

#9

sharkd wrote:

[quote]FARTBREF wrote:

[quote]MOST IMPORTANT

use the newer toilets that are behind the pro shop, the crabs and germs in the old bathroom could survive a nuclear blast.[/quote]

Wait!? You mean there are clean(er) toilets at Summit?

Are there, by chance, clean(er) showers, as well? (I’d like the option to camp out.)[/quote] Oh, yeah…use the showers by timing and scoring. ‘Mo Betta’ then the one in the paddock. The ones at Shenandoah may well be open too…and they are Brandy New

Post edited by: nasaregistrar, at: 2006/08/22 11:39

#10

sharkd wrote:

[quote]And the last bit of advice – don’t follow Vic’s line through T1:
http://usa.kawarini.com/video/Dave.wmv[/quote]

haha wheeeeee

I look forward to watching the show this weekend B)

Post edited by: ecpreston, at: 2006/08/22 11:58