Infineon report - Whew!!

#1

First, I’ve got to say that for anyone who hasn’t driven Sears Point / Infineon - which I imagine is most of this board - it’s one hell of a fun track. Very technical with nearly every corner leading into the next; very difficult to learn in a race weekend; and VERY little run-off room.

In a nutshell, the spec E30 contingency (me), which ran with 14 Miatas, made a very poor showing this weekend up in northern CA:

Bad start on Saturday’s race, followed by a puckering spin exiting turn ten at the end of the first lap. (I believe I earned Mike Mill’s "Lucky SOB of the Weekend" award for that one, as that same corner ate at least 3 or 4 cars this weekend for doing pretty much the same thing I did. I just slid in a different direction!) I then tried to play catch up after getting the car pointed the right direction & resuming the race. No luck - last place.

On Sunday I had what initially appeared to be a much better start, passing several Miatas on the drop of the green flag. Then coming into the first turn the cars in front of me split, and while I was thinking to myself, "that’s odd", I noticed a bumper lying in the middle of the track. I swerved, tucked in behind the car beside me, and avoided the bumper, but in all of the excitement forgot to downshift & ended up back at the back of the pack. I managed to pass a couple of the Miatas, plus I imagine a few others did not finish (by the end of the race the front end of someone’s car was lying just outside turn 7 & there were miscellaneous car parts in a few places around the track). So at least I wasn’t last both days!

Fun weekend, great track, highly recommended, I’ll be back. LOOOOONG drive, though. Very sore backside today! Next time I may need to tow…

#2

Oh - and I wanted to say thanks to Pig-4-Bill for stopping by to say hello.

#3

Hey, thanks for showing me around your car. It has just about the perfect balance of budget build vs safety vs useful features. I need to talk you into bolting in that right seat sometime when you do a Big Willow or Buttonwillow day.

Here you are chasing down a Mini, or him passing you. It remains a secret which.

West coast Championship SpecE30 points leader at speed:

I have a few other pics if you want to build a gallery on the site.

#4

which configuration of the track did they run? I am going to assume you ran the ALMS config, but maybe they wanted to slow you all down and run the chicane on the back straight.
I was there two summers ago and loved every minute of it. It is quite a place when you come over a hill and see grape vines off in the distance.
In case you did not stop in this time, make sure you go to Angelo’s deli (out the front gate, hang a left and drive three miles), for lunch. It is a classic.
One of these days I hope to get back out there again.

Thanks for posting a report and photos.

Jon

#5

No chicanes. Same configuration as shown in the map below (if I can get it posted!). I believe this is the ALMS configuration but with the shorter turn 7. I agree - it’s an amazing facility.

And thanks Richard for posting the pictures! Actually, I think that MINI was about 8 sec’s faster than me…:frowning:

Post edited by: sdais, at: 2005/08/09 16:56

Post edited by: sdais, at: 2005/08/10 11:46

#6

That looks like the GT-4 track configuration :slight_smile: I love driving that track (only in the game, unfortunately).

I was really disappointed watching the NASCAR race there because the did not do the left hander under the bridge.

-Steve

#7

Steve:

Thanks for the report. We always enjoy reading about your adventures.

As someone who has driven a Spec E30 race car to the track many times, I understand your pain.

After reading your report, I’m even more likely to fly out and rent one of Mike’s future Spec E30 racecars for a weekend next year.

I’ll try to get a couple of our other racers to join me. Four of us racing would be a lot of fun, that’s for sure!

Carter

#8

If that idea is an option next year, I will definitely start saving for a weekend at infineon. I might finish in the back out west too, but it will still be just as fun.

jon

#9

Let’s do it!

Carter

#10

I talked to Mike this weekend, who mentioned that they are just getting going on the first car. E v e n t u a l l y we will get some more spec e30’s out here!

There was recommendation made this weekend that I should post a $100 offer to the first 3 guys to beat me in their (not Mike’s!) spec cars. At the worst I’m out $300 and have 3 cars to race with. Or would that be the best case…? :ermm: