Thunder at the Glen

#33

[quote=“Ranger” post=74229]What a great time. I don’t even know where to start.

Apparently WG makes having a big Sat party problematic so Sean Curran and the Graces fed most of the SpecE30 types 3 meals a day. That helped create a SpecE30 social center, there next to Drive-Gear, and the result was max SpecE30 bonding. For a guy coming a long ways and wanting to meet all the NE guys, it just could not have worked out better. I owe some debt for all that hospitality.

There’s a “lodge” not too far from the track that has awesome beer and is willing to serve beef that really is “rare”.

My tow was 17hrs each way. Left home Wed early evening and arrived back home Monday early evening. I did the Friday track day to learn the course a bit.

I don’t have much in the way of race tales yet. I’ll have to put together my videos so I can remember what happened. FCY dominated Sat, a Red dominated Sunday. I did not suck as much as I figured I’d suck. I was very pleased about that.

The trek home was a little stressful. I had to be home by 6PM Monday in order to pick up the kids from after-school-care. Wife flew out of town this morning. I had an emergency plan where a work-buddy would pick up the kids if I had problems and couldn’t make it. Wife was going to be pissed if I had to execute that emergency plan.

My trailer has a wheel with too much camber because an axle is bent a little. After 7 events I had to replace the tire because the inside edge had worn. It went flat on the way home from RA last month, but it was the one last remaining original tire on the trailer so it had seen a lot of miles before I bought the trailer last year.

I thought about getting the axle replaced before WG, but I figured, "ah hell, that old tire lasted a long time before it failed last week, I’ll be good for another year with a new tire. Well, I was good for 3/4 of a round trip to WG and back.

I was hustling home this morning, the 2nd day of the journey, when I pulled off at the NC/VA line for diesel. The brand new tire on the too much camber hub had a very worn inside edge. I had 2 spares, one new, one old original. I replaced the (new) worn tire with the old original spare. Once I got the worn tire off I noted that it was showing a bit of cord so I was pleased with myself for being cautious and replacing it instead of risking a tire change on the side of the freeway. It took about 1200mi to kill that new tire so I figured I was good for the run home. Running out of time, sure, but still good to go. I upped the speed from 62mph to 70mph.

The old original spare lasted 150mi. That is to say, the entire service life of that tire consisted of 1 state. I pulled off at about the SC/NC border to see how the old original spare was doing. To my very great surprise I found an inflated steel cord carcass with rubber remaining only on the sidewalls. It still held air. It looked like a SS mesh tire. Jesus Christ.

Anxious about the kids and me getting my ass handed to me by the wife, I put on my 2nd spare as fast as I could and hauled ass South. I was anxious that upping the speed from 60-70mph might have been what did the too-much-camber tire in, but at the same time I had to get back to Savannah in time to pick up the kids or it was going to be my ass. I made it, but it was close.

I figure that maybe the old original spare was probably some dry rotted POS and I didn’t realize it. The new spare held up fine.

I averaged 14mpg, I say again, 14mpg, until I upped the speed to 70mph on the way home. 24’ enclosed trailer, Ford 7.3L diesel.[/quote]

I want to see video of the toe home haha. Good to hear you had fun see you at VIR

#34

I can’t remember a race weekend I enjoyed more. Weather was postcard perfect. Great food (thanks again to the Graces!) and great company. I was able to significantly improve on my HPDE-like times from last year’s event and dice around with a few others, especially on Sunday. And I’m grateful to everyone who traveled long distances, especially Ranger at 17hrs each way, to give us such a big field. Hope you’ll make the trip again next year.

#35

Scott, the axle can be straightened. Call around to alignment shops and check.

#36

I would first like to thank everyone that took the trip up north and how they were able to bring along some epic weather, great food, and great competition. Rangers road trip somehow gave me inspiration to make some road trips down south to some other tracks in the future. Anyway back to the racing.

Saturdays Race
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlZMlTKJ88

Sundays Race
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_BY_KfNcFM

#37

Chuck, thanks, but I’ve never been able to make axle straightening work. People around here react poorly when I even suggest it. Heck, I had a helova time even finding someone willing to replace axles.

Highlights from Sunday. https://vimeo.com/75927494

#38

Wish I had made it, WG in Sept…perfect time of year, maybe next year.

Al

#39

That Mustang looked like a complete PITA, but nice driven Scott! Those new cameras seemed to work out nicely as well.

#40

Scott, here it is not a problem. I even have e30 rear arms bent back to original specs when necessary. Certainly cheaper than replacing the axle.

#41

Understood. You should have seen my goatscrew prior to replacing the first bent axle. The first 2 trailer shops wanted to replace all my “nonstandard” running gear. I was darn pleased to find a 3rd shop that said “sure, we can replace that axle”.

Here’s my Saturday video. Close racing throughout. My normal running commentary. https://vimeo.com/75986783

#42

Unfortunately, I didn’t record any video of Saturday’s race. Here’s the setup for Sunday: qualified 8th, but recognize I’ll be lucky to finish that high. The top 6 guys on the grid are way out of my league. So, I figure on making a conservative start, but things quickly get interesting in the esses. I resist the urge to follow the white car thru on the right, which would have ended badly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djFYrd9GE-s

Here’s the restart and last several laps after a long red flag (due to a different incident).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eV8F2TG8GE

#43

Thanks to everyone for posting their videos, very helpful in finding a few of the many seconds behind I am from the pack.

2 turns I stay in 4th gear when most of you appear to shift down to 3rd. Might explain why I’m lugging along through those turns…

More speed into the bus stop, more speed through the carousel, more through the chute. Looking at speedos I’m not too far off at the ends of the straights, but exiting a few turns I have several MPH to gather up.

I still feel like the 1 quart per session oil consumption is related to some of the sluggish feel I have, but the bulk of my slowness is certainly driver.

#44

[quote=“OriginalSterm” post=74262]Thanks to everyone for posting their videos, very helpful in finding a few of the many seconds behind I am from the pack.

2 turns I stay in 4th gear when most of you appear to shift down to 3rd. Might explain why I’m lugging along through those turns…

More speed into the bus stop, more speed through the carousel, more through the chute. Looking at speedos I’m not too far off at the ends of the straights, but exiting a few turns I have several MPH to gather up.

I still feel like the 1 quart per session oil consumption is related to some of the sluggish feel I have, but the bulk of my slowness is certainly driver.[/quote]

Racing is a different story and might require compromises. So don’t think that because someone downshifted to 3rd in a turn means that is what you should do all the time. For qualifying, I would stay in 4th through turn 1 and at the end of the laces. During the race, depending on the situation, I’d use 3rd when defending or 4th.

#45

[quote=“Rob in VA” post=74263][quote=“OriginalSterm” post=74262]Thanks to everyone for posting their videos, very helpful in finding a few of the many seconds behind I am from the pack.

2 turns I stay in 4th gear when most of you appear to shift down to 3rd. Might explain why I’m lugging along through those turns…

More speed into the bus stop, more speed through the carousel, more through the chute. Looking at speedos I’m not too far off at the ends of the straights, but exiting a few turns I have several MPH to gather up.

I still feel like the 1 quart per session oil consumption is related to some of the sluggish feel I have, but the bulk of my slowness is certainly driver.[/quote]

Racing is a different story and might require compromises. So don’t think that because someone downshifted to 3rd in a turn means that is what you should do all the time. For qualifying, I would stay in 4th through turn 1 and at the end of the laces. During the race, depending on the situation, I’d use 3rd when defending or 4th.[/quote]

I agree, but in situations where my car seemed to really bog down, downshifting looks to help keep the power on. Someone told me a few years ago that, even in my car, staying in 4th was the way to go for these turns. I resisted the urge to downshift because of this advise, I’ll definitely need to reconsider this next time out…

It’s worth a try, but the biggest thing for me will be seat time and growing bigger cajones for some of the turns.

#46

When you are relatively new to a track and still trying to figure out turns, the problem with going to 3rd in a borderline turn is that you no longer try so hard to increase your entry speed. If instead you go into the border line turn in 4th you’ll spend every lap trying desperately to go into the turn a little faster.

This doesn’t work as well with uphill turns because the engine will struggle with a steep uphill at 4k rpm.

#47

[quote=“OriginalSterm” post=74262]Thanks to everyone for posting their videos, very helpful in finding a few of the many seconds behind I am from the pack.

2 turns I stay in 4th gear when most of you appear to shift down to 3rd. Might explain why I’m lugging along through those turns…

More speed into the bus stop, more speed through the carousel, more through the chute. Looking at speedos I’m not too far off at the ends of the straights, but exiting a few turns I have several MPH to gather up.

I still feel like the 1 quart per session oil consumption is related to some of the sluggish feel I have, but the bulk of my slowness is certainly driver.[/quote]

FWIW, my game plan for the weekend was to really concentrate on T1 and T11, and basically just try to man-up everywhere else. I have plenty of HPDE time at WG, but only 1 day (last year) in my SE30. I found buckets of time in those two corners.

#48

[quote=“EdP” post=74268][quote=“OriginalSterm” post=74262]Thanks to everyone for posting their videos, very helpful in finding a few of the many seconds behind I am from the pack.

2 turns I stay in 4th gear when most of you appear to shift down to 3rd. Might explain why I’m lugging along through those turns…

More speed into the bus stop, more speed through the carousel, more through the chute. Looking at speedos I’m not too far off at the ends of the straights, but exiting a few turns I have several MPH to gather up.

I still feel like the 1 quart per session oil consumption is related to some of the sluggish feel I have, but the bulk of my slowness is certainly driver.[/quote]

FWIW, my game plan for the weekend was to really concentrate on T1 and T11, and basically just try to man-up everywhere else. I have plenty of HPDE time at WG, but only 1 day (last year) in my SE30. I found buckets of time in those two corners.[/quote]

T1, T9 I probably have the most to gain. Only a little to gain on each of the other turns.

Ranger, that’s a good point as well. I couldn’t build any RPMs in T9 in 4th gear and that’s one place people were walking by me.

T1 I’m slow through while in 4th (my fault) and going up the esses people get held up behind me then drive around, all while going uphill still. :frowning:

#49

[quote=“OriginalSterm” post=74272][quote=“EdP” post=74268][quote=“OriginalSterm” post=74262]Thanks to everyone for posting their videos, very helpful in finding a few of the many seconds behind I am from the pack.

2 turns I stay in 4th gear when most of you appear to shift down to 3rd. Might explain why I’m lugging along through those turns…

More speed into the bus stop, more speed through the carousel, more through the chute. Looking at speedos I’m not too far off at the ends of the straights, but exiting a few turns I have several MPH to gather up.

I still feel like the 1 quart per session oil consumption is related to some of the sluggish feel I have, but the bulk of my slowness is certainly driver.[/quote]

FWIW, my game plan for the weekend was to really concentrate on T1 and T11, and basically just try to man-up everywhere else. I have plenty of HPDE time at WG, but only 1 day (last year) in my SE30. I found buckets of time in those two corners.[/quote]

T1, T9 I probably have the most to gain. Only a little to gain on each of the other turns.

Ranger, that’s a good point as well. I couldn’t build any RPMs in T9 in 4th gear and that’s one place people were walking by me.

T1 I’m slow through while in 4th (my fault) and going up the esses people get held up behind me then drive around, all while going uphill still. :([/quote]

T9 is def. a 3rd gear turn.

#50

I found a second going through the bus stop & outerloop. It was also where I was stronger than most of the guys I was running with. T11 is way faster than I think it is (probably cause I don’t like the lack of runoff). If I can figure that corner out I’ll be running with you Rob! :stuck_out_tongue:

#51

Denny, you had some speed last weekend! Glad to see your car back in action. :slight_smile:

I kept some in reserve because my only goal last weekend was to bring the car home in one piece. Mission accomplished :slight_smile:

#52

[quote=“Rob in VA” post=74273]

T9 is def. a 3rd gear turn.[/quote]

I knew it! Next year…