Who's in for the Rock?

#1

Alright, I know it isn’t a hugely popular event, but who’s in?

Pattons??? Alonzo???

We’ve got one fresh BeerTech car left. . .

  1. JP Coates
#2

JP…Me and Big Al will be there. I think most of the MA guys are skeered of the ROCK!

Travis Wilson
"Malt Liquor Tech"

#3

Car is in pieces, but I’m planning on it.

#4

I’ll be there doing the DE2 thing but won’t be in the E30. I am waiting to take delivery of it next week sometime. I’ll be in the white '00 Prelude. Looking forward to flat-out banks and meeting some of the SE30 guys. Wes

#5

Have fun AJ and the rest of the Spec E30 crowd! Salazar is saving up for CMP.

-Vic
#325

#6

I’ll be there in DE2 with the gold e30 and Dave will have his blue e28. Gotta remember to bring old tires. That place eats them.

#7

As is the norm for all NASA SE events (gotta do the instructor thing) the Pattons will be there.

I look forward to meeting some new faces (Wes) at the Rock this weekend.

Regards, Robert Patton

P.S. If you know any instuctor-types we are in need of additional help. Thanks in advance.

#8

have fun guys. We are gonna miss this one as we are finishing up my dad’s car. We are hoping to be at CMP with both cars but at least one car.

#9

I talked to Julie today, looks like we’ll have four races this weekend! The Sat. fun race will be an hour long.

With that much track time on such a small track we may get dizzy. :sick:

Stephen, you in???

#10

Robert - Do you know the schedule yet? I could not get there before mid afternoon on Sat. but might consider if there was still a chance I could jump in on the race, even though it would be the first time ever for me on that track.

#11

I was told that it will be posted on Wed.

#12

Typically, qualifying and the Lightning race are after lunch on Saturday. If you can’t make that one, there is always the fun run race which is run as one of the last things on Saturday afternoon. I’m not sure if it will run again this way, but that’s typically how it goes.

Hope that helps,

Laura

#13

Typically, qualifying and the Lightning race are after lunch on Saturday. If you can’t make that one, there is always the fun run race which is run as one of the last things on Saturday afternoon. I’m not sure if it will run again this way, but that’s typically how it goes.

Hope that helps,

Laura

#14

David, I was told yesterday that the schedule will mirror last year’s. Now if I could only find last year’s… For a quick answer you can try calling Julie at 704-436-8211, or wait until the schedule is posted on Wednesday.

Rockingham takes about 1.17 seconds to learn. Once you’re comfortable with your foot on the floor through the oval section of the track, then it takes 1.10 to 1.12 depending on traffic and weather. The most challenging turn is the one into the infield section of the track. Make sure your ABS works or you can flatspot the inside/unweighted tire on the transition.

It is easy to learn and fun to race on as you can go side-by-side through most of the track. If you’ve never done a roval you will have great respect for the NASCAR guys as the go side-by-side/nose-to-tail for many laps at the Rock. I don’t know how they do it.

Regards, Robert Patton

#15

Take a spare windshield.

#16

I just registered. I’ll be driving up on Saturday morning. Looking forward to a fun
weekend.

Steven

#17

Gasman wrote:

Seems like there are two basic lines to take when exiting the infield road course to get up on the banking on the NASCAR front straight. First, you have the big-time racer dude line, which is unfortunately also the body-twisting, windshield-breaking line.

You’ll see when you get there that if you take the direct up-ramp to the banking that the body will take a hell of a ‘crank’ as it transitions from the flat. I think most of the broken windshields I’m familiar with happened from body twisting. Not just E30 cars either; an E46 M3 broke one the same way a few years back.

The kindler, gentler (is it really slower?) line is to kinda stay low, turn left, and ‘merge’ as you ease on down the main straight. I wasn’t racing last time I was there so can’t directly comment on speed but it didn’t seem slower to me.

Which approach does the "Taxi Driver" favor, Robert? :wink:

#18

ctbimmer wrote:

[quote]Gasman wrote:

Seems like there are two basic lines to take when exiting the infield road course to get up on the banking on the NASCAR front straight. First, you have the big-time racer dude line, which is unfortunately also the body-twisting, windshield-breaking line.

You’ll see when you get there that if you take the direct up-ramp to the banking that the body will take a hell of a ‘crank’ as it transitions from the flat. I think most of the broken windshields I’m familiar with happened from body twisting. Not just E30 cars either; an E46 M3 broke one the same way a few years back.

The kindler, gentler (is it really slower?) line is to kinda stay low, turn left, and ‘merge’ as you ease on down the main straight. I wasn’t racing last time I was there so can’t directly comment on speed but it didn’t seem slower to me.[/quote]
you are likely to get some windshield (and front paint) damage regardless of which line you take out on to the banking…the surface at rockingham is very gritty and there is a lot of small "debris" flying around…the front end of your car will take a beating there if you are racing…i reccomend keeping your helmet visor down since there will be a lot of crap flying around…

as far as the line out on the banking, it’s usually determined by the line you take in to the final turn before the banking…an early line there will spit you out and up on to the bankly quickly…a later line will allow you to stay down low on the apron longer (which is the better/faster line, imo)…

#19

dmwhite wrote:

[quote]ctbimmer wrote:

[quote]Gasman wrote:

Seems like there are two basic lines to take when exiting the infield road course to get up on the banking on the NASCAR front straight. First, you have the big-time racer dude line, which is unfortunately also the body-twisting, windshield-breaking line.

You’ll see when you get there that if you take the direct up-ramp to the banking that the body will take a hell of a ‘crank’ as it transitions from the flat. I think most of the broken windshields I’m familiar with happened from body twisting. Not just E30 cars either; an E46 M3 broke one the same way a few years back.

The kindler, gentler (is it really slower?) line is to kinda stay low, turn left, and ‘merge’ as you ease on down the main straight. I wasn’t racing last time I was there so can’t directly comment on speed but it didn’t seem slower to me.[/quote]
you are likely to get some windshield (and front paint) damage regardless of which line you take out on to the banking…the surface at rockingham is very gritty and there is a lot of small "debris" flying around…the front end of your car will take a beating there if you are racing…i reccomend keeping your helmet visor down since there will be a lot of crap flying around…

as far as the line out on the banking, it’s usually determined by the line you take in to the final turn before the banking…an early line there will spit you out and up on to the bankly quickly…a later line will allow you to stay down low on the apron longer (which is the better/faster line, imo)…[/quote]

My windshield was cracked at VIR, so I guess it doesn’t matter if it gets hit again… :wink:

#20

The slow/low line. Don’t tell anyone, but the up-the-hill line is up a hill. It kills any fast advantage that one might have comming out of the corner hot. I’ll continue on the slow/low line until it is proven otherwise. However, in this series there are several racers that can prove otherwise, so taking driving tips from me is not always prudent.

Regards, Robert Patton