Upcoming Open Track day at Buttonwillow Raceway in central California

[mpozzi]

http://www.greenflagdriving.com/ for more information on this event. I've attended several of the Green Flag Driving events and they're well run, very safe with most groups having designated passing zones usually WITH a point-by, and not a lot of cars per group. In the past, most groups run for about 25 minutes per session. As Green Flag Driving is a distant offshoot of the Nor-Cal Shelby Club, most of the same cars run both club events so you'll be running with Cobras, Shelby Mustangs, and other assorted fast muscle cars. Charley Lillard usually brings something incredibly neat that goes quick down and that's worth attending just by itself.

Not sure which track configuration they'll use but there's only a couple of places that are potential problem spots (hint: think "late apex" onto the front straight). You'll mow down a tumbleweed or three if you go OC in most other areas. You'll also get called in to the pit lane and a lecture from the event marshall for annoying the tumbleweed ... safety, remember??

We usually take the motorhome down and offer up some BBQ ribs, chicken, and whatever else that once had parents for Friday and Saturday evening fare. It's potluck and we eat until it's gone!!! And I promise to NOT bring the leftover turkey ...

Update your calendars for November 29-30, 2008 as this track day will be great!!

Cheers and hope we get a good Pro-Touring turnout,
Mary Pozzi

[Steve1968LS2]

You "might" want to put down the date for this little event ;)

[mpozzi]

I'm a dork and added the date to my original post ...

Duh,
Mary Pozzi

[David Pozzi]

This is a great event, and if you enter the second day, the track is usually less crowded, people want to run Saturday and go home Sunday.
David

[Charley Lillard]

I go quick....Just when I think I am going fast...Mary passes me. I bought a Panoz I might have to bring down there.

[Orngcrush69]

You know us, we'll be down with something.

[ITLBTU]

Do they have RV parking there? I don't know if I should bring two cars. The 69 would be fun, but I don't trust it to survive a whole day's worth of thrashing. I would bring the Z06 as a back-up...

[mpozzi]

Do they have RV parking there? I don't know if I should bring two cars. The 69 would be fun, but I don't trust it to survive a whole day's worth of thrashing. I would bring the Z06 as a back-up...

Yes, they do and it would be fun to have another RV there. Bring what you want as the event's pretty laid back and there's plenty of time to fix if you need to. Hope that doesn't happen ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[Nessumsar]

Does someone want to "sponsor" me to go? lol

Would love to, but the funds are going to be tight for me that time of year; wedding (tomorrow), 6 b-days, x-mas...

I'll start scraping my pennies together, might have enough in the couch!

[mpozzi]

Congrats on your impending nuptials and if you can't drive, just come hang out with us. Several of the cars have room for passengers so bring a helmet and leather gloves.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[ITLBTU]

Do I need to mount a fire extinguisher in the car?

[676869addict]

do you know you cost of this event thanks dave

[Orngcrush69]

Charlie,
Did you buy the one that was on Ebay, #19?

[mpozzi]

Do I need to mount a fire extinguisher in the car?

Not mandatory but recommended ... every corner station is not manned but most are. Buttonwillow's a large track.

Mary Pozzi

[mpozzi]

do you know you cost of this event thanks dave

Check the link above and then go to the 2008 schedule. All the information should be on there.

Mary Pozzi

[Steve1968LS2]

If Mary and Dave don't wreck my car I will be there... lol

[Charley Lillard]

Yes I bought the # 19 Panoz on Ebay. Had it at Thunderhill today. It is easy to drive fast but I have to say it is boring compared to the old cars. My Mustangs are more of a wrestling match. Went off track in turn 6. No warning when the rear let loose and I went spinning. I will give it another try with new tires. Great brakes. Managed to shut the car off while shifting from 3rd to 4th to pass a guy. Shift lever is kinda close to the toggle switch.

[David Pozzi]

"Managed to shut the car off while shifting"
Charley, keep that feature, it'll be more fun watching you! :)

[MrQuick]

This might actually work with Gina and I.
We are skipping big vacations this year (SEMA/Hawaii) and its a great advance warning.

Sunday sounds perfect...now to find time to swap out the rack in the Firebird.


Vince

[ITLBTU]

Well, my wife thinks it looks like fun. She said that it would be a good way to celebrate the 12th anniversary of my departure from NASCAR LMS racing... I don't know if I want to mount a fire ext. inside my Vette. If I take 2 cars do I have to pay dble the amnt if I'm the only driver? I also have permission to take my parents RV. Is there a safe area for my wife to play with the kids in the RV parking area?

[Chad-1stGen]

I'm probably just dreaming but I checked out the website and under rules there sure doesn't seem to be a whole lot. Is there any other rules or tech form or tech inspection required?

Also, a snell 90 or newer rated helmet is required. I can't recall is snell the automotive rating or may my motorcycle helmet potentially qualify?

Thanks

[mpozzi]

Well, my wife thinks it looks like fun. She said that it would be a good way to celebrate the 12th anniversary of my departure from NASCAR LMS racing... I don't know if I want to mount a fire ext. inside my Vette. If I take 2 cars do I have to pay dble the amnt if I'm the only driver? I also have permission to take my parents RV. Is there a safe area for my wife to play with the kids in the RV parking area?

Glad to hear you're bring the wife and kids and yes, the RV parking area is paved and safe. Just make sure they don't play in the main lanes by the permanent garages.

Most of the non-race cars don't have extinguishers permanently mounted and as tracking your car is pretty much like driving on the highway, you should be fine.

As for taking two cars with one driver, I'd check with Green Flag but don't see this as being a problem. Both cars should pass your tech inspection. I would just put both cars down on your entry form ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[mpozzi]

I'm probably just dreaming but I checked out the website and under rules there sure doesn't seem to be a whole lot. Is there any other rules or tech form or tech inspection required?

Also, a snell 90 or newer rated helmet is required. I can't recall is snell the automotive rating or may my motorcycle helmet potentially qualify?

Thanks

Normally, the car owner/entrant performs their own tech but the Green Flag crew can assist you at the track. Just be sure the car is safe and will pass what's listed on that Tech form.

And Snell is a safety rating but unsure if it's specifically for automobile racing or motorcycle. I have heard that helmets manufactured for motorcycle use are of different construction than those for automobile racing.

Hope to see you out there ...
Mary Pozzi

[Twentyover]

Snell has two ratings, M for motorcycle and SA for automobiles. The hats are tailored for different expected impacts- a scooter hat for a single big hit, then possible penetration; an SA type for smaller, repeated impacts with a roll hoop or roof of a car. Construction of the two hats (shell strength, foam placement and density, etc) is different

Every 5 years the Snell standard updates- the latest are 2005. Most RACE sanctioning bodies now require SA2000 hats (certified to the 2000 version).

If you're planning on tracking a car, step up to the bar and buy an SA hat that's designed for that application you're using it for

[David Pozzi]

The SA helmets are also Nomex lined for fire protection.
There are also lighter weight helmets made of Kevlar instead of Fiberglass. This helps when driving high "G" racecars or tracks.

Helmets are getting thicker and thicker, especially at the rear of the head area, this changes clearance from the headrest of your seat. I had to rework my headrest on the Lola to fit my new helmet.

If you will ever use a balaclava, (headsock) have one on when you try on helmets, a guy with facial hair needs a two layer headsock and that get's pretty thick affecting helmet size. Open track events do not require a headsock, but SCCA or most vintage events do.
David

[Orngcrush69]

Bringing the Camaro #117. Rumor has it that the Pozzi's will be there on 11/29 too.

[mpozzi]

Change of plans ... staying home that weekend as we've got cars that need some wrenching.

Cheers and have fun,
Mary Pozzi

[CurtiSS 69]

Well...How did it go? Any photos, or video?

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Orngcrush69]

Good day of racing. The track was a little wet in the morning but dried out after a few rounds of track time. I started out in "Green" where there were mostly full blown race cars (didn't know the event had changed to a tech/Vintage GT day) and realised after almost a year off the track, and on worn tires I should drop down to "Red".
In "Red" I chewed up Miatas, Mustangs and the Euro trash in the old '68 Camaro. lol
My day ended with a great spin in the middle of "Mazda Star" with me almost getting stuck in the mud.
I borrowed a friends VholdR cam, but recording was hit and miss...so I don't have any footage worth a darn.

[CurtiSS 69]

My day ended with a great spin in the middle of "Mazda Star" with me almost getting stuck in the mud.
I borrowed a friends VholdR cam, but recording was hit and miss...so I don't have any footage worth a darn.

Dave,

If I remember correctly there's a video of you going around in the Chevelle in the same turn? Maybe they should rename it to the Dave H. turn. Did they run configuration 1 CW both days? What type and size tires are you running on the Camaro?

As for the video could you piece something together in Movie Maker? Were you the sole P-T guy there?

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Steven]

I was there and parked next to orngcrush69 for the Saturday's run. I drove in the yellow group and had a great time. I was passed and passed several cars. My monte ran great and had no problems. My video camera did not do so hot, a plug was not in solid so it cuts in and out bad. There was a few miata drivers that would benefit from the up coming school that Dave and Mary will be teaching. I would go, but Easter weekend is packed full already. Dave and Mary, you were missed.

[Orngcrush69]

CurtiSS, yep they should call it Dave H corner. Same turn but different direction, and car. It doesn't matter...that corner hates me and I hate that corner!!! We only ran Saturday, so I'm not sure what they ran on Sunday.

As far as tire we're running 245/17 & 275/17 Kumho's , and this was the last run on them!

As far as the video, I'll working on trying to get something together.

It was great to see MonteC out there running, I think he'll just keep working on his car to get it better.

[Steven]

Ya, it's not called the money pit for nothing.

[CurtiSS 69]

CurtiSS, yep they should call it Dave H corner. Same turn but different direction, and car. It doesn't matter...that corner hates me and I hate that corner!!! We only ran Saturday, so I'm not sure what they ran on Sunday.

Maybe you should only go when they run configuration 13 to get rid of that Star Mazda turn! Try 13 CCW I highly recommend it.

Which tires will you run next, or will you stay with the Kumho's MX's?

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Orngcrush69]

Stay home because of track config??? I don't think so! I'll figure the corner out eventually! We're actually running the Victoracer V700, I think it's a good tire for the money. The next tire I wanna try the nitto NT01.

[CurtiSS 69]

Stay home because of track config??? I don't think so! I'll figure the corner out eventually! We're actually running the Victoracer V700, I think it's a good tire for the money. The next tire I wanna try the nitto NT01.


Dave,

Think of it the other way. When they run configuration 13 you should be there. There are plenty of opportunities. Hopefully Redline runs 13 CCW again. With Redline Me, T/Aaron, and Jim Smith got 6-25 minute sessions (the final session was actually over 30 minutes) for $175! The last session had less than 20 cars. It was in July though.

I've been thinking about the same tires. If it keeps raining when I go to the track I may get to wear out the MX's instead of chunking them. I expected them to fly apart the last time at Infineon.

Regards

CurtiSS 69