Nor Cal SAAC Spring Sprint 2010

[garner67]

Anyone from the PT crowd going to this event?

Nor Cal SAAC Spring Sprint 2010
http://www.norcal-saac.org/news/1004th.htm

If you've never driven on the open track, this is a great way to get introduced to track driving. There are good friendly, experienced instructors (basically, experienced open track drivers, not pro instructors). You'll get plenty of track time, and you'll definitely walk away with a huge smile on your face. I did this event 2 years ago, and after almost a 2 year break from driving my car on the track, I plan on refreshing my driving skills at this event.

Let me know if you want to join the fun.

mike

[Jeff70]

Hey Garner,

Is their a lot of people that show up with daily drivers? I'm thinking of attending with the wife but will have to run the daily driver.




Jeff

[garner67]

Hey Garner,

Is their a lot of people that show up with daily drivers? I'm thinking of attending with the wife but will have to run the daily driver.
Jeff

The last Spring Sprint I attended (2008) there were quite a few daily drivers in the driving school. There was a 4 door Infinity; a Subaru WRX; Cadillac CTS; and a BMW 5 series. There were a couple of wives as well as a teenager with his dad participating in the driving school. It's a great venue to get your feet wet on the track in a safe and well organized event.

Since I haven't been on the track in 2 years, I'm taking the driving school class again this year. I'm looking forward to the autocross instruction in the morning. Then, there will be open track instruction in the afternoon. For $175, I think it's a pretty good deal. Plus, I always like to get a ride in one of the more serious track cars in the fast group. Those guys can drive!

Let me know if you plan to attend, and I'll look for you at the track!

[Jeff70]

PM'd ya....

[Gitter Dun]

I'm interested, looks to me like Sunday would be the best day due to the driver training classes they have scheduled for Saturday, if there are more that show interest it's a definite for me, would like to see at least 10 old school pro touring cars there.

[garner67]

If you're not interested in taking the driving school course, you'd definitely get more track time on Sunday.

I'm only driving on Saturday. I need to get back home to prep for the Fabulous Fords Knotts show in LA, which is the very next weekend.

[Gitter Dun]

Oh well, maybe next time, definitely would like to get something organized for Infineon or Thunderhill though. NASA Time Trial events are $150 and if you have an AMD transponder they will give you your printed lap times and the run time is 25 minutes with 4 runs. Then theres Track Masters, they have a Tier 2 sign up and thats $155 with 4 25 minute runs but they dont time their laps. Most of their track days are at Thunder Hill.

[garner67]

Today was the day for the Nor Cal Shelby Club Spring Sprint. It was a beautiful day with lots of track time. The track was shared between Nor Cal Shelby Club and HSR-West Vintage Races. It is a two day event, but I could only manage to make one day.

Here are a few car photos from the event (sorry no video). Since I was running in the novice group, I did not run with most of these cars, which were in the advanced groups. However, these cars sure provide a lot of inspiration!

Here's a beautiful Daytona replica.


An awesome Boss 302 replica build.


This is a Stang that participated in the optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge last year.


Here's a nice pair... a Cobra replica and a new Mustang spec racer



And to just show you there weren't only Fords in attendance, here are a few others...

Here's a photo of cars running in the advanced group. All lined up in the hot pit area; ready to take to the track.


Brand new ZR1 Vette... unbelievable car. Look at the size of those brake rotors!


Classic Vette.


One of a half a dozen stock cars in attendance.


Now I'm not sure what this car is, but maybe someone here knows what the heck it is. It had a mid engine/trans and an all fiberglass (or maybe carbon fiber) body.


Overall, it was a great day, and my car survived the drive to and from the track as well as a full day of track driving without incident... well, unless you count all the bug carnage and some track rubber.

[Gitter Dun]

Great pics Garner! How did you car feel on the track?

[-The Stig-]

Now I'm not sure what this car is, but maybe someone here knows what the heck it is. It had a mid engine/trans and an all fiberglass (or maybe carbon fiber) body.

That's an Ultima Can-Am kit car. They're usually powered by a LSx Motor.
http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/

[garner67]

Great pics Garner! How did you car feel on the track?

It felt pretty good on track, and after driving with instructors in the passenger side seat, my driving line improved dramatically. Also, having more camber (-2*) this time helped, but what I really need is some real sticky track tires.

Here's the scary thing... My engine seems to have some sort of imbalance issue at high rpm. There's a definite vibration over 4500 rpm. However, the engine ran cool the whole day as well as the drive home. Hopefully, I can figure it out before this coming weekend, because I have plans to drive to LA for the Knott's Car Show. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Gitter Dun]

It felt pretty good on track, and after driving with instructors in the passenger side seat, my driving line improved dramatically. Also, having more camber (-2*) this time helped, but what I really need is some real sticky track tires.

Here's the scary thing... My engine seems to have some sort of imbalance issue at high rpm. There's a definite vibration over 4500 rpm. However, the engine ran cool the whole day as well as the drive home. Hopefully, I can figure it out before this coming weekend, because I have plans to drive to LA for the Knott's Car Show. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Awesome, It's great to hear of positive track experiences. As far as tires go, I would go with the Toyo RA-1's. You can drive on the street with them even in the rain and they will last you a fair amount of time. The R888's are absolutely terrible in the rain.

As far as your engine goes, be sure to check your engine mounts, u-joints, and possibly balance your driveshaft before tearing apart your engine.

[garner67]

As far as your engine goes, be sure to check your engine mounts, u-joints, and possibly balance your driveshaft before tearing apart your engine.

Good idea. Anyone know where I can have a driveshaft balanced in the SF Bay area?

[Jeff70]

Hey Garner i was their also but never seen you near or in your car I left about 1:30pm the sister car to the blue boss replica the orange one was crazy fast!

Got any pics of the yellow 69 camaro with LS9? lol....
I got some HD video nothing to good, I cannot put up anything since my computer is down.


Jeff