Track Day at Pocono Raceway (PICS)

[MrAngry]

Hey Guys -

Awhile ago I had signed up for a track day at Pocono International Raceway with the New York Motor Club. Well, yesterday was the day and it was a total blast friggin' blast. We ran the east course which is a 1.35 mile inner road course that utilized part of the back nascar straight as well as the entire infield section. I (as always) was the oldest car on the track with my '68 Charger. The rest of the pack was made up of some high dollar stuff like Lamborghini's, Ferrari's, Porsche's, BMW's as well as some Corvette's and Lotus's and such.

In the beginning of day the instructors asked who in the group had racetrack experience... I did, so I raised my hand as did about 8 other members of the say 25 in the group. He then went around and ask what was our experience and what we drove. It basically went Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW - then he got to me. I said I was driving a 1968 Dodge Charger and he literally stopped dead and asked me if I was kidding... I simply said "no" and explained that it was set up for an event such as this and the suspension, brakes and engine had been updated accordingly - he just smiled and said "I can't wait to see this..."

He then went through the in's and out's, went over the track rules and flags broke us down into 2 groups - beginner and advanced. I was went into the advanced group and out we went - the order went something like this. Gallardo, Gallardo, 911 Turbo, 911 Carrera 4S, '07 BMW M5, '68 CHARGER, Lotus Excige and BMW M3.

Alrighty then.

So out we went. Now I have run the east course at Pocono A LOT as I used to race motorcycles there so I knew the track pretty darn good and I hoping this was going to be my ace in the hole - as it turned out however many of the other guys had run this course as well, so, so much for my ace. We got out there and it was one acquaintance lap then balls to the wall and let me tell you something, I beat this car to DEATH and it just kept on going. I managed to reel in the M5 in about 2 laps and then proceeded to stick on the bumper of the Carrera 4S. I simply could not catch him though as well... it's a Porsche. The thing that I most amazed at though was that other cars could not catch me. In fact throughout the day I was passed on 3 times - once by 2 Lamborghini Gallardo's on the straight another by a BMW M3 and then one more time by a 911 Turbo. Otherwise that was it...

I never once engaged the GV Unit instead just using the reverse manual valve body utilizing the 3:55s that I have in the rear. I know the valve body is more a drag racing set-up, but let me tell you something... it works AWESOME!!!! on a road course. This is the 5th time I have taken this car on a closed circuit course and with each lap I gain more and more confidence in the cars abilities, it's strengths and it's short comings.

Things I need:
- another 100hp
- 18" wheels all around, the stagger of 17s and 18s works, but it is not optimum
- Better Tires
- bigger brakes - will most likely sell the the BAERs that I have and go with a new set-up with a 14" rotor and 6-piston caliper or new 4-piston Viper unit. I ran Motul RBF600 brake fluid which has a boiling point of 600 degrees and that stuff is worth it's weight in GOLD! Also, swapped out the stock pads for Hawk HPS Track/Street pads - expensive but again, totally worth it.
- New tranny cooler with built in SPAL fans as well as external oil cooler with built in fans.
- Roll Cage

Otherwise this thing was a rock star! The only time hit 3rd gear was on the straight where we would top out at like 105-110mph, the rest of the time I was in 2nd and spinning and that old 440 at between 3500-5500rpms - keep in mind I did this for 4 sessions with each session consisting of about 10-12 laps. That and the fact I drove 120 miles to the track then another 120 miles home and then sitting in NYC traffic for and hour and never once having the temp. go over 200. The best part was at the end of the day having 3 of the track officials that were there, who were in their 50s and 60s come over to me and saying that they've seen just about everything run here but seeing but a '68 Charger run past the Pocono Raceway sign on the back straight with the exhaust wailing was the coolest thing they've seen in years and brought back A LOT of memories.

All in all it was great day and I friggin LOVE THIS CAR!!!

http://web.mac.com/miltongil/iWeb/Si...20Raceway.html

[scogin918]

Good job! I always love that double take people do when they 1st see a muscle car mixing it up with the newer cars.

[skeeters65]

I guess you shut up the guy that said I got to see this!!

[68Punishergto]

yea boy you show them. i would have went if i didnt have to be in skool the next day. quick question what route did u take to get to the track?

[BADVELLE]

Awesome!

[Zeventy1Z]

That is priceless!!! i woulda loved to sit there and watch the reaction of those guys while you were on the track tearing it up...

btw... Sorry i you've already been asked this, i'm still kinda new here, but are you Mr. Angry with the Charger from the show BullRun?

[6'9"Witha69]

That is priceless!!! i woulda loved to sit there and watch the reaction of those guys while you were on the track tearing it up...

btw... Sorry i you've already been asked this, i'm still kinda new here, but are you Mr. Angry with the Charger from the show BullRun?

That would be him.

[skatinjay27]

very cool!!! the sentance about the old men gave me chills... or maybe its this fan blowing directly on me right now lol anyways sweet post.

[Larry Callahan]

Too freaking cool!!!!! That sounded like a LOT of fun. Any chance you shot some video? I'm sure everyone would love to see and hear it sing.

Any chance you will be at SEMA this year?

[novanutcase]

THAT, my friend, is the definition of Pro-Touring!

John

[MrAngry]

Not sure if the video will work on all PC's it's in a quicktime format, but take a look.

http://web.mac.com/miltongil/iWeb/Si...20Raceway.html

I'm working on SEMA right now - hopefully we'll be out there with the car.