Buttonwillow 26-27 April?

[CurtiSS 69]

Hello All,

After hearing of what the Pozzi's said about Buttonwillow I need to run this track. I am signed up for Saturday and Sunday. It's $249 for the whole Weekend for anyone who may be interested. The configuration is unknown, but I hope it is 13 CCW. I have been told this is the most fun. Unfortunately, I'll be relegated to the rookie class, as I have not run here before. This being the case I will have an instructor as a passenger. If any of you SoCal guys are in the area please stop by and visit, or better yet come on out and run. It should be fun.

Regards

-CurtiSS 69

[MrQuick]

13 CW is the best, who is putting it on? Green flag or speed ventures?

[mpozzi]

I think it's NASA ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[CurtiSS 69]

Quick,

Speed Ventures is doing 13 CCW this Friday. I can't go for several reasons. Namely, I am already paid up at infineon this Weekend, have a vendor from North Carolina here this week, and a conference call with Germany on Friday. As you can see I have been thinking about it. If you have the desire and the time the event was practically empty just a little bit back. Go and tell us all how much fun it is to run those esses backwards. I hear it's braking, downshifting, and cornering all at once. I don't know which configuration NASA will run there on the 26-27 April. I'm hoping for 13 CCW.

Regards

-CurtiSS 69

[Orngcrush69]

I've ran with NASA before. It's a great venue...it's more toward's racing and you'll see a lot of cars there! They have 4 levels of driving experience with a down load after each session, and you have to keep a log and be signed off to move up in levels. You can't just jump into the time trial class.
For some reason my instructor could not be found after the first run in the Chevelle and I finished the day by myself.

[Salt Racer]

I like CW better...Lost Hill and Bus Stop are more fun going CW.

[CurtiSS 69]

Hopefully my instructor doesn't ditch me. I can use the instruction, as I am no pro by any means. I was hoping to be able to ride with them in Group 4 or Time Trials, and really feel what it's like to go really fast. It would also be great if they had a new Z06, Factory 5 Cobra, Viper... or something fun like that.

A small group is starting to form for this one T/Aaron will be there, and hopefully Anthony will join in with his Monster Camaro. I was hoping some SoCal folks could join in too. I have started the NASA Passport process, but it will be a long time -if ever- before I make it to TT or Group 4.

Regards

-CurtiSS 69

[mpozzi]

I'd love to go to Buttonwillow but have a Solo II Divisional that same weekend. The site where the Divisional is being run is the gravel pit of the world and I hate it knowing the Camaro will also hate it. So tempted to just can that event and come run with you guys but need a set of track tires first.

I do have some questions about NASA events and HPDE?? I run the Green Flag/Nor Cal SAAC events with a pinch of SpeedVentures thrown in for good measure. GF events are run fairly tight (called in for an OC to explain yourself, good track protocol expected, good observation by courseworkers and event staff to ensure you're in the proper running group, etc.) where SV events are a bit more lax.

I've been to some NASA events at Laguna and it looks like a free-for-all in some groups. Is this the case or are the events more structured with regards to safety, etc?? My friend with a Spec E30 kept telling me how he passed in corners, forced people out of their line, almost hit other cars because he misjudged how quick they could slow down, etc., and never was called in by NASA officials. This friend has about 3K in his entire car and I was one that almost got hit by him. He was amazed how fast the Camaro could be brought down and guess he was mesmerized by my brake lights 'cause all I saw was a BMW hood emblem in the rear view. After we got off track, he was bragging and laughing about this and I responded with "be glad you didn't hit my car as your parents would have to use dental records to identify your sorry ass." I absolutely HATE sharing the track with someone with this type of attitude because it's all about them! And yes, he runs with NASA ... and got the boot at Green Flag.

How is HPDE different? I'll check their website and I know they explain what HPDE is but personal experiences will help me more. Any insight will be appreciated ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[MrQuick]

he was bragging and laughing about this and I responded with "be glad you didn't hit my car as your parents would have to use dental records to identify your sorry ass."
Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

Im with you on this and another reason I stay away from some events. Props on that reply, LOL. I'll be sure to stay in front of you...lap down or not. LOL

We need a few Pro-touring.com closed sessions. Keep it nice a friendly. 17-20 cars would secure the track.

[T/Aaron]

I'm up for that.

[CurtiSS 69]

Hello All,

NASA is putting it on , and the track configuration will be 13 CW.

As for Mary's comments:

"I've been to some NASA events at Laguna and it looks like a free-for-all in some groups. Is this the case or are the events more structured with regards to safety, etc?? My friend with a Spec E30 kept telling me how he passed in corners, forced people out of their line, almost hit other cars because he misjudged how quick they could slow down, etc., and never was called in by NASA officials. This friend has about 3K in his entire car and I was one that almost got hit by him. He was amazed how fast the Camaro could be brought down and guess he was mesmerized by my brake lights 'cause all I saw was a BMW hood emblem in the rear view."

My experience with NorCal NASA for Group 3 and above are as you describe. The character of NASA HPDE makes a distinct change in Group 3. At this point it is realized that NASA is a racing organization preparing drivers for their racing groups. For these groups one needs to get comfortable in heavy traffic with aggressive drivers that will pass anywhere even in the braking zones or in the corners themselves. It's not the most desired place to run your classic muscle car.
Groups 1 & 2 are "fairly" safe from my experience. Although a problem with 1 & 2 is there may be one or more "Conga" lines of slower cars, and you may need to pull in to get some open track. If you don't find this to be a problem then it's hard to beat the low cost, the track selection, and the convenient dates of a NASA event IMHO.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[mpozzi]

I talked with one of their instructors, Art Muncheryan, and he agrees. He instructs for Groups 1 and 2, is an excellent instructor, and really likes the NASA HPDE format.

In the future, we'll see. I've got some issues with the '73 right now that preclude track days ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[CurtiSS 69]

Mary,

What's the chance you will get the '69 Trans Am car on track anytime soon?

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[mpozzi]

Mary,

What's the chance you will get the '69 Trans Am car on track anytime soon?

Regards

CurtiSS 69

It's the "soon" part that's in question. Hopefully, some time next year if all goes well. There's a lot to be done.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[CurtiSS 69]

Hello All,

The event was absolutely wonderful. Great track, great instructors, and even a great barbecue on Saturday. 13 CW was a blast. It's a very technical course, and I'm so glad I opted for the instructor. Even though event was "filled to capacity", capacity has a different meaning for SoCal NASA. There was loads of pit space, and plenty of open track. They must limit the number of cars on the track at once? I did get abandoned by my instructor on Sunday after the first session, but the fortune my classic Camaro stirred the interest of quite a few other instructors that wanted rides to pick up the slack!
I felt my car was very safe at this event, and I was not hindered by traffic to run as fast as I wanted in the Group 1 & 2 class (some minor passing was required). They run a tight ship in SoCal, as one guy lost a session for an illegal pass on Saturday, and a guy that had been causing trouble got booted out! I wished NorCal could take some notes on this one.
There will be an event in early June, and maybe some SoCal folks can join next time?



Regards



CurtiSS 69

[Orngcrush69]

Sounds like you had a great time. I warned you about the instructors being MIA after the first secession...that's pretty funny, at least you found other people to ride with you. Any pix?

[CurtiSS 69]

Photos are hopefully on the way, as a guy in one of the race groups took a load of them.

It was good a load of instructors wanted rides, and the contrast of different instructors was good. Different instructors resolved different problems, and I felt comfortable with the track -13 CW- by the third session on Sunday. I can hardly wait too go back. It's tough because their next event I could make is on 21-22 June and I have already paid for 28-29 June at Infineon. I may try and run back to back Weekends? I don't know if the tires will be able to take it though. Hopefully some folks will be up for one of these? Anthony was at Llihrednuht this last Weekend. I hope he posts with how it went. I know he really enjoyed the $49 Hyperdrive -single session drive- he did at Infineon in April.

Regards

CurtiSS 69