How about Buttonwillow for $99

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve,

IMO Those are nasty words. This event was about having fun, and was not a competitive TT event. Lap times are immaterial. We don't want anyone feeling bad because they were not as fast. Plus the cars were so different, as were the driver skill levels. We had race cars with license plates that were trailered and daily drivers from Los Angeles and the Bay Area that were driven to the track. If you want lap times join NASA and run in your designated TT class (most cars would be in the Unlimited class) where you are judged by your lap times. Everyone did great and it was a great time. Some organizations do not allow lap timing of any sort.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

Wow.. calm down there.. I just asked. I seemed to remember that some people (ok, alot of people) rented transponders.. I guess they just did it for decoration.

1. where did I say it wasn't about having fun?
2. where did I say it was a competition?

IMO you're a bit touchy.

[CurtiSS 69]

Wow.. calm down there.. I just asked. I seemed to remember that some people (ok, alot of people) rented transponders.. I guess they just did it for decoration.

1. where did I say it wasn't about having fun?
2. where did I say it was a competition?

IMO you're a bit touchy.

Sorry Steve,

I would like to keep these events low pressure and safe for those out there on the fence to join us, and those that were there with us. A track day can be pretty intimidating for someone new in a car they built themselves. I would like to see double the amount of P-T cars out there. If the first step is too big it will be only the faster more experienced guys.

I know they had transponders, and if you're in the Open Group and setting a car up lap timing is extremely useful. None of us ran in the Open Group. Someone trying to put a good lap time in in a load of traffic is a dangerous thing. I want to keep it friendly and safe.

This is just my opinion.

BTW thanks for posting the great video!

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Mkelcy]

I would like to keep these events low pressure and safe for those out there on the fence to join us, and those that were there with us. A track day can be pretty intimidating for someone new in a car they built themselves. I would like to see double the amount of P-T cars out there. If the first step is too big it will be only the faster more experienced guys. Let's keep it fun if we can.

Running on a track for the first time in a car I drove to the event with Mary Pozzi in her race car, CarlC in his supercharged car, Nick in the supercharged 2010 Camaro, Dave in his extremely fast 69 Chevelle and Craig in his race car, all of whom have multiple-multiple track days, intimidating? Whatever gives you that idea?

LOL, I pointed so many people by I think I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my left wrist.

[CurtiSS 69]

Running on a track for the first time in a car I drove to the event with Mary Pozzi in her race car, CarlC in his supercharged car, Nick in the supercharged 2010 Camaro, Dave in his extremely fast 69 Chevelle and Craig in his race car, all of whom have multiple-multiple track days, intimidating? Whatever gives you that idea?

LOL, I pointed so many people by I think I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my left wrist.

LOL! It sounds like a good thrill having that freight train going by. I wished you had a recording. It probably didn't help that some dope knocked one of the cones onto the front straight squeezing it down more in a spot. I hope you join us for another track day soon. Would Laguna Seca be too far?

BTW Try putting the Raybestos ST-41 pads on the front to improve your brake bias (if it is a friction mismatch problem). They are available from SpeedToys or Porterfield. If it's a hydraulics problem...

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Mkelcy]

LOL! It sounds like a good thrill having that freight train going by. I wished you had a recording. It probably didn't help that some dope knocked one of the cones onto the front straight squeezing it down more in a spot. I hope you join us for another track day soon. Would Laguna Seca be too far?

BTW Try putting the Raybestos ST-41 pads on the front to improve your brake bias (if it is a friction mismatch problem). They are available from SpeedToys or Porterfield. If it's a hydraulics problem...

Regards

CurtiSS 69

Oh, I'm definitely hooked. Laguna Seca's a bit far for drving the car I'd be running on the track up and back. In the worst case a 122 mile tow is doable; 400 miles is another matter.

[CurtiSS 69]

Now I know why Carl wears the flight suit! Awesome shot Tyson. Thanks for the help with removal and replacement of the front shocks. A 1/4 turn softer and that awful push dissappeared. The car & driver were happy after that.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Tyson A]

Now I know why Carl wears the flight suit! Awesome shot Tyson. Thanks for the help with removal and replacement of the front shocks. A 1/4 turn softer and that awful push dissappeared. The car & driver were happy after that.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

Thanks that picture is my new wallpaper. As for the shocks I'm just glad I was able to help out.

Tyson

[Steve1968LS2]

Now I know why Carl wears the flight suit! Awesome shot Tyson. Thanks for the help with removal and replacement of the front shocks. A 1/4 turn softer and that awful push dissappeared. The car & driver were happy after that.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

Holy crap! lol

[Steve1968LS2]

Sorry Steve,

I would like to keep these events low pressure and safe for those out there on the fence to join us, and those that were there with us. A track day can be pretty intimidating for someone new in a car they built themselves. I would like to see double the amount of P-T cars out there. If the first step is too big it will be only the faster more experienced guys.

I know they had transponders, and if you're in the Open Group and setting a car up lap timing is extremely useful. None of us ran in the Open Group. Someone trying to put a good lap time in in a load of traffic is a dangerous thing. I want to keep it friendly and safe.

This is just my opinion.

BTW thanks for posting the great video!

Regards

CurtiSS 69

I think of track times (and times in general) as being more a gauge of progress... after all, it's nice to see over the course of the day that you're making progress (reflected in faster times). After all, without times it's hard to know if you are making forward progress in your driving skill.

I never suggested it become a "race" or that people drive past thier comfort/skill level just to get a time better than Joe Blow. Quite a few people got transponders so I was curious if they made improvements during the day.

Friendly is good.. safe is better.. and we should always keep it fun. So see, we are in full agreement

[CurtiSS 69]

I think of track times (and times in general) as being more a gauge of progress... after all, it's nice to see over the course of the day that you're making progress (reflected in faster times). After all, without times it's hard to know if you are making forward progress in your driving skill.

I don't know about the others, but this is how I gauge my progress without lap timing:

1. Am I on the line?
If yes then:
2. Am I on the throttle as much, and as hard as I can be?
If yes then:
3. Is the steering unwound releasing the car at the corner exits?
If yes then:
4. Am I at the limit of tire traction in most of the corners?
If yes then:
5. Is the chassis balance correct between under/oversteer in the important sections of the track? You need to pick where you want it to work, as there is no blanket setup to make it work everywhere.
If yes then:
6. Use lap timing to fine tune driving and chassis setup.

I feel this is pretty easy. I personally haven't mastered the first 5, so I don't need lap timing. When I am out on the track I am not impatient if someone less experienced is holding me up as they will let me by when it is comfortable for them to do so. If someone comes up on me I point them by as soon as possible remaining on the line where I am predictable, and as they are going by I lift -if possible*- to assist them in getting the pass complete. *Don't lift in a throttle balanced turn or you may spin out.

If you believe you do 1 through 5 well mount a video camera and review your track sessions. Problems with 1 and 2 will stand out like a camper shell sitting in the middle of the freeway. 4 is not hard to identify, and 3 & 5 are usually a bit more subtle.

Once you have mastered 1-5 you are blindingly quick and you can procede to competition in TT or wheel to wheel racing if you desire.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Steve1968LS2]

I don't know about the others, but this is how I gauge my progress without lap timing:

1. Am I on the line?
If yes then:
2. Am I on the throttle as much, and as hard as I can be?
If yes then:
3. Is the steering unwound releasing the car at the corner exits?
If yes then:
4. Am I at the limit of tire traction in most of the corners?
If yes then:
5. Is the chassis balance correct between under/oversteer in the important sections of the track? You need to pick where you want it to work, as there is no blanket setup to make it work everywhere.
If yes then:
6. Use lap timing to fine tune driving and chassis setup.

I feel this is pretty easy. I personally haven't mastered the first 5, so I don't need lap timing. When I am out on the track I am not impatient if someone less experienced is holding me up as they will let me by when it is comfortable for them to do so. If someone comes up on me I point them by as soon as possible remaining on the line where I am predictable, and as they are going by I lift -if possible*- to assist them in getting the pass complete. *Don't lift in a throttle balanced turn or you may spin out.

If you believe you do 1 through 5 well mount a video camera and review your track sessions. Problems with 1 and 2 will stand out like a camper shell sitting in the middle of the freeway. 4 is not hard to identify, and 3 & 5 are usually a bit more subtle.

Once you have mastered 1-5 you are blindingly quick and you can procede to competition in TT or wheel to wheel racing if you desire.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

So the only reason to time anything is if you're in a race or competition?

Interesting theory...

Again, I don't know why you equate knowing a lap time to being in some sort of competition with others, but it's your right to have that opinion.

In any event, good seeing you and I hope there's another one of these track days soon.. hopefully my car won't fall apart again. lol

[aray327]

A track day can be pretty intimidating for someone new in a car they built themselves....
CurtiSS 69[/QUOTE]


That would be me! I built my car myself (still not finished) and drove it to the event. I have to tell you just sharing space with purpose built cars is intimidating, but at the same time i was quite proud to be able to say i ran this event (albeit in the driving school class) with you guys.

Thanks Curtis for organizing, and thanks to everyone else for encouragement and support. Oh, looks like I made it into at least one photo (white original paint '69).

[CurtiSS 69]

A track day can be pretty intimidating for someone new in a car they built themselves....
CurtiSS 69

That would be me! I built my car myself (still not finished) and drove it to the event. I have to tell you just sharing space with purpose built cars is intimidating, but at the same time i was quite proud to be able to say i ran this event (albeit in the driving school class) with you guys.

Thanks Curtis for organizing, and thanks to everyone else for encouragement and support. Oh, looks like I made it into at least one photo (white original paint '69).[/QUOTE]

Aaron,

I'm glad to know that you and Mike had a great time. It's important that new drivers return and others thinking about it feel welcome to make our group larger with drivers we all can trust in their precious muscle cars. Why should only the usual suspects get to have all the fun?

You are so right there was some very serious machinery there. This was very cool.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Jeff70]

Aaron, sorry man I didn't get any action pics of you but maybe you can still buy some from the track I seen some good one's they took.

Hey Carl is this Dave H? This Vette went of twice.

[DavidN22]

Yes, unfortunately that is me, DavidN. I went off twice, thanks to my traction control not wanting to go into Competition Mode. The damn thing kept fighting me and wanting to go straight. Was really fun in the Riverside turn. Finally got it into CM later. Of course it goes in no problem now that I'm home. I went off here instead of fighting it and possibly heading to the inside wall. I had just passed a car and came in kinda hard and bad line.

[Steve1968LS2]

A track day can be pretty intimidating for someone new in a car they built themselves....
CurtiSS 69

That would be me! I built my car myself (still not finished) and drove it to the event. I have to tell you just sharing space with purpose built cars is intimidating, but at the same time i was quite proud to be able to say i ran this event (albeit in the driving school class) with you guys.

Thanks Curtis for organizing, and thanks to everyone else for encouragement and support. Oh, looks like I made it into at least one photo (white original paint '69).

People like you are what make this hobby tick.. and there was a point where every one of us was in your shoes. Hell, I remember stealing my mom's Marie Callendar pie tins so I could buy gas for my '67.. lol

And driving skill is just a matter of practice.. thanks for coming out

[DavidN22]

Hey Carl, thanks for hooking me up and nice meeting all you guys this weekend. I had a great time with the Vette running with you guys. You all gave me insperation to get back to work on my 77 Camaro. Been trying to decide for a few years since the smog man killed it. Track day car coming up (as soon as I find some more money).
I'll have to do with the Vette for the time being.

[CurtiSS 69]

A track day can be pretty intimidating for someone new in a car they built themselves....
CurtiSS 69

That would be me! I built my car myself (still not finished) and drove it to the event. I have to tell you just sharing space with purpose built cars is intimidating, but at the same time i was quite proud to be able to say i ran this event (albeit in the driving school class) with you guys.
[/QUOTE]

Aaron,

What did you think of NCRC's driving school? Could you go over what they taught you in the classroom and on the track, and how comfortable do you feel on the track after a day in the school? It looked like they let you folks free to run by the third session. If they did what kind of restrictions did they have during these sessions? Most of all did you consider it a good experience? Hopefully you will join most of the folks in Solo next time. I know that the first track day is a very big step.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[aray327]

Aaron,

What did you think of NCRC's driving school? Could you go over what they taught you in the classroom and on the track, and how comfortable do you feel on the track after a day in the school? It looked like they let you folks free to run by the third session. If they did what kind of restrictions did they have during these sessions? Most of all did you consider it a good experience? Hopefully you will join most of the folks in Solo next time. I know that the first track day is a very big step.

Regards

CurtiSS 69[/QUOTE]

The driver training was very informative. They could have condensed the first couple of sessions and given us more free time (my only complaint), but they did give us good info. The first session was about driving on a track, what line to drive, where to pass, how to be passed, when to brake/accelorate etc. When they allowed us on the track we were required to pace the instructor. We were suppose to learn the track and the lines. Then we each took turns allowing others to pass which demonstrated the pass as well as gave each of us an opportunity to follow the instructor using the correct line.

the second session was about the flags, what they mean, what we are supposed to do, etc. that time on the track we were supposed to have remembered what each flag ment and respond accordingly. I forgot what the heck the black flag ment until the 4th lap and they nearly stood on the track to get me to come in... No instructor on the track with us

the third instruction was about passing, when and where. when we were allowed on the track we were separated into groups of 4-5 cars and were required to pass each other all over the track (when appropriate). We also had an instructor on the track who we could either point by or give the finger to. we were actually told to give them the finger if they were trying to pass when not appropriate; i should have used the finger!

No more instruction.

the next two track sessions were open to drive freely. I was very tired by then and eventually threw the belt and was ready to call it a day.

All in all, the instruction was very useful. it helped to learn the track, how to drive it (as if you could actually remember the best line for each turn) and the basic track stuff like passing and flags. I could see how not taking the instruction could get you into trouble. You have to give up a lot of free time but worth it.