Who's going to NASA Aug 14?

HSSS427 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2005, 06:36 PM

I'm signed up for HPDE 2 at Road Atlanta - if I can get the car back together before then. Anyone else going? Mike Simmard, I think you said you'd be there. Would love to arrange a "social hour" afterward if we have critical mass (I think that means at least 2 people and at least 6 beers!)

Got to finish the following before then:
1. Fix tranny leak - I think it was just slightly overfilled and blowing out the breather on the top of the unit
2. While I have the whole friggin interior out to look at the tranny decided to replace the driveshaft flange bolts with some good AN stuff from Aircraft Spruce so waitin' for that to show up
3. Needed to bolt the battery down better and that ended up in a project to just move it to the trunk. Waitin on a nice aluminum mouting frame that fits an Optima group 35/75
4. Installed adjustable seat sliders on driver side
5. Bought a Kirky race seat and need to mount it before the 14th

So just have to squeeze that in between being in The Netherlands all this week and at St Simon for family beach trip the following week.......

50/50 chance I show up ridin' on a milk crate, with the battery underneath and a whole bunch of stuff bungee corded to the back ready to install so I can pass tech!

chipperb · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 07:21 PM

Plan to be there to watch. cb

Mike Simard · #3 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 09:41 PM

This will be great! I'm in HPDE2. I'll be on race tires too! Either Hoosier slicks (if my other 2 wheels come in) or some old Kuhmo v700's. Scott, if you need any machine shop help to get your car ready let me know. These events are almost as good as the Williswood festival. Speaking of the Willis, my wife is due sept. 18. Isn't that about the same amount of time that Johan's son was born early? Hmm...

RT3 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 08:00 PM

Plan to be there to watch and learn. Car not even close to being road ready.

autoxmike · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 06:20 PM

I would love to attend! I have a a question though as I have never been to a NASA track event. Can I sign up and go out without an instructor? They imply in their web sitre that you need an instuctor along so they can sign you off. I only have a drivers side roll hoop so until I take car of the passenger side I need to go solo.

bk347 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2005, 04:49 AM

I'll be there with the Spec (if I still own it by then).

HSSS427 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005, 06:51 AM

I've been fighting the same roll bar issue. Have had several email exchanges with Jim Pantas, the NASA SE head and David Smith. The bottom line is that for HPDE Groups 1 and 2, you will have to be able to have an instructor ride with you to "certify" you for solo driving. So the options as I've figured them out and confirmed with Jim are:
1. Install roll bar protection for the passenger side
2. Use a car that has passenger protection for the ride alongs and then change to your cobra for solo work.

Option 2 is what I'm going to try. Rob Ginn has been kind enough to see if he can find a car I can use. They NASA guys also mentioned Steve Marcus who will apparently rent a FFR cobra with full roll-cage.

Does anyone know Steve and what his arrangements typically are?
Thanks!
Scott

HSSS427 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005, 06:54 AM

Just noticed your tag line. Are you really moving back north? If so, what's going to happen with Sstarting Line? You could also move to Florida, as that's mostly been taken over by Yankees anyway :-)
Scott

chill · #9 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005, 06:24 PM

I will be there to play with the Lotus in HPDE3. We should try to park together!

autoxmike · #10 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HSSS427

I've been fighting the same roll bar issue. Have had several email exchanges with Jim Pantas, the NASA SE head and David Smith. The bottom line is that for HPDE Groups 1 and 2, you will have to be able to have an instructor ride with you to "certify" you for solo driving. So the options as I've figured them out and confirmed with Jim are:
1. Install roll bar protection for the passenger side
2. Use a car that has passenger protection for the ride alongs and then change to your cobra for solo work.

Scott

Scott,

I really want to drive the CObra on the track. I have also e-mailed NASA and no-go until I get a roll bar for the passenger. I have a dedicated autocross car but I never bothered to raise the top speed limiter 'cause I only use it for Solo II. I may shoot for the NASA event at Roebling Road in September. I should have time to get the Cobra track ready by then.

Mike

Kipper · #11 (**permalink**) 08-10-2005, 07:13 PM

I'll be there I think, but just watching. Same roll bar issue. There is an autocross the same day at Little Talledega though, and I can run there... Choices choices.

Kip

svobud · #12 (**permalink**) 08-11-2005, 01:45 AM

I'm gonna try and make it.

chill · #13 (**permalink**) 08-11-2005, 08:24 AM

Look for my Lotus with number 21 on the door. I will run in HPDE2... they combined several classes and timetrials with HPDE3... sounded dangerous for the first time out in the new car!

HSSS427 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-11-2005, 05:47 PM

Can't imagine there are going to be a bunch of them out there, but who knows - maybe they'll become as popular as Cobras!

Also, Rob Ginn invited us by for a beer and said he may stop by as well.

See you there - even if I get relgated to spectator status due to lack of passenger roll bar!
Scott

chipperb · #15 (**permalink**) 08-12-2005, 10:51 AM

Lets gather around the Lotus-should be easy to spot. Will be there Sat. cb

svobud · #16 (**permalink**) 08-14-2005, 05:45 PM

That was fun guys. Hot - like sunburn on my neck hot, but fun.

Looking fwd to the Open House and Mtn Run ...

chipperb · #17 (**permalink**) 08-14-2005, 09:07 PM

Where where you? Sat or Sun?

Was there Sat. Fun. Rain cooled things down lat Sat pm. Drove home and found out that I hhad no winshiled wipers. Finally stopped and got soem Rain-X.

Big Ford show Sat 9/17 at berry College: ALL Ford vehicles invited to enter or watch. 200 Fords of all kinds and ages.

Open House 9/28.

returns to Atlanta

svobud · #18 (**permalink**) 08-14-2005, 10:05 PM

I was there on Sun. Saw Tony, Chill, HSSS427, Mike Simard (who was working on his fuel problem). Me and HSSS427 ran over to the Mustang Unlimited show and saw RGINN along with a lurker who's name escapes (Bob or Bill P?) me that had a nice Superformance.

HSSS427 · #19 (**permalink**) 08-15-2005, 08:00 AM

Despite all my "administrative" challenges with NASA, it was all worth it to get on Road Atlanta in a Cobra - even if it wasn't mine!

Ended up in the "Green Hornet" FFR Spec 5 rent-a-racer, but still got my fill of the track.

Some other highlights of the weekend:
- Good to see Bob Kay and his wife before they head back North. I think he got some bites on the Spec.

- ChipperB was by on Saturday with his Coupe and to shoot the Sh...

- Tony Rutherford actually was by Sunday and had his car within 100 yards of a track

- SVOBUD came by Sunday and entertained all with his assortment of Canine Cop stories

- Mike Simmard got to practice "pit stop speed" carb rebuild techniques and found that even with just 7 cylinders his car is still faster than pretty much everything else in HPDE 2

- Chill had the "Locust" out, which by the way makes an excellent HPDE 3 & Quarter Pounder hauler vehicle. However, there is a basic flexibility requirement for riding in the car. If you can't bend over to tie your shoes - don't try it!

- I learned the value of a rental car and associated insurance. Going backwards into a tire wall is a lot more fun in a rental that's covered!

- The only hot chick at the event was driving a cobra! Since I didn't get a picture, here's an illustration of her running to make her HPDE 2 session

- Congrats to Bob P. for taking Best Of Show at the Mustang Show at Mustang's Unlimited with his Superformance (stop lurking Bob and come on out of the bushes)

- AND ONCE AGAIN, Rob Ginn shows what a great guy he really is! He let me keep my "non-Superformance" car in his garage overnight, loaned me his truck to drive home, gave me free beer, and continued my education on options for track cars! Thanks again Rob! Everyone stay tuned for some great events Rob is putting together!

Here's a couple of pics:

Mike Simmard - aka "Mister Fix-It" and Chill (trying to do just that) at the Cobra Lounge, Road Atlanta NASA HPDE

All dressed up and no where to go......my poor, roll-bar challenged cobra - no instructor, no passenger roll-bar, no-drive at NASA HPDE.....

Thanks!
Scott

chill · #20 (**permalink**) 08-15-2005, 07:46 PM

That was a great time, guys. Nice depiction of the hottie, Scott. As I was on the grid for my last session, she was helping the car in front of me adjust the in-car camera... Scott and Mike, picture her leaning over the rear of the car... spread eagle... adjusting a camcorder mounted over the rollbar... Oh for a camera.. but those who witnessed her in the flesh, (well not actually in the flesh, but at least partially...) can easily make the image in their minds.

Anyway... good fun, tracktime, chillin' (roastin') at the track, noise, the smell of gasoline.... (in turn 7)...

assistance from Rob at McMichael... a cameo appearance of Tony, Bob K, and Bud... a friend of mine won his class with his M3 race car (then blew out the clutch on the starting line of the second race).... a classic 'playing with cars' weekend with good friends.

As other ACC members sell their Cobras (hopefully to buy other fun cars), maybe we should just rename it Atlanta Club Codger, (Randy that would assure you a life membership)...