Why have you never tracked your car?

[oleyellar]

I bought my car from Bob Bondurant in 1998. It was the last Cobra to leave his shop when he was selling SPF's. He said, when you get it running come see me and I will show you how to drive it. I had been to some of his half day classes and couldn't wait to learn more. For the first few years of it's life, it had more track time than street time. NASA, PASA, Firebird main track, East track, and West track, Bob's school track, PIR, and the track that got shut down out by Luke Air Force base were the playgrounds. In 2006 on the Firebird main track the 460 SVO crate motor gave its life in support of my pleasures. It took me three years to get it all back together, and now it is waiting for me to get off my arse and get busy. Life happens and slows down some of the more fun things. The new motor is visious, and I can't wait to get it back on track. But in the back of my mind, I keep thinking how one mistake, or someone elses mistake, and in a flash, I am out a ton more money. Risk vs reward..... As I get older, I get more conservative. BS... The old lady said to me after the passing of a frieds wife, " what would you do if I died?" I looked here in the eye and said, Well, first I'll buy a trailer and then a new set of tires. Then I am going raicin'. WE didn't talk much the rest of the day.
So,m I went for a ride in the Cobra.

I will be back.
Oleyellar

[dlampe]

I look forward to the track days all year. I started out as a car show guy but after my first Run and Gun back in '03, I was hooked. I haven't entered a car show since 2004! I would also say that you can run your car as hard as you want to on the track. You don't have to thrash it. I would also suggest that if your car is going to break, it will on the track under those conditions. That is a lot better than along the side of the interstate. My point is, work the bugs out on the track under a controlled environment.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

David,

I am glad you are ok. I have seen you drive at a couple of tracks and you are a good driver. I have often wondered about that scenario and how I would react. My thinking would be to attempt to do what you did. I hope to see you on another track soon.

Clois

Clois:

Thanks for the complement, I'm not the fastest guy out there, never will be, but I probably have the most fun out there....

Hopefully you will never have to put to the test your driving skills on the street, but, trust me, if the occasion arises, you will be ready and you will not even think about it, you'll react in the best way for the situation...........That's one thing I'm certain of........You never forget your training.........

Hopefully we'll meet again at a track soon.............

David

[ack fia]

I have been doing track days for the last couple of years. We are lucky to have a couple of really great groups around here (SCDA, PDA/NASA) that are reasonable Cobra friendly.
The tracks are great (Lime Rock, NHI, and now Monticelo and NJ) and the days are a blast but I rarely see other Cobras.

[JUS BIT]

Like Dean Lampe, I started out building my first car to be in car shows. Well, that got tiring for me and I tried the track. I LOVED IT!!! I went to Run n Gun in 2004 with my first car and I really learned how to drive, how the car responded to me, and how much fun one can have with their Cobra.

I wish that I had more time between building Backdrafts and servicing Cobras. I try and hit the track at least 3 times a year, time permitting. Matter of fact, I have some great videos on my website of track days including Mid America and Run N Gun.

I hope to make more events this year and hope to meet some new inspiring drivers...

James

[gsharapa]

Use to track years ago and ready to try my hand at it again when I get back into a new Cobra. Here is me and John Russell in Tulsa Mid America Shelby Meet many years ago.

[mdross1]

I too used to run the courses,now use the car just to get the blood pumping.Years ago after having the suspension scaled, was hooked for both road course and drag racing.Now the streets are my salvation.I know, it is a tough way to live.

[froggyman]

Russ,

Everytime I see your Unique car I wish I had an FIA, what a great look. You look like you have so much fun with the car at the track.

I sold my Unique 289 a couple of years ago but still love the look. I am getting up the nerve to take my car and myself to the track for some basic training.

Juan

[951mat]

I guess I started in 2000 doing DE/NASA events in a 95 Formula Firebird. Thats the first car I learned a little about cars on. It was great fun even with poor suspension and brakes. I graduated to a 944 Turbo which was even more fun with great suspension and brakes and I learned a whole lot more working on that damn thing. Dad would come along as well to some events (he's never met a stranger) and I even got him driving the Porsche with a friendly instructor. He always had fun just talking to everyone at the events, but he still talks about those rides. Its almost easy to go quick in that car anyway. Got a cobra in early 06 and eventually met Clois that year. I didn't need much convincing with my past experience so I hit RUN in 06 and of course loved it. Met some great friends (Dad did to) and can't wait to go this year. Hope to get a few events in before then (Hallet is close). Most importantly though, Dad just bought a cobra this year and I want to help him set his up so he can come play to. I know he can't wait, and he's only been on the track that one time in the Porsche. He just see's how much fun everyone's having and has to try it as well. I'll just put a block of wood under his throttle to start with.
I completly understand the time/money/family thing (I have 3 girls under 8) and I don't get to play nearly as much as I'd like but hope to do more in the future. Just remember as I try to, between lights these crazy things can hit jail time speeds. On a track those speeds are much more enjoyable as there's no legal worries and everyone's going the same direction. Just take your time, start slowly, build skills and confidence and you might wonder what took you so long like Clois did.

Mat Twiehaus.

[Excaliber]

You don't have to race to win! You don't have to drive it like you stole it! Just get out there and drive at your comfort level. I have NO PROBLEM waving other cars around me.

I plan to run Infineon this coming SAAC 35 and am preparing the car now. Just ordered some slicks for it in fact. I want to go decently fast, but will not hesitate to wave other drivers by if I'm holding them up. I will NOT be intimidated to drive faster than I feel comfortable with.

I do have an edge over most though. Being single, retired and have a little extra spending money these days, if I break the car, I'll fix the car. That is not a major concern for me. Which is why I'm trailering it to this event, so I have a place to put the pieces when the dust and smoke have cleared.

[Ron61]

I no longer have my Cobra but I used to take it to Thunderhill and I also went through several High Performance Driving schools where you used your own car. Every school that I went to I learned something more. I also raced it a couple of times on a long stretch of blocked off highway that is no longer used and they would have races there until a few years ago. I have been very lucky and never wrecked. I did spin out once, but I blame that on gravel in the apex of the curve which some other car had kinked onto the track. It is expensive but I really enjoyed every minute of it. And like Ernie, if someone came up on me fast I figured they did so for a reason and I waved them around as I saw no reason to maybe wreck the car trying to keep them from passing and I wasn't running any point scheduled races.

Ron

[lovehamr]

"Why have you never tracked your car? "

'Cause I haven't finished building it yet! I used to run my Boss Mustangs any time I could and I imagine the Cobra's going to be just as much fun or more.

Steve