Very wet and very fun.
An entirely drenched drive from Cincinnati to VIR on Thursday with Barry E., Steve and Doug K., and Vic S, riding the Tahoe support van. Lucky we got there a day early as at least 8 cars were deemed unfit to tech because of incorrect puke tank routing. Vic Simon and Steve Klekamp get the tech heros award for doing a MASS BUY of hose, clamps, and whatnot and getting everyone fixed by Friday. Hats off to you, gents!
Also, great kudos to Mike Stenhouse, who again put on a wonderful event for which I and others are grateful and priviledged to attend.
Great thanks to the Oltoffs for their support of the event and for their kind feedback on everything from the use of mirrors to rear tire toe-in.
I am also grateful to the VIR folks. The corner workers were superb, even in the cold and rain. i included a couple of pictures of Lee, head corner worker and master of the dry comment.
As you've heard, some folks were there filming. Copple's handsome son, Chris, was doing a Newman-esqe turn on the track. I'm sure we'll see more of the young man on TV. I'm sorry I didn't get a great pic of him, but the car is there.
Here's some pics for y'all:
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b33c5e2625e4.
The track was mostly wet, but a wonderful place to learn how to drive smoothly and apply power and vector correctly with lots of room for "agricultural excursions" (Stenhouse's ripe phrase). We also had a good and true "skidpad" figure 8 set up. If anyone knows how, I'll be happy to put some in-car video from the skidpad and track somewhere.
This was a great place for the beginner and intermediate to learn. I'm sure the advanced folks wished for better conditions to test their mettle, but everyone was extraordinarily positive and helpful.
I'm sorry that the Club Cranky folks weren't there, as they are a strong reason I had the nerve to try this in the first place. I understand that there were good reasons this time and they'll likely be back. I hope so.
The ride home started wet, but ended beautiful and temperate. We picked up Charlie G and brought home a wounded Cobra, much to the Steve and Doug's dismay. But, i've learned that these machines can be mended and often come out better. So I hope Steve and Doug will return renewed.
Anyway, for those wondering if they should try a track event. Yes. It is a great instructor and I believe takes the fire out of those that only have the street to test their horsepower. And the ClubCobra folks are very helpful in getting the neophyte started. Like moi.
VIR 2003 Report (long)
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