Cobra University---or, How to learn to Drive

Randy Klein · #1 (**permalink**) 06-21-2001, 02:37 PM

Hi folks,

This is a follow up of the results from Cobra University. Both Dave Voorheis and I convoyed down to a race course in the middle of the desert, near Edwards AFB....by the name of Willow Springs....or more accurately, "The Streets of Willow Springs."

Convoying down with Dave V. was a real joy for me as I had the air conditioned tow car. He had the open air Cobra that, I am sure, he must have baked in some of the time. Once arriving, I met with John Brooks and his wife Jackie as well as other CC members who came out to watch and drive from both northern and southern California.

We were well cared for by Stephen Johnstone and his able family and crew. There were all of 6 of us students and two full time instructors, Tomo and Chris. Both are accomplished racers who really know their stuff and so put us through the 'ringer' in a good way.

We began on the skid pad where we really pushed our cars to the limit. Mariah came loose, all four wheels at a time, and I learned, was very predictable with the 17" rims and tires connected to a new set of Koni shocks. Then we hit the roadcourse and raced for about 6-8 laps all the while trying to learn the racing line and to apply what we'd learned on the skid pad. By the end of the day, our lap times were faster, the cars more stable (well, I did do one 360---again), and our smiles big.

Add to that the presence of a great one-man pit crew who kept constant watch over our cars, and you can get the feeling that this one comprehensive event combining serious driving with a lot of fun.

As you have heard me preach in earlier posts, there is no substitute for track seat time in the Cobra, especially if you want to experience what a Cobra can really do! If you want to experience your cobra at the limit, please consider taking a course such as this one...Cobra University.

All the best,

PS, the website address is www.cobrauniversity.com

RACER X #99 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-21-2001, 05:09 PM

Randy, I couldn't agree with you more.
It is very tough to convince some people that in order to really appreciate a Cobra you have to drive it at high speed. That is after you have had some qualified instructions.
You can sit at a car show all day and talk about power and speed, but until you have driven at speed on the track, you are just another blowhard bragging about a car that you know nothing about.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Cranky

Tom T. · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-2001, 06:21 PM

Oh Cranky, you little track bigot you!

And now, speaking on behalf of Waxers International: " [to be completed?]

Very truly yours,

Tom T., still learning how to track, still learning how to wax.

Hank Dondero · #4 (**permalink**) 06-22-2001, 12:15 PM

Well said Cranky!

Your former student.

Randy,

Glad you had a great time. Nothing like having your own ride out on the track racking up seat time.

Hank
FFR 1776

Andy Dunn · #5 (**permalink**) 06-22-2001, 11:26 PM

John Brooks just emailed me a few pics from the event so I thought I would add them to Randy's post

From left to right...I think the person on the right is Dave Voorheis, Randy Klein in the center and Jackie Brooks on the right

Jackie Brooks, ready for action

Randy Klein, me "Butcher Of Baghdad", and Jackie Brooks

Andy

Hank Dondero · #6 (**permalink**) 06-23-2001, 07:27 AM

Yous guys really make me sick! How can you post that super photo of the wide open out doors. Just to make us nor'easterners drool.

Seriously, glad you had a great time and thanks for the photos.

Hank
FFR 1776

a427sc · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2001, 11:33 AM

Hang on Hank, only 4 more weeks to the Glen, where it is so wide open that you can see the snow falling in Buffalo on a clear day. Besides, the only thing that needs to be wide open is the throttle plates on your FFR and the bar tab at the Seneca Lodge.

Don

Randy Klein · #8 (**permalink**) 06-28-2001, 12:47 AM

Gentlemen,

Thanks so much for your support and comments about Cobra University. As you can see from Andy's pictures, we really had some wide open spaces. The student-to-teacher ratio was great too! The effect of both the brakes and gas-pedal for weight balance and transfer came through loud and clear. I liked this enough to want to do it again and again to get additional seat time in Mariah. Driving in the range of 100 MPH+ was a thrill, to be sure. One day, on the right track, I hope to get up over 150 MPH. That will be fast enough for me, with my small block!

This past weekend, I also drove in the Skip Barber Racing series with their own open-wheel formual Dodges. On the tails of last weeks Cobra University, I am one lucky son of a gun to have had this much fun in so little time. We also raced out hearts out at the Skip Barber School and ended the day Sunday just exhausted. I'd drenched my gloves and three balaclavas. The smile on my face, and that of my fellow racers, will stay on for weeks to come. I hope that next year more CC folks can come. It was a great deal for friends and family!

All the best,
Randy Klein

grizzle · #9 (**permalink**) 06-28-2001, 10:17 AM

Randy,
Excellent thread!
As you know I have taken up autocross using my Miata while my Cobra is in the last stages of construction. I have raced in three events and attended one autocross school so far this season.
I am having more fun that I could have imaged , but I have also been humbled about how little I know about high performance driving. That being said I am considering not driving my Cobra on the streets until I have spent a season with the car on an autocross course. I know I'm going to have fun driving the Cobra, but at this point I don't just respect the car ... I FEAR IT!!!!!
I don't street race , however I don't want to drive the Cobra on the roads until I know I can handle it.
Once again ,
Great Thread

Roger Bray

Randy Klein · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2001, 01:55 PM

Thank you very much for your thoughts, Roger. After having driven and raced Mariah on tracks and autocrosses this past 18 months, I have been humbled by the experience. This Cobra "thing" that I share with nearly everyone on this site, has taught me how little I really know about car handling and about how both to determine the limit before getting there and to control the car once beyond the limit....or just to hold on until the Cobra is finished with me

.

The more I race, the stronger I feel about preaching the gospel of advanced car handling/racing lessons being a necessary prerequisite to driving Cobras aggressively. For example, of the 6 of us who took the Cobra University, ALL of us lost control at sometime in the course, either on the skid pad or on the race course, or both! And we were all somewhat experienced drivers of high performance cars when we got there!

Based on my own experience, I believe that anone who plans to drive a Cobra aggressively on the street or race course, will sooner or sooner yet, find themselves in trouble with their snake. With luck, some will come thourgh undamaged, but most will probably sustain damage or, heaven forbid, some injury. Advanced handling courses like Cobra University, Skip Barber, Boudurant, Russell, Panoz, Daley...offer us the opportunity to prepare for the inevitable.

Like you, I fear the Cobra's potential. Autocrossing is a wonderful way to find out where and how a Cobra will come loose in a fairly safe environment. I want to do more of them in the future too.

Sooo, again, thanks for your wise insight, Roger!

All the best,
Randy Klein

Tom T. · #11 (**permalink**) 07-03-2001, 02:30 PM

Randy,

Sounds like a great course; hope I can take it some day. Hey, by any chance will you be up at Thunderhill at the end of this month with Nor-Cal SAAC? I think Tony R. may be going, but I'm not sure. I'm signed up.

Best,

Tom T.

Randy Klein · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2001, 07:12 PM

Hi Tom,

I have only planned to be at the mini-nats at Sears Point for Saturday or Sunday (still up in the air).

I hope to see you at the breakfast on Saturday AM though!

Randy Klein

Randy Klein · #13 (**permalink**) 08-10-2001, 10:59 PM

I continue to value this experience and want to bring it back to the top for anyone who might have missed this.

Be careful out there!

Randy Klein · #14 (**permalink**) 12-15-2002, 11:35 PM

This topic is near and dear to my heart. I feel like a "holly rolling" preacher for the word of safety!

This discussion of Cobra University together with a companion discussion of safety gear and equipment for all Cobra drivers wanting to drive fast continues to be important to me.

So to you all I wish a happy and safe driving holiday. And please don't even think of drinking and driving your Cobra.

All the best,
Randy Klein