Sorry guys,
I just couldn't make it.
It's been one of those weeks where it's just wild. I was in North Carolina last week helping a friend with his GT40. I got a lot done for him and he is on his way to building a great car.
Most of you know that while I was gone Gordon had my GT40.
He took it and did some suspension tuning. Last Wednesday Gordon took the car over to the Bondurant school and Bob
himself took the car out on the track and gave it a workout. From what I gather he was very impressed with it. He did offer some critisizm about changing some settings on the suspension. After these changes he would then retest it again on Friday.
Gordon called and asked me to come to the track Friday. He said that there was going to be two magazine editors there and they were going to do a story on the car in conjuction with
Bob Bondurant and his school. When I got there I learned that Bob had been called out of town so the testing would be carried out by the head instructor Mike McGovern.
Gordon introduced me to all concerned and off they went snapping pictures and moving the GT to get the light just right. They were taking the photos right in front of the Bonurant building.
After a short interview we proceeded to the track. We were going to be using the small instruction track just behind the school. I'm not sure how long this track is but I'm sure it's over a mile.
Mike McGovern went first with the Kit car editor, Mike Blake. The first couple laps were obviously deliberate so he could feel out the GT. After that, Mike really let her fly. Man Oh Man!! What a sound as he really poured it on. Every lap got quicker and quicker. One of the other instructors hopped in one of the school mustangs and got in behind the GT. every lap the GT was 3 car lenghs further ahead. It was obvious the the Mustang just couldn't keep up the pace. Mike soon pulled in and he was giving Gordon a report as to how the GT did. As far
as I can gather Mike was very impressed with the handling and the quickness. He did however state that he personally would like a quicker steering ratio and a little firmer brake pedal. Other than that he thought the car was a blast to drive.
Then it was my turn to go. I let Tim Sharp of Grass Roots Motorsports magazine drive and I climbed in the passenger seat. Now
this guy can flat out drive. Even though he was not familiar with my car he was really zoomin" after a few testing laps. Basically, Tim thought the GT was a pleasure to drive. He thought that each driver would want the car setup a little different because they all have their peticular feel. Tim was very complimentary and thought the car was fantastic.
I really didn't hear a lot of what Tim was saying because I was still waiting to release the pucker factor that was built up.
After we did our eighth lap the engine went
silent and we coasted into the pits. Only to find that we had a broken or faulty rotor. Gees! just when we were having fun.
Now that was a really cool day. Gordon took the GT back to his shop and he is changing a few things on the setup and replacing the rotor. He is also putting on new brake pads that are more suited for the track and street. I was told that it would be August or September before the articles would run in the magazines. Possibly Gordon can comment further on Bob Bondurants comments on the GT. Not being there wouldn't want to comment.
Sorry guys, I don't have any pictures. I went off and left my camera in the garage. I felt pretty stupid when I got there with no camera. However I was assured that Mike or Tim would send me some as soon as they could.
Hersh
BT Snake
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