Road Racing - Finally - What a blast!

[Jimbocobra]

Just got back from Gingerman Raceway in New Haven, MI. Perfect weather, great track to learn on. You have not lived until you pass a strong running 1969 427 Camaro on the back straight at well in excess of 145 MPH! The event had mostly highly modified, pre-1970 American Muscle. There were Chevelle's that could out-corner new Z06's and mustangs that could out accelerate 911's - really cool stuff; it was a qualifying event for Optima.

I finished in the top 15, out of 87 (the top 16 were supposed to have a runoff until some guy put a rod through his oil pan on the long strait and spoiled the party, cleanup took a couple hours). All-in-all, not bad for my first time out, but with BDR (or any replica), it was almost like cheating. I had to ride my brakes on my best lap because a less than courteous driver that didn't get the memo on the wave-a-round rule, so I know there so much more left in the car. Plus, I suck as a driver, ran much harder tire compound than most and didn't really know the track. I can only imagine what these cars did back-in-the-day to unmodified muscle cars.

I could rally feel the IRS suck up the bumps, I think the car handles better at 100 MPH than 40 MPH. On the practice runs, I did miss a few stops off the staight-a-ways and ended up picking weeds out of my front end, but that's why they have practice runs I guess. I see more of this in my future!

[Jerry Clayton]

1:20.9 but it was on race gas

[charles roybal]

Sounds like fun.....any vids?

[Jimbocobra]

I'll be getting pics and maybe some video links soon... Jerry, you made it around Gingerman in 1:20?

[Jerry Clayton]

Not me, but Corey did on his shifter kart---and I think the next time there Frankie had fastest lap time in the race but I don't remember what it was(saw the sheet recently , maybe I'll run across it again soon)

We were working on a deal with a driving school(Mazda,I think) for a group of 10 karts to be used as stepping stone to the Mazda, and the 1:20 laps killed the deal because it was so much faster they fiqured that noone would do the cars---

[Jimbocobra]

That's a fast cart! They did extend the track to 2.1 miles this year, so it adds about 10 seconds. I think the fastest time we saw was 1:37.

I was just a great time, but I really have a lot to learn!

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by Jimbocobra

That's a fast cart! They did extend the track to 2.1 miles this year, so it adds about 10 seconds. I think the fastest time we saw was 1:37.

I was just a great time, but I really have a lot to learn!

Man, your soo screwed now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You been bitten and now you'll be spending your money on better tires,race gas,brake pads and upgrades to your car....not to mention your spare time tinkering with the car and weekends at tracks, but,boy,it SURE IS FUN/FUN/FUN........................

David

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by Jimbocobra

That's a fast cart! They did extend the track to 2.1 miles this year, so it adds about 10 seconds. I think the fastest time we saw was 1:37.

I was just a great time, but I really have a lot to learn!

Did you happen to see an all black Corvette with a large rear wing and a front canard wing running the track. I think he was on Hoosiers so not legal for Optima. He should have been among the fastest cars there.

[mtpockets]

Now, go get some Hoosier RR tires and a big brake kit.

[Jimbocobra]

Originally Posted by Cobra #3170

Did you happen to see an all black Corvette with a large rear wing and a front canard wing running the track. I think he was on Hoosiers so not legal for Optima. He should have been among the fastest cars there.

I did see him and he was fast, I did not see the final posting yet but he had to be up there with the top dogs. You had to have 200 treadwear or higher to qualify for Optima. There was semi-pro driver in a modified yellow Z06 that was smoking everyone.