track pics - 11 inside

[tnord]

i just got back from my last weekend at the track for this season. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/nervous.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':nervous:'> <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> it wasn't an actual competition, but an open track/instruction day. i was lucky, and managed to snag a couple of the best instructors there, one of them is the champion from my class. in summary, i cut about another 1-1.5 seconds off my time, which puts me 1 second behind the best time, and with modifications to spare. so, i figure if i run some comp tires, i'll win. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> my instructor said i can expect to shave up to 2.5secs with comp tires (which he has). i'm already looking forward to next season, if i still have the car.

granted i have lots more experience than 90% of the attendants, but these are some of the cars i passed that i have no business being anywhere near.

993 (in pic), 2 mustang cobra's, C5, Z28, and some fully prepped C3's.

i also had 2 Z32TT's start behind me, and for some reason, i never saw them after the start. come to think of it, i didn't get passed all day. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

i figure i've tooted my own horn enough, so here are the pictures. (http://community.webshots.com/user/tnord17) click on the "track" album, the newest pics are the last 11.

[SR20Fastback]

I like the crumbled Z32.... Aerodynamics at its finest &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[HippoSleek]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (SR20Fastback @ Aug. 04 2002,7:02)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I like the crumbled Z32.... Aerodynamics at its finest <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
OW! &nbsp;"speed wrinkles"

You need some action shots bro. &nbsp;You gotta hand off that camera. &nbsp;Sounds like a good weekend of improvement though!

Do they run classes at your schools? &nbsp;Here, they have Nov, Int, Adv, and Instr. groups. &nbsp;Beg. sucks, Int. is mostly okay, Adv. & Instr. is pretty much all racers. &nbsp;The higher levels allow competition passing, etc. - it's just not for time and there are no car classes. &nbsp;

A personal favorite was going out w/ an instructor in his ITS car and having a Porsche Cup car go by us on the straight! &nbsp;The speed differentials in those groups are phenominal - even though everyone is a good driver!

[Starlin]

Wrinkles? I think those are a little more drastic than wrinkles hehe.

Sure wish we had a track 'round here. I have to take the Fairlane 60 miles just to get on an 1/8 mile dragstrip and I've never raced anywhere with corners before. I think they might have "open" days at Portland International Raceway but that's 180 miles from here.

Starlin

[240 2NR]

I was there on Sunday for the autox day. I'll have a post about it later, but lets just say it was humbling for me.

Glad to hear you improved again. How's the car running? You may have a lot of improving to do if Tony stays in DP, as he dropped another 2 seconds as well.

I saw the white ttZ, how bad was the black one? It was a pretty destructive school apparently. The one I went to in april had a vette go off in the first session that required a tow off but that was the only one to take on any damage.

The best yesterday was watching an XP lotus Elise whoop ass on everything else out there. It was also fun watching him in my rearview mirror during track touring.

EDIT:: can't comment on the school travis went to but in the one I attended, it was classed as Cars, W2W, and open wheel, there was passing on the front straight only. &nbsp;The speed differentials there were pretty big as there were lots of prepped mustangs and corvettes, but those were the only ones that passed me. &nbsp;Lots of Spec miatas were there as well.

[HippoSleek]

Interesting structure. &nbsp;Do the guys going w2w have comp licenses? &nbsp;(Do you Travis?)

I'm wondering if there is no int. or adv. groups, do people just go into w2w? &nbsp;Also, this is mwscc, right? &nbsp;Do all the w2w cars have to have full safety equip (cage, seat brace, harness, kill switch, fire suppression/bottle, etc.)?

I'm a bit fascinated by how they do it elsewhere...

[tnord]

mark-
yes, they have classes. i'm not exactly sure how it's done since i was at the worker meeting when the driver meeting was taking place (i've been to this before). there are 4 groups, there are 2 groups for experienced drivers, and 2 for the new guys. then they split the drivers up by the cars capability as well. i should have been in group 2, but i wanted as much instruction as possible, so i went out in 3 (which is why i never got passed). yes the w2w guys have comp liscenses. in order to get your liscense you have to attend and complete a week long school, then successfully complete 6 races in 2 seasons before you get full comp. no i do not have full comp liscense, hopefully, next summer i'll have my novice comp liscense. yes, all cars have to have fire suppression systems, for the most part fuel cells, kill switches both inside and outside the car, ALL w2w cars have cages, basically, they try to keep it very similar to SCCA to allow members to compete with both org's. if you want to know more, just go to google and type in Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs.

starlin
i wish it was only 180 miles from me. you know how far i drive for this? 5 hours. i don't want to hear any complaining from anyone about how far the track is.

steve
i question tony's car. i'm 95% positive it's too modified to be in our class, me and john banas went through the GCR and pointed him out, i figure he's 1-2pts passed. did he do anything else to the car since the last time, because he was talking about doing some other stuff? did he end up winning? what were his times? if he's in the 1:34's, and it's only his second time there, something's up, unless he's the next Formula 1 driver. the black Z looked worse to me, it didn't sustain damage on the entire side of the car, but it looks like it got bent all the way to the frame, right in the passenger door, it's really bad, probably the worst i've seen. there were lots of off's at this school, i can't say why though.

[240 2NR]

Hank and I were talking to the instructor in the back Z and I guess he missed one tire wall on the driver's side and ended up coming back across the track and inducing another skid and hit the wall on the passenger side. &nbsp;At the autox I think the only injury was a worker going to a vette off in 7 who twisted an ankle jumping out of the wrecker. &nbsp;Though I don't know about the driver of the impala ss that went off in 1 at the end of the day. &nbsp;That was the only damaged car.

As for Tony's car, he's got enough to be in Mod, though he says it's running badly and he has the timing set back to 8 degrees to avoid overheating. &nbsp;I feel kind of bad since John is in this for the points and Tony is just out for fun and even if he picks up the points probably won't be at enough events anyway. &nbsp;I just hope he doesn't win the class for the year, otherwise he's a nice guy.

[sil80]

Pretty cool pics.. action shots would have been nice though &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>
I like the shot with the lotas parked next to yours... Like he is wishing to be a 240 or something &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
whats the deal with the bra on your car? Kinda sissy like if you ask me &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>
OOOOOO ya FU too

[tnord]

steve
tony won then didn't he? i knew it sounded fishy that a first timer is beating a mutli-season champion and lead instructor. i'm not gonna say anything this season, but if he's back next year in Prepared, i'm gonna report him and collect my $25. and yes, i agree, he is a pretty nice guy despite the fact he's a cheating bastard. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

sil80 & mark
fuck action shots, i'll have in-car camera next season. action shots aren't really any good anyway, since i don't have a zoom. and the bra is for my 5 hour drive home to keep bugs off, and protect from rocks, it's only on the car for long trips.

[HippoSleek]

Travis:
Thanks for the class run down. &nbsp;I just wondered if the w2w cars were basically compatible w/ SCCA or if they let people go w/o the safety stuff (I know some events do out West). &nbsp;Its looking increasingly like I won't get my license for another year or more. &nbsp;I need a prepped car to get it - too cheap to rent, too scared to borrow (a guy I know on H-T had his car totalled while on loan last weekend), and too poor to build it b/f the comp school in Oct. &nbsp;Plus, I'd like some seat time in my own prepped bucket. &nbsp;Maybe next spring, more likely next fall b/f I'll have my provisional license (2 racing schools), then you have to do two regional races and get signed off. &nbsp;Ugh. &nbsp;1.5 years!! &nbsp;Unless I sold the 240 and just built my SM car?! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

Action shots are still cool - you can't post how bitchin you look on Zilvia from an in car! &nbsp;I'm just holding out for digitals to drop some more.

Are you shopping for an EZ-Up?

Mark
-who realizes that he shares and nearly identical shopping list w/ Travis.

[tnord]

yeah, our plans are eerily similar. as you might remember, i'm still considering selling the car next spring to have money for the SM. i can post how sweet i am if i had an in-car-digita-camcorder. how perfect would that be? 1.5minutes of kickass footage for each timed run, 5 for practice sessions.

what's an EZ-Up btw?

[sil80]

SM?

[HippoSleek]

EZ Up is a tent/cover that can be raised by one person (hence "EZ"). &nbsp;They're about $100 for a 10 x 10. &nbsp;I'm thinking about getting a couple of those to make my paddock spots a little cozier. &nbsp;Sun sucks. &nbsp;It's funny, as soon as I started poking around and looking at prices, someone on H-T put up a post about them.

I can't decide what to do w/ the 240. &nbsp;I like to joke that I will own two of the least practical cars of the 1990's. &nbsp;:/ &nbsp; You know though, I was pretty close to going for an ITA 240 until I saw a nice big class of SM's running.

Yeah - in car footage is pretty tight. &nbsp;I've got a friend that has about 40 gigs of in car. &nbsp;:jealous:

sil - SM = Spec Miata.

[ni*2*ss*4*an*0*]

cheating bastard? dont you think that might be a little harsh? there is no need to be like that <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'> i like you guys <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> john banas and i have a little competition going on..he said that he wants to have someone to compete with that will give him a run for the money. john and i sat together almost the whole day giving me pointers and such on areas to go faster. you also have to remember that john is running slicks which is a BIG advantage. he told me that i am actually 2 seconds faster than him because i am running street tires. and if you really need to know i have actually taken things off my car to get lower in points. i have removed my ecm back to stock because the jwt was running to rich. i have also removed my cams because i am having them reground for next year. &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':sly:'> i am moving to the dm class next year full out. i will have 17 points for sure. i am getting ready to dump about 10,000 dollars in the car for next season <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':cool:'> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;my final time for day was 1.34<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>78 which is still two full seconds from the track record &nbsp;was that guy cheating? according to you guys anybody that is fast is cheating. what about john you dont think that hes got a few tricks up his sleeve &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'> the first time i went to school i ran a 1.42:300 by the end of the day and i have improved every time i ran my very first timed run was 1.48<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>00. &nbsp;you also have to remember that i live very close to the track 15 minutes and have friends that run w2w who take me with them and show me the lines with there cars and walking the track. i do my homework and try to get faster every time. in fact john wants me to stay in dp and get to be a better driver before moving on to dm, its just to tempting to make your car faster and more fun to drive. oh and by the way steve told me that hes at 8 points too (cheating bastard?) i dont think so.......

i am at
spring rate &nbsp;2
chassis stiffening &nbsp;1
exhaust manifold 1
exhaust enhancement &nbsp;1
accessory drive revision 1
head mod &nbsp;(and all i really did is blend some ports) 2 so i really dont count this one

the tech guy told me that the injen does not count for intake manifold change because i did not change the intake itself and air scoops are open

[tnord]

when i said cheating bastard, it was a sarcastic remark. i know that you aren't intentionally doing it, and aren't one of "those guys." sorry for the confusion.

but c'mon....you've just beaten the guy that's been winning the class for the last i dunno how many years, and who is head instructor.......and how long have you been doing this? 2 events? forgive me for being skeptical, but seeing as i have probably over 100 laps more experience than you at various tracks, it's hard for me to swallow that i'm getting smoked by a guy who's been there 2-3 times. like i said before, either something is up with your car, or you're the next F1 driver. and if you are that good, can i have your autograph? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

i really don't care that much, i'm in no way going to win the season championship, so it's not that much of concern.

you realize that the reason you're in DP is pretty shady. you have mods that you "don't count," and other mods that the specific tech might not have counted, but i have had confirmed by numerous members that it DOES count. not to mention you took out your cams, which is another 2 points. and when you said you removed your JWT "ecm," is that what i think it is, a jim wolf ECU? if that's not any points, it should be, as it's definitely NOT a wear and tear item. who knows what else you got under there.

mind if i take your car out and see what kinda times i can turn? &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

as far as that whole track record thing goes, i don't know what kinda car it was, or how it was prepared, but it wouldn't surprise me if he was in the wrong class.

and yes, if steve is at 8 pts, he's a cheater as well.

as the old saying goes......speed costs money, how fast do you want to go???


mark......if those things really only do cost $100, i'm totally buying one for next season.

[ni*2*ss*4*an*0*]

sure you can have my autograph &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':love:'> &nbsp;
just kiddin, you can take my car around the track if you want (you wreck it you buy it) but i bet your lap times wont improve that much. its not the car..if it is the car so much how come then john can dominate the field with a stock neon acr with r compound tires, springs and no muffler? its all in the driving you know that as much as me. john has beat me by 4 seconds before..now you know how powerful a stock neon engine is &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'> i just try to be smooth as possible, i barely even turn the wheel in a turn...you also know that track is not made for powerful cars its all in the suspension, you and i have the same suspension mods. that track is about tires..sticky ass tires.
and yes the ecm and the cams where takin out before the first race
the track record was set by a civic with r compound tires and springs...stock engine <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':sly:'> &nbsp;its all about car control

i bet i could put down a 1.35.00 with your car

[tnord]

"i bet i could put down a 1:35.00 with your car"

that's an awfully "bold" statement. so "bold" in fact, that i'm only going to ask one thing;

what makes you so good?

i might actually place a little wager on this statement if you were interested.

[ni*2*ss*4*an*0*]

travis im not good im only learning, i dont want to come across bold to you. i just love to compete and have others compete with me. i look forward to these track events all month. when i set my goals to do something i try my damndest to do it. i have telling my wife for a whole month that i was going this sunday to do one thing "beat that neon" and i actually pulled it off (thanks to the rain) just when it was time for my 4th run it started pouring &nbsp;but i had a better time than john before it started raining. he told me just before the 4th run that he was going to go all out to beat me even if it meant wrecking his car..he said that he did not mind towing it home on a trailer.
i think its great to see other 240s at the track it just puts a smile on my face <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> like i said before travis i like you guys and would like to meet up some more track events out of town with guys. i am not going to get into a pissing match with you after every meet

you have a great car and it looks perfect (you cant beat black)
like a said before travis im not good at all i just have fun and love to toss the car around
i didnt mean to be assshole with the statement about the time i love my car and the way it drives. i know every little quirk that the car has..shes my baby <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':love:'>
i would probably turn a 3 minutes with your baby because im not driving it every day. only you could go fast because you know that car....
dont even think of selling it to buy a miata just enjoy your car..its faster looks 10 times better and you dont look like a giant in a little ass car

[240 2NR]

Hey Tony, you never said you pulled the cams. &nbsp;I just heard you say the timing was rolled back far enough that it was running like it wasn't modded. &nbsp;That's better then. &nbsp;I just remember what you had at the school was going to put you well into Mod. &nbsp;Congrats on a good day at the track.

My technically 8th point is for four bushings in the front end that got replaced. &nbsp;I had considered pulling my rstb a few weeks ago but figured it was more worthwhile to keep it for street driving to leave a touch more rigidity with the stiffer springs, but honsetly its so flexy I would be surprised if it even did a good job doing that. &nbsp; Don't worry, I have a few years before I'm even competeing with you guys.

[240 2NR]

How can you say it's not a horsepower track? &nbsp; With the number of turns that can be taken flat out it's totally a horsepower track. &nbsp;Hitting the straight with a vette sitting behind me with the same corner exit speed they can pick up at least 2-3 seconds on me between track out on 7 and the bridge. &nbsp;Muliply that by all the turns that can be taken flat our and it's like 7 or 8 seconds. &nbsp;Power is big at that track, so long as the suspenion is dialed in enough to take those turns that fast (unless you have an elise that just dominates everything, thats what you should save up for travis).

[HippoSleek]

If you are winning w/ extra points, are you really winning? &nbsp;That's like "adjusting" your lie in golf.

BTW: Travis - check out EZ Ups (http://www.ezupdirect.com/). &nbsp;Weird thing is, Target (the store) had an add for one on sale for $100 (that didn't look like the cheapo models) in a 10x10. &nbsp;I'll be looking into that this week. &nbsp;A cheaper brand is "Caravan" - I think a 10x12 at CostCo is about $180 or so (w/ sides). &nbsp;I might have to check out the one at target soon at that price!

[bbp]

ni*2*ss*4*an*0* & tnord,
i want in on the action! &nbsp;can i play?? &nbsp;I'll spank the both of ya!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>



EZ-Ups are great. I got a 10x10 at Sams Club for $199.00. &nbsp;Sure beats the conduit and tarp awnings.

[Grant]

good job travis. is the new clutch and flywheel in? so you basically beat those cars with little to none engine mods?

Well, nonetheless, props to you.. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[tnord]

mark - i'll probably buy an EZ-up then, i don't need one with sides, just something that can easily fit in the trunk and provide shade. hell, maybe i'll get 2 of them and put the car under one.

grant - &nbsp;yeah, clutch and flywheel are in, clutch doesn't really do anything, and flywheel helps a bit. but when the car isn't running properly, everything goes out the window anyway. the only reason i beat those guys is experience, it's experience that counts more than the car.

[HippoSleek]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (bbp @ Aug. 06 2002,6:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">ni*2*ss*4*an*0* & tnord,
i want in on the action! can i play?? I'll spank the both of ya!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>



EZ-Ups are great. I got a 10x10 at Sams Club for $199.00. Sure beats the conduit and tarp awnings.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
...there's always a bigger fish...

[bbp]

All joking aside....

We need to organize a event later this year or a date next year for those interested in doing some HPDE. &nbsp;I am involved with the OH/IN region of NASA and Tracktime Driving Schools. &nbsp;It would be cool to have a 240 run group or something. &nbsp;

Possible tracks: &nbsp;IRP, Putnam Park (Indy), Mid-Ohio, Nelson, Beaverun.

If we get enough people interested we could probably get a small discount. &nbsp;Any thoughts?

[HippoSleek]

You know I'd be down.

I'd hit the Beaver and drool at the thought of my first trip to Mid-Ohio! I've heard so many bad things about events at Ledges that I can't say I'm dying to go there.

Is IN/OH NASA planning any dates at Mid-Ohio yet? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>

*edit* other thoughts:
NASA-VA has sliding discounts for 5-20 entries (20 get's max discount - usually about 10-20% ). &nbsp;I'm sure we could get 5-10, but more would be tough w/o opening the discount to other makes (I always go on a Honda discount). &nbsp;But basically, if we did that, I'm sure we could max out the discount.

I'd imagine fall-late fall tracktime is cheaper out there, too? &nbsp;But I guess there is a time of year that is too cold (unlike VIR in Dec. - Feb.). &nbsp;What is our window and what do events out there cost?

We need a new thread...