VIR stories

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 5:40 pm

I, too, had an AWESOME time on the full course. I had an great instructor in Jeff Curtis. He kept me laughing the whole weekend (yelling at low Hp cars to get out of the way) while pushing me to become a better driver. Nailing the uphill esses is like having a Zen moment. No broken bits and I even left on the same brake pads I arrived on!! :woo:

Riding with Jeff in his Cup 911 at 110 - 115 mph in the esses is an out of body experience. Hitting the brakes at the 1 marker at the top of the back straight is eye popping expierence!!!

Ron was entertaining as ever in the class room. Mark V. and Stacy K. made a very smart decision by ending things early. Great job everyone.

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:07 pm

For me, Roller Coaster into Hogpen was the more sphincter-tightening experience, especially since I went off in Hogpen in my last session. Friends don't let friends early apex...

Still, the uphill esses were very rewarding. I'm not gater-hopping quite as quickly as Matt, but I was pleased to gain ground on quite a few cars through that section.

Another pleasant surprise was that I didn't get passed nearly as often as I thought my 100hp car would necessitate. I'd have to say my instructor was very responsible for that (Rich, you know who you are...).

As a small guy driving small, low HP car, it's quite inspiring when a car with 2-3 times the power has to lift and let you by in the straights.

VIR-Full is all it's cracked up to be.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Quote:

As a small guy driving small, low HP car, it's quite inspiring when a car with 2-3 times the power has to lift and let you by in the straights.

Ummm... even the (bone-stock-looking) Subaru Legacy and a Miata had to lift for me. And I entered the straights gaining on them! How embarrassing is that? :oops:

Not exactly sure, but I think I saw a few guys walk over toward my open hood and suddenly nod to themselves with understanding. :lol:

Christine now totally agrees that I need another hundred hp after watching me catch M5 & company in the curves only to get dropped by about 50 car lengths on the straights. Maybe she'll get me an engine swap for Xmas...

:wink:

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:04 pm

Kevin Allen wrote:

I need another hundred hp after watching me catch M5 & company in the curves only to get dropped by about 50 car lengths on the straights.

But that's where the fun is! Don't you think the M5 driver looked in his/her mirror and thought "Damn, why can't I get away from that slow old 2.5RS"

Scott

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:13 pm

I have to agree with Matt Nicholson regarding the grip. I was expecting cold, hard, noncooperative tires all weekend. The Falken Azenis on the car seemed to work flawlessly.

South Bend, Roller Coaster and Hog Pen were the most challenging areas for me in the Miata. Entering South Bend at ~85 mph (just guessing, no time to look!) took awhile to nerve up to. Even tougher was developing the intestinal fortitude to use the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal through Roller Coaster and Hog Pen. After Thomas demonstrated to me what it was all about in his car, it was easier to do. I began nailing it on Sunday's second session.

My favorite part of the whole course was the segment from turn 3 through Oak Tree. I swear I think I saw 95 through the upper esses once. That little car really could really dance through the curves!

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Quote:

But that's where the fun is! Don't you think the M5 driver looked in his/her mirror and thought "Damn, why can't I get away from that slow old 2.5RS"

Scott

Actually, they probably thought it was a WRX and wondered why the Hell I didn't just hurry up & pass. :lol:

I think the most fun part of it was daring the guys in the faster &/or equally slow cars to go into the uphill esses side-by-side with me (after they had pointed me by and left me I'd just stay out there and wait, with my right foot on the floor). :twisted:

Oh, btw, I spent much time today at work checking out the VIR schedule and the different car clubs on that schedule. And looking at potential track cars.

Forgot to add - Todd talking about the 911 Cup car reminded me - Matt waved 2 Corvettes by after snake and followed them through (actually gained on them) in the uphill esses. That was when I got the "tingly-face" feeling! :shock:

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 11:10 pm

Kevin Allen wrote:

...And looking at potential track cars.

Glad to see that Im not the only one looking at more sutable track cars (read: CHEAPER!)

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 11:16 pm

And maybe one that is easier to find parts for, Ryan?

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 11:19 pm

I never knew that a 1/8" NPT brass plug, and easy out would be sooooo hard to find in Danville, VA. I guess it was just Friday the 13th mojo :help:

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 11:24 pm

Ryan Holton wrote:

Kevin Allen wrote:

...And looking at potential track cars.

Glad to see that Im not the only one looking at more sutable track cars (read: CHEAPER!)

ahem, I have a suggestion.....

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2004 11:30 pm

You are the freakin' 240sx Cheerleader!

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I just have to say to you guys what Mark Vitacco said to me in 2000 after my first few events, when I was gushing about the experience:

Welcome to the dark side

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:56 am

Fun event- thanks Mark V, Matt G, Stacy K, and co for all your hard work!

My favorite parts of the track were definitely Roller Coaster and Hogpen. Ron, your "race line" into Roller Coaster was great! Flying past the "1" marker at the end of the back straight at 115 (best the old Neon will do anymore), hitting the brakes at the "turn" arrow and still having room to spare to make that hard right. Then floored down the hill, a quick stab of the brakes and back on the gas before the left at 16, then just as the tail starts to come out under protest, throw it right and carry a 4-wheel drift past the apex (17 I guess) and down into the compression, where it hooks up and rockets out through 17a. Fun! I think my instructor (Paul Tillery- great guy BTW) was getting a kick out of that.

The uphill esses were completely straightforward but also scary- took me a little while to get from "basically floored" to "no doubt it's on the carpet" the whole way up- yikes! :shock:

Still broke too hard for South Bend- only got loose through there once.

Anyway, as I said it was a great time. Looking forward to running Full Course again!

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

The power of the dark side is strong...

:twisted:

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:25 am

The dark side is indeed strong. I began shopping for a better track car after my first event in '02. Of course, I went against the grain and ended up with a car with 1/3 the power of my old Eclipse. Odd how that happens. But...I so long for some power coming out of Oak Tree and on the straights.

I never fail to be amazed by the Azenis on track. A cold weekend like this one was perfect for them - they never really got greasy, even at the end of the session. I came off track, checked my hot pressures, and they were even on all 4 tires every session.

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