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Photos
| VIR
| North Carolina
Region | Results
Directions from SJ | More #29 Photos - 1 | 2 | In-Car footage
VIRginia International Raceway (SARRC/MARRS Challenge)
Article by: David Hess - May 5-8, 2005
Photos by: William Hollinger
I left for VIRginia International Raceway
(VIR) Wednesday at 12:15, all loaded up with my newly tuned up tow vehicle, complete with a new
exhaust and some stuff that was to solve a vibration problem at speeds above
62mph. Long story short about the drive down, vibration problems were still
there (grrrr), and a bit of traffic around the beltway... I know, what else is new?
I arrived around 8:30-9:00pm, and found a spot next to my crew/instructor for the Summit Point School back in March, Gregg Ginsberg. I dropped the car off, unhooked the trailer and made for the hotel.
Sleep now...
Thursday morning, bright and early I was back at the track. Today
was a practice day, a day to learn the 4.2 mile, 33 turn course. I unloaded the truck of the 3 plastic containers of crap, and the
EZ- up. Later I would put down a tarp for under the car. The paddock area was like kitty liter and this was very bad to park a car with
hot tires on. I wound up getting 5 30 minute sessions on Thursday, and didn't realize it until later that evening talking to Gayle about
how 'beat-up' I felt that I'd been driving a race car for 2 1/2 hours. Folks that's probably more time "racing" then I've had in two-three seasons of autocrossing.
Friday was qualifying day. The first qualifying session, for Saturday, I managed to qualify 22nd overall, and in class 7th out of 11. With a fast lap time of [ 3:18.9 ]. Not too bad for a rookie on Toyos. http://www.mylaps.com/results/newResults.jsp?id=148167&highlight=22
The second qualifying session, for Sunday, wasn't as successful.
[ 3:21.346 ] Even though I had found some places to improve my lap times, I learned that the stock CRX gas tank isn't so hot for
racing. I started getting some stuttering problems with the engine, and a quick
peek at the fuel gage revealed an empty reading. Poop! I pitted in after three laps and felt
kind of silly because I knew this was an issue when during one of the practice sessions this
happened before. I think because I was pushing a little harder that the fuel was being
sloshed around even more... should have started with even more fuel.
http://www.mylaps.com/results/newResults.jsp?id=148184&highlight=31
I managed to record the race on
Saturday with our trusty Canon Mini DV I wound up placing 6th out of 10 in class and reduced my fastest lap
time to a 3:17.759. I could have placed higher in class if I hadn't over-shot turn 1 on the second lap trying to pass a Mercedes. I
managed to trail brake into the turn, but the rear wheels stepped out just a little too much and I just couldn't hold it... after the one-wheel-off, the camera captures
Sean Christie, who finished 3rd and Michael Liggett who
finished 5th in class pass on by. On the very last lap coming down the front straight I almost reclaimed
5th. I got a great run out of the last turn on the 1st gen RX-7 in front of me, driven by Michael and was just about along side
him at the finish... about 1/2 a car length and from looking at the results was .154 behind at the finish line.
It was indeed a pretty exciting first race.
http://www.mylaps.com/results/newResults.jsp?id=148168&highlight=21
The second race on Sunday, I started a bit further back in the field. I had "help" with starting the camera, however the camera apparently didn't actually record anything. I was hoping to review the tape 'cause I almost rammed the back-end of someone braking in a spot that isn't known to be a braking zone. Actually it was in a place that if you're doing the corner correctly, if you do brake you'll go off course. I did. It is the last corner before the front straight which is a pretty important corner to be on the gas for good exit speed. The corner is also off camber. I was behind, I think it was a ITS 944. He broke, hard, not just a brush, and I had two choices, ram the back of his car, or straighten the wheel/brake and explore the agricultural area along the front straight... VIR has a great amount of run-off room and very nice grass. It's a little bumpy, but not too shabby. After the off course I found myself not just last in class, but last overall. I made about 6 or so passes throughout the race, and could see a couple of the guys in my class when the course turned back, close to itself, but never was able to catch them.
In the end, I wound up having the chief steward sign off on the novice permit, with a note in the novice booklet about the Sunday race, "deserved better finishing position", what a nice guy eh? I can now send this into the SCCA to get an actual, official, regional racing license, woohoo!
Yep, I'm a rookie in training, got the duct taped, whoops, (clear throat) "racer-taped" "X" on my car to prove it. I am really looking forward to saving up some more money for the next race.
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I posted a couple photos of
the paddock area and of a production race here:
http://y3k.shacknet.nu/gallery/W2W_Photos
Kudos Section:
A big thank you to my wife Gayle, who encouraged me to "go for my license" and has continued to make huge sacrifices in order for me to race. Thanks Babe!
Mark Yeck who without his friendship I wouldn't have continued to autocross.
For this particular outing I met some really nice folks, most of them I should see at the next MARRS race I attend. Gregg Ginsberg, Sean, and "Mo" Christie, Matt Yip, Bill Hollinger Jr. and Sr., and a guy who I might not see any time soon, Colin Botha. All these guys helped provide a warm welcome to this newbie. I greatly appreciate the hospitality!
Thanks to Greg and Gary D'Abate who supported me during the first racing school at Roebling Road way down in ol' Georgia.
All the folks at the South Jersey Region SCCA like; Jim Tornetta, Meg Meyer, JD King, Sue King, Matt Wojkowiak, Dave and Fay Teal and folks like Alan Pozner, Rob Leone, Steve Ashcraft and Perry Aidelbaum who allowed me allowed me to ride along while on course at autocross events.
Big thumbs up to the instructors at BSR (Summit Point Racway) and the Evolution Driving School. I've learned the most about racing and driving techniques from you folks!
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Club Racing School Reviews:
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Photos | Honda-Tech.com | Wash. DC SCCA | Race Results
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