I’m sitting in my RV Friday night when there is a knock at the door.
It’s a woman, about 25, and she is having car troubles. She has called
AAA, but they won’t be there until Saturday morning. “Can I stay with you”,
she asks, as she has nowhere else to go. Well, she’s gorgeous, and I can
tell she isn’t wearing a bra. “OK” I tell her, “Until your car is fixed,
you can stay here.” She is very thankful, and the next thing I know, she
is taking her shirt off. As I see her full BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP – What the
hell is going on? Oh, it’s 6:30AM Saturday morning, and my alarm clock
is going off. No women here, it’s time for the start of the Potomac region
Summit Point PCA club race!
Here's a map of the track from the Summit Point web site (http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/):
It's dawn in West Virginia on a clear and cold Saturday morning. I registered, went through tech (which consisted of handing in two forms), and said hello to lots of people. I was running in group 3, with cars in class E, F, GT4 and GT5. It should be a good mix of cars and people. In the drivers meeting, we were warned that the track would be cold and slick. I made a note of it, then got ready to go. On to the grid we go, then we sit there because of some problems in the group before us. Eventually, we go out, and I start driving. The first lap or two I take relatively easy, letting the more aggressive cars pass. Two cars pass me and start to pull away. I’m in the carousel (turn 7 on the map), and I start heading out towards the esses. The road curves to the left, I’m positioned towards the right side of the track. I turn the wheel to the left, but the car doesn’t turn. Instead, I’m heading off track, towards a tire wall. I get the car slowed down, but only after a trip though the grass. I head in to the paddock, and they look the car over then send me out there. I take a lap to clear the tires, I’ve got some clear track, time to turn some fast laps. I’m on the front straight, heading to T1. I’ve got a lot of speed, as the turbo loves the cold air. I see the braking marks on the left, 5, then 4, then brake. I start to slow down, but then I realize that there is no way I’m going to make the turn, I’m in way too hot and there isn’t nearly enough track to slown down. So I put both feet in, and drive off straight. I’m in the gravel, thinking I'm going to be stuck, but the car rolls through, so I continue. I head back into the pits, where I’m told that I need to sit out the remainder of the run session.
Here's
a shot from Saturday morning, before I was on the track.
In the pits I think about my run. Very poor decisions on my part. The track is cold, the tires are cold, and the air is cold. More power, less grip, not a good time to push it. I get the timing sheet, and my best lap was 1:28.939. Not too bad, but I know I can do a lot better. That placed me 19th of 38.
After the run, I put more air in the left side tires, as they didn’t
have enough. Next session I was more patient. My lap times dropped to 1:27.8,
over a second faster than before. And I managed to stay on the track.
After that session ended I went over to the scales to get the car weighed.
I had about ¼ tank of fuel, and the car weighed 3017. Perfect to
end a race with, as the minimum for my car is 2998. I also checked the
corner weights, and they were way off. If anyone is interested, they were:
| 769 | 865 |
| 712 | 670 |
The total was 3017. Then I added 5 gallons of gas, and the numbers were:
| 768 | 862 |
| 730 | 690 |
I need to make some adjustments. However, I need to weigh the car with me in it, so I did that, and the numbers were:
| 819 | 882 |
| 806 | 712 |
Again, the numbers are terrible. The right front is way too heavy, the right rear too light. I decided to lower the RF and raise the RR. After three turns of the RF spring perch and three turns up of the RR spring perch, these numbers came out
| 826 | 878 |
| 803 | 712 |
Better, but not good enough. I did three more turns on both the RF and RR, but I didn't bother weighing the car again (I think the people working the scales were getting tired of seeing me).
Lunch ended, and it was time to head back on the track. With the car newly balanced, it felt better and the lap times showed it. Down to 1:26.962, and up to 12th of 38. That run had some memorable moments. I started behind Eric Ravid (remember him from Pocono?) and Gregg Wilson, and ahead of Wade Herren in a GT5 914. Once the green flag fell, I tried to stay with Gregg. He was too fast, and slowly pulled away. I pulled out a decent amount of room between Wade and myself, and so I worked on turning smooth fast laps. I could tell that laps 3, and 4 were good (lap 4 was my fastest) but then I caught up to Gregg, who had caught up to Eric. I was trying to figure out how to pass, when I saw that Wade, in the 914, had caught me also. Now the four of us were working as a pack, each person trying to figure out how to pass the car in front, or how to protect from being passed by the car behind. Then we started to come up to lapped traffic (as if I didn't have enough on my mind). Eventually Gregg passed Eric and then pulled away. Now I wanted to pass Eric, but it's never easy. I followed him for a lap or two to study where I was faster and where I was slower. All the time I'm watching Wade in my mirror. Wade and I had the classic high HP, low handling car vs low HP high handling car. His little 914 was faster than me in the corners, but my big turbo kept me in front on the long straights at Summit. Meanwhile I saw that I was going to have to pass Eric either under braking in T1, or in the carousel. I didn't want to try a pass in T1 because of my problems there, so I gave it a try in the carousel. I tailed him down the chute, went down to second gear for the left hander into the carousel, then stuck my nose inside Eric's as we went to the exit of the carousel. He gave me racing room, and it was major fun to come out ahead. Now I had clear track, and I could see Gregg Wilson and Mike Piera ahead. I want to catch them! On the front straight, Protect from Eric coming underneath me. DAMN!! I'm into T1 too hot again! Off the track drivers left, then back on. I almost loose it in the wagon bend corner, because I forgot how slick the tires would be after going off. I'm not having a good day! Back into the paddock, I get spoken too, then sent back out. For the rest of the session, I stay cooler, then the session ends.
Now it's time for the practice starts. We form up, follow the pace car around, then onto the front straight. I'm in the 4th row, and I can see the starter. GREEN GREEN GREEN!! I accellerate, shift, then brake for T1, everyone goes through T1 side by side, then T2 the same way, then we form up again at T4. We do that two more times, then it's the fun race. I'm following a 914, trying to see where to pass, when he slows, heads right, and motions me by on the left. I guess he had a mechanical problem. I scream down the chute, throw the car to the left, accel, lift, then just throw the car into the right hander that starts the carousel. I'm in too hot! The rear starts to come around, so I squeeze on the power to stick the rear. The slide stops, but the front won't turn. Now I'm heading off to the left. Off the throttle, and the rear steps out. DAMN IT, I'M GOING OFF AGAIN. Not only did I go off, but I manager to come to rest in the middle of the track, facing the wrong way!!! Cars go around me on both sides. Get it going, and get off the track! I head into the paddock and I can tell that the scruts are tired of seeing me! I promise to do better tomorrow.
Since that was the end of the day's driving activities, I went to work
on the car. Off with the Kumho practice wheels, and on go the BBS race
wheels with Hoosier rubber. Since the car was up in the air, and the wheels
off, I bled the brakes too.
Here's
the car Sunday morning. Race tires are on (but not for long)
Since I did a 1:26.9 in Kumhos, and the Hoosiers should be at least 1 second a lap faster, I have high hopes for tomorrow. After the car was done, I took a shower then went to the track side BBQ. After dinner, it started getting very cold, so I retired to a quiet night in my RV. I woke up late on Sunday, but there wasn't too much to do so I ate a slow breakfast, fueled the car, cleaned it a little and waited to drive.
I checked the tire pressure, and as I expected, they were very low. Those wheels were last on the car at Pocono, when it was probably 40 degrees warmer. I added air, then got ready to grid. On the track, I took it easy for a few laps, then started to push it. The tires didn't feel very sticky, but it was very cold (in the 40's). I also was careful, as I didn't want to go off the track. When the run ended, I went to get my lap times. Not good, best lap was a 1:28.963. Now I'm confused. The race tires should have been a lot faster. I know it was colder, and some people did slower lap times, but some didn't. What is going on? I checked the tire pressures, and they were too low, like 36 psi. I really want to see 40-42 PSI hot, so I added more air. Next up was qualifying.What to do? Should I leave the Hoosiers on, or go back to the Kumhos. I decided to leave the Hoosiers on. With more air, and a warmer track, they should work well.
For qualifying, I was lined up 12th on the grip. We went out to a green track, but some cars didn't want to go right away. Fine, I moved right and passed a brown 911, then the silver 944 TS behind me moved right and passed me. Coming down the backside of the track, I encounter Mike Piera in his 911 RS driving right next to a silver 911. The two of them are driving side by side very slowely, and are blocking the track! What are they doing? Before I can get really upset about it, they are on the last straight, and then they take off. I'm ready to turn some fast laps and qualify towards the front. On my second lap, some of the cars I passed on the first lap are right behind me, so I motion them to pass me,. Third lap, clear track, time to do it. My third and fourth laps are good, and I think I have turned a good lap time. Next lap, I'm coming down the back straight, through the chute wide open. Then I see the brown 911 from before spin right in front of me making the left at the end of the chute. On the brakes hard, steer left, avoid the 911. Oh well, forget about that lap. The rest of qualifying was OK. I got held up a few times, but I also have plenty of clean laps.
Here's are two shots from qualifying, click for a larger versions
After the session I went over the registration to get the lap times. No times yet. Back to my paddock space. Change into street clothes, as I won't drive until after lunch. Back to registration. Still no lap times. Back to the paddock. Eat a little. Back to registration, and the times are there. What the ???? My best lap was a 1:28.1. I went almost a second faster than the warmup, but over a second slower than my best time from the day before! What is going on? Are the Hoosier tires just worn out? They look good, there are still wear holes visible. They just didn't seem to be that sticky. This time the pressures look very good, 43 psi hot. I felt like I drove well, the car was sliding a little, and I was drifting right to the edge of the track. I don't understand it! I'm back in 21st place, I haven't been that far down the pack all weekend. After deliberating for a while, I decide to put the Kumho tires back on. Now I have about 45 minutes before the driver meeting. I pull the jack and tools back out. Up goes the car, down come the Kumhos from the tire rack. On goes the Kumhos, back on the trailer goes those lousy Hoosiers. I finish with plenty of time to spare, and I even make a sandwich before the driver meeting.
At the drivers meeting we're told the race will be 18 laps. Cool, that should take almost 30 minutes, which will be the longest run I've had. I'm very low on fuel, so I add 5 gallons. I check the gauge, and decide that I better add some more, so I add anothe 2 gallons. If I can turn 1:26 laps like the day before, I should pick up some spaces during the race. I won't finish towards the front, but I can still move up.
Race group 4 gets called to the grid, and I listen on my scanner as the race gets started. I have another cup of gatorade, go the bathroom one final time, clean the windshield again, then head over to the grid. Being back in 18th position is a little depressing. Yesterday, starting 12th in the fun races, I could see the starter. Now, I'm too far back, so the chance of getting a good start is slim. I'm right in front of Paul Amico, the past Potomac PCA president, and I will be gridded right behind Eric Ravid, the guy I chased all race at Pocono. There is a yellow GT5 914 next to Eric, that should be an interesting race. I see the checker flag fly for the race group 4, so I get in the car and get ready, When the 3 minute time is given, I start the car and cinch the belts down a little tighter. With 1 minute to go, I'm ready. Then cars pull out of the grid and form up behind the pace car. I always get an adrenaline rush when I go past the splitter, and this race was no exception. I follow the splitter's direction, and I'm on the right side, the inside when we get on the track. On the warm up lap I swerve back and forth, accellerate and brake, and otherwise warm the car. I make sure I can see who is behind me, and I note the cars next to me so I can be aware of where they go on the start. As we come onto the front straight the pace quickens. The pace car has pulled in, and the field gets ready. Suddenly, we take off, so I nail the throttle, and look for a place to go. I don't see a green flag, but everyone is going, so I go hard too. Then I see the starter make the 'cut' motion, no race start. The field slows, and I have to brake hardhardhard to avoid hitting Eric, who is right in front of me. OK, we'll do this again. Around we go, and when I go under the bridge, I remember to start my watch, so I'll have some idea of when the race should end. Let's see, 18 laps, each lap takes about 1.5 minutes, so the race should last about 25 minutes. On the front straight, in second gear, the field is bunched, then very quickly, the starter throws the green, and the race is on. I accel in second, then third, then fourth gear. I didn't get a good start, so I can't pass anyone, but no one behind me passes, so I'm happy. Eric has gotten a good start, and he passed 2 cars before T1. I brake early for T1, and drop 2 gears to prepare for hard accelleration out of the corner. We go through T1 side by side, then accel up to T1, Wagon Bend. I go into 4th gear, then make the left corner. The field is getting spread out, but we're still side by side. I think back to last year's race at Mt. Tremblant, where I got hit in the last corner, and back to the June Pocono race, where I slid off on the second lap, and I remind myself to be patient and not to do anything stupid.
We come onto the front straight, and I'm right behind the yellow 914.
I use my power to move right and drive right by him. Then, in T1, I have
to brake very hard to avoid hitting a 911 in the turn in area, and I drop
two wheels off the pavement on corner exit. I didn't lose any real time,
but the 914 was able to pass me on the run up into wagon bend. I follow
him around the track, through the slow stuff, then I gain a lot of ground
up through the esses. On the main straight, I again pull out and pass (having
lots more power is a good thing!). I see his car tops out of power by start
/ finish, while I keep accelleration the entire length of the straight.
By the time I reach the braking zone, I'm at about 130-135 mph, and I have
pulled out a big lead over the 914. Time to run down the 911 in front of
me. I'm working on catching him, when we come through the chute, and the
yellow flags are flying! A red 944T has spun in the left hander, and I
have to tip toe around him. Damn, that 914 has caught up to me. He dives
under me in the carousel. Fine, I'll just motor by him on the front straight.
I did that, then waited to long to brake for T1 and make a lousy turn.
I pulled out some more distance up to T2, but the 914 gains it all back
on the entrance to the carousel. I can see that the race is going to continue
this way, and that's fine with me. However, on one of next few laps,
after the 914 passed me in the carousel, as I drafted him in the last corner
he suddenly slowed and motioned me to pass on the left. I think he blew
his motor.
Click
for bigger picture
Here's a shot of me trailing the 914 through T10. I would pass him on the front straight. Photo credit Alan Heror
OK, end of that battle, lets see if I can catch anyone up front. The pack of 3-4 cars is now 1/2 a straight in front of me. If I drive good fast laps, and they battle, maybe I can catch them. I see about 15 minutes have gone by. I'm working on my driving, and the car feels good. The tires have lost a little traction, and I can't just throw the car into the carousel without braking, but otherwise, I'm doing well. I don't appear to be gaining on the 911's in front of me. Then I do see a car getting closer. However, it a lapped car. I catch him and pass, but I am not gaining on the other group. Then I see a yellow flag in T1. It's a blue 944T, off the track drivers right, and the driver is getting out. I guess his race is over. Behind me I see the red 944 that spun in the early laps. He's behind me and gaining. I don't want him to pass. Time to concentrate on turning good laps. A few minutes later I see a 914 behind me. That must be the race leader. I let him pass me in the carousel, then follow him up through the esses. I want to hang with him as long as possible. However, that wan't necessary, as the checkered flag flew that lap. It was kind of cool to be right behind the leader on the cool down lap. Lots of applause from the fans (and there quite a bit of them there).
I'm very happy, as I accomplished what I wanted to do - run a clean race, bring the car home in 1 piece, and do a little racing. Mission accomplished. When we pull off the track, all E cars were sent to the scales. I was first on, and my car weighed 3008, 10 pounds over the limit. That's as close as I want to come, and I'm glad I added the extra two gallons. At least two cars were underweight, but I don't know what happened to them.
Click
for bigger picture
Here's a shot of me on the scales after the race. The car is fresh
off the track, and DIRTY. Photo credit Alan Herod
If you want to see the official results, you can see them here.
Interestingly enough, my fastest race lap was my last. That showed that the Kumho tires stay pretty consistant thoughout a race. It also proves the point that smooth is fast. At the end of the race I wasn't pushing that hard, I was just trying to run smooth fast laps.
The trip home was smooth and uneventful. The car is now clean, and I'm preparing for my last track event of the year, a driver ed event at Lime Rock with the BMW Club. I did that event last year, and it was fun because the BMW club allows all kinds of cars, so I get to drive with many cool cars.
Epilogue:
I ran the Hoosier tires at Lime Rock. They had very little grip. So
I feel better that my problems at Summit were due to the tires having too
many heat cycles.