| Author | Message | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5801 Registered: 12-2000 |
Hey Mark, wish you would of been out there Sunday, maybe I would of had some competition. Kevin Mixon in the vette didn't show up Sunday. Sunday also didn't have any standing starts. That would of been the death of me with all that American muscle. Pretty interesting to watch from afar Saturday though. There are a couple of Challenge cars for sale in the FCA classifieds. Martin (Cavallino Motors), one of the FC sponsors has one right now. Here's the post in the main section that talks about the race, with video and picture links... http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/21/297097.html?1059965641 | ||
| Ron R (Ronr)
Junior Member Username: Ronr Post Number: 213 Registered: 10-2002 |
Way to go Rob! Wish I could've made it out there today. Looks like you figured out the safest way to start the race without getting any body damage...qualify on the front row! | ||
| Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
Junior Member Username: Redcar Post Number: 156 Registered: 4-2001 |
Rob, Great job! I really regret missing you on Sunday. I just had too many other obligations. 1:23.2 is really fast, was the Z06 there? I don't remember any of the T1 type cars in our class except maybe Bobby Archer's Viper going that quickly. I missed the standing start race Sat, were Sundays races rolling starts? I REALLY want a Challenge car, do you know of any others out there for sale? Good to see, even if only briefly. Mark | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5797 Registered: 12-2000 |
I'll post pictures and videos in the main section later. The day went very well, the 355 C held up perfect and the driver didn't make any major mistakes.  There were about 15 cars in the race and I qualified 2nd behind a little Lotus 7 looking thing that must of weighed 1,500 lbs. or so. The rest of the field was mostly American muscle cars from the 80's and early 90's. A handful of imports like a CRX and Integra. The start was hairy as I got a good jump on the pole, but realized in the first turn my tires weren't up to temps. I stayed in 2nd place and after a couple laps I was a ways behind 1st and a ways ahead of 3rd. Only got a little interesting again about 8 laps in when I started lapping cars. I lapped about 7-8 cars total before the end. My best race time was equal to what I've done before. What I was really pleased with was all my laps were consistent between 1:23.2-1:24.2. I had one lap at 1:26 when there were several cars to lap. Good to see Tillman and Jayson out there. The other races were a blast to watch. | ||
| Ron R (Ronr)
Junior Member Username: Ronr Post Number: 212 Registered: 10-2002 |
The racing was very good today. The passing for 1st and 2nd was nearly every lap, but the crazy Scotsman came in number 2 this time. Rob did a great job feigning enthusiasm (haha), I'm sure he would have much rather been out there racing his new RX7. It's worth the trip, go check it out! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5796 Registered: 12-2000 |
things don't look good for the #12, but it's in good hands now. There was signs of carbon lock, but that's hard to believe since it's a new engine. He's going to soak it in carb cleaner for a few days to see if that can get it to hand crank. We put 300+ pounds of torque and it won't budge, I think we'll have to pull the engine. Anyway, the SM/SRX7 race was just awesome to watch. I would rather be racing, but it was fun to watch for once. 12 SRX7's and 22 SM's. Chris Hewett in my #6 had to start from the back because he forgot to connect the transponder for qualifying (I reminded him over 5 times!). However, that made for much excitement as Chris took the #6 from 12th to 3rd place, passing former winner Mark Kim and MSR lap record holder Greg Kennedy. Chris was only in 3rd a couple laps when he had a nasty spin and stalled the car. While he got it started and waited for a clear track he lost about 5 places. Oh well, I'm very proud of Chris and he drove the ass off this car. Very fun to watch all the bumping and late breaking maneuvers. RonR was there to watch the race with me. Rumors are Ron will be racing SRX7 very soon.   Now finally for the last bit of exciting news. I have decided to race the FerrariChat.com 355 C tomorrow. There's some tough competition, including FC user Mark McKenzie in his Cobra replica and also a top running T1 Z06. Today, they did a standing start for fun, which will be the death of the 355 C, so hopefully tomorrow is a running start. | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 565 Registered: 12-2002 |
Well, I'm still sitting in front of my computer in Houston. Guess I'll have to wait until the next event. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5794 Registered: 12-2000 |
Bad news, finished the #12 SRX7 at 1am, but when we went to start it the engine was locked. I checked out all the usual "easy" fixes like the starter and drained the oil, but must be something in the engine. The guy that does my engines has a shop at MSR, so I have to deliver the car out to him. So I can't take either of the Ferraris today. I'll be cheering on my #6 as Skip Barber instructor Chris Hewett is racing it. | ||
| Ryan Casey Ausmus (Casey_a)
New member Username: Casey_a Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2003 |
I was the friend of a friend Jason was talking about. They decided to take the 360 Challenge car to Hallet instead. The issue was posed to me as a denial of entry, although, I know of Shannon, it didn't really seem like something a growing orginization such a NASA would do. Lapse in communication I guess. I'm trying to bring my '93 RX-7 out, but I don't think the remote resovoirs will be here on time and I have some finishing work to do....oh well, maybe next time. I'll be there to watch at least. <--Is DYING to get wheel time in the 360 Challenge car.. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5770 Registered: 12-2000 |
No passengers for racing classes of course and not sure about DE's. If it's your first time, then no, because you won't solo without an instructor until after at least one weekend. I have taken passengers before at the NASA DE's. | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 562 Registered: 12-2002 |
What are the rules about passengers for these classes? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5768 Registered: 12-2000 |
There won't be quite the diversity of cars as an SCCA event, but you'll still see a good variety. I'm prejudice, but the SRX7/SM group is the most fun to watch. We'll have 15 SRX7's and 25 SM's on the course at once with these cheap throw away cars that no one cares about bumping, but they're still really quick at 115 rwhp and only 2200 pounds. You'll see many spin outs, wrecks, bump drafting, and 3 wide corners. The other classes competing will be the open wheels, which go really fast, but not any bumping or too much passing. There will also be the other closed wheel race group that Mark McKenzie will be racing in with his Cobra Replica. That class has probably the coolest cars (Vipers, Vettes, old MG's), but there is such a huge variance in speed and a low turnout for not very much head to head racing. The DE events will have everything that people want to bring. Usually Porsche, BMW, and Subaru. | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 561 Registered: 12-2002 |
So what kind of cars can we expect Rob? This will be my first actual road course event. :-) | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5766 Registered: 12-2000 |
Jim, a couple Ferraris will be nothing compared to the door banging and car spining action of the racing. There won't be any Ferraris on the race course. Sounds like Keith might have his 355 in the paddock and a few others are coming to watch. | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
Member Username: Tillman Post Number: 834 Registered: 11-2001 |
I think Jayson and I are planning on coming down on Sunday to watch. I don't know if I'll have the Fcar back together by that point or not. I should, it's just a belt tightening, but sometimes I get lazy | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1661 Registered: 7-2002 |
so who is going and what cars will be running? I have a friend I might bring, but don't want to drag him to Ft Worth for a no show of Ferraris or anyone I know. | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 557 Registered: 12-2002 |
Sounds good. What I heard was one of the "heard it from a friend of a friend of a friend." For anyone else who is going that doesn't live in the area, where will you be staying? I'm going to try and stay at the Comfort Inn in Granbury for Friday and Saturday night. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5735 Registered: 12-2000 |
Your friend is getting NASA confused with another organization or some other major lapse in communication. Shannon, who runs the NASA events almost single handily, is one of the nicest people and accepts everyone. Whether you are a racer, student, or spectator, everyone is welcome. | ||
| Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
Junior Member Username: Redcar Post Number: 155 Registered: 4-2001 |
I like NASA, but they need all the support they can get. Why in the world would NASA admins say anything that could be construed as discouraging any group from coming?? Jason do you know what was said? Mark | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 556 Registered: 12-2002 |
Rob, a friend of mine told me the NASA admins didn't want any of the FCA there? Something happen or was he wrong? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5726 Registered: 12-2000 |
Yes Jim, Ron and Steph are coming out. Tillman, Jayson, and others have come out in the past. There is an A/C'd club house with a second level you can see most of the track from. There will be 4 race groups plus a few driver's ed groups. There will pretty much be constant action from 8am to 5pm except for an hour break at lunch. No fees to watch either. www.nasatx.com | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 2158 Registered: 7-2001 |
Is this something a spectator can attend? I have no plans for next weekend and might try to come out to watch for a while. The kids would probably enjoy it too. | ||
| Keith Verges (Kverges)
New member Username: Kverges Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2003 |
I will be there; racing SM #79 and my 355 will be my "pit" vehicle. PS, you can check out the driving school cars Keith Verges Dallas | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5725 Registered: 12-2000 |
Looks like I'll just do the SRX7 this time. One reason not a good enough excuse, but there are several... - First time the new #12 will be raced. We're still putting it together last minute as I speak. I'm sure there will be many bugs. - Challenge car still needs passenger seat installed, harnesses, window nets, and graphics. I have a good passenger seat, but it will take some welding and much time that I don't have this week. - Big headache to be making two trips for two cars. Hopefully next year I have a garage out there and things will be much easier. So hopefully I can race both the SRX7 and Challenge car next year. | ||
| Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
Junior Member Username: Redcar Post Number: 153 Registered: 4-2001 |
I will be coming up from Austin, to race my Cobra replica. I considered bringing my 348 for the lapping group, and still might. I'll be staying with family in Plano and driving over each morning. Rob, I hope you can bring the 355. See you then. Mark | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 550 Registered: 12-2002 |
Rob, you know of any other members who will be going? | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 547 Registered: 12-2002 |
I'm also meeting up with a guy from Honda-Tech who's uncle just bought a 360 Challenge. Maybe we can all have dinner or lunch one day. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5702 Registered: 12-2000 |
Well, I'm going, but can't guarantee the 355 will be there. It's still about 50-50. | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 546 Registered: 12-2002 |
Who all is going? I'm going to try and make the trip up there and stay Friday and Saturday night at the Comfort Inn in Granbury. Anyone want a ride-along? :-) Jason- |