The Glen.... May 1, 2006 | FerrariChat
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The Glen.... May 1, 2006

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by enjoythemusic, May 2, 2006.

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  1. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #1 enjoythemusic, May 2, 2006
    Please be kind, today was my very first day at the Glen and am still learning the lines/track. Will be here everyday this week including Thursday, then heading home Friday.


    http://www.ispexperts.com/glen050106.wmv
     
  2. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

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    #2 Gilles27, May 2, 2006
    That's REALLY cool. Looks like they were focusing on lines before turning you loose. Good thing. Did you ever get a little nervous when the revs were peaking?
     
  3. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #3 enjoythemusic, May 2, 2006
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    Yes, learning the lines is job #1.

    NOTE: Track maps below for those not familiar with Watkins Glen. You can then follow along with the video. We used full course including 'Boot.'


    Braking for turn 1 is fine and we were in fourth gear, we downshift to third while braking. Then up to fourth gear just before turn 2. Then comes that faith thing (and perhaps large dangling things) as it is the flat out pedal to the metal in fourth gear through turns 3 and 4.

    He kept me in at most fourth gear even though the car was at 6k rpm and climbing about 1/3rd down the back straight before the Bus Stop.

    Also taking turn 10 in fourth gear at full throttle not much braking (if any depending on the speed we were carrying) at turn 11 at near full throttle is also another leap of faith. It is the fastest track i have driven to date.

    FYI: Initially was in the Intermediate Group for the SCDA event, but spoke with the organization owner Ian asking for an instructor on Monday morning and he wisely suggested i do novice the first day. Fully in agreement... and had a GREAT instructor who provided excellent guidance. The instructor never let me touch final gear (5th).

    Sorry about no videos today, left my memory card here at the hotel in the card reader (DOH!).

    Today i was all alone and the first session was slower than last session on Monday. Had no instructor so caution was taken (live to 'fight' another day). The third session out today at 3pm was fastest ever. The tires pressure felt just right, everything felt locked in, etc.

    So yes, it takes nerves going THAT FAST and trusting your instructor. Also, Watkins Glen has MANY blind apex turns, and Mommy Skip Barber teaches you to look ahead and of course at Apex(s). So where does one look when you can not see the apex and not familiar with the track? The guard rails are high, too, so looking ahead can be impossible (see track video).

    Well, now that Day 2 of my 4 day Watkins Glen event is over, can say i have more faith in the car and my second (and third including today) experience with R-compound tires (Mich Pilot Cups) is very positive. Frankly, the car is more capable than my dangling things at this time. The car initially turns in AMAZINGLY well, need to take better advantage of that. Mid-corner is what i'd call good to very good. Note those two comments are given the car under my feet. Guess this track truly shows where all those $$$$ really went for all the suspension improvements.

    Sorry for the long answer, am also here analyzing the video and going through laps in my mind. Doing 'air laps' play along as it were.

    Tomorrow is another day at the track...
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  4. Cavallino Motors

    Cavallino Motors F1 World Champ
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    #4 Cavallino Motors, May 2, 2006
    learning the line???? That looked pretty good to me! Well done!
    turn ins were good, apex were excellent and general control excellent.

    If I were your instructor I would sign you off to solo right now.
    Glad to see that you enjoy this so much. I got hooked doing the FCA track events and went off the deep end. Now I am racing almost every weekend. Whatever I can get my hands on. Hell, I'd race the truck and trailer to the track if there would be another one. :)

    EnjoyTheTrack forget the music :)
     
  5. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #5 enjoythemusic, May 2, 2006

    A most humble thanks


    Love it!


    Have at least 18 track days between April and October. My incredible wife is being very understanding. i read various track books (Carl Lopez, etc.), Carroll Smith's books, car magazines... My wife and i jokingly call it Steven's P@rn :)


    Shhh, don't tell my readership that ;)

    http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/viewpoint/0506/hobbies_collide.htm
     
  6. PistolPete

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    #6 PistolPete, May 2, 2006
    Hey Steve!

    It was good meeting you. Learned a lot over the last two days and I'm beat right now.

    I'm in PA now about halfway home, so no pictures or video yet.

    That was a great video of the track, I can feel myself bracing for each and every turn.

    -Pete
     
  7. Canine64

    Canine64 Formula Junior

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    #7 Canine64, May 2, 2006
    God I love the Glen. I have 18 days planned there this year. There is nothing better than foot to the floor from T1 through the esses and all the way to the Bus Stop.
     
  8. Fast4Door

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    #8 Fast4Door, May 2, 2006
    I did three track days last year at the Glen, one in the rain. I've done Summit, VIR, Lime Rock and Watkins Glen. Of the four tracks the Glen is my favorite but also the most intimidating.

    If you want to see a fast lap at the Glen check out Mr. Kofod's lap in his Challenge car:

    http://www.flatoutracing.net/movies/cd5/fastlap.mpg
     
  9. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #9 enjoythemusic, May 3, 2006
    Pete,

    Was wonderful meeting you and your family. WOW your car looked great out there on the track. Look forward to seeing you at future events. If i can ever be of assistance feel free to let me know.
     
  10. Ronbo

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    #10 Ronbo, May 3, 2006
    Steven --

    Great to meet you at Watkins Glen, and a sincere thanks for the assistance and support. I believe you New Englanders use the term "wicked fast" to describe a track like the Glen and it is all that.

    Dennis, if you are reading this thank you also. In addition to providing excellent instruction and a wealth of knowledge you were a model of tifosi courage.

    Thanks again,

    Ron (aka "The Spinner")
     
  11. vlamgat

    vlamgat Formula Junior

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    #11 vlamgat, May 3, 2006

    I will second or third THAT. Have raced it (SCCA-ITE) and several events with Quattro Club and some in the rain. The toe of the boot (7 I think) is an awesome turbo turn where the low down torque will out run all but the best of the Vipers and Vettes everytime. Turn 9 as you stare at the wall can cause levated heart rates in the rain and you sure better apex 10.
     
  12. FLATOUTRACING

    FLATOUTRACING F1 Rookie

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    #12 FLATOUTRACING, May 3, 2006

    Andy,

    Believe it or not that lap was run on PZero's with 10 track days on them. I eventually got down to a sub 2:06 with new slicks.

    The Glen is my favorite track, especially when I was running FCA events with the Empire State Region. The Red group back then looked like a Rolex Grand Am practice session mixed with IMSA GTP. We had F40 LM's, 962's, 360 GT's and a dozen Challenge cars.

    The Glen can be learned rather quickly in terms of getting up to decent speed but the last tenth or two is down to "speed secrets" of those who know the track through years of experience.

    While the Glen can look scarry in the rain, the track actually has good grip if you know where to look for it.

    JK
     
  13. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #13 enjoythemusic, May 3, 2006
    Ok, no instructor and they let me loose. My FCA instructor was confident in my abilities AND he took me out (him driving) in his ?1988? BMW M3. Now i see what needed to be done as his car is like mine. Low power per se and you need to throttle steer. He shows me some 'tricks' and here is the third session i had today.

    Lap Time is not great, but not too bad at 2:34.57
    Tires were Mich Pilot Cup with three previous days on them. Temps was about 70F, track temp was 99F under sunny skies.

    Sorry about the music, used the lipstick cam and all i got was wind noise. Tomorrow will go back to using the cam itself as it seems to have not much wind noise. As for the background music... it's pure love baby... :)

    ...or i am just one sick puppy LOL


    http://www.ispexperts.com/glen050306.wmv

    If i can get down to under 2:25 tomorrow i will call this trip a MAJOR sucess. DAMN the Glen is fun!!!

    PS: Thanks for the "Hi" Martin, your customer here at the track is a great guy!
     
  14. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #14 enjoythemusic, May 3, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  15. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #15 enjoythemusic, May 3, 2006
    In the past three days turn 10 pretty much totalled a Lotus. Looked like it got caught in a major trash compactor, it was THAT ugly! It was not even the driver's car (instructor, will leave names out of this). He is going to replace the owner's car.

    Also, a guy i track with in other events looks like he may have totalled (front and rear damage) to his Honda S2000 due to turn 10.

    Both drivers are ok. Have no pics and will not mention names. Thanks for your understanding.
     
  16. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 Texas Forever, May 3, 2006
    Steven, thanks for the vid and the writeup. Tracking (and next comes racing) is sure additive isn't it?

    Dale
     
  17. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #17 enjoythemusic, May 3, 2006
    It is my pleasure my friend. In a sense this board is a kinda 'log file' for me. Also, i truly do enjoy getting constructive criticism (PM or on the board).

    As for the track... well... how shall this be said. Hmm...

    You track guys are right, it is like crack and these R-compound tires are the 'ignition.' Can only imagine what it is like after YEARS of seat time in a 'real' car and a fresh set of slicks. Alas, at this time my back account is nowhere near what some guys at this FCA track event brought. All i can do is admire and salivate :(

    Actually this is a good thing, first comes learning and this modded 'slow' car seems just right. In fact the car is impressing me at what it CAN do and those years of slowing upgrading her is now showing the potential that was only hinted at. Still, the car is better than me at this time and a fast car would probably only lead me into trouble... or not being 'forced' into truly learning certain things as the modern cars have many electronic aids. These aids are a great thing of course, yet can also see where learning on a manual tranny, no abs, no traction control, no rev limiter, etc. is a good thing.

    Oh, did i mention that the word track and crack are only ONE letter difference. Think about it :)
     
  18. Fast4Door

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    #18 Fast4Door, May 4, 2006
    Jon can drive. He helps set up my GT3 Cup car and on the same weekend some Grand Am Guys were running their GT3 Cup cars at the Glen Jon turned a 2:01 in my car vs. their 1:59's. I am sure my car isn't prepped to their level since it's just used for track days

    Jon: GT3 Cub Baby ! You must be having withdrawal since the 355 has been gone two years now.
     
  19. ProCoach

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    #19 ProCoach, May 4, 2006
    Jon, that video is SWEET. Nice footwork, nice slow hands, using all of the track. Now that the curbs are not so high (ground down for the IRL folks), you can use them even more, can't you? <grin> Very nice, thanks for sharing.

    -Peter (2:01.9, Lola Sports 2000, 2:19 box-stock Mondial t Coupe on Goodyears fifteen years ago)
     
  20. FLATOUTRACING

    FLATOUTRACING F1 Rookie

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    #20 FLATOUTRACING, May 4, 2006
    Peter,

    Thanks for the compliments. The Glen is by far my favorite track. 2:19 in a stock Mondial is blazzin' fast given the weight of the car.

    I noticed you race a S2000. Back in 02 or 03 there was a group of S2000 guys racing as a support group for the 360/355 Challenge series at the Glen. Did you race with this group?

    Saw you are a Skippy instructor. I attended Skippy school and race in the regional series a few years ago. What a blast!!

    Andy,

    A two second gap between me and the GA boys may seem close, but as I am sure Peter can tell you the last two seconds are HUGE. To go from a 2:08 to a 2:06 in the 355 C took two years and a lot of coaching. I had to left foot brake some areas on the track to be able to get better entry and exit speed out of certain areas and it meant pushing the car closer to the limit in T1 and the last few turns on the front straight.

    GT3 Cup.........Why buy the cow, when the milk's free. I can always drive your car :)

    Regards,

    Jon
     
  21. ProCoach

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    #21 ProCoach, May 5, 2006
    Jon, the S2 guys were with a series called American Cities Racing League (ACRL) a great little series with some serious drivers. While I've run since then with many of them, I was doing mostly production cars and sedans at that time. I loved your study of Bill Auberlen in the other thread! So true.

    You said: "A two second gap between me and the GA boys may seem close, but as I am sure Peter can tell you the last two seconds are HUGE. To go from a 2:08 to a 2:06 in the 355 C took two years and a lot of coaching. "

    Man, you have that right! But the delight of this whole enterprise is that with study and practice, you CAN and DID do it! Kudos!

    -Peter
     

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