I have made up my mind. | FerrariChat

I have made up my mind.

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by Texas Forever, Apr 1, 2006.

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  1. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    #1 Texas Forever, Apr 1, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm going Spec Miata racing for the time being. Yesterday, I took my street legal SM to the track for the first time. What a hoot. Me and two buddies put over 250 miles on the car, drove it 120 miles to and from the track, enjoyed one decent sized get off (I wasn't driving), and the car still runs like a top. Because I prefer driving em more than working on em, this has got to be the way to go for me.

    Moreover, you really have to be a great driver to get to the head of the class. Texas World Speedway is a converted NASCAR track with one long straight that dives into a long series of twisty turns before coming back on the straight. In a Spec Miata, the best times are done by shifting into 5th gear right before the end of the straight. You then dive down off the embankment into Turn 1 at full throttle. If you're really good, you are doing about 115 at this point. You then downshift to 4th and late apex Turn 2 at full freaking throttle. You don't touch the brakes until Turn 3, which is a sharp right hander. Sounds easy, until you try it.

    The all time lap record on the long course is about 1:15. The SM record is 1:47. This is in a car with 140 hp. We were doing about 2:20 with street tires. I've got a whole lotta learning ahead of me.

    The picture captions are:

    1. My buddy Steve saying that this is more fun than sex (or least cheaper.)
    2. Me headed out to the track.
    3. Where the squirrels live.
    4. Full grown SM. (Mine still lacks the roll cage.)
    5. He fits.
    6. 2nd fastest car on the track that day.
    7. Really cool BMW driven by a paraplegic. Definitely the fastest car on the track.

    Dale

    PS The SM has 99,789 miles on the clock. It takes a lickin, but...
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  2. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
    13,337
    Ex-Urbia
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    Jack
    Awesome, Dale! Have you decided how far you're going to travel yet? I'm thinking the next addition should be a tricked-out RV for those long race weekends.
     
  3. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    Actually, I have these memories. They kinda come and go. Something about a van with a mattress in the back. Why a mattress I don't know. I seem to recall something about Mardi Gras and this chick shinnying up a lamp post - naked. But I could be wrong. I get so confused nowadays.

    Dale
     
  4. Rexcoltrain

    Rexcoltrain Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2003
    671
    Oahu, Hawaii
    My DE instructor took me out for for a ride in his spec Miata at TWS. Hands down, the most fun I've ever had on four wheels.
     
  5. ItaliaF1

    ItaliaF1 F1 Veteran

    Aug 28, 2005
    5,083
    Nashville,TN
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    John Burrow
    That looks like a lot of fun! Also, the Bimmer looks pretty cool.
     
  6. Chris Taylor

    Chris Taylor Karting

    Aug 11, 2004
    122
    Elroy, TX
    Those laptimes are wayyy off. The fastest I've seen a SM go is a 1:59 on the 2.9 course, I could possibly see a 1:57, but no way in hell a 1:47. I can't even see a shifter kart or bike going 1:15 on the 2.9... Hell, the IMSA WSC cars did the 1.9 (infield course that uses NASCAR T3&4) in 57 seconds, I can't see them adding 2 miles and only 18 seconds...

    Anyway, looks good. Get some Toyo's so you can drop below 2:10!

    PS - I only ran a 2:03 at the 6-hour in my buddies' SM. Predicted laptime from the MXL was 2:01, though!
     
  7. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    I was only going with what Jack told me about lap times. I figured he should know. I thought that Ara told me that he held the SM lap record at 1:59. But, what the hell. We're all getting old.

    But you're right. I need to get the car finished. Full roll cage, race seats, and slicks. Maybe then I'll have the nuts to go full bore around T1 and T2!

    Dale
     
  8. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
    10,676
    Worldwide
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    Steven
    Congrats! Yes indeed, you will have a great time and remember to get all the safety gear in place and make sure for all that GO you have brakes that WOE with fresh fluid.

    As my sig file says...
     
  9. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    64,019
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    Yes, SM lap record is 1:59 now. Several were just under 2:00 this last double national on the 2.9. The majority of the field will be 2:00-2:04. 2:20 without roll cage and tires is still moving.

    I love the paint job. Where did you get the idea? :D;):D Steve Earle's 360 Challenge, right? :)
     
  10. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    You gots it. I thought at first that the painter got the stripes too wide. However, on the Miata I think the wider strips look better. It is a boring looking car otherwise.

    Dale
     
  11. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    Thanks Stephen. I wish that I had the huevos to do what you're going with your 308. Maybe someday when I grow up!

    Dale
     
  12. awhite

    awhite Formula 3
    BANNED

    Jul 13, 2005
    1,229
    still here
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    hmmmm
    Ahhh the memories of the days at TWS!!!

    :)

    -a
     

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