Survived Road Atlanta

Hank Dondero · #1 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 06:23 AM

Just returned from a two day school at Road Atlanta, and survived. That GD track is a real piece of work. I had more trouble with the Esses and down hill into turn 12 than I could have ever imagined.

After several spins and two off track events down the front straight at about 100, I am happy to say life is great. The only consellation to the front straight events was head instructor Joe Foster's comment that he once had a similar trip. Hhe didn't get back on the track until after he took out the 200 ft sign at the entrance to turn 1!

I am amazed at the brass ones real racers have as they come down the hill into turn twelve side by side and bumping, or into the Esses doing al kinds of wild stuff.

School was great with plenty of track time, and passing and jousting with the instructors. Needless to say, I was the passee and not the passor in all but intentional point bye's by the instructors.

I now have to do a pile of soiled undergarments, so please excuse me for now.

Hank
FFR 1776-II
Very Humbled

Sonny · #2 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 07:49 AM

hank, just think if you had the right tires, suspension geo and a big block, they would be more than soiled.....ha...ha, the sign at turn 1, what a ride he had.

John McMahon · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 09:35 AM

...Howyadoon.....

I am jealous. Glad you had fun and came home in one piece.
I've always wanted to drive that course, but it sounds like I'll need a double shot of testosterone before I attempt it.

Racing in November...I'm REALLY jealous.

Norm Good invited me down to Summit Point, he's there today and these other guys are going to VIR this weekend I think.

Man, I'm getting antsey already.

Gimme a TnT!

CCX33911 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 12:47 PM

Hank:

Was this school in your own car?
Who was sponsoring the school?

The only experience I have had at RA was a few years ago I took the Skip Barbor 3 day comp course and boy was that fun. This was the old configuration before they slowed down the bridge turn, etc. Turn 11 (bridge turn at that time) was unbelievable!!!!! In the low skip barber cars you would turn in at about 90 and could not see pavement (because of the drop) except for about 25 feet in front of you. And nothing but the hills off in the distance. After a couple of seconds you could eventually would see the line and track out point, etc. It would make you pucker every time! Great fun though. As I used to say "most fun you can have with your clothes on."

Hank Dondero · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 01:25 PM

G Gibb,

The school was an Advanced Road Racing 2 day school run by Panoz. We used the race series Gt cars powered by a 4.6L Ford Cobra engine.

Couple of the older instructors did comment about the back straight prior to turn 10A & B installed. Quite a hair raising experience I'm sure. My gut and butt still pucker every time I think of the leap of faith required as you come up through 11 as you described it. Also, the off camber road and narrowing of the straight at turn 12.

I often use that same quote. It is definetly true.

Hank
FFR 1776-II

RACER X #99 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 02:16 PM

McHank,
Gettin the edge on track time while the rest of us oldsters try to recooperate from last years events.
I pass the baton on to you to Challenge and defeat McFez at next years Club Cranky at the Glen sb is faster than BB high speed driving contest and eat and drinkathon.
McCranky

Hank Dondero · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 02:24 PM

McCranky,

I will take up the baton only as far as eating and drinking is concerned. I have seen McFez drive, and he is an animal.

Maybe he is listening in.

I had to get a high speed fix, seeing as how you guys ran the Octoberfest event at the Seneca.

Catch ya later.

McHank
FFR 1776-II

Cobranut · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 02:49 PM

The only time I've raced at RA was the SCCA Labor day weekend.
What a blast. I got my first win in Legends class there on Sunday,

but got beat in the rain on Monday.

The first practice laps I had were in rain on Saturday.. Try learning that track when it's wet.

We ran with the Spec Racer Fords and several of the small displacement sports cars, as well as a bunch of Baby Grands.

Lots of carnage, particularly the SRF's. I saw two of them get together in 12 right in front of me. The one on the outside removed his rear clip on the retaining wall.

The only dry race we had all weekend was Saturday afternoon, and I finished 17'th overall out of 59 starters.

Hank,
You're right about turn 12. It takes a lot to keep your foot down as the car drifts toward that wall and you're waiting for it to hook up at the exit.

I can't wait to get started next year with a fresh motor. Hopefully I can whip up on some of the guys who helped me get started this year.

Later,

Hank Dondero · #9 (**permalink**) 11-30-2001, 03:41 PM

David,

Congrats on the win. I can't imagine running that track in the rain. Then learning in the rain. Big ones eh?

I was talking with one of the instructors and the story goes that coming out of 10B during the Speedvision GT sedan series race the same weekend as the Petite LeMans they were 3 wide and bumping. At the top of the hill only one was left, Charles Espenlaub. The other two bumped each other off. Some fun.

Well back to getting the car ready for next season. Fresh motor for you and a new frame for me. Yahoo!

McHank
FFR 1776-II