Had a world class blast at Gateway .. first time for me with a car. Went two years ago with HLC and have just been counting the days till I could get back there with my car. Got the car running with the new rear end and tranny just the friday before .. attended the club meet the next day .. then put two hundred miles on her over the rest of last weekend to make sure the rear end was broken in.
I went up Tuesday so I could attend the Test and Tune day on Wed and the seminars. Dropped the car and trailer at the track Tue night about 6 pm. Wed was an excellent time to get moved into the garage and get the car around the track a few times to get the feel of the place. Quite a few drivers got a little bit too enthusiastic and Track Manager Dan had to get us together and remind us that we weren't racing so cool it!
Thurs am we went to Autocross, and I did pretty good and didn't knock over any cones .. credit Intro to Road Racing at TMS three weeks ago.
Later Thurs am we had a "Follow Me" session so the Novices could learn the racing line from our local Race Yoda, Don Barnes. I had the unique opportunity to be #2 behind Don for several laps as he showed us how it is done. That plus the preparation I got at TMS was invaluable. They let us loose for a timing session, then split us into 4 groups based on lap times .. putting similar times together, as opposed to going by the traditional groups .. such as Novice, Street, Prepared, and Pro.
I was assigned to group 2, based on my qualifying time, and ran with mostly more experienced drivers .. some famous names like Reyburn and Jus Bit and Wildbill. This was waaaay better than Hallett, more room. fewer cars, and better drivers ..
Woooooo!!!
Had a couple fairly hot sessions .. the slicks were really making a difference. As a novice, it was a thrill to see the corner workers blue flagging the cars I came up on (check your mirrors, someone is about to pass you) I wish I had a picture of that grin
Here's a pic I like, me with the two guys (Jay and Keith) who got me there ..
So rookie me got a first place in my class in Autocross and Road Course. Regrettably, I holed a piston later Thurs and didn't get on the track at all Friday. Sally is blowing
oil out all her orfices, and needs her motor to go back to Keith for some TLC. Will get that done asap!
My compliments to Clois, Dean, Jay, and Hershal on the best Run N Gun ever, I am sure! Some of you need to come up with us next year .. start planning now, because it takes preparation!
Sam
Back from Run N Gun :D
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