123 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

I'm sort of surprised that no one has even brought up the point that the '99 is clearly a superior grass car, and parity for the NA cars will be an issue...

Tracks going to water real good the night before to keep the dust down.

[Charlie Hayes]

No problem with grip issues Dean, my problem is I spent weeks and the past 3 days up till 3am making my car look pretty again. Pretty sure no matter what there will be some kick up of some sort not only for body but what about windshields? I don't want to have to buy another one.

I'm really up for anything. LeMans start for qual, pill draws, full inverts, any course change, add a chicane, do what ever! Just keep it on the blacktop and safe for the drivers and their cars.

I havent raced a race yet and said "that wasn't fun enough, we should have races off course."

[dtfastbear]

Here's the approximate entry point to the grass:

http://g.co/maps/6w69c

And here's the approximate exit:

http://g.co/maps/myuvj

It's looks quite smooth and the transitions to the pavement don't look bad, but there are a lot of loose pebbles and gravel. Jerry was at the track today working with them on this. I hear you, Charlie. We'll see if they've come up with an adequate solution or not. I don't like buying new windshields, either, so let's keep that in mind as we test and see how it looks.

Cheers,

Dean

[Charlie Hayes]

Long 7 with a water truck prerace soak the skid pad. It's a surface change and you would have to adapt to that.

[Johnny D]

Speaking of rally...
You didn't want to run outside along the top and come in at 7?
J~

[Dennis]

I'm with Charlie. I like change and I'm up to try any configuration of track, but on the pavement. I wouldn't use my good set of tires to drive across the dirt in every lap. Whenever I go into the dirt I get under the car to check for damage. I think it's pretty likely if we race in the dirt, chin spoiler, nose paint, windshield.

Dean when you're testing the dirt please think about 2 and 3 abreast on lap one and see if you think that would be safe. Since the decision about using the dirt will be made after you test midday tomorrow, how/when will it be announced? I am rethinking participation for the weekend.

Dennis

[RazerX]

I have to agree, with the concerns with the grass. And frankly it is not the grass so much as the unpredictable ground under it. Small dips, hills, pot hots, running gophers, and such. I know some run close to the bumpstops and we can argue that is not a good setup, but i don't want to be behind a guy who encounders some serious ground deviations and spins.

[RazerX]

But, i am completely confident in Dean's evaluation tomorrow.

[dtfastbear]

I'll post here from my phone tomorrow after I run the tests and we make some decisions.

[Ron Alan]

Are you guys really drinking the koolaid?

[kiwi]

need me to make a couple of dirt runs. sounds fun

[dp35]

Love it! Wish I could race, but I might have to come & watch now.

Will the special config be used both days?

Racers - keep in mind that more tread on tires should work better in the dirt.

[Dan Cooper]

DP - Im thinking about heading up on Sunday morning (havnt looked at the schedule yet) wanna carpool?

[dtfastbear]

Plan is to run this config both days. I imagine that as people figure it out, the racing will just get better. Watch this thread - I'll try to keep it up to date with how the testing goes, any decisions we make about changing the config, etc. I understand the reluctance of some to give this a try, but I'm fired up, personally!

[Ron Alan]

Sat race is the first race in the afternoon...Sun is the last race. I will be heading up also if anyone wants to go!

[Duncan]

I have to agree, with the concerns with the grass. And frankly it is not the grass so much as the unpredictable ground under it. Small dips, hills, pot hots, running gophers, and such. I know some run close to the bumpstops and we can argue that is not a good setup, but i don't want to be behind a guy who encounders some serious ground deviations and spins.

I think there's a real possibility of suspension damage as well. If we do this, I'd prefer it to be a one day event, instead of both Saturday and Sunday. Plus, this is my first race at Infineon so the less new things the better as far as I'm concerned.

Duncan

[Charlie Hayes]

I will probably just run PTE if things go off course. Like I said before, you can do anything under the sun thats safe and fun on the blacktop. 3 wide, nose to tail, in the dirt on a STEEP up hill grade is just screaming disaster.

[dtfastbear]

As a personal favor to me, can I ask that you guys just hold tight with an open mind for a couple hours until we test this config?

If they give us an early session to test it, you'll know very soon. If not, you'll know right after lunch. C'mon guys - POSITIVE thoughts!

Thanks,

Dean

[Johnny D]

Please see the final schedule with some significant modifications.

http://www.nasanorcal.com/events2011/oct/schedule.pdf

[Rob Burgoon]

If I wasn't waiting on parts to repair my front sway bar mount, I'd be cancelling my buttonwillow races and be headed up there right now for the opportunity to get my dirt on.

By the by, getting the watering right is going to be a real trick. You guys may want to consult with a circle track hillbilly familiar with the sort of dirt/clay/whatever infineon has. Too much and you're bogging. Too little and you can't see.