17 replies to this topic

[Juan Pineda]

First look at the new track. Test day on corded tires. I think the fast pace will be in the low (three) forties. Not sure how racing is going to work on the extended track yet... Enjoy! -Juan

 

[DionJ]

Looks like the new track is fun. What do you think about it? Are the slow tight spots gonna be a dive bomb crashfest?

[Juan Pineda]

Judge for yourself what it's like in a race! There really aren't any passing zones in the west track. We have another race tomorrow.

 

[Juan Pineda]

We are getting faster! I was psyched to qual 5th with a 3:43. But Mark Drennan knocked a second off of his fast lap yesterday to break into the 39's.

 

[Alberto]

Thanks for the vid Juan.  I climbed the hill and stood by the water tower to watch Groups 2 and 5 run through the new track on Sat.  Helped to get a top level view of just how tight and technical the new track is. 

 

Your video helped tremendously with my improvement today.  I think I watched it 20 times between last night and today.    Thanks for sharing and helping the rest of us get up to speed.

[Juan Pineda]

Second race. Lots of action and close racing. Fourth place was mine to lose. Finished sixth. Enjoy! -Juan

 

[dp35]

I raced Ron Alan’s car at this event. It was a lot of fun to learn the new track at the same time as everyone else. The new pavement was billiard smooth with good grip & consistency, which was a pleasure to drive. The new section is very technical, with lots of late apexes and patience required. There are some large rocks & curbs that must be avoided. We named one of the curbs “Ron Cortez curb”, because it has a harsh leading edge that bent at least three SM wheels that I know of (including one of mine), which should be good for Ron’s business.

As you’ll see in my video, passing on the new western course is nearly impossible. The one thing I don’t like is that both of the straight sections end with very narrow chicanes, making any passing attempts very risky. Considering this, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to use this section for the 25.

It was great to see everyone again and meet some new racers. This is one of the things I miss most about racing. The only thing that could’ve been better for me would’ve been if Mark Drennan didn’t show up. That guy is really hard to compete with, especially when you’ve been out of it for a while. I was also impressed with young guns Marco Gallaher and Tommy McCarthy for racing me hard but 100% clean in both races.

Here's my video from Sunday's race. My mistakes let Mark drive away & forced me to fend off several challenges from Marco. I missed the 2-3 shift over & over, and then just to keep it interesting I forgot where the brake pedal was located at a critical moment.

[Joe (dad) Jordan]

I raced Ron Alan’s car at this event. It was a lot of fun to learn the new track at the same time as everyone else. The new pavement was billiard smooth with good grip & consistency, which was a pleasure to drive. The new section is very technical, with lots of late apexes and patience required. There are some large rocks & curbs that must be avoided. We named one of the curbs “Ron Cortez curb”, because it has a harsh leading edge that bent at least three SM wheels that I know of (including one of mine), which should be good for Ron’s business.

As you’ll see in my video, passing on the new western course is nearly impossible. The one thing I don’t like is that both of the straight sections end with very narrow chicanes, making any passing attempts very risky. Considering this, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to use this section for the 25.

It was great to see everyone again and meet some new racers. This is one of the things I miss most about racing. The only thing that could’ve been better for me would’ve been if Mark Drennan didn’t show up. That guy is really hard to compete with, especially when you’ve been out of it for a while. I was also impressed with young guns Marco Gallaher and Tommy McCarthy for racing me hard but 100% clean in both races.

Here's my video from Sunday's race. My mistakes let Mark drive away & forced me to fend off several challenges from Marco. I missed the 2-3 shift over & over, and then just to keep it interesting I forgot where the brake pedal was located at a critical moment.

 

Love the CORTEZ CURB!  Which one is it?  Bummer to hear about the difficult passing.  Will it open up more once it's raced on more?  Glad your back racing even if it's just a weekend!

[Ron Alan]

Always fun to have talented guys get in our car and wheel it near the front! Average car from a numbers standpoint but seems to have no problem keeping up as a complete package...including driver Marco's car(Maroon)has a new Rossini motor which is strong...but the the old 95 stock bottom end just can't be killed(6 drivers in 3 years)! But the tranny does seem to be possessed!

Thanks Darin for putting on a clinic for many drivers on the new track. No one other than Mark could match your pace back there!
And thanks for not adding any more dents to all my dented panels
I will have to speak to Ron Cortez about his aptly named corner and my bent wheel...LOL! But I'm sure just like my fenders it still works so why fix it

Don't grind your teeth Jordan W...I will fix my car...someday

[dp35]

Ron - it's not the Cortez Corner, it's the Cortez Curb.

Joe - it's at the track out (right side) of the first left hand sweeper at the bottom of the hill, where I almost lost it in the vid (don't know the corner numbers yet). The fast line is to snuggle up close to that curb, but if you drive over the leading edge of it you'll do damage. We got a bent wheel & rearranged front toe settings from it. Can only imagine what it would do to lightweight/expensive wheels.

[Mark Drennan]

Had a great time on the new track and lots-o-fun in the paddock as usual.  We have a great community of SM folks in our region make every event so special.  Very happy Darin had the support of his sponsor, "OneWifeTwoKids" , and was able to come out to play and keep me honest, especially during Saturday's qualifying.  Thanks to Mike LaBouff for the help (brake pads) and hospitality (great food & drinks Saturday night). 
 
Special thanks to TFB Performance for another great job prepping my car and setting me up with crew dude extraordinaire, Kyle Rousch, who worked tirelessly all weekend so all I had to work on was driving...and making sure there was cold beer in the cooler
Pretty awesome results - 2 wins in SM + 1 win and a 2nd in STL with qual & race track records in both classes 
Special shout out to MY sponsor, "NoWifeNoKids"...because with you, none of this would be possible.
 
I also fell victim to "Cortez Curb" on the test day, a couple times, resulting in at least one less than round wheel.  Also, probably not alone in needing a new windshield.  Lot's of large gravel/rocks everywhere off track of the new section.  Otherwise, fun track to drive.  Just not sure it makes for the best/safest racing.
 
Here's video of my Sunday AM Spec Miata qualifying where I lowered my track record from the previous day to a 3:39.341.  Made a mistake and caught traffic during my 2nd lap on what could've been a mid-38 lap when the tires were best.  I expect Charlie Hayes will crush this time soon enough
 
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aAKXbBOYIek?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 
In case my attempt to "embed" the video fails, here's the link...http://youtu.be/aAKXbBOYIek

[Juan Pineda]

Hey Mark,

 

Congrats on the wins! Thanks for sharing your awesome qual drive! I will be studying it for next time. So did you fold your mirror back so that you wouldn't scrape it down on the west straight?

 

-Juan

[Mark Drennan]

Hey Mark,

 

Congrats on the wins! Thanks for sharing your awesome qual drive! I will be studying it for next time. So did you fold your mirror back so that you wouldn't scrape it down on the west straight?

 

-Juan

 

Thanks Juan!

 

Regarding the folded in side mirror, in Spec Miata it's all about...

 

Aero - the folded in side mirror is why my '94 is the fastest in the country...shhh, don't let anyone know about my speed secret!

 

Intimidation - with the right mirror folded back, only a foolish competitor would try and pass me on the right...because I can't see them and obviously it wouldn't be safe for them ;-) 

[Jim Drago]

Special shout out to MY sponsor, "NoWifeNoKids"...because with you, none of this would be possible.
 
 

 

 

Dear Sir

While most will try and speed up and catch you.. I have come up with an alternative plan that I think may work a little better. I am attacking on the sponsorship level.

 

Using pictures from your facebook page and google, I was able to make a very nice profile for you on match.com.   Some of the highlights.. "man seeking single or divorced woman in mid 30's with children, prefrably three to four"  and 'loves kids" "Loves putting toys together, loves spending weekends at kids soccer games and dance competitions"  

 

I would expect some calls on your cell oor emails! You are real catch compared to others out there, best of luck

[wheel]

Jim,

You need to add, "lots of disposable income that is looking for a home - medical - education - legal expenses, etc. considered."

[Jim Drago]

Good Idea whell.. Added !

[Charlie Hayes]

"Looking to go on a week long trip out of the country October 6-10th with the whole famdamnly!"

[john mueller]

We named one of the curbs “Ron Cortez curb”, because it has a harsh leading edge that bent at least three SM wheels that I know of (including one of mine), which should be good for Ron’s business.

 

 

Funny.