111 replies to this topic

[MPR22]

Event just started taking entries this weekend. SRF looks popular with 24 entries SM not so much with 10.  SM should be 40+.  

[Johnny D]

https://www.youtube....h?v=HMqXdrUjEe8

J~

[tferranti]

Wow, only 18 entries!?

 

Nasa had around 60 for their final race at TWS in April.

[James York]

I have been lazy and just haven't entered yet.  But I plan to be there.

[Tom Hampton]

Wow, only 18 entries!?

 

Nasa had around 60 for their final race at TWS in April.

Not that it materially changes your point, but there were 50 starters in saturday's races, and 48 for the Sunday race. 

 

That said, without going back and recalculating the SM entries, I recall that with 17 days before the race that SM was in the low 20s for entrants.  With a week to go it was in the high 30s.  The thursday before the event, there were about 42-43, and then several who registered the day-of to bring the total to 50-51. 

 

I've only been kinda tracking the NASA (not SCCA) SM entries since January, but the same basic pattern has been observed at MSR-H, MSR-C, and TWS thus far---to the extent that we ended up in a combined run-group on Satyrday, at MSR-C (even though we had 20-something starters on grid...a bunch didn't register until there was less than a week to go. 

[MPR22]

Unfortunately it looks like nobody from out of the state is entering.  Wasn't that the point of the Majors, to bring the best talent from around the country to race big races.  TWS is a very fast track, with plenty of danger and some of the most challenging turns in the country.  The turn 1,2 complex is one of the most unique turns in autosports.  It is a great passing zone.  How many other 88+ MPH turns are there where you can go side by side and make a pass?  Turns 8/9 is fairly unique is and is a challenge for even the best drivers.  Definitely the most challenging roval i have driven.  If bump drafting is your thing, then that's the ticket to pass on the front straight.  The lead car is always in jeopardy of a two car tag team on the front straight.   

[Johnny D]

Bla, bla, bla...

 

Show a video

J~

[Tom Hampton]

Unfortunately it looks like nobody from out of the state is entering.  Wasn't that the point of the Majors, to bring the best talent from around the country to race big races.  TWS is a very fast track, with plenty of danger and some of the most challenging turns in the country.  The turn 1,2 complex is one of the most unique turns in autosports.  It is a great passing zone.  How many other 88+ MPH turns are there where you can go side by side and make a pass?  Turns 8/9 is fairly unique is and is a challenge for even the best drivers.  Definitely the most challenging roval i have driven.  If bump drafting is your thing, then that's the ticket to pass on the front straight.  The lead car is always in jeopardy of a two car tag team on the front straight.   

 

Totally agree.  I've only been there twice, and its easily my favorite track. 

 

Turn 1-2 is absolutely awesome.  I don't know where else you enter turn 1 at 112-113 mph, staying flat on the gas all the way through 1, and then trail-brake for turn 2 down to 85 mph (except I guess that Daytona nightmare).  Getting used to the car rotating under those conditions is, frankly, exhilerating. 

 

The feeling as the car goes from loaded, to unstable, to yawed left, and the suspension takes a set and the car bites and arcs towards the apex for 2....really cool when you get it close to right.  And when you lose it?  Heh....you get to tell a story about piroetting into the grass/mud at 100+.  I supose there is that drain out there somewhere that Drago hit.  But, I didn't find it, in either of my excursions out there last weekend. 

 

And the crazy pack entereing turn 1 on lap 1 and 2 (until it strung out)?  I have no idea how many wide we were.  Seemed like 10 wide diving for the apron.  Seemed like cars were everywhere. 

 

The compression through 7? I don't have verticle G, but that's got to be 1 1/2 g - 2 g down---a pretty unusual sesation in a road coarse.  When I visualize running laps there I instinctively hunch my shoulders anticpating the compression-g in 7.

 

The front stretch is "just right", its just long enough to get to the top of 4/ bottom of 5th and try a little bump drafting.  But, its not so long as to get boring waiting for the next turn (ala TMS). 

 

I wish I could go...but, other commitments becon before the summer heat gets into full swing. 

[robertcope]

Show a video

 

Not SM, but I reset the TTD record out there at the last NASA race. Not an amazing lap by any means, the track was 1-3 seconds slow and I'd broken my splitter loading up to get there, so I had no aero...

 

 

This one is probably more exciting in terms of speed...

 

 

TWS is a fun track for racing. I don't think it's as technical as some of the other tracks we have here in Texas, but it does require some balls to go fast there. I'm trying not to be sad about it going away, but as I sit here and think about which turns are my favorite, well, I am getting sad. They're all fun! I always found T6 to be the hardest to get right, but boy when you get it right you can fly through there.

 

robert

[Johnny D]

Thank you Robert.

I haven't seen this one but the title sounds good.
https://www.youtube....h?v=hzrwFsId9-E

 

Better sign up, it's going to be good.

SCCA doesn't have some out of state shuttle service right ?
J~

[Cnj]

I have good memories of this track. My first race was there and I've been at the back, the middle and the front of the pack on it. And have spent some time off the track at nearly every corner

I'll be sad to see it go. I'm hoping to be there for the last event - waiting to see if I have to make an overseas trip before I register.

CNJ.

[Jim Drago]

We planned on going, but I have my sons graduation so I can't make it. That takes out four cars. We are all going to head to Mid Ohio instead

 

Jim

[MPR22]

We planned on going, but I didn't want to get my ass beat by X-Factor Racing so we decided to take the weekend off. That takes out four cars. We are all going to head to Mid Ohio instead where we can beat up in the soft Ohio drivers.
 
Jim

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[Jim Drago]

well that too except the soft competition at Mid Ohio part  

[tLinder]

20 SM as of 1200p May 8.  Believe today is the last day to register for the free entry drawing.  Late fees start after May 17. 
 

(Doesn't appear the event will get 40+ cars as the April NASA TX event did.  Maybe because it's $500 for ~28 laps of racing & 25 min qual??? 15 min qual is more than enough IMO.

April NASA TX $310: 29 racing laps, two 15 min warm-up and two 15 min qual sessions, just stating facts)

[MPR22]

Another reason to come to the race.  I will buy anyone of the racers that comes to the party a drink (or many depending on how fast you are).  

 

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[Bench Racer]

 Maybe because it's $500 for ~28 laps of racing & 25 min qual??? 15 min qual is more than enough IMO.

 

April NASA TX $310: 29 racing laps, two 15 min warm-up and two 15 min qual sessions, just stating facts)

I totally understand your comment.

 

Please understand, even tho I don't org/plan/run events, I continuously say to myself, within the SCCA where did the 2 or 3 warm up/qualifying with a 30 minute race go.

[Tom Hampton]

 

Another reason to come to the race.  I will buy anyone of the racers that comes to the party a drink (or many depending on how fast you are).  

 

OH. DEAR. GOD.

 

Now I'm really sorry, I can't make it. 

[mdavis]

I just signed up.  For whatever reason my permanent Southwest Division number was already taken.  I don't know who registered with that number.  I asked the registrar about it and she told me that I was out of luck.  I asked what's the point of having a permanent number if anyone can use it?  No response   fyi the number is not registered to anyone in the MidStates Majors area.  So…. I can obviously slap a piece of tape on change it but kind of irritating.  What's the rule with permanent numbers in Majors events?

 

Edit:  NOT  a bash on whoever signed up with my number as I'm sure he/she had no idea that it was registered in SoWest Div.

[James York]

I just signed up.  For whatever reason my permanent Southwest Division number was already taken.  I don't know who registered with that number.  I asked the registrar about it and she told me that I was out of luck.  I asked what's the point of having a permanent number if anyone can use it?  No response   fyi the number is not registered to anyone in the MidStates Majors area.  So…. I can obviously slap a piece of tape on change it but kind of irritating.  What's the rule with permanent numbers in Majors events?

 

Edit:  NOT  a bash on whoever signed up with my number as I'm sure he/she had no idea that it was registered in SoWest Div.

 

The Mid-State Majors reserved numbers list takes priority for Majors.  Non major events in SOWDIV should use the reserve number list for "regionals"

 

What I don't know is that if the number is not reserved for Majors, does your SW reservation hold a number, or is it first come, first serve.  It is possible only the Majors reservations apply.