Kevan
Enthusiast
I first want to say thanks to Randall, John & Rob, and Kathy & Jim Stout. These are awesome folks (and Viper owners...heh heh) that turn your average event into something really great.
Hooked up with DaytonProwler and SapphireBob after the VCA/track meeting at 8PM, and we tried to find some grub at 11PM. Not easy in Cranberry, PA. LOL
BTW- when did roundabouts become trendy? 2nd most dangerous intersections in the world, and people are putting them everywhere. I weep for the future.
I digress....
Up at 0-dark:30 and after a quick breakfast at the hotel, we jaunt up to the track. I had a chance to pass Jim Stout in his Tahoe while we were on I-79. I should have done it. I would have been the only guy who passed him all day.
The drivers meeting was next with the tech inspection and then a ride-around with all the cars. All went smoothly.
I got a pic of an ACR following me. I figured it was pretty much the only time I'd have one BEHIND me, so I better get a shot.
I ran in the first group, as no one was really sure where the truck would fit in.
I was content there, but probably could have moved to Group 2.
Group 3 guys were pretty ********:
That Mini Cooper had the Driver's Mod, so he hung in pretty well with everyone.
Group 4 was the Comp Coupes and the other full-race Vipers:
I passed a couple of Vipers (who shall remain nameless...heh heh), but only had one pass me. All day.
Not too shabby for a 2.5 ton full-size pickup, eh?
On the back straight I was hitting about 100-105mph; on the front straight, I was reaching about 110-115mph.
Jim Stout took a few laps with me and helped me work a better line according to the truck's handling...shall we say..."unique characteristics". LOL The 'feel' smoothed out a bit and I may have gotten a bit quicker, esp through turns 3 - 6, and 10 - 11. He was great to ride with. THANKS JIM!!!
Speaking of which, Jim and Kathy's crew was exceptional. I'd been looking for a part number for a piece that only comes with the CC rides. Kathy said that their tech guy Evan or Jim's son would know the part number off the top of their heads. LOL I asked Evan during lunch and ******....2 minutes later he had a Mopar part number written down for me. Really nice guys and they busted buns all day keeping the purple pavement eaters running smoothly!
I met the Bender family the night before at the hotel. They were rolling an SRT8 Magnum (in the fastest color, of course) and their 19-yr. old son brought dad's C6 with new meats for his first run on an actual track.
The kid did VERY well.
He moved from Group 1 to Group 2 after the first session and hung in there with the big boys. I think he went to Group 3 for one session, but that was fairly humbling.
We only had a couple of "lawn jockeys", and that was by the infamous turns 7 and 8.
After a few sessions, my brake pads decided to take the rest of the day off, so I did as well. Kind of a bummer, but it was expected that they would be the parts that give out first.
Results?
Jim Stout was lapping at about 1:01-1:03.
I was lapping pretty consistently at 1:10.
If I'm within 10 seconds of Jim, I'm having a damn good day.
Thanks again everyone!!!!
I had an absolute blast at a very well-run event.
Let's do it again next weekend!
(ADMIN & MODS: My apologies for not posting this in the Events & Gatherings section. I'm not allowed to post there (yet)).
Hooked up with DaytonProwler and SapphireBob after the VCA/track meeting at 8PM, and we tried to find some grub at 11PM. Not easy in Cranberry, PA. LOL
BTW- when did roundabouts become trendy? 2nd most dangerous intersections in the world, and people are putting them everywhere. I weep for the future.
I digress....
Up at 0-dark:30 and after a quick breakfast at the hotel, we jaunt up to the track. I had a chance to pass Jim Stout in his Tahoe while we were on I-79. I should have done it. I would have been the only guy who passed him all day.
The drivers meeting was next with the tech inspection and then a ride-around with all the cars. All went smoothly.
I got a pic of an ACR following me. I figured it was pretty much the only time I'd have one BEHIND me, so I better get a shot.
You must be registered for see images
I ran in the first group, as no one was really sure where the truck would fit in.
I was content there, but probably could have moved to Group 2.
Group 3 guys were pretty ********:
You must be registered for see images
That Mini Cooper had the Driver's Mod, so he hung in pretty well with everyone.
Group 4 was the Comp Coupes and the other full-race Vipers:
You must be registered for see images
I passed a couple of Vipers (who shall remain nameless...heh heh), but only had one pass me. All day.
Not too shabby for a 2.5 ton full-size pickup, eh?
You must be registered for see images
On the back straight I was hitting about 100-105mph; on the front straight, I was reaching about 110-115mph.
Jim Stout took a few laps with me and helped me work a better line according to the truck's handling...shall we say..."unique characteristics". LOL The 'feel' smoothed out a bit and I may have gotten a bit quicker, esp through turns 3 - 6, and 10 - 11. He was great to ride with. THANKS JIM!!!
Speaking of which, Jim and Kathy's crew was exceptional. I'd been looking for a part number for a piece that only comes with the CC rides. Kathy said that their tech guy Evan or Jim's son would know the part number off the top of their heads. LOL I asked Evan during lunch and ******....2 minutes later he had a Mopar part number written down for me. Really nice guys and they busted buns all day keeping the purple pavement eaters running smoothly!
You must be registered for see images
I met the Bender family the night before at the hotel. They were rolling an SRT8 Magnum (in the fastest color, of course) and their 19-yr. old son brought dad's C6 with new meats for his first run on an actual track.
The kid did VERY well.
He moved from Group 1 to Group 2 after the first session and hung in there with the big boys. I think he went to Group 3 for one session, but that was fairly humbling.
We only had a couple of "lawn jockeys", and that was by the infamous turns 7 and 8.
After a few sessions, my brake pads decided to take the rest of the day off, so I did as well. Kind of a bummer, but it was expected that they would be the parts that give out first.
Results?
Jim Stout was lapping at about 1:01-1:03.
I was lapping pretty consistently at 1:10.
If I'm within 10 seconds of Jim, I'm having a damn good day.
Thanks again everyone!!!!
I had an absolute blast at a very well-run event.
Let's do it again next weekend!
(ADMIN & MODS: My apologies for not posting this in the Events & Gatherings section. I'm not allowed to post there (yet)).
