My First Track Competition... GASP!

[Batboy]

Well there is good news and there's bad news. Oh and then there's worse news. This was a time trial event at Summit Point Raceway (road course) in Charles Town WV. I'm not really ready for wheel to wheel stuff yet (or ever). The good news is I got second place. The bad news is there were only two cars in my class. The car the beat meet was a C6. I had a time of 1:32 and he had a 1:29. I didn't see any Z06 badging and didn't really see him run much. Hopefully he was a very experienced driver. That would save on the embarrassment a little. The worse news is during the practice laps I spun twice. Doesn't appear to be any substantial damage. I have a flat spot on a tire and one wheel got nicked from gravel. I'll clean the car up this week and look it over real good. We also took video, although just down the straight stretch) and I'll try to get that up as soon as I get it back. Considering it was my first event and only my second time on a track I guess I do okay, but I'm real disappointed in losing the car twice. Thankfully myself and the care are still in one piece.

 

[FrankBarba]

BAtboy....you should be able to shave 9 - 10 seconds. i would run 1:24 in a 95 RT.

 

[Batboy]

Yeah, I'm hoping as I gain more experience that time will decrease. Baby steps. You know...

 

[FlyBryViper]

Get to any of the Viper Days events. You get a huge amount of run time, (4) 30 minutes sessions on Sat. and 4 more on Sunday. Most importantly, you get an instructor, which is someone (like me) that is at the same event, in their own Viper, trying to learn the safest, fast way around the track.
Things happen very fast in a Viper. The quickest way to learn to be fast is to have someone show you how to do it. It's the best bang for the buck, you get a great reception party and a dinner, and you will meet some great people.
Hope to at least see you at V.I.R.
Flyin' Bryan

 

[Batboy]

I do plan on being at VIR this year assuming it is there every year. I missed it last year as I was at Summit Point that weekend. This year i'll be sure to keep my schedule clean that weekend. Can't wait to try VIR.

 

[FlyBryViper]

Viper Days @ VIR for 2006 is July 14 - 16. This is listed on their propsed 2006 schedule, but I beleive that event is already contracted. So, consider those dates carved in stone.
VIR is a great track and facility, in a bueatiful setting. It is a very safe track, with only a few areas you can get in trouble, and most of those are slower speeds.
Get up there this spring for any event. Cruise around to several different viewing areas and you will have more understanding of that track than other track rookies.
If you get to any Viper Days event before VIR, then you will not have to go throught Rookie School again. Unlees you want, and I don't think you will need it.
Sign up for VIR at Viperdyas.com early, say March or April. Call Courtney when you sign up. If you don't already have an instructor picked out, tell her you want Flyin' Bryan. You already have track experience, so you will fly through the Rookie School, and we can work on your advanced driving techniques.
That's how I did it in 2004. Ran the full season in 2005 and became an instructor for each event so I could pass along all this fun!

 

[Batboy]

Sounds good Bryan. I'll do that. And thanks for the tips. If I don't see you before than I definitely will at VIR in July.

 

[FlyBryViper]

Matt
Looking forward to it. You are going to have a blast down that long straight away! See you there.