Stupid web logs

So much for anonymity - damn! Ya know, it's the simplest things that get you in trouble...

Now Carl has found me - tracked down this 'blog by way of the Chicago PCA website which he admins - all because I linked in a picture of his ride. Meh. Now I have to check my facts, cross my I's and dot my T's. Oh wait, strike that - reverse those. (ode to Willy Wonka).

Anyway - no, I don't really care that Carl might be watching at this point. He seems like good people, and can correct me if my stories get wildly out of line. The more eyes the better...

Anyway - we're going for a ride in his car. His car which, I don't think even he would qualify as a full-on race machine, still manages to accelerate like a bat-out-of-hell, and stop even faster. Full roll cage. Racing seat for him - factory for the passenger. Full race harness for both. Slicks (Hoosiers) on the wheels...

Did I mention that I will be installing better seats and full harnesses in my car? They rock - really. You can ride around as a passenger without holding onto anything - they are THAT tight. It's cool - and I can easily see the benefit for the driver - as it is now, I spend a fair amount of energy holding onto the steering wheel while going around the turns.

• Seats - purchased.
• Harness bar - borrowed.
• Six point harness - ordered.

I should be all set for the next DE.

So, we're off - first lap (under yellow - first lap is designated a yellow lap to allow the drivers time to warm up the tires - there isn't any passing under yellow. Right?). Into turn 1 and things feel fine - accelerating through 2 up to the carousel. BRAKE. Holy shit - this car can STOP. ACCELERATE. Wow - this car can go!. Eaassssee into the carousel - gas, gas, gas - through 3, up to 3A. BRAKE. Clutch. BLIP (heel toe) into second, off the brake, Right turn and GAS. Still in second (?) up to turn four. BRAKE (quickly) set the car, left turn into 4. Apex. Track out...Shift to third. Wait...Wait... DIVE left into 5 - late apex - track out. Wait - no. Track.. IN? WTF, why is he on the....VRROOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM - 350Z passes up on the right. To the right in this section is the racing line. Typically, passing is done "off line" meaning the passer is responsible for:

1. Making sure the person being passed knows you are passing by acknowledging the pass by pointing.
2. Executing the pass - off line - in a safe way and in full control. This implies the person being passed doesn't have to do much except (possibly) ease off the throttle to allow the pass.
   

Remember - this isn't a race. Oh, and remember, we're still on the first (yellow flag) lap.

"I had to let that!@#@! pass. Even though it's a yellow, and even though we're stuck behind this 911, he was right up my ass".

The "etiquette" in this group (the more experienced drivers) is a bit.... different... than that of my group. Yet another reason to remain a 'novice' for a while!

Anyway - coming up on Turn 6 - back on the brake. Clutch in - blip throttle - clutch out, off the brake - turn in (right hander), accelerate, apex, track out - WAY out - shift into fourth - ease out on the throttle, track in (for the second part of turn six) - back on the throttle, apex (kiss the curbing) and track out. Accelerate. Long straight with a minor kink (turn 6A). BRAKE. Clutch in. Blip Blip. Clutch out. Turn in. Off the Brake and gas- GAS! Down the front straight for the (typically) fastest part of the track past the start/finish line (about one minute and twenty seconds has elapsed since leaving the starting grid) and we're coming up to the brake markers for turn one fast and loud. Here come those markers... Four, Three, BRAKE, Two, Clutch in - Blip - Down to second, One, Clutch out, Turn in, off the brake (are we doing a bit of trail braking here?) on the gas, apex, track out coming up to turn two.

EDIT: The turn-in to turn 1 was probably done in third - not a downshift into second. -sjs

Whew.

Take a breath while sweeping around 2, getting ready for 3 and the carousel.

Repeat the above for about 30 minutes - probably around 20 laps.

It's a fucking BLAST.