04 May La Junta PDX/TT Wrapup

[LoCore]

Great to see so many familiar faces at La Junta this weekend.

Congratulations to the RMSolo folks that got their club racing novice licenses this weekend! -- Grant Barclay, Lawrence Edwards, Dan Goodman, Paul Leonard, Robert Scranton, and Clay Turner. These drivers not only succesfully completed their school, but were all clear to race on Sunday--and put on a hell of a showing!

TC Kline was right :-)

We also a strong turnout for the first PDX and TT of the season. Great job on the successful flag drill during practice, excellent spacing and passing, and an incident free weekend.

All in all, around 60 minutes of TT track time. That's around 20 autocross events. :-)

Well done all--and hope to see you in July at Pueblo Motorsports Park!

[LoCore]

Pics
1. Jake Latham was blazing fast in the improved Radical
2. Paul Leonard brought out the toterhome -- very nice
3. Bill Lamkin straps in the Monster Miata
4. Dan Goodman ponders whether he'll ever autocross again, now that he's an Official Racer Guy
5. Bill and Dan watch Jake/Paul/Grant/Lawrence tear it up in Wings N Things

[LoCore]

Pics

1. Jim Leithauser crewed for the Apex Hyperformance Miatas, including Dan's
2. Lawrence Edwards made the tow from Las Vegas, and showed off the new paint job on his new ride. Look familiar?
3. Paul's Radical
4. Paul and Lawrence chat about Important Things
5. Robert Scranton exiting T7

[LoCore]

Pics

1. Arnie made the trip for moral support of our Club Racing students
2. Lawrence, Paul, and Grant in T7.
3. Paul and Grant in T7. Notice Grant's new line (drifter yo)
4. Mark Baer debuted his SCR Performance BMW 318 TT car--after a long week to finish a very clean build
5. Saturday nights with the Club Racers means food and beer, and unfortunately, karaoke this event ;-P

[LoCore]

Pics

1. Arnie supervising the food.
2. Lawrence won the club racing school's graduate race--he was very fast in the CSR.
3. Grant receiving his diploma
4. Paul receiving his diploma
5. Dan and CLay receiving their diplomas
6. Damn, that's a fine looking car.

[Nick Leone]

Thank you everyone that came I had a great time and cant wait to start doing TT.

[blamkin]

Awesome weekend for both the TT/PDX and the autocrossers getting started in road racing. Great writeup Dave.

For those waiting on TT results, it usually takes a week or so to get the road racers to send us the result file - I promise to post it as soon as I get it.

[Nick Leone]

Awesome weekend for both the TT/PDX and the autocrossers getting started in road racing. Great writeup Dave.

For those waiting on TT results, it usually takes a week or so to get the road racers to send us the result file - I promise to post it as soon as I get it.

Congrats on overtaking that Camaro! that was such a great race:D

[mjmauro]

Great Day at the track! Thanks to everyone for their efforts to put on a well organized and fun event. It is great to see our friends doing so well in their foray into to wheel to wheel.

A quick question, how do your get lap times off of Mylaps.com after you register? It says that you need to inform the organization that you want the results listed, but I don't know who and when to ask.

[blamkin]

Mark, all results are tied to a transponder number. You must register the transponder number to see the individual laps.

Problem is those things are shared from event to event -- and once you register one, you have to unregister it to let someone else see their times.

Perhaps the road race results person has each lap and I could post that on our website.

I'm sure the TT program is open to suggestions.

[blamkin]

Congrats on overtaking that Camaro! that was such a great race:D

Not bad from where I was sitting either :)

It's always so cool to see a group in the stands at the end of the race. Anyway thanks!

[GingerGSR]

Yes sir,
That was a fun day. My car was working great. No CELs and no VTEC issues the entire day. Having ~200 HP vs. 160 HP makes a big difference. My brakes never faded at all. I think my vents did the trick. I did see some indications of the rear rotors getting pretty hot though. I think I'll see if I can't work something up for back there now.

I really started to like T1 by the end of the day. Flying through there at 90-100 mph was a kick. I finally got a handle on the line through T4 & T5 and was able to hit the T5 apex without braking or lifting on my last few laps. T7 was still a work in progress. I kept turning in too early trying to stay off the back of the crown on the outside through there.

I'm really looking forward to the PMP TT events!

Thanks to everyone involved in putting this program together. It is such a blast.

[GingerGSR]

Not bad from where I was sitting either :)

It's always so cool to see a group in the stands at the end of the race. Anyway thanks!

KUBO & I were watching that contest from behind the wall at the exit of T7. We could tell it was just a matter of time before the Camaro made a mistake and you got by him. Sure enough, he over braked into T7 and got a little sideways and you held your line and made the pass right in front of us. Very cool to watch. Jay (John?) Bonvelour (I know I'm not spelling that right) was right there taking photo's. I'll bet he got shots of the pass.

[mjmauro]

Thanks Bill,

I have my own transponder now and I had my son register it on mylaps.com yesterday at the track ( I-phones can be real handy). Now when I log in, it says I have no results. Under "About Us" it says you need to let the race organization know that you want results. That is what I'm not sure of how to do.

Great racing yesterday-I couldn't see the finish because I had to get the car ready for my turn an the track, but it was fun to watch; especially the action in 4 and 5.

[Built-By-Bones]

Mark

it takes Nanci a few days to get the results posted on MyLaps. I don't see the road race results either at the moment.

I hope (but am not sure) to have the individual lap times later this week, and will forward them to Bill as soon as I have them.

I am writing a race report with final results and will post that Tuesday

thanks to everyone who made the event so much fun

Grant

[lonemustang]

Thanks to everyone who contributed large and small to another great PDX and Time Trials, including but not limited to Grant for putting the whole thing together, Josh for selflessly running the show, Carol for running registration, Bill for updating the web site & results, and last but not least, Chief Instructors Dan and Dave J. for (among other things) orchestrating a smooth-running PDX!

Thanks, too, to the Club Racing officials, competitors and workers for again supporting us as part of your events for what promises to be another great season!

And, of course, thanks to all the PDX/TT participants for doing your parts to keep the event fun and, most of all, safe. :)

Thanks again!!

[blamkin]

Now when I log in, it says I have no results. Under "About Us" it says you need to let the race organization know that you want results. That is what I'm not sure of how to do.


Ah, I get it. You don't need to do anything. It usually takes a week for the road racing timing person to get the results up on MyLaps.

All I can say is "Thanks Dale."

[LoCore]

Not bad from where I was sitting either :)

It's always so cool to see a group in the stands at the end of the race. Anyway thanks!


[this thread is worthless without Bill's in-car video of him chasing Robert]

[usakubko]

Big Thanks to everybody for making it happen, it was worth the drive! I had a blast being the blue obstacle on the track :p It wasn't til the last session when I dared to go flat out through T1-T2, but I can honestly say that my Econo-box is capable of cornering at tripple digit speeds. It just takes a while to get there :D

Dave, thanks for jumping in the car with me for the PDX again and giving me your priceless schooling. You had great patience when I was not doing exactly what you were telling me to do, but you let me know when I did. I remember you applauding me when I nailed T4 and T5. That will stick in my head forever. Thank you again, I'm glad for your inputs.
Btw, what was the #1 rule in PDX again? <sarcastic>

Congrats to everybody who got their licences this weekend. Also, congrats to Jake for the impressive comeback after the spin and taking the second place. That was amazing! And, congrats to Bill L. for the spectacular duel with the Camaro. That was really cool to watch. Especially the side-by-side action through T7.
Watching you guys race now makes me wish I could afford club racing... Anyone willing to sponsor? :p

Mark (Baer), thanks for your help with the setup of my car (also send my thanks to Peter!). Car felt great through the corners, especially throught T1 and T2. I have been worried about the back getting lose on me based on the spin-outs during the last few autocross events, but I was pleasantly surprised with how well it stuck even when I tried to get the back to rotate a bit. I have lost the tail a little bit once going into T3, but I blame that on cold tires during lap 1 in practice.

Mark (Foust), Jay hasn't posted anything on his website (http://flickr.com/photos/jbonvouloir) yet, but I'm sure he'll be getting to it soon. I have seen him throughout the track during the whole day, I'm sure he's got amazing pictures of everybody (and lots of them).

It was a great weekend, great track, great atmosphere, and a great experience. Thanks to everybody again!

[GingerGSR]

Mark (Foust), Jay hasn't posted anything on his website (http://flickr.com/photos/jbonvouloir) yet, but I'm sure he'll be getting to it soon. I have seen him throughout the track during the whole day, I'm sure he's got amazing pictures of everybody (and lots of them).
It was a great weekend, great track, great atmosphere, and a great experience. Thanks to everybody again!

Thanks KUBO. I wasn't sure if it was John or Jay.

I can't wait for Pueblo!!! :D

[Built-By-Bones]

Club Time Trials and PDX Report – May 4th 2008, La Junta Raceway

The first event of the 2008 CTT and PDX season in Colorado was held at La Junta Raceway on May 4th 2008. This is the second season that the program is running as part of regional road race weekends, and the intent is to build off a successful 2007 season.

The La Junta event actually started on Friday evening with a classroom session for the road race school. There were 8 drivers who were graduates of the Time Trials, PDX or Solo program in attendance, Lawrence Edwards, Paul Leonard, Robert Long, Robert Scranton, Dan Goodman, Clay Turner, Erin Ebelmesser and Grant Barclay. All drivers successfully completed the school and took part in the road race program on Sunday. Congratulations to all of them for representing the Time Trials and Solo programs so well, and many best wishes for their future road race endeavors. While we are sad to lose them from the CTT program, we are happy to see them leaving the nest, so to speak, and join the road racers in our club.

The fruits of the “free PDX for workers” and the “free racing” (from the Denver Auto Show) marketing programs are really beginning to show. There were 9 drivers entered for the PDX, 6 of whom were workers, and 3 were drivers who hoped to graduate to the Time Trials program. The PDX remains the best introduction to track time, and the incentive (FREE) is hard to beat. All PDX drivers handled themselves and their vehicles very well, and everyone appeared from their cars with broad smiles and infectious grins.

For those unfamiliar with the PDX – Performance Driving Experience, this program was started to give drivers a taste of track driving in a controlled and safe environment, under the guide of experienced road racer or time trial instructors. A normal road car, a helmet and a set of arm restraints are all that is needed to participate. Drivers attend a mandatory “classroom” session (this is often a track walk, while discussing driving theory) and get briefed on the basics of driving, safety procedures, flags, operational procedures, and the best driving lines. This is also the time to complete last minute registration details, and mentally prepare for the upcoming track session. Drivers are then paired off with instructors, and briefed one on one regarding the on-track time. Drivers who are in single seat cars can be accommodated too, usually as part of a lead/follow with an instructor in a car ahead of them.

The PDX on-track session is the very first session in the morning, all corner bunkers are staffed by the same great workers who will be working for the road race later in the day. These folks are highly trained in their specialties, and the road race control and emergency workers are on stand by during the PDX session too. This is a stark contrast to many “track day” experiences where corners are not staffed and workers are often last minute volunteers who lack training. Drivers of all skill levels are accommodated and trained at a pace that is geared to their own personal development. Driver experience may vary from a total rookie, on the track the very first time, to the drivers who have years of track experience but driving at this venue for the very first time, and wishing to learn the fast line. Instructors are able to accommodate driver’s individual needs, and will train them according to their experience. If you, or any of your friends, are itching to experience your daily driver on a race track, the PDX is probably for you.

The Club Trials sessions consisted of a practice session and then qualifying session in the morning, followed by a competition session in the afternoon. The Time Trials drivers got to watch the exciting races in the afternoon, cheering on the CTT drivers who had graduated to the road race program. There were some incredible battles on the track, Bill Lamkin and Robert Scranton provided some exciting racing even though the cars were remarkably different. Robert’s Camaro is a car of beauty and sounds awesome, and while he held off Bill’s Miata for half of the race, Bill’s years of experience eventually came through and he was able to pass for the lead after Rob got loose in Turn 7. Spectators were treated to a great battle between Dan Goodman, CTT chief instructor, and Guy Ruse, who had issued Dan with his Novice permit. The Wings and Things race was also very exciting, with Jake Latham (another Solo and CTT graduate) racing through the field after an early spin, to a win in class and 2nd overall, just missing a track record in the process.

The CTT drivers headed out on track just before 4pm, and after an intense session, Jeff Burch in his shiny Evolution VIII managed to set FTD (fastest time of the day). Jeff just beat Keith Kohl, with David Walker managing to break the 60 second mark too. David Jobusch somehow managed to set a very quick time, while running on tires showing more cord than race rubber (a definite candidate for the hard charger of the event). A few drivers managed to scare themselves (and the CTT officials) while attempting to get the challenging turn 7 correct, but there were no incidents of note. All drivers deserve praise for driving within their limits, while getting faster through the day, and especially for nailing the surprise flag drill in one of the early morning sessions.

We had a quick prize giving, and handed out the season trophies (which we hope will entice them to return to our future events to collect their decals), and everyone was able to be on the road home by 5pm. Special mention to our PDX grads and new CTT drivers, Mark Foust, Mark Baer, John Scheier, as well as those driving at La Junta for the first time, Mark Mauro, Keith Kohl, Doug Young and Kubo. While the track itself may not be the most challenging, Turn One is one of the most exciting in Colorado requiring precision and smoothness as you turn in approaching (or exceeding) 100mph. Almost all drivers were able to take T1 flat by day’s end.

Don’t forget this is just the first event of the season, we return to La Junta June 21/22. Other events planned this season are:
Pueblo – July 19/20
HighPlains Raceway (if construction is complete) – Sept 13/14
Pueblo – Oct 18/19 (entry restricted to those who have completed one event or more during 2008)

Results can be found at

http://www.coloradoscca.org/results/20080504LaJunta.pdf (on page 5)

Many thanks to all who attended, to all the corner workers, to all the other worker specialties, to the CTT/PDX chiefs and instructors, and to the road racers.

Yours truly,

Grant Barclay

CO Time Trials Chief Steward

[GingerGSR]

Thanks Grant!
I'm looking at the results in awe! My best lap was only +0.034 from Mark Baers best. My 2nd best was -0.234 from his 2nd best. Not too bad for a "Civic".

If I could string 8 or 10 of those together I'd be very happy.

[lonemustang]

I'm looking at the results in awe! ...Not too bad for a "Civic".Yes, you did well for your first time there, Mark. Your best time was competitive with the Spec 7 road racers, and not too far away from the Spec Miatas, too.

Nice work!

[LoCore]

I was pleased with what I saw on course from Mark and Kubo, the ones I was paying most attention. Well done.

[usakubko]

I was pleased with what I saw on course from Mark and Kubo, the ones I was paying most attention. Well done.
Ya had to, at least to me. I kept getting in the way of everybody by lap 5-6 :rolleyes:

[usakubko]

Jay hasn't posted anything on his website (http://flickr.com/photos/jbonvouloir) yet, but I'm sure he'll be getting to it soon. I have seen him throughout the track during the whole day, I'm sure he's got amazing pictures of everybody (and lots of them).
Pics are up! Nice spin, Clay! :D

[lonemustang]

Ya had to, at least to me. I kept getting in the way of everybody by lap 5-6 :rolleyes:I didn't hear anybody complaining. That's why we have passing zones! :D

The important thing is... Didya improve as the day went on?

And even more importantly... Didya have fun?

[John Scheier]

I had a great time... even if I did go 'tato farming in the last session.

Note to self: Bridgestone RE-01Rs which have been heat-cycled to death over the past year do not like to be pushed beyond 8 laps when it is warm outside (they actually made it 10 laps in Pueblo a couple weekends earlier... but it was only 48* that day).

You guys put on a great event and the SCCA Club Racers were mightly friendly and accomodating to us.

Thanks to everyone who made this happen!

PS - Man, bump in 1-2 is tough!

[Lawrence Edwards]

Just wanted to say it was great to see so many friends. Too bad I was so busy throughout the weekend and could not spend a lot of time visiting and finding everyone. It was entertaining to watch Clay in the spec 7, missed Barry not being there to mix it up.

I also left Sunday right after my race as soon as I could (brake failure made it earlier than I wanted) - long drive back home.

The new (to me) DSR is a blast and playing with Paul, Joe & Grant was a lot of fun - Jake - look out, we are all coming!

I have video of the race on Sunday (first nine laps), will try to get it up to Jake's website later this week.

I see another TT in La Junta for 21 June - I might show up again as there is another regional race that weekend.

All the best.

[usakubko]

The important thing is... Didya improve as the day went on?

And even more importantly... Didya have fun?
I sure did! It was lots of fun, and I have learned a lot too. Like being patient with the throttle, not rush everything, and also how to get out of way :p
Towards the end of the day I was feeling like I was getting the T4-5 section just right. I probably could have been faster through the "hump" and T3, but I felt like playing it safe, and it still looked pretty fast anyways (I don't think many of you had to slow down too much through there when you came up on me).
I kept chickening out into T6, just couldn't find the right braking point, mostly because of the curbs. But, overall I was satisfied with my results. Only less than 4 seconds after both Marks... not too shaby :cool:

[Jake Latham]

The new (to me) DSR is a blast and playing with Paul, Joe & Grant was a lot of fun - Jake - look out, we are all coming!


I know. And I'm worried. :eek:

Time to get out the tools and find a few more tenths!

-Jake

[Lawrence Edwards]

For those interested, Jake has on his web site a video from my car at La Junta last weekend.

http://www.jakelatham.com/lawrence/

Download and go.

Thanks Jake.

[Bob Klingler]

Congrats on a very nice job, Lawrence. Good patience. I did notice that as you went faster, you naturally tended a little toward early apexes, but it was a great first race! :cool:

[GingerGSR]

Yes, you did well for your first time there, Mark. Your best time was competitive with the Spec 7 road racers, and not too far away from the Spec Miatas, too.
Nice work!

I was pleased with what I saw on course from Mark and
Kubo, the ones I was paying most attention. Well done.

Thanks Guys! I really had fun and can't wait until PMP in July. My only major screw-up was not turning my microphones on until the TT competition session so I missed getting all of Grants comments/tips during the PDX. Oh well. I now have a sticker on the radio to remind me of those minor details.
I was going to try to make the next TT at La Junta but I committed to dog sitting for a friend (Who is my dog sitter) that weekend so I'll have to skip it after all.

I put together a video of my final 7 laps of the competition session and up-loaded it to YouTube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdyYkl9Id1E

This version has a music track...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5dhXOWQxjQ

If you have High Speed Internet, be sure to click to "Watch in high quality" button.

[lonemustang]

Times are now up at www.mylaps.com. Do a search for "May Daze" and you'll see it.

[GingerGSR]

Times are now up at www.mylaps.com. Do a search for "May Daze" and you'll see it.

Thanks David.
I registered and accessed my data. That's pretty cool. I did a comparison against Kubo and sent him the data.
Can he get to his data without knowing his transponder #? (I forgot what you said about that today).

[lonemustang]

Can he get to his data without knowing his transponder #?I don't think so. I don't know of a way, anyway.

[Nick Leone]

So I made a picture for that day tell me what you think!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/imbob29/Photoshopfinal.jpg

[GingerGSR]

So I made a picture for that day tell me what you think!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/imbob29/Photoshopfinal.jpg

Cool! I think the
"Think you're fast?
RMSOLO.org"
part should be bigger and fill in the "dead area" under Mark's car.

[Built-By-Bones]

So I made a picture for that day tell me what you think!

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/imbob29/Photoshopfinal.jpg


very nice, good stuff Nick

[Nick Leone]

Thanks guys I'll work on it some more later and post it up later. :D

[usakubko]

Thanks guys I'll work on it some more later and post it up later. :D
Btw, "You're" is not spelled "Your" :p
Just an FYI lol

[GingerGSR]

Btw, "You're" is not spelled "Your" :p
Just an FYI lol

Unless you're from Texas and then it's spelled y'all'er... :rolleyes:

Aye John?

[John Scheier]

Unless you're from Texas and then it's spelled y'all'er... :rolleyes:

Aye John?

Aye? WTH does that mean? Are you a pirate? ;)

I do use the word ya'll... with the meaning being 'You all'... or 'youse guyz' as we used to say in New York.

[lonemustang]

Aye? WTH does that mean? Are you a pirate? ;)Well he does drive a cleverly disguised Integra "Arrrrr." :D

[GingerGSR]

Aye? WTH does that mean? Are you a pirate? ;)

That's the Norwegian in me coming out... Don't cha know aye? :)