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10-05-2011, 12:29 PM | #1 |
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Argghhhh! The Glen!
Went to a 2-day HPDE event at Watkins Glen last weekend with NASA/PDA. I was looking forward to it as a nice bookend since my first event of the season was at the Glen back in May, also with NASA. It was in the 40s and rainy back then.
The weather up there had been sunny and nice for the two weeks prior, and then the cold temps and rain hit starting the middle of last week. Once again, 45-50 degrees and rain, but even worse...unbelievable fog. It was crazy. I shuttled back and forth between the hotel down in town and the track, which is just a few miles away but 1000ft higher in altitude. It would be clear in town, so I'd shoot up to the track, but about a quarter of a mile away you'd see the fog just clinging to the track like a leech. Run groups would stand by for a clearing; it would be good for a half an hour or so, and then pea soup again. At least by Sunday afternoon it was totally clear and the track mostly dry. The remaining wet spot was at the apex of the heel of the boot--made for an interesting time tracking out on tip-toes. All told, I only got to run 2 out of 8 sessions, and those were abbreviated. I'd just be getting into a groove, and they'd throw the checker. There was also a NASA race going on that weekend. Total tally from what I saw was a wrecked Viper, a dented raced-out Subaru STi, and two smashed E30 BMW race cars. Next time, it's got to be July or August... |
10-05-2011, 12:54 PM | #2 |
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I was there on Sat. I was trying to save my Hoosier rains for the race on Sunday, so I went out on full tread NT01s on Sat. I was thinking they'd have enough of an open tread. Bad call. The car danced around plenty. Almost earned my blue stripes at the Glen at the end of the main straight--and I tought I was taking it easy--so I came in. Yeah, one of the Spec E30s was mashed up pretty bad. I headed back home after not being able to drive much due to the fog on Sat thinking Sun would be more of the same. I heard it cleared up in the afternoon...
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10-05-2011, 02:14 PM | #3 |
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Good info on the NT01s--I decided to leave my street/daily driver Michelin Super Sports on, and it looks like that was a good decision. Unfortunately, I didn't have a garage slot, and it was too windy to set up my little tent, and I didn't have a tarp, so my Nittos sat outside in the rain in their TireRack totes, getting soaked. I threw them back in the car on Saturday afternoon and headed to the hotel, where I snuck them in a side entrance to dry out in my room. Front desk didn't see it, but I got a few funny looks from fellow guests...
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10-05-2011, 04:02 PM | #4 |
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I was there in April and couldn't believe how windy and cold it gets up there. Love the wheels by the way.
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10-05-2011, 05:02 PM | #5 |
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Too bad about the weather - awesome track. Instructed 4 days this year - We did the short track for a half day as well. I was lucky though - all 4 days was great weather, although maybe a little hot!
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10-05-2011, 06:11 PM | #6 |
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Too bad about the fog. I had a rainy weekend late spring at Hastings, which at the time was a bit disappointing but in hindsight was actually great. We didn't have visibility issues, so we ran all sessions. But the opportunity to run on such a slick surface was invaluable. It really forced you to be as smooth as possible.
Love the wheels, too. |
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10-05-2011, 06:48 PM | #7 | ||
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Quote:
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10-06-2011, 12:07 AM | #8 |
collecting toys
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Too bad.
I was there the weekend before with the gvc BMW cca and the weather was great. Luck of the draw.
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