varkwso

Just got back from a day at the track with Norcal NASA at Sears Point. The track has changed a bit since the last time I ran it. It is still a really fun track with great elevation changes and a challenging mix of turns . For me, it does not seem to require the precise placement to get through turns fast that a track such as Sebring does. Saying that, precision does still matter in turns 2, 8 & 11. I would put it after VIR, Road Atlanta and Barber in my order of "hilly courses" I have run in the last year.

Norcal NASA treated me as a VIP since I was from NASA-SE (and I worked grid for them today - mostly in the first busy sessions in the AM). I did not instruct for them since I have not been through the Norcal NASA indoctrination and instructor blessing. They do not recognize any quals outside of there own system. It was great - I had instructor priviledges and no students . They really did work very hard to make me welcome at the event. It was strange not to meet ANY of the track guys I know from all my east coast activities in the paddock though.

Not knowing anybody I went looking for folks I had never met in person on forums (pro-touring, Corvette, Corner-carvers, etc). I did get to connect people with forum idenities and meet some other great people in the process.

I did get to ride with StArrow68 in his very nice 02 Coupe, a killer 350Z, and a pretty quick Mustang Cobra to get my high speed fix at the track. My track weapon was a Ford Fuzion. While it was quite peppy and actually passed a few cars and did not get passed at all ( I lay that on track timing more than anything else) I would not recommend dumping your C6 ZO6 to get one as track monster. It is definitely a momentum car, has amazing grip for the tire size (they are a little scrubbed currently) and the brakes (never really used on the track) are outstanding. It would be a great car in the rain due to body roll helping the tires bite.

Norcal does things different than a lot of events. Tech is available at multiple locations in the state before an event - they charge $40 if you show at the track without a tech form filled and stamped. They require a face shield or glasses to get on the track for all cars. I ran the track with my reading glasses on - that may explain my "experimental lines". Speaking of lines - they have a school line and you had best by god follow it! They have mandatory "downloads" after each session. They are a lot like "standup" I endured in flight school - some were a bit arrogant and condescending but some were useful. They also run HPDE 3 as a race prep training group - no signals for passing, multiple passing, manuevering to set up the pass, passing in brake zones,etc. It was a very aggressive group and many did not have the car skills for it - IMHO of course. HPDE 1,2 & 4 are run like the rest of the NASA events I have been to.

There was a really fast 69 Camaro in TTB (Hugger Orange, naturally, and the owner was a lot of fun to talk to) and a 65 Mustang in TTB was also hitting good numbers. There was another 69 Camaro there in HPDE2. Audi's seem to be out really in force, the prancing Moose was well represented (Volvo's), the FWD contingent, the Mustang contingent and almost all the race classes. There were even 4 or 5 C5 ZO6's to carry the banner.

Overall great time, nice track, friendly people and good event.

meldog21

Good report. I'm looking forward to my first NASA day at Thunderhill on the 8th. I'm glad you reminded me about the tech.

Dog

AU N EGL

Good to hear Jeff.

tcmc5

More good work as our roving track reporter. Thanks, Vark.

StArrow68

What I wouldn't give to have a job that got me close to places that I've never run before, glad to have made the contact Jeff and thanks for the inputs. Sunday was much the same with a few new players but in the third session I went out first with the TTU Mustang following and then Dave and Doug in their Z06's. The TTU passed me going into 6 and I think Dave got me at the exit to 10 but I think I held off Doug until lap 2. Dave chased the TTU all session and that guy had learned a lot from Saturday, big HP car with Griggs set up. Great session since I never caught more than one car at a time and just set up the next pass. Gp3 is interesting and would be much better if they didn't end up with some that are reluctant to pass and end up creating trains.

Surprised you didn't mention the grid staff but maybe that is true everywhere. The slim brunette asked if I'd give a ride to the dad of one of her students and I felt like saying, anything you ask. Nice guy and we had a good session.

Thanks again for the inputs,
Randy

Don't forget to check http://www.racerguys.com/ in case you get some
more time to join the Nor. Calif. crowd.

varkwso

There are few perks to traveling a lot - I try to make use of the ones that are useful.

Why do you think I volunteered to work the grid?
Somehow they did not want to ride in Fusion...I especially liked it when they blew the whistle and showed the time to go ...

You drove your car well and had great track SA. Glad to see the TTU Mustang settled down. It looked like the car was set up well it was driver problems.

I would like to get some laps there with one of my cars....

I hope we can meet again at Reno, Laguna Seca or where ever...

StArrow68

Jeff, thanks again for the inputs. And yes, being lined up early was partly due to getting out on track first, the count down was heavenly.

The TTU guy was a former pro water skier who wants to extend his career by getting into something that requires good physical skills and he was not well schooled in the line before the weekend. The fact that Dave was keeping up with him, close, in a Z06 with stock GY SC tires instead of passing him like the day before shows he learned a lot but still has a ways to go.

You would have loved Sunday, sun instead of overcast early so the track was very good in the morning but a little hot after lunch. Keep that schedule in mind and get a trip when there is a group of Corvette's going out again. Trying to decide my next events now and R-F toward the end of the month looks good. Possibly even TH this Friday. They extended the R-F track to 4 miles last year and it will be new to everyone, interesting. They went up into the hills so lots of elevation in addition to more technical. Hope to see you again out this way.
Randy