yardman

It's amazing how having a corvette can bring joy into ones life. I'm on my third one and it has been the best and the most heavily modified to date. When the stress of day to day dealings and business issues get to be to much, you can always go home and get the vette out and take a spin and clear your head, or as I found out in 08, you can start doing hpde events and have one heck of a good time, and relieve some stress at the same time!

Of course we could look at the payment and the money that we drop into these cars as a poor decision with the state of the economy right now, but I think I, along with many others would hold onto our vettes untill the last minute.

I was fortunate on New years day to have the opportunity to get together with good friend Caspersz06 (here on the board) and have a little private speed event. It was during this that I got to thinking how fortunate some of us vette owners really are, and the joy that these cars bring. With no track events scheduled we were able to fix the need for speed by having a little private runway run. And it was while we were taking a break and checking some video, that we both looked at each other and laughed because we realized at the same time that we sure are fortunate at what we are able to do and do it with. Not to many people get the opportunity to have a private day at a runway, do 150, take pictures, and laugh about the damage to the paint on the rear fenders of two expensive cars, caused by the execessive speed and a dirty runway.

Here's some video from that day
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/P...way_209319.htm

Hopefully the economy will pick up and we will all have a good 2009

wallyman424

I mostly just sit on the couch and cry in the winter.

sperkins

Dammit I'm pissed.
You guys were supposed to let me know the next time you were doing that.

Awesome video guys. Maybe next time.

Gray Ghost GS

Me too... or sit in the car with hands on the steering wheel making race car noises - vrooom, vroooom!

wallyman424

i did one better. today i went into the cold garage, cranked the car, and sat in it for a while revving the engine.

neighbors asked why i was making so much noise, i told them i was "circulating all the fluids."

OzCop

I started the new year out right by taking mine out of the garage and driving it a couple hundred miles in the Central KY sunshine, albeit a bit cold that day. Car gets a detailing and put back under the cover for the next couple of months...unless another opportunity to drive it becomes available...

waddisme

I have spent the past 2 days with the porter cable removing scratches and doing the finish seeing it won't be on the track for a couple of months. Got a used painted hoodliner from forum member to repl the one my supercharger belt shredded. That goes on once I can find enough of the chrome covers for the plastic tabs. I bought the hid light kit 2 mos ago but have been too busy with new engine to install them until now. Then my dad is coming in the next couple of weeks to help install an oil cooler and then hopefully, I can get the Accusump installed before March 1st track day. Always seems to be something to do except drive it.

yardman

PA Z06

HAHA I thought I was the only one to do that.

ghoffman

I just watched Tony Stewart give a driving clinic in the above mentioned Dirt modifieds. After that, I took my truck to a snowy parking lot and went drifting, pretending I could do what Tony does.

sperkins

Johnny - Did you ever figure out how you're going to do that? Or are you going to buy a kit?
SP

ProgGod

Just drive it down to sunny Arizona. Our next track event is next weekend.

Falcon

Here's how we spend the off-season at Big Pine Key!

Giddy Up!

ProgGod

Private video....

wallyman424

for good reason.

noone wants to see what goes on at big pine key in the offseason.

Falcon

I think I fixed it now, try it again.

From Wallyman:

noone wants to see what goes on at big pine key in the offseason.

All of the sheep used in the video signed a confidentiality agreement.

waddisme

I am going to use the LPE adapter, but plumb it separately from the accusump. The adapter is $100, the B&M cooler is like $70, thermostat is $50, pluse hoses and fittings. It should be a good project for me and my Dad. I am going to put the accusump in the driver side fender well and plumb into the oil galley on the side of the block per David Farmer's website, but after the cooler is done. Oil ran hot at VIR a couple of weeks ago so it is a priority. I will try to post a DIY thread if I have the time and can do it.

yardman

Thats deffinately what I need to get a guick fix. At the risk of sounding ignorant (not up to date on the gaming scene) what kind of setup and game is that. From the video it looks like the graphics are excellent. I have been thinking about getting a wheel for the computer and trying the Iracing.com thing but haven't decided yet. Looks like that chair and wheel are a combination?

ProgGod

I welded a frame for mine based on the same dimensions of my corvette. I am using the logitech steering wheel system with manual stick shift, etc.. The force feedback of the steering wheel is so good, that it feels like being in a real car. I am using a corbeau racing seat..

AutobahnRacer

I've been reading about iRacing for many months, and took the plunge around Thanksgiving. I bought a chassis with seat from Playseats, the Logitech G25 Wheel, shifter and pedals, a 28" monitor and a new computer built by Tigerdirect specifically for this application. the system has 5.1 surround sound, and I have 5.1 headphones. I'll probably add external 5.1 speakers for when guests come over. All in, I've got about $ 2,000 into the set-up, and have no regrets.

The iRacing sim is 'supposed' to be the BEST, and honestly I have nothing to compare it to. I am NOT a sim guy, nor do I play games online in any other area. I think I'm the typical iRacing customer . . . which means I bought the service to allow me a racing outlet in the Chicago off-season, and take racing seriously, as does iRacing.

There's a 42-page Code of Conduct with iRacing, and the driving is NOT easy. iRacing is about racing, not rubbing paint, and risking it all. There is a rating system, and if you drive recklessly, your rating is downgraded, and your options to race in a specific class may change. My first attempt to drive Road America was a disaster. I couldn't get around a single lap without crashing. I have driven Road America on 6-different days in the last 2-years, including 2-SCCA races in a Spec. Miata. I know the track, and with a little practice in iRacing I can say that the sim is VERY REAL!

I'm just getting used to it, and have driven Laguna Seca and Lime Rock Park. I can say confidently that the sim is challenging, and I believe there would be an advantage to doing well in iRacing and then running the real thing.

I liked the set up with 3-screens, and can see adding that in the future. Just like real racing, we're always wanting the new equipment.