Anyone up for joining me at Buttonwillow Raceway in Southern California on November 11th & / or 12th ? I'll be competing in TTD on both days and anyone is welcomed to either speculate, or for 1st time drivers who want some track time, you can run in HPDE 1 or 2 with an instructor.

More information can be found at: http://socal.drivenasa.com/

Hope to see you there.

 

Hope to have time to get down there... I'll be in Vegas from the 8th to the 12th. So I may be able to leave early and come out on the 12th. (Gotta work the 13th ) EDIT: wrong dates... corrected.

Do I need to be a member of NASA to do the HPDE part? (Never driven on a track).

 

Yes you'll have to purchase a NASA membership, cheap at about $60. There is a very active No. Cal. division that runs Laguna Seca, Thunderhill, Infinion, etc. HPDE is a great way to get some seat time in your car with an instructor and familiarize yourself with the intracies of road racing and also meet some really great people.

You can eventually move up from HPDE 1 thru 4 and then into Time Trials, then Pro Racing if your little heart desires...

 

Derek,

Thanks... I'll make sure I have that taken care of this week then. Hope to see you there.

I may even try to get there for both days! YAY!

 

If you make it down, I'll help you walk through the process in the morning with, registration, tech inspection, drivers meeting, etc. If you don't have a helmet yet, I've got a new Sparco full face XL that you can borrow for the day. (no barfing in the helmet please) LOL.

 

Wow, thanks! I'd really appreciate all that help.

And I don't have the helmet yet. Really kinda hoped I could rent/borrow one until I find out if this is going to be a regular thing with me.

I promise, no barf in the helmet. I have yet to barf on any 'serious' roller coasters or extreme rides like that, so I don't think it will be an issue.

 

You'll most likely would want to go back for the second day. You're runs will get better and better towards the end of the day that you feel like you got the line down pat and you'll wish you had more time/runs.

That's when the second day comes in handy... :-)

Watch out for that double apex on the "cotton corners". "Off ramp" is fun... you'll do some sliding/drifting on the corner and just when you think you're gonna go off roading, traction control comes out and saves the day...

All in all, good clean fun... if you're hooked and even willing to drive down to SO CAL for track day, i'd be more than happy to join you for some NOR CAL action. Would love to go back to Laguna and try out Infineon and Tunderhill...

I'm sure Derek will be more than happy to join us and provide guidance to a couple of newbies. :-)

 

Yes, I would really enjoy that I think.

But first... I'll have to make it through HDPE level 1.

 

Well... here we go... I'm going to commit to the two days. Sounds like a blast!

 

YAY !!!! Another Crossfire MMZ-Timelord --- You'll see some good racing this weekend because it's the season finale' for NASA and many categories are still up for grabs.

I'll keep you posted on my plans for arrival, hotel, etc. I usually get off work about 10 - 11 PM on Friday nights and head directly to the track (2 hour drive) with the car on the trailer, and stay in one of the cheapy motels 6 miles down the highway in the small town of Buttonwillow. Usually the "Easy 8" or "Motel 6".

The gates open at 6:30 AM ($10 gate fee) and I'll find a good paddock area to set-up for the weekend and make sure to have enough space for your car as well. Saturday morning is pretty hectic because tech inspection opens at 7:15 (you'll have to remove all of the loose objects from the car, floor mats, center caps from your wheels, fuzzy dice, etc. before you go to tech.) ((we can put them in my truck)) I would suggest downloading the "Tech Inspection" form from the website and having it filled-out prior to arrival. I'll bring some painters tape for you to tape on your car #'s (most people in HPDE do this). You probably won't need to stop by the registration desk since you pre-registered online. Bring a copy of the receipt just incase.

7:45 AM is usually the drivers meeting (15 mins. or so) then when we finish, you'll stay behind with the HPDE group to start your "ground school" (i would suggest you do a precursory familiarization of the "flags" from this website. http://www.autospeak.com/racefact.htm there is also one other flag that we use that is white with a red cross, which means there is a rescue vehicle on the track. You'll then be partnered with an instructor and do whatever it is that they do with you before you hit the track for the first time at about 10am. I'm not sure which track configuration we are running that weekend, but you can find the track maps located on the track website http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/

You will have 5 track sessions per day, each running 20 minutes. I believe the first day is all with an instructor in your car. Or maybe just the first couple of events then they cut you loose. Dunno ! After each event, you must go to a "Download Meeting" which you will discuss the last session with other drivers and instructors. and then will probably have an hour or so to relax in the paddock area. My group usually runs just before the HPDE, so we'll have plenty of time to hang-out and also you'll get a chance to observe my antics on the track before your event.

Gas is available at the track, Sunoco Race 95, 100, 105 but very expensive, few weekends ago the 100 was running $6.27 per gallon. It is an automated system that only takes credit cards incase you are a cash guy like I am. I usually use the Sunoco 100, four gallons at a time to keep my weight down. But you can fill-up outside the track with 91 pump gas and probably run all day on one tank. Food / drinks are also available at the track and I bring a small cooler with H2O / gatorade, munchies and Red Bull, so you'll have some refreshments when you need them.

Also, I'll have my trackside tool box with me so if you need tire pressure gauges, pyrometers, jacks, etc. it is all at your disposal. If by chance you have a tire problem, not likely, there is a tire shop at the track and a full race shop.

Once I figure out which motel I'm staying at, I'll let you know. PS: are you bringing the wife ? If so, I'll bring mine so they can keep each other company while the boys take care of business !!!

 

HDDP,

Yeah, the wifey and I are going to Las Vegas together to visit a friend of ours prior to the weekend. We will probably be leaving Las Vegas after a late dinner and staying in Buttonwillow as well. She will be happy to have someone else to 'chat' with while we 'take care of business'

I am really grateful for all the assistance you are offering me. Thank you, thank you... and thank you.

I have read the entire CCR twice now and will probably review it several times between now and race day. Specifically the HDPE section, inspection, flags and safety. I will make sure to bring an empty duffel bag to put all the 'loose stuff' inside of while it's in your truck. That way it doesn't get lost.

Probably do the pump gas for now. When I'm more comfortable and have moved into HDPE 3 or 4, then I'll start getting better fuel. I'll also be bringing my toughbook and ODB hookup. Any chance I could get a few quarter mile runs in there for kicks?

Getting those new wheels and tires thursday, so I'll get to properly break them in on race day... WHEEE! I'm soooo excited... Wifey is looking forward to it as well.

 

I thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to bring your car to the track. If you have never done this before, you will always relish the experience, even if it's a one-time-affair.

Unfortunately there is not a drag strip at Buttonwillow Race Park, so straight runs won't be available. I'm not sure what your software does, but I'm sure you could lash down your laptop and get some good data on acceleration, g forces, speed, rpm, etc.

This is a very interesting track with some long sweeper turns, tight chicanes, some elevation changes and a fairly long straight away that allows me to hit 110+ in my car. I know the tech inspectors will love to see your SRT6 version, because they keep asking me about those and I keep telling them that they are only automatic tranny and I don't know how to drive an automatic.

It's terrific that your wife will be with you. Mine has attended too many of these events with me and only enjoys it when she has another female to chat with. Normally she says "have a nice weekend with the boys, see ya Sunday night when you get home"... LOL Now she has no excuse...

 

I had to 'force' myself to learn how to drive an automatic too...

I'm thinking this will be more than a one shot deal as I've always wanted to do something like this, but never really had the time or $$ to do so.

Now I have just enough of both to try this out and it happens to coincide with another trip I was going to make anyway, so it worked out well.

You have my number and my e-mail. Give me a shout with your lodging details and we'll try to make them for the same place.

Maybe we can even have an early breakfast together.

 

Our only option for breakfast at that time of the morning is the Denny's or McDonalds just off the freeway. It's a 6 mile trip north on the 5 freeway to the track. I think our sleaze bag motel of choice is going to be the "Easy 8". I'll check availability.

I e-mailed Greg Greenbaum, the Director of TT HPDE division to see if he, or who would be your instructor. You'll love this group they are the most easy going group of racers I have ever run with. The best place to learn and compete, IMHO. If you get lucky you'll have either Greg or Shaun as your instructor. Oddly enough, Greg is an ER Trauma MD from So. Cal. / Shaun is my arch nemesis in TTD class.

 

Denny's sounds great to us. We love eating breakfast there.

Questions: The CCR states that the numbers have to be at least ten inches tall. Any suggestions on what I should print them on (when I get a number assigned)?

Also, for HDPE the CCR states that numbers on the front and rear are optional. Should I leave those off my first go-around?

I have the 'painter's tape' you spoke of, so I can bring a roll of that too.

 

Don't worry about your first go-round in HPDE, painters tape on the side doors is adequate (if you want to put them on at all), not likely they're going to have a hard time picking your car out of the pack in HPDE, or in any group for that matter. Either it's going to be the black SRT6 Crossfire, YOU, or the black SRT6 Crossfire, YOU again, LOL. The # requirement is more for the upper echelon groups who compete for points / trophies. Although the track stewards like to refer to car #'s instead of types when they "ding" you at the drivers meetings for doing something stupid.

BTW, You can quickly qualify for upper echelon groups eg. TT class with a few HPDE events under your belt, providing you get the instructor to sign-off on your TT license application and you feel confident in your skills. The biggest difference between the two are that you are allowed full speed open passing on all areas of the track and TT is timed "competition" with trophies and national points awarded.

It's a good idea to get your instructors name and e-mail if you plan on running with NASA No. Cal. next season and want to advance up the ladder to full competition license, that way when/if you petition for your license, you can have X, Y, Z instructor vouch for you.

I'm really looking forward to having you join us. First, to meet you. Second to have another, higher HP Crossfire on the track & third to have someone else (other than WOODY in the UK and SRT6-CROSSFIRE) that finally understands the potential of this car on euro style road racing courses. And, it's just good clean fun with lots of adrenalin and lots of cool race cars to gawk at...

 

I am planning on staying away from the 'dinging' part.

But, I will print up my numbers and put them on anyway. It's the conformist in me.

I was a little surprised at the class the SRT6 was set at in the TT Rules (TRB). Right up there with the Z8, ZR-1, Mustang Cobra SVT and even the Porsche Cayman S and Lotus Exige. WOW!

I'd be hard pressed to beat those guys I bet.

We'll have to see how my skill level pans out. I think I'm a pretty good driver, but that doesn't qualify as I'm not now, nor have I ever been a race car driver.

Only time will tell...

 

Well, you gotta look at the power to weight ratio 330 hp 3,150 lbs. That's pretty darn good. Does that put it in TTB as a base class ? I've never really checked. Most cars are mathematically classed by their P/W ratio.

 

That's the only place I found the SRT6 in the TT rules, so I guess that's it's base class. The Mercedes SLK AMG is also in that class. Must be correct then.

Any other tips about the day you can think of? What is the availability of shade, water and snacks. Don't want the ladies getting heat stroke or starving.

I have a couple of folding chairs and a camping table I could bring if you think we need them. (yes, they will fit in the back of the crossfire).

 

I have a pop-up tent that I bring with me, cooler and only two canvas camping chairs. You might want to bring your chairs if they'll fit in the car, no need for the table, there are tables outside the restaurant along pit row. There is a snack / restaurant at the track that is directly adjacent to the pits and the front straightaway. And tell your lovely wife there are full restroom facilities, not porta potties. LOL I'm hoping to get a spot for us right at the first turn.

Here's a link to the aerial of the track and facility: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en...9,0.020685&t=h