yellowss7

Great idea Michael, Hope he can join us either way. He has a wealth of racing experience and should be good for a couple of great stories. Tell him, I'll buy his first beer. :party: Tom

Ryan, if you don't have any luck finding someone to set up your car. Try George Alderman (caterham Mid atlantic) in Delaware. He set my car up and I've been happy with it. http://www.midatlanticcaterham.com/

Great Ryan, Welcome aboard. I believe we now have seven 7's doing the track day with a couple more possibly showing up to watch. Should be a good time. As for track tips, don't hesitate to ask for an instructor to ride with you. That's never a bad idea. Monday we are on the Lightning circuit, a pretty fast 11 turn 1.9 mile track. Turn # 7 is a blind righthander and the track continues to turn right so you really have to be aimed correctly or you can end up going of the track. It will take several sessions until you get comfortable with the line. Tuesday we are on Thunderbolt, a 2.25 mile 14 turn track that has a section that our 7's handle much better than the bigger faster cars. Two really nice tracks, check out some You tube videos of them to get a feel for them. Tom

Ok, here's a short clip showing a couple laps and the off. I think I went in a little hot and then over corrected the steering and then when I lifted, the wheels were pointed the wrong way. Any other insights? Thanks. [/url]

I was definately outgunned on the straights, the 458 pulled away like a rocket, the GTRs were very fast on the straights. And the Mercedes Black went by fast and silent. One Z06 driver said he was on the ragged edge trying to stay with me on one of the long sweepers, where I thought I was just taking it easy, so he could pass me on the main straight. I think Croc's right, I'm driving like a little old lady. :driving: That said I was not pushing the car to anywhere near its max potential. The harder tires definately hindered my speed in the turns and I don't think I went over 6300 rpm in 6th down the straits. I don't really feel the need to get to 8000 rpm. :leaving: Top speed isn't that important to me. So I let alot of cars pass me on this course as it supposedly has 11 turns, but most of them are really High speed sweepers with the exception of turn 1, turn 5, and turn 7. So this track really plays to the big top end cars. The other track, Thunderbolt, has 13 turns and I find that I can let a guy pass me on the entrance to the main straight, and then be on his tail at the same point a lap latter until he pulls away down through the first 3 turns which have long straights between them, so far that I lose sight of them but catch them by turn 9 or 10. I'm sure a good driver in my car or a beast like Crocs, would have no problem keeping up or leading the pack. Tom

Well, I did another trackday at NJMP on the Lightning circuit yesterday, and had my first spin/off track experience. Went out on my well heat cycled hooiser slicks, and had a good first session. Lots of big HP cars in the intermidate group, a 458 Ferrari, a 360, a couple of GTRs, four Z06s, and a bunch of Porsches, turbos, GT3s etc. I was feeling a little outguned with all that big metal out there. Second session, I was doing fine and then went to pass a slower car just before the tightest turn and went in a little hot and missed the turn in point. Felt the back end start to slide, turned the wheel, and lifted and the car snapped to the right and I was off the track. :ack::ack: I kept the car running and moving and after a little scenic off roading, pulled back on to the track and into the pits. Check the car over, changed the trousers, and all was good:puke: I did two more sessions after lunch and the car and driver were no worse for the wear. I did catch it on video and after I find time to edit it down a bit I'll post it up. My wife said that I should not save the new slicks for the upcoming NJMP sevens track day, and that I should put them on NOW!! I had planned on keeping them fresh for the 7's get together.:devil: Hate to admit that after 36 heat cycles she may be right. Tom

Ok, guys, based on responses I got, I booked 4 suites at NJMP for Sunday night and Monday night. departing Tuesday. I got a room for Me and my cousin John, One room for Croc One room for Kitcat One room for Karl. Michael D. if you want to join us let me know Rooms cost for the 2 nights is $204.04 with my member discount. Stinking New Jersey tax is brutal. If anyone else wants a room, let me know and I will set it up. The suites have two nice queen pullout couches that are pretty comfortable. Flat screen tv, cable, fridge and microwave, and full bath/shower. My email address is tgaval@comcast.net It might be easier to take this off line and not bore the rest of the group if all attending members email me and that way we can make sure everyone stays in the loop. Tom

Michael, I was planning on staying at the track or the Fairfield inn in Millville as a second option. Major benefit of the track suite is secure parking for trailers, and cars. Glad you are joining us. That makes 6 of us and we are hoping that Ron's R500 will be ready in time. Tom

Jack, definately sounds like a plan for next year. We are already making a list of things that we are going to add to our must do at Indy list. This one is now on the list. Now who do we see about getting a suite for race day? :rofl: That and a Police escort to and from the track. That traffic was brutal yesterday. Tom

I'm told I'm were are just south of 131st and clay center. Obviously very close by. CRAP again! Tom

CRAP! I'm here in Carmel staying with a friend 1 mile away from Queens Way circle. :dupe::ack: Got in on Thursday leaving tomorrow morning. Tom

Another memorable shot. :jester:

Here are a couple of pitures. We had 1st row seats at the end of pit row, right where the IZOD booth was. Tom

Went to my first INDY 500 today. Wild stuff. The speed is just incredible! 35 second or so laps around a 2.5 mile track. Just nuts Tom

Tassles and TaTa's I like it!!!! :jester::jester::jester: Down to four weeks before the NJMP get together. Gonna be a lot of laughs. Can't wait. Tom

Mike, I really like what you did with your new CSR. Although I think Colin's mantra was adding Liteness not adding Brightness. :rofl: Tom

I kind of like the rear view with the tail fins.:cooldude: Tom

Mike, try squirting a little WD40 under the cap to dry it off. Tom

Yeah, but it's a good dog, and has a nice bark. And with all you BIG DOGs coming out to play I'll have plenty of things to chase. You just better hope I don't catch you. I don't want you holding me up in the corners just to run away like a girl down the straight:toetap05:s. :jester: Tom

Mike is correct, passengers are not allowed. However, if you have a guest that wants a ride, if you ask nicely, they may offer to take them out with an instructor driving. Tom

Mike, There are 20 suites on the front straight of Thunderbolt that have two queen pullout beds, a fridge, microwave and tv and internet that they rent out. I've stayed in them a couple times and they are very convienent as the paddock for Thunderbolt is right behind them and there allow you to use the gararge underneath the rooms for the night as well. First track day is at Lightning so we would have to drive all of 1 mile or less over to that track. :auto: It's pretty nice to just roll out of bed and be right there. For member trackdays, they charged me $70 a nite plus tax. I know they say the rates are different for non member days, but I will call today and ask what the rates are. Otherwise we can look around and see what's available near Millville. I passed a new hotel on Rt.55 just before Millville on the way down last week. I'll have to look it up. Tom

Yeah Mike, that would be great. Hopefully we can get a good turn out. what are the bets we get kicked out of the restaurant for being too rowdy?:cheers: Tom

Great Stewart. That makes five of us so far then. Come one Box, Ron and Dave D. Let's get it to 8. Anyone else out there that can make it? Steve, (bBall)? SteveS1? Even if you don't want to do the track day, come on out. I promise the banter alone will be worth the trip. :party: Tom

Well that was quick. Here is Ian's response to my email. Hello Tom Thanks for the email The event runs rain or shine Yes, I can do my best to accommodate all the Caterham guys in the Intermediate Run Group, assuming they all have track experience. We are running an early bird pricing special $490.50 for the two day event, but that offer ends JUNE 13 Here is the direct link to register for the 2 Day NJMP event! Thank you Ian Prout http://www.scda1.com What I really asked and didnot get an answer to was "how late can we sign up?" Weather forecasts are good about 3-4 day max IMO. He didn't say that they were almost booked up, but then he didn't say they weren't either. So do we book to get the discount? or do we wait until the week of the event and hope it doesn't fill up? Since there are only 4 of us at the moment I don't think it's as critical. If we get to 7 or 8 then we may need to ping him again. Tom

Mike, I am definately going. And speaking with Croc this week so is he. Karl has also expressed joining us. Still wating on Steve (Bball) Stewart (Sabbot), Ron (redgoose) and Dave D. who had originally indicated they might attend. Box? I told Croc that I would reach out to Ian at SCDA to let him know several of us were coming and find out when we had to commit by. I'll check on room availablity at the track as well. Normal Member day rates are favorable. Don't know what they are for non member day events. Hold off signing up until I hear from Ian. I just emailed him. I should hear back shortly. Tom