VRG Historics race at NJMP Lightning this past weekend

[d15b7]

Hi fellas! I just got back from three perfect days at NJMP Lightning (same track that we have the Sevens get-together at) -- had a fantastic time racing! I'm normally slotted into Group 2 (which is mid bore; 1.6 liter to 2.5 liter cars) in my crossflow powered Series III, but when the Ginetta G4 broke in the first practice heat on Friday, that left me more than 3 secs faster than the nearest car (another crossflow powered Seven and a Triumph GT6), so I asked to be moved to Group 3 (big bore cars. CanAm, TransAm (V8 Mustangs and Camaros) and Porsches and BMWs). I've got lots of cool incar video from the entire weekend, but here's Sunday's. first clip is the Big Bore grid; I was third on grid, just behind a gorgeous McKee CanAm car and a wicked 1970-1/2 Z28. when they said 'start your engines' I had to watch my tach to see if mine had caught, as the noise was unbelievable to my right and left!!!

 

 

and here is the in car race footage:

 

 

my crossflow was singing!!!! the Seven gave me everything it could, and I stole their lunch money in T2 through T5, and crushed them in the brake zones in T1 and T7, and I owned the Lightbulb turn, but those guys were handling exceptionally well in the straightaways lol. enjoy!

[Dan3030]

Blows my mind you were able to keep up given the HP difference. Nice driving.

[yellowss7]

Todd great driving, you just need a couple more hp :jester: and they will never catch you. Can't wait to see you next year with your "surprise"

 

That McKee shows up sometimes at our member days, I didn't think that old guy could drive that fast. Tom:seeya:

[Croc]

Nice result Todd! I watched the race from around various parts of the circuit before leaving to make the long drive home. You looked like you were having fun. The other drivers were working hard.

 

Lou is passionate about his McKee - really nice guy. I think he is late 70s now and he said it is the only thing that keeps him young - 500hp in a 1200 pound car will do that to you!

 

Just think - once I get a new engine for the CSL I still could not keep up with you in that vintage race class! :ack::rofl:

[d15b7]

thanks guys! ya I was really impressed with the way he handled that McKee (I was told he was 78!!!). that car looks to be more than a handful lol! I'd kill to do a session in it and see what it could really do around there (I'd think sub 1:10s easy).

 

I've got some really neato footage from Friday's race too. since I'd moved myself from Group 2 to Group 3, I had no qualifying time in Group 3 so I had to start from the very back. lots and LOTS of passing and eventually finished third! my Vimeo is only the free account so I have to wait til Sunday til I can load another 500 meg file

 

oh and just wait til next year!!!

[d15b7]

ok fellas - I've tried uploading this to OneDrive instead of Vimeo. hopefully it allows you guys to view it OK! this is friday's race; since the Ginetta G4 had broken in the first practice session in Group 1, that left me with the nearest car about 3+ seconds off my pace. I asked to be moved up to Group 3 Big Bore, and was OK'd for that. when I got to the grid, they said that my qualifying time in Group 1 didn't count, so I started in the back (which was cool with me!!). the wicked Z-28 hadn't gotten a lap in either in qualifying, so he is starting just in front of me. we pretty much slice n dice our way through all the other cars, and just about three laps from the end, there is a black flag all, and we have to come in (that is around the 13 min mark on the video; I edited out us sitting in the pits). they send us out again for a furious sprint to the end, and I *almost* hold on for 2nd place (Z-28 comes from behind and literally nips me at the line!!!!). enjoy!

 

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AmUHWCpbUJmApjScK5q-DsqMp8SU

[yellowss7]

Todd, it's amazing the speed you carry thru turn 2. That alone is worth a second or two. And I love the way you stick your nose in on the inside of the turns and just hold them off. You are going to be a monster with a few more ponies. Great driving. Tom

[Dan3030]

Funny Tom - That's what I noticed too. Neat to see the race line you need to take, esp. with less HP vs. the school line most of us run.

[Croc]

Line will vary during a race depending on who is in front and where you sacrifice a corner to position the car just right for a move. School lines are predictable because you will not be passing in a corner. BTW, camera position will enhance speed effect compared with say top of the roll bar.

 

I was more impressed with turn 1 for speed carry and quite intrigued by entry into the bowl. I think Todd avoids the entry bumps with a narrow entry but does it scrub off too much speed? I guess not but I want to experiment with the various compromises myself. That happens next week with something other than a seven.

Edited September 24, 2016 by Croc

[yellowss7]

Yeah, But I'm just chicken so that turn one entry speed is something I'll never even think about trying. (where's that chicken emoji ) :ack:

[d15b7]

Hey Mike! ya one thing I learned from racing so much, is that flexibility is key; gotta be able to drive all lines/any line during a race. debris on track, oil dropped on line, cars side by side, having to drive a defensive line to hold them off; all of those things make is so much different (and fun and exciting) than DE.

 

with my car, and it's springs and shocks and setup, that seems to be the best / fastest line into it for me. and yes I most DEFINITELY recommend experimentation - I always consider myself learning and improving (and hopefully never stagnating!).