rss Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 I did a track event a few weeks ago at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Just got the photos back and thought I'd share a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rss Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 and a few more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Very nice! What speeds were you hitting down the back straight? I'd imagine it would be pretty close to the top speed of the Ultralite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rss Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 rnr, my speedometer wasn't working most of the time. one time down the back straight it did and i saw 135. i might have gone a bit faster but probably not much. most of the time i was just cruising down the straights and giving point bys to all the GT3's, GTR's and GT40's. those guys i think were hitting 160+. i've got a 4.44 diff and was pretty far into 5th gear before the braking zone. it's a really nice track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 rss, Great shots!!! X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 More pictures!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 I dont think I have ever seen a silver Ultralite before - it really suits the car and looks great. Top photos. One day I will drag my car down there to try it out. Was it another USA7s person in the Caterham behind you? they would have been even slower for top speed than you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rss Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 thanks for the compliments guys. i think the photographers did a fantastic job. croc, yes that was another usa7s guy behind me. it's hard to imagine anyone going slower than me though. perhaps he'll post some of his own pics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Fast . . . slow . . . whatever . . . had to be a real hoot to get on the track and play! :driving: X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rss Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 Fast . . . slow . . . whatever . . . had to be a real hoot to get on the track and play! :driving: X it definitely was, xcarguy. awesome track, hope i can make it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 It was me and the Crossflow pedaling as fast as we could. Scott and I quickly agreed on the strategy of heading to the back of the grid as it gave us a few laps before we started giving point-by's to all the high end equipment. My speedo was acting up (really, it was!) but think I saw 110 or so a few times. I'd redline in 4th and then sit there for a bit before braking. Tried 5th once or twice, but it didn't seem to make much difference. Still, unbelievable facility, and we had fantastic weather all 3 days. Croc - I'm pessimistic about COTA having track days after this year. The track isn't really setup for them, and I'm not sure how thrilled they were to have us. The weekend was actually canceled for a time (after everyone had paid and the check had been written to COTA), but then they changed their mind again and allowed the weekend to happen. Hope I'm wrong, but we'll see. I haven't received my photos yet, but will post some when I do. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 It was me and the Crossflow pedaling as fast as we could. Steve So where is that video Steve! I want to see a seven out on COTA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 SCCA will be there next weekend, we have entered in E Production in our Caterham. But, we fully expect to be at a huge disadvantage on the back straight, but will give everyone heck in the technical parts of the track. Our run group will have 85 cars, never had a field even close to that many so a good qualifying position is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rss Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 that's cool, james, good luck! should be a nice weekend too, if a bit cold in the mornings. expect the track to be a bit slick. it's still not rubbered in. SCCA will be there next weekend, we have entered in E Production in our Caterham. But, we fully expect to be at a huge disadvantage on the back straight, but will give everyone heck in the technical parts of the track. Our run group will have 85 cars, never had a field even close to that many so a good qualifying position is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBH Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 If we can find 24 people willing to pay $2,083.33 each, we can rent the track for the day! Website indicates a maximum of 24 people. I'm curious, did they have instructors or were you familiar enough with the track to solo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rss Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 jbh, there was such an event immediately before ours, supposedly for a party of 15. i'm told there were two enzos and a mclaren on track, but that's difficult to confirm since we were locked out of the facility. i had never been on this track before, but that didn't stop me from going solo! there were only a couple drivers as far as i'm aware that had any experience on this track. there were only 2 or 3 instructors there (for about 150 drivers) but even at that they were underutilized. i did track one down myself and he rode along with me for one session, which was very helpful. there was only one or two other drivers that i saw with an instructor. there was no novice group on this event. If we can find 24 people willing to pay $2,083.33 each, we can rent the track for the day! Website indicates a maximum of 24 people. I'm curious, did they have instructors or were you familiar enough with the track to solo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 I posted our results in the racing section of the forum, but we had a great weekend. Impressions of the track; super grip levels even after hard rains!, very wide surface so fairly easy to pass but all the blind corners make to important to see the flag stations, having said this the flag stations are very very hard to see as most are not in the racing line of sight and they blend with the catch fence, tire wear very low and uniform, tons of run off room if something goes wrong, Caterham did much better than we expected but slipstreaming is so important and you will need to leapfrog slipstream down the back straight to get a good time. This track has such a flow designed in to it, it is not just a bunch of corners and straights that are connected but a really well thought out test of all aspects of driving and car dynamics. What a world class facility! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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