NJMP and Watkins Glen, Stalker

[xcarguy]

Mario just sent me this email. It has a couple of links to two short videos from the USA7's event at NJMP and followup adventure at Watkins Glen. Here's the email as I received it from Mario:

 

 

 

All

 

Here are two short you tube clips from NJMP & Watkins Glen

 

The round trip was 3000+ miles from LBK. Very worthwhile and memorable in so many ways.

 

Part One-

NJMP event was 7/4 & 5 with fellow S7 type cars. NJMP is a motor racing country club that is a superb track & facility. Frosting on the cake was the exceptional hospitality of our hosts, Mike, Tom & Don. I was happy to have crew helper Steve Mack and to be in the paddock next to fellow Stalker owner Shane & his Dad. Mostly damp first day and sunny second day. This clip is started by all the seven type cars driving past my buddy Shane's red V8 powered stalker on the warm up lap. After that the field picks up speed.

 

 

Part Two-

Watkins Glen was 7/7 & 8 SCDA event with various car types. Running at the Glen has been a long time aspiration. We stayed at the historic Seneca Lodge and had dinner with new Sal, Janet, and new friends (Mike and Rose). Thanks again for my crew helper Sal Lauro. We dodged the first day showers and used slicks in the dry on both day one and day two. The 6 speed trans became terminal such that it was locked up in 4th gear during most of the laps. Nothing I could do about it trackside, but the torquey engine and light weight car made it possible to drive the course in fourth. Still achieved respectable speeds and passes but since I was unable upshift I couldn't go faster than 130 MPH on the longer straights.

 

 

Family Time-

Dinner with the whole fam damily in Westfield NJ on 7/9. Great to see everyone. Then had 36 holes of YMCA Billy's Buddies charity golf outing organized by brother Lee.

 

The Little Engine that could-

The 2000 VW Rialta is a sweet little RV and tow vehicle. Outfitted with a few improvements (trans cooler, trans temp gage, larger tires, beefed up trailer hitch. electric brakes on the trailer) it did a REMARKABLE job for a 2.8 L V6. It got me there and back without incident, it was a cozy overnight spot & a comfy trackside resting place. I took it across the FL truck scales and confirmed that I was moving 10600 pounds (only me on board) to 11100 pounds (the Parkers & Lauros) down the road depending on passenger loading. Absolutely amazing!

 

Next racing adventure is Circuit of the Americas in November.

 

Ciao

 

Mario

 

 

 

. . . . . :cheers: