09-20-2004, 10:33 PM
my analysis of the weekend:
Friday got off pretty good, except for the flood from the heavens, twisters (which apparently I didn't see), and taking 2x as long to get to the track. Got totally soaked between dropping the car off at the track and getting dinner, so was cold and miserable for quite a while, since all my fresh clothes were back at the car. As usual, slept like shit due to apprehension, but got enough rest. Got a late night visit from Navin (ok, so 11pm isn't late, but it is for a track weekend) that none of us were expecting, so he got an interesting first impression of me. Not exactly my favorite way for somebody to meet me, but hopefully he understands.
Saturday was cool. Looked like it was going to be shitty weather, but by the time I got on track it was not bad at all. I was still really apprehensive for my first session and took it really easy, but it all worked out. My instructor told me by the end of the weekend I wouldn't be braking going into T4 and that we'd be trail braking before I left. I told him he was crazy and to dream on, maybe next time. After my first session I got to switch over to my Hawk Blue brake pads (was going to Friday night, but that didn't quite work out) and was ready to go. Sure enough he convinced me to start compressing my braking going into T4 and as a result I got a lot faster going into T5. A little too fast for what I was expecting one time, since I put 2 off trying to save the car (as opposed to taking the 5-8 expressway).
Sunday was more of the same. Consistently getting faster and faster. Compressed braking in T10, foot to the floor from T7-10, just a lift in T4, and major trail braking in T1 and T5. I feel a shitload faster than when I got to Summit on Friday and much more confident. The supra consistently takes the abuse and still has lots left to give me. I am definitley still the limiting factor to my track times. Got to play with Chad for most of a session, as well as a '03 Mustang Bullitt that was paddocked with us. Good times. Still have major issues with assholes not lifting so that I can pass, but I guess it makes me a lot better at adjusting my turn-in and braking for those particular turns, so I guess it is still good for me.
Can't wait for Summit in October, with maybe something new to drive.....
Friday got off pretty good, except for the flood from the heavens, twisters (which apparently I didn't see), and taking 2x as long to get to the track. Got totally soaked between dropping the car off at the track and getting dinner, so was cold and miserable for quite a while, since all my fresh clothes were back at the car. As usual, slept like shit due to apprehension, but got enough rest. Got a late night visit from Navin (ok, so 11pm isn't late, but it is for a track weekend) that none of us were expecting, so he got an interesting first impression of me. Not exactly my favorite way for somebody to meet me, but hopefully he understands.
Saturday was cool. Looked like it was going to be shitty weather, but by the time I got on track it was not bad at all. I was still really apprehensive for my first session and took it really easy, but it all worked out. My instructor told me by the end of the weekend I wouldn't be braking going into T4 and that we'd be trail braking before I left. I told him he was crazy and to dream on, maybe next time. After my first session I got to switch over to my Hawk Blue brake pads (was going to Friday night, but that didn't quite work out) and was ready to go. Sure enough he convinced me to start compressing my braking going into T4 and as a result I got a lot faster going into T5. A little too fast for what I was expecting one time, since I put 2 off trying to save the car (as opposed to taking the 5-8 expressway).
Sunday was more of the same. Consistently getting faster and faster. Compressed braking in T10, foot to the floor from T7-10, just a lift in T4, and major trail braking in T1 and T5. I feel a shitload faster than when I got to Summit on Friday and much more confident. The supra consistently takes the abuse and still has lots left to give me. I am definitley still the limiting factor to my track times. Got to play with Chad for most of a session, as well as a '03 Mustang Bullitt that was paddocked with us. Good times. Still have major issues with assholes not lifting so that I can pass, but I guess it makes me a lot better at adjusting my turn-in and braking for those particular turns, so I guess it is still good for me.
Can't wait for Summit in October, with maybe something new to drive.....