Reisentoter DE vs. others

[NOGO65]

Brian,

The exact same thing had Steven and me shrugging our shoulders after the driver's meeting on Saturday morning.

The car is stickered but the driver had no real resposibility to show what run group they were supposed to be in.

Since the GT-R was being driven by Steve also, it had a blue run group sticker on it as well as a red run group sticker on it. I don't think anyone would have questioned me if I decided to go out in the instructor group.

[michael lang]

Terry wrote:

I hear that some people think that RTR is "too tight-ass"

Those people are obviously not familiar with any Potomac events (particularly social).

I was at Shenandoah this past spring with another club which had placed me in an advanced group (I think by accident but I know they had spaces to fill). I asked the chief instructor to move me down to novice and if there was no space there put me in intermediate. He would not. So I went out for a couple of laps and realized I was way in over my head and came back to the pits. Since therre didn't appear to be any organization as far as checking wristbands at the start of each session, I waited until the next novice session and went out. After that I went out for the intermediate session which I blended into the rest of the weekend. I have not nor do I think I will register with that group again.

[betegh9]

The car should have no bearing as to the run group. If my "64 VW beetle passes inspection, I should be able to drive it in the RED run group............ as long as I have the red wrist band.

[Gene]

I think RTR runs a tight ship, my only beef is the torque squad at tech.  I just changed to my track tires, I promise I torqued them, with a torque wrench.  I don't need them over-torqued.

[George3]

RTR has the best Tech Inspection team of all the driving clubs.  They are very thorough in order to maintain "your" safety.  However, I have seen all too many cars roll into the Tech line with most of the lugs soft. 

It is not the job of the Tech line to torque the wheels on every car.  That is the responsibility of the driver, and it's good that you are conscientious to self check the torque on your own wheels. 

I have seen ( and have video footage) of a car pitting out at Summit Point and not going more than 500 feet before one of his wheels flies off and goes bouncing into the grass.  That's exactly what Tech is trying to prevent.

[Gene]

Oh don't get me wrong it's a good idea, but sometimes they won't take no for an answer when you tell them you just did it not 10 minutes ago.

[George3]

I can't promise anything, but maybe having a chat with the Chief ahead of time would help.  Generally, 911's are torqued to 94 ft/lbs, and specialty cars we ask.

[Wally]

Gene wrote:

Oh don't get me wrong it's a good idea, but sometimes they won't take no for an answer when you tell them you just did it not 10 minutes ago.

Gee, I'm sorry, forgive me for being a skeptic. Most of the safety issues with drivers and their cars over the years have been with experienced people who prepare their own cars. I've been told that as soon as the brake pads are metal to metal I'll change them. Oh, is that a tire cord showing through, just give me a tech sticker and I'll change the tire later. I set the torque wrenches each morning to 94 ft/lbs which is the setting for Porsche's and most other cars. I instruct the crew to check only two nuts and if they are at the proper torque, move on. If not check each nut to insure that the wheel is properly tightened. If you require a lower torque setting, tell them, they will lower the wrench to your spec. How good is your torque wrench? How old is it? Is it in spec? We replace our wrenches every few years to insure that they are as close to spec as can be. As I see it, you have three options. Ignore tech all-together and tell pit out you checked the car yourself. Ask Myles for dispensation (he ran tech for several years). Or volunteer to be on tech crew. Not just one morning, but each day you are at the track. The pay is not good, but the beer is free at the end of the day and I take the regulars to Hooters for lunch in early December. Plus I let you tech your own car.

Understand, we treat every driver and every car the same, we want to insure that every one has a safe and fun day. If you have a particular gripe, or feel you are being treated unfairly, just come to the head of the tech line and talk to me. I'm always there.

Paul

[betegh9]

Gene wrote:

I think RTR runs a tight ship, my only beef is the torque squad at tech. I just changed to my track tires, I promise I torqued them, with a torque wrench. I don't need them over-torqued.

Gene, I know you mean well and you do everything possible to go thru tech easily, and it is redundant to check the torque of your wheels since you have done them 10 minutes earlier. BUT I've seen guys mount their track tires on the car while yapping away with his or her friends while doing the work, and guess what?............ Yep! Going to tech without ever torquing the lugs. This guy was caught on tech line. His answer: "Thanks, I forgot." Better be redundant than SORRY! hock::dude::dude: