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02-09-2010, 08:48 AM
With the 2010 Club Race season just around the corner, I thought I 'd put out a note to all of those who have contemplated participation, but as of yet have not yet taken the next step. This year, Lime Rock will be the first "local" event in late April. Apparently, the Lime Rock noise restrictions have been lifted this year, which makes it easier to go when you don't have to swap out mufflers. After that, The Glen in late May is one of the premier events on the calendar, and where it's usually very well atttended, it always seems like there so much room there given the track length. VIR in June....a long haul but it's the dead of summer. Would you rather be at work that Thursday or towing? At least an expectation of good weather. Closer to home again, in late August is Thunderbolt, a track that many have spent a lot of time becoming familiar with, the familiarity factor being key in one's first race.
I always here a lot of excuses as to why someone doesn't want to do this. "My car isn't competitive" usually being number one. To me, that's irrelevant...for this venue. In any given class, the range in performance from the fastest car to the slowest is 3 seconds per lap. The range of driver competency is 3 seconds per lap. My point is, if you want to prove something, this is not the venue to do it. The disparities are too great. Go race in a spec series. Conversely, some of the best battles you'll have are with cars out of your class; someone a class or two down who can really drive, and someone a class or two up who is struggling. It's all great fun.
As to the potential for car damage, I would venture to say that from what I've seen the last few years, your liklihood of damage is almost as great in a DE as it is in CR, if you approach it properly. Our 13/13 Rule helps considerably in policing the "idiot factor'.
Cost is a little bit more, granted, but the fun quotient goes off the chart.
If it sounds like I'm recruiting, I am. I hate to see anyone not having as much fun as they possibly can.
If you have any questions, chime in.
I always here a lot of excuses as to why someone doesn't want to do this. "My car isn't competitive" usually being number one. To me, that's irrelevant...for this venue. In any given class, the range in performance from the fastest car to the slowest is 3 seconds per lap. The range of driver competency is 3 seconds per lap. My point is, if you want to prove something, this is not the venue to do it. The disparities are too great. Go race in a spec series. Conversely, some of the best battles you'll have are with cars out of your class; someone a class or two down who can really drive, and someone a class or two up who is struggling. It's all great fun.
As to the potential for car damage, I would venture to say that from what I've seen the last few years, your liklihood of damage is almost as great in a DE as it is in CR, if you approach it properly. Our 13/13 Rule helps considerably in policing the "idiot factor'.
Cost is a little bit more, granted, but the fun quotient goes off the chart.
If it sounds like I'm recruiting, I am. I hate to see anyone not having as much fun as they possibly can.
If you have any questions, chime in.