The only time I caught them was in the parking lot -- My niece and "the girls" Had my second HPDE experience at MSR-Houston -- and wow what a great weekend. I had a great instructor, we just clicked together, I think we both where surprised at how well we worked together --- this was his first event with The Driver's Edge, he had never been a MINI before (or really any experience in a front drive car) -- His car is the antithesis of my MINI, a Camaro on full race steroids --- one on those cars that shakes the ground when it starts! But his race experience and communication skills just made it work. My third session on Sunday is one I will not forget for a long -- long time. First my M!nn!e "just a cooper" and I passed a Porsche -- well sorta of -- It spun and we passed. Second we passed a MINI S, this was legit, we just "dogged his butt" in the corners until he had to point us by. Third we had our first really scary moment -- I made a really bad rookie mistake in the absolute worst place on the track. At this point I was a little to "cocky" and coming in to the pit straight I had a faster car behind that I need to "point by" -- I got off my line too high -- the track camber was not there for speed we where caring. The next thing we know we are sideways and heading for the pit concrete wall -- fortunately my instincts where good and corrected quickly and was able to keep moving down track. When I caught my breath I looked over I was surprised to see my instructor smiling. He said he could not be upset because he thought we where going into the wall and said we did a great job of avoiding the wall and going down track. What a session! The corner where we went sideways-- "2 Girls" getting ready to blow by M!nn!e and I. The Porsche Going in after a great day!
Thats dedication, or shall I say addiction to head out in this heat! Thanks for sharing, planning on any of the fall Drivers Edge events at MSR Cresson or Eagles Canyon?
Nice write up Ron. I hope your moment was before our session. p.s. I did look for you the last session on Sunday.
Great pics and it looks like a fun and maybe a little bit of a warm weekend. I am simply not dedicated enough to brave these temps. Hope to see you out there soon.
I wont be able to make MSR Cresson this time -- but It looks like a great MINI forum and it is a track I would like to run. Hope to see all at Texas World - Oct 2-3. My thoughts on that "moment" are importantly do not forget it: Don't worry about cars pointing cars by until you get the the straight. If your off line slow - moderate -- and do it correctly the next lap - They don't sell mulligans at the track. I not getting a big head over passing the S -- It is not going to happen on equal terms -- but it is fun when the underdog wins one!
I know what you mean about getting cocky after a few good laps. One of my good lessons from my first track day! Ya gotta be in a place of Zen:lol:
Have my second HPDE in a couple weeks, hope to not create your near, thankfully, acquaintance with the pit wall
After upgrading several mounts/bushings to Powerflex, I've been noticing shifts in vehicle weight (from braking, downshifting, steering wheel twitches) even more lately. When I'm sitting in the grid, waiting to go on track, I repeat to myself: "I am Mr. Smooth... I am Mr. Smooth..." I've had a few OTEs (off-track-excursions), on it particular still haunts me every time I go through Ricochet, but nothing too awful. Now if I can just stay smooth...