VIR Full Course

FT · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2006, 11:14 PM

Had a great weekend, 3 full days and improved significantly thanks to 914geezer who was my instructor. Review can be found at http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...30#post3391730

And few pics are at http://www.caymanclub.net/pic_showal...e=VIR%2DSept06

Cheers,

craignyc · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2006, 11:43 PM

nice, I responded on rennlist.

**K-Man S** · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2006, 12:45 AM

Ahem FT, there is such a feature as Cut and Paste! Here is your story on our site for everyone to read:

This was a wonderful event from all aspects that I can think of: the organization, location, people, 3 full days, and 4 Caymans!!!

I was very lucky to say the least, 914geezer (Maury H.) was my instructor, also Jim Michaels was there. Both are such excellent drivers, talking with them and seeing them drive was a true privilege, and I say this without any reservations or exaggerations.

I thought I had improved during my last VIR outing in June with the Mazda club, but after couple of sessions with Maury, he told me that he has to show me how to do certain things and it is hard to explain with words; he was absolutely right. We went out in his CS for several laps and I was truly astonished the way that he just commands to the car. Very direct steering, braking and more importantly throttle inputs. It was just amazing for me to watch him work the car. The more interesting opportunity was how he deals with problems or mistakes. Due to heavy traffic in the group, he went off line few times or was forced to go out of his norm, and he just dealt with them without any hint of panic or lengthy thoguhts, all looked just instinctive and purely based on experience. I litterally go on and on and fill pages about their driving, but I don't think they would do justice. Suffice it to say that, in traffic, they were both turning lap times between 2:16 - 2:18; did I mention the traffic? If you ever get the chance to have them as your instructor, take the opportunity, it is more than worth while.

Friday was cloudy and it did rain from time to time and it actually rained hard enough that I skipped the last session. I started in the Green group but Maury moved me to Blue after the first session, in which the traffic was much more manageable. After few pointers and the ride in Maury car, things got much better for me, I started feeling more confident.

Few stats:

Before the ride with Maury: (sample video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?d....8781&hl=en)
<ul>[*]Up-hill Sess: entry: 95 – 100 mph, exit: 85 – 88 mph[/list]<ul>[*]Top speed at the end of front straight: 115 mph[/list]<ul>[*]Top speed at the end of back straight: 118 mph[/list]<ul>[*]Exit speed from Oak Tree: ~40 – 42 mph[/list]<ul>[*]Lap times: best: 2:39 min., mostly: 2:40 – 2:47 mins. (exactly what I was predicting before the event)[/list]

After the ride with Maury: (sample video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?d....2695&hl=en)
<ul>[*]Up-hill Sess entry: 98 – 103 mph, exit: 91 – 93 mph[/list]<ul>[*]Top speed at the end of front straight: 126 mph[/list]<ul>[*]Top speed at the end of back straight: 128 mph[/list]<ul>[*]Exit speed from Oak Tree: ~46 – 48 mph (Maury was exiting at a min. of 50 mph)[/list]<ul>[*]Lap times: best: 2:26 min., mostly: 2:28 – 2:32 mins.[/list]

I could not come close to Craig’s 2:20, let alone Maury’s and Jim’s times, but it was significantly better than my own expectations and given that I was on street tires, I am very happy with the weekend.

Maury also filled my log book and pointed out the areas I need to focus and improve; he was very balanced between his criticisms and praise, a perfect instructor.

Next stop: Summit Point in November, I hope we’ll see few more Caymans there.

BTW, one of your next stops SHOULD be Croctoberfest!!! [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif[/img]