Arizona Pelicans

Jeff · 01:27 PM

Arizona Pelicans, This is the best time of the year. The weather is getting nice, The holidays are around the corner and It's Track Season AGAIN!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOO!!!

It was a long summer, but now it is time to change the oil in the old Porsche and take it to the track. The first track day is a week from Saturday on November 18th. It will be held by the PCA at Firebird Raceway on the West track. This is a fun track with lots of turns. It has very few walls (I'm not sure you could hit one if you tried) and lots of run-off. If you have never taken your car to the track, this is a great place to get your feet wet.

The PCA has excellent instructors (our very own Mad Mike is one of them) that will ride with you as long as necessary and teach you tons about driving your car at speed. This education will transfer to the street if you need to make an emergency manuver.

Here is the track layout...

and here is a link to the track registration form...
http://az.pca.org/events/de.htm

But wait, there's more...

If it is Track season, it must also be BBQ season. You are invited (if you go to the track or not) to my house for a BBQ/ Pelican meet and greet/ re-live our track adventures. It will start directly after the track day is over. I will be smoking two pork shoulders tomorrow for next saturday's Q. I will post progress pictures. Your family/ pit crew/ girl friend/ ? is welcome also. Mine will be there and they will also be at the track, so feel free to bring yours. I will have beer, meat and side dishes; if that doesn't sound good to you, you are welcome to bring something along. You can start coming over around 4pm. PM me for directions or find me at the track and I will give them to you there. I am located about 8 miles from the track, so it is a short drive.

Here is my car, come by and say hi.

But wait, There is even more...

As usual, I will be cooking brats and kraut at the track, so come by and have one.

On a sad note... As some of you may already know, I had to retire the Race Couch. Can we have a moment of silence please...

Long enough. Hope to see you there or here or whatever.

Moderators, is it possible to make this a sticky?

Mad Mike · 11-09-2006, 03:29 PM

Count me in for a Track Brat, they are good. And I'll try to swing by for the post event recap at your house. Have a party to attend later that night.

Firebird west is a busy track. 11 turns in only 1.1 miles. Sort of like a gigantic autocross track with minimal time to rest. Remember, turn 8 sets up the carousel, and a wide entrance to turn 10 sets up 11 for the high speed right hander, a good 20 percent of the track. Another note is the latest apex you can get off of 4 make for a happy straight!

See you there.

Mike

LeeH · 11-09-2006, 06:25 PM

Mike - What group are you going to run in (or are you carless)? Bob Beck said I wouldn't need an instructor, but it might be nice to have someone show me the line. Maybe I can convince Jeff to coast through a lap or two so I can follow him.

charleskieffner · 03:50 AM

we will be there, barring hubble space station falling on us! lets EAT/DRINK/ and be MERRY.............for tommorow we may have to work on our porsches!

Jeff · 11-10-2006, 05:52 AM

Mike I will put your name on a Brat. Does Spencer like Hot Dogs? I will be cooking those too.

Man Lee, you are brutal "Mike - What group are you going to run in (or are you carless)?"

And funny "Maybe I can convince Jeff to coast through a lap or two so I can follow him." I think I'll be chasing you with those new sticky tires you're getting.

Chuck, I talked to my friends at NASA and asked them if they could make sure the space station wouldn't fall to earth on the 18th, they said "What the flip are you talking about, we race cars here! You must be thinking of the other NASA." So I guess we are on our own.

Joeaksa · 11-10-2006, 05:55 AM

Am in Dubai, Tripoli Libya over the weekend, so not going to make this one...

Please keep an email list and let all of us know when there is an event, I almost did not see this post.

Joe A

Jeff · 11-10-2006, 06:37 AM

Here is some video of the west track to get your juices flowing...
http://personal.riverusers.com/~jrbaker/

charleskieffner · 11-10-2006, 06:52 AM

jeff outstanding video. will memorize in my data bank. the coolest thing..............NO STINKING WALLS! will be just like BAJA in the corners! hahahahahahaha

Jeff · 11-10-2006, 07:04 AM

Just don't follow all that guys lines ;-)

Jeff · 11-10-2006, 08:34 AM

Bar-B-Que Guru Mike Marshall stopped by this morning so we can tend the smoker all day. He brought by 2 pork shoulders that have been brining for the past 24 hours and a beef brisket that has had rub on it for the same time period. Looks like we will be eating good next saturday.

FenderGuy · 11-10-2006, 08:48 AM

Lets see if the SC will be driving by then

Mad Mike · 11-10-2006, 10:15 AM

Lee, I run (when I am running) in the advanced group. I am not going to be instructing at this event, simply because I am not comfortable leaving my 3 year old alone track side just yet. But we both will be at the track in the morning to see how the day is going. If you don't get an instructor or the line by then, I will be happy to help you on the map and point out some key areas, also will watch you on track and see if there are any areas of opportunities for you to improve.

Frank, what is wrong with your car now?

Chuck, saw your car at the Phoenix Flight concour. Very nicely done, how much did you pay for that carbon fiber hood? I might have to get one of those, looks sharp!

Mike

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

If my spring plate work is complete and I can get enough neg camber, I'll make the track!

In any case, I'll be there and back at Jeff's for the BBQ!

Jeff · 11-10-2006, 10:37 AM

Don, I will be working on your spring plate at the latest tomorrow. It will DEFINETLY work (that is of course unless it doesn't).

Anybody have a helmet Don can borrow?

FenderGuy · 11-10-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mad Mike

Frank, what is wrong with your car now?

Mike

3.2 or 3.6?????

now its just sitting for a 3.6

75Carrera · 75Carrera's Garage

How do I tell if my helmet is acceptable? It's a Fox "Pilot" and was pretty expensive but I've had it for at least six or eight years I think.The sticker on the back says it's DOT approved and there's an "M95" stamped below that. Looks like we'll have a few cars coming down from Prescott. I'll be in touch if any can come by afterwards for a bit before climbing back up the hill. Assuming I get to pick, I would like a recommendation for the good instructor if there's someone you know of Jeff.

5.10 · 11-10-2006, 01:17 PM

Sounds like a great time. Just charged the battery and should be there. Thanks for the invite.

Mad Mike · 11-10-2006, 03:09 PM

Frank, I had no idea. Make two of us Phoenix Pelicans currently in need of a transplant.

In regards to helmets, I know that last year was the end of the snell95 being legal and they helmets are checked in technical inspection. I am not sure if they are allowing a grace period or not for the first event. Something we'll all have to find out.

Mike

LeeH · 11-10-2006, 03:10 PM

Donny,

Here's the section on helmets from an e-mail that Bob Beck sent to me. It looks like your M95 should be OK until the first of the year. I'll forward the entire e-mail to you.

"Bring an Snell Approved MA or SA 95 or 2000 helmet. Don't show up without a helmet - WE ONLY HAVE THREE LOANER HELMETS AVAILABLE. (Note: For 2007, helmet requirements will be revised to Snell Approved MA or SA 2000 or later.)"

Mad Mike · 11-10-2006, 03:11 PM

blood type on helmet is an outdated rule that should be changed

I know that blood type on the helmet is not required for DE.