Seattle Karting Report...

[Eric Coffey]

Yet another great time with the NW Pelican crew! Thanks to all the guys who made it down (Randy Wells, Don911, Nader, Island911). Man, once we were allowed to run at the "full speed" setting, it was a total blast. The track layout was pretty technical (10 turns?), and had two very quick "flat-out" sections. I wouldn't have thought that electric karts could go that fast!
Also, since Randy and Don talked me into it, I will catch up with everyone at this weekend's auto-x in Bremerton (my 1st one)! Randy, be forewarned, I will be hounding you for a ride in the 51 car!

P.S. - If anyone gets the urge to jump in the karts again, let me know!

[Superman]

I wish I could have joined you folks, but Tyson took the engine out of my car a while ago and I'm still trying to get it back in.

[Randy W]

It was a blast, but Eric is being modest - he was consistently faster than all of us, a real "hotshoe" in the making. If we have fun runs at the end of the day on Saturday, Eric, you can ride in #51 for sure.

We will do this again, hopefully soon, as this track is very fast and with such a wide variety turns, it's a real learning experience. What a hoot!

[pwd72s]

So, Randy? Do you think Eric is a raw talent who needs refining?

[Doug Zielke]

Say, Eric....By any chance are you using the karts to "hone" your driving skills in preparation for the Round-Up???

[Randy W]

Paul, nothing raw about Eric's talent in karts that's for sure. Give him enough seat time in autocross and he'll be fast there too.

[don911]

The karts were really fun. A lot faster than I expected. Maybe we should do a kart track tour around Seattle.

Island, You must have been late. You took off to the freeway like you thought you were still in a kart. Mid corner braking on the on ramp? shame, shame Can you say throttle off oversteer?

See everyone at the autox. Hopefully it won't be snowing.

[island911]

Originally posted by don911
The karts were really fun. A lot faster than I expected. Maybe we should do a kart track tour around Seattle.

Island, You must have been late. You took off to the freeway like you thought you were still in a kart. Mid corner braking on the on ramp? shame, shame Can you say throttle off oversteer?
. ..

LOL -
Well i was running late getting out of their. That hommie who plowed thru 2 rows of barriers, and in to the wall, put our last race off close to an hour. just think he'll have a riced out civic soon. -yikes-
Leaving there, I kind of did feel like i was still in a kart.
The funny thing was, coming from such a grippy track, and then on to a sandy street caught me of guard. Not to mention, that pedal on the right. . .it's not an On/Off switch like in the carts. . .I had to re-establish some limits, with some dynamic friction studies you know
Besides, I slowed way down for that sweeper. . .well slow for an SC anyway. . .I suppose it may have been a bit fast for you guys in your non-Super Carreras

Those electric cart and that track surface where great for working on the lines and enjoying the G's; but they weren't the best combination for dealing with traffic. It's a different kind of fun on some of the other tracks where you get more opportunities to sneak on past other drivers. So a "kart track tour around Seattle" sound like a great idea!

One down. . .

[Tyson Schmidt]

Sorry I missed it, guys. I had to push my return flight back a day to make sure I found a place to live down there in L.A.

Any chance we can do this, say, after the Autocross this weekend?

[Nader]

Hey, my Crockett-n-TubbsMobile didn't make the photo! I'm still sore from wrestling with those karts. I should go to a gym.

[Superman]

Al this talk about Eric the Hotshoe and I was thinking Tyson must not have been there. For my money, Tyson is the undiscovered driving talent. If you leave our PCA region, autocross victory will be that much less sweet for me. Still hoping my engine will make noise by Saturday.

[Jack Olsen]

Tyson was down south, driving another kind of 'kart' altogether -- getting ready for the Open Track Challenge.



And yes, he is an 'undiscovered driving talent.' On the passenger side, I was digging finger marks deep into the armrest.

[turbo dave]

Wow, sorry I missed it. Last minute freelance project, that lasted till 12:30am...

That, and the car is still up on jacks (no auto-x this weekend )

Sounds like it was a blast, the 'tour' sounds great! Have fun this weekend-

ps: speaking of hidden NW talent, anyone here see the results from SCCA this past weekend?

http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/nat_tour/2002/sandiego/results.html

Man, we have a fast crew up here! The locals cleaned up in just about every category entered! I pity da foo' that shows up here and expects to dominate right off the bat!

[Eric Coffey]

Randy-
Stop it now, you are making me blush! Seriously, I really appreciate the kind words, especially coming from someone with your level of experience. You have definitely helped in the encouragement department! See you on Sunday.

Doug-
Yes, I am definitely looking forward to, and gearing up for the Round-Up! Now all I need is a competent co-driver. Maybe I should commandeer one of the WRC guys. I can hear it now: "50, left crest opens, gravel. 120, tight right to left plus. 50, easy right minus on crest..."

Don-
The karting tour sounds like a great idea. I am not familiar with the other venues, so it looks like it's up to you or Island to plan the next one (no pressure ). Also, don't worry about Island's driving. He's one of those engineering types you know, so he probably has digital friction, adhesion, and slip angle read-outs in the cockpit! Oh, and get that fog light fixed.

Glenn-
Gimmie those wheels, now, I'm serious!

Nader-
Great car! You should bring that beast down to Bremerton this weekend so I won't be the only rookie!

Tyson-
Were you thinking of going karting on the same day as the Auto-x (23rd)? That might be a lot for one day, but if that is the only day you have available, I am sure most of us would be "in". Just let us all know what your schedule is like. I look forward to sharing (read: absorbing) info with such a track monger!

Jim-
hurry up with that motor! You won't win ANY auto-x victories with a stagnating 911!

[turbo dave]

Maybe I should commandeer one of the WRC guys. I can hear it now: "50, left crest opens, gravel. 120, tight right to left plus. 50, easy right minus on crest..."

Just be glad you're not Spanish:

angalabashalaquestabalhandracalefedasha........... ...............

(said at about 90mph, continuously- how can Sainz be so fast when he has to concentrate on this all the time?)

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by freefly

Doug-
Yes, I am definitely looking forward to, and gearing up for the Round-Up! Now all I need is a competent co-driver. Maybe I should commandeer one of the WRC guys. I can hear it now: "50, left crest opens, gravel. 120, tight right to left plus. 50, easy right minus on crest..."

Yes Eric, I am recommending Round-Up drivers have a navigator, although having, say, Nicky Grist would certainly be overkill.
Anyway, don't worry. The route directions with the maps will be in your hands well before July 13, so you can commit it all to memory.

[tobluforu]

Wait a minute, electric karts??? Please tell more about these. My brother and I use to race karts, but not electric. Is this in-doors??
Sears point just finished the most amazing kart track around. My friend has a kart shop at the track. Can't wait to drive one of his new shifter karts out there. But, tell more about the electric karts..

[don911]

I might be up for some karting after the autox. It would make a really long day of it but since it's on the way back....

Tyson - Strike the pose

[Raynald]

Hi
this is a real racing shifter-kart,
formula C 6 speeds
0-60 mph and return to 0 in 4.5 sec.

[Nader]

Hey Eric, I wish I could be there at Bremerton, but I'll be in L.A. Visiting family and picking up a sports car I just bought, sight unseen! Wish me luck.