Some video from this weekend

Jack Olsen · 12:54 AM

These are all huge files (5-23 megs). So if you don't have DSL or a cable modem, you're going to need a lot of patience.

They're all from a track event I did at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. It was unusual in that it ran from 7 am to midnight both days, with a four hour stretch after luinch when everything shut down and everyone avoided the worst of the 110 degree heat. I'd driven the ALMS layout at this track once before, and the best time I'd gotten then was a 1:45. This time, thanks to some recent transmission, suspension, wheel and tire changes, I was able to get that down to a low 1:36.

This is first clip is my blooper reel. In passing a Corvette, I get the sun right in my eyes, and go straight over a cone that was lying on its side. Then I do a nice 360 in turn 9, having come into the corner too hot and too early. The sun got me in the eyes for this one, too. Next, I go off in the same turn again -- and this time I can't blame it on the sun, since it's after dark. After that, there's a little slide on the infield portion of the track.

Here's the 15 meg clip.

One of the cool things about this event was that they ran sessions until midnight, which meant I got to drive under the lights. This makes more of a difference than you might initially think. Suddenly, your braking points all look different, and your eyes are getting a lot less information than they're accustomed to during the day. The effect is that things seem to rush up on you much more quickly.

Here's the 22 meg clip.

In this clip I'm chasing the same Z06 Corvette I passed in the blooper clip. The driver was a really nice guy who had his son along as a passenger. He was running on Hoosiers, and he'd had the suspension re-done according to a plan drawn up by Rupert Bragg-Smith (of the big Corvette School in Pahrump). He'd also attended Bragg-Smith's school, so I think we were both surprised that I was able to keep up with him in my little 260-hp early 70's car. During this session, he kept having the son look back to see if I was still behind him, so during the front straight you see me give the kid a wave.

Here's the 23 meg clip.

Finally, there's just a good clean daylight lap. Not my fastest of the day, but a solid mid-1:36.

Here's the 17 meg clip.

And since I'm posting all of this, here's a couple of pieces of footage from another guy following my car at the Traquest event at Thunderhill last month. It's actually my brother driving in this footage, in his first day in a 911. The car shooting the footage is a 993.

Here's the 23 meg clip.

Neilk · 08-11-2002, 09:35 PM

Downloaded a couple of the videos. Looks like you had a great time. I am jealous. I want an early 911 with a 3.6.

Was the Corvette holding you up or were you about even most of the time? I imagine your driving skills are what allowed you to keep up with it.

Next time you go racing, can you remove the rear view mirror? It really get's in the way of the viewers enjoyment

. Are you allowed to have a bumper cam like you had on one of your canyon runs? That would be really cool.

Keep the vids coming.

ted · ted's Garage

thanks for sharing Jack, very cool. Do you have a link to the group that held this event? I've checked out a few and I'm still looking for a fall event in So Cal.

Jack Olsen · 09:40 AM

Was the Corvette holding you up or were you about even most of the time?

He was probably a couple of seconds per lap slower than me. The intermediate run group also had an NSX, two Mustang Cobras, a 460-hp supercharged Saleen Mustang with race suspension and a bunch of other mods, a couple of M3's, an A4 and a Viper. I was the fastest of the bunch. But I'm sure this had more to do with driving experience (and foolhardiness) than strict car capabilities.

Still, it's fun blasting by guys who have more than a 100 hp on you.

The organizing group was NASA.

This is a map of the track. The clips start and end in turn 12.

Moses · 08-12-2002, 09:56 AM

Beautiful!

Always love to see these videos. Black Beauty is developing a cult following.

rickeolis · 08-12-2002, 10:13 AM

So, give us the good news- Stats!

Jack Olsen · 08-12-2002, 11:05 AM

It was just a DE event, so there are no official stats to report. But some of the cars were running transponders, and based on that (and the fact that I was never passed), I'd say I was the fastest driver in the intermediate group by a couple of seconds. Going by transponder results, in fact, I would have been the third-quickest driver in the fast group for this event.

This is the second event where I've been the fastest in the middle group, so I guess it's time to move into the fast group -- where I'm sure I'll be a pain in the neck to the more experienced guys, who will be shooting past me in SC's and Carreras.

More pictures:

Ready to go

Track tail

Self portrait of the driving team

Anyone know who owns this car?

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

Thanks for the pics Jack. Makes up a bit for my clockwork modem.

JonT · 08-12-2002, 11:43 AM

I keep getting the error "unable to download the appropriate compresssor". Anyone know how to correct this? thanks

kanihitit · 08-12-2002, 11:52 AM

Great video and pics Jack..Thanx for sharing...

mm86911 · mm86911's Garage

Jack Olsen is my hero! Great clips - thanks for sharing.

Running my 5th event at Road Atlanta Aug. 24-25. . . it's addictive.

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

JonT,
You might have to download a newer version of Realplayer or whatever you are using to watch the videos.

Neilk · 08-12-2002, 01:30 PM

You need to download quicktime from Apple. Just go to http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download

Moses · 08-12-2002, 01:58 PM

Life becomes so simple with a MACINTOSH!

Blackdimonds · Blackdimonds's Garage

Jack, was Ray Hampton from NASA there? Nice guy. He helped our region with our DE event at LVMS in May. We have a 3 day event the first week in May down there, including 3 days of DE and 2 Club races. I think Ray may be helping again next year.

The track is fantastic, and safe, with lots of passing areas. We run the ALMS plus we add in the legends oval area, making a 17 turn track. DE was running this at around 2 min +-, and the fastest club racers were doing 1:38 - 1:42 laps.

The hardest parts of the track for me are turns 12 (in the legends oval) 13, and 14 coming out of the legends oval. I went of twice in the 12 run groups I ran in. One was in 12, and one was in 8-9 when I zoned in on a slower 911 in front of me and blew my line going into 8 and ended up going wide (read 2 wheels off).

Anyway, everyone should try to join us next May for the DE and Club Races. Check www.IRPCA.org for further details as we get closer to the date.

Jack Olsen · 09-19-2002, 12:28 PM

Yeah, Ray was there. He's a very nice guy. I've run the oval piece when just running the infield, but never the oval added onto the ALMS layout. That's a pretty tricky sweeper, if I remember it right.

Kurt B · 09-19-2002, 12:58 PM

You're defending the honor of 911s this way, sun up and sun down. Rock on Jack!

(checking out the z06 clip just now..downloading it)

Kurt B · 09-19-2002, 01:13 PM

Just viewed the clip. You're F'ING INSANE MAN.
Either you're flying, or the video has been sped up!

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

Jack,

I truly do admire your skills. You lost it a few times,held on tight, and came out of it ok. I also want to mention that I respect your choice of keeping this type of driving where it belongs. We have enough idiots on the road who think it is one big track.

ted · ted's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian993
Jack,

I respect your choice of keeping this type of driving where it belongs. We have enough idiots on the road who think it is one big track.

Oh agree, I enjoyed our commute to Ventura Saturday morning as well.