There's a reason they pave these things...

[widebody911]

While trying to follow a much more competent and better equipped driver (and I hear he has a good car, too) today @ Sears Point, I had a little OTE. Basically, I was reverse-killed on 8a. No harm done, other than having to spend half an hour washing to mud off of everything under the car. It was much worse than it looks in the picture - there was mud stuck like peanut butter all up under the wheel arches. It clogged the oil cooler. I piled up on the insides of the bumper. It was collected - and steaming - on the muffler. Everywhere.

The only other incident was on the freeway going to the track, I ran over a chunk of metal in the road, which tore up the pan that covers the fuel pump and steering rack. How it managed to miss the oil cooler and gas tank, I'll never know. Import Grrl was right behind me, and saw a lot of sparks as it went under my car. And she campaiged her RSX today, and did quite well according to the instructors. I also bought her a Hot Lap reciever for her birthday, and she got to time some laps today.

I had 2 near-incidents, both with Corvetters. In each case, I was braking late and hard into a corner, and the Vette wouldn't brake until I did. Or try. Both times, they had to swerve and pull up along side me, to avoid hitting me, which forced me to go straight ahead and off the line. I honestly don't think it's something I'm doing wrong, and the time when it happened with an instructor (Hank Watts) in the car, he just sorta said "Hmph" - I figure if I'd done something unsafe, he would have at least mentioned it - he made enough mention of all the other mistakes I was making...

[Jack Olsen]

Good to hear that you and the car were unscathed.

[Eric Mckenna]

I to am glad to hear al is well really with the car Thom aside from a good cleaning she is needing.
So you're saying that the Vettes tried to late brake you and almost rear ended you? Man that would have been bad.. I hate to hear of things like that,
once again I am glad yer ok! and the car aswell.

Eric

[Eric Mckenna]

Damn,
Brian .. HAHAHAH that was a good one.

[expat]

Originally posted by widebody911
I had 2 near-incidents, both with Corvetters. In each case, I was braking late and hard into a corner, and the Vette wouldn't brake until I did. Or try. Both times, they had to swerve and pull up along side me, to avoid hitting me, which forced me to go straight ahead and off the line.

This is the sort of thing that really worries me about tracking my car. I've been doing some Kart racing over the past few months and you always get someone who doesn't know the race line and you either ended up off, or bumping into each other - which I'd hate to do in my 911.

Glad your ok and it was only mud not panels.

Great to read about the fairer sex too.

Likewise my wife and 10 year old daughter are Kart racing with me. They love it but my daughter is already bugging me about wanting the 911 when she turns 16 so she can race on a 'real track' with a real car. We'll see!

[Emission]

Glad to hear you (and the car) are OK. I've been off the track more than once, and the dirt/mud NEVER photographs well! Ha ha ha...

[masraum]

Thom, The car looks great! (even the dirt adds something, makes me imagine the glory days of 911s in Rallies)

Not having the rocker panels makes the car look like it's sitting high until you notice the front spoiler and the fenders hugging the tires. What kind of wheels are those? They look cool, but I never really get a good view of them. Always a 3/4 view.

Great to hear that things aren't any worse than bruises and scrapes (to the car)

[dean]

Hey Thom

You have it all wrong. Your supposed to be hosing off Import Girl after getting her all muddy

[beepbeep]

The only other incident was on the freeway going to the track, I ran over a chunk of metal in the road, which tore up the pan that covers the fuel pump and steering rack. How it managed to miss the oil cooler and gas tank, I'll never know

It probably fell off a DC-10 that took off earlier...

[David Bahr]

Thom -

With the Vettes trying to outbrake you, hear are some possible alternatives-
1) As you approach your braking zone, position yourself further toward the inside of the turn to force the Vette to take the outside line. When he locks 'em up he will pass you on the outside and you can turn in normally. This is a defensive racing line as it guards against a late-braker taking you on the inside. The disadvantage is you are off-line.
2) "Fake braking." Drag the brake pedal with your left foot a little early. Show him your brake lights and maybe he will go for the whoa-pedal. Just don't screw up your own braking and shifting process.
3) Waggle your finger at him in a "no-no, don't try it" fashion. Worked for me once. No, not THAT finger, I mean your pointer finger!
4) Put a sign in your rear window that reads:

IF YOU'RE DRIVING A CORVETTE THERE's NO WAY YOU CAN OUTBRAKE ME!

I can't vouch for the effectiveness of #4, though! :-)

Since this is a driver's school, don't let the Vette's over-exuberance drag you down into an incident!

Good luck and keep having fun!

[Tim L]

If it's a DE and they’re that close let them by, if they don't pull away within a few turns they'll let you by. Its much safer that way.

Tim