[Jeff Higgins]

I usually do run Hoosier or Khumo slicks, have run them for years. Current tire of choice are AO48's, since that is pretty much what all of the SOVREN 911's run, due to class rules requiring a 60 series or higher profile and some "tread". I wanted to get the feel for them and see how I compared to the real race cars. Turns out very favorably... might even run in front... but then they would want to see about my motor...

I have discussed the cost of campaigning a SOVREN 911 with not only my buddy in the #65, but with several other good friends, including Rod and Gary Emory. The consensus is about $3,000 per race weekend, amortizing all costs over the year. Tires, gas and oil, dragging the car to out of the area to distant tracks, hotels, food, and general wear and tear on the car. A little more than I want to commit to a "hobby".

Capt., I'm afraid you don't understand any of this at all.

I never said I do not enjoy my track days - I said I love them. I do understand, however, the impact my participation has upon others who are out there to enjoy their track days as well. That's my concern. If I didn't care about them, I would just blithely carry on, getting in their way and slowing them down.

My car is as "developed" as a true-to-era 1972 911 will ever be. The very best suspension goodies available for these cars, later 3.2 Carrera "wide A" calipers on the front, while sticking with the original torsion bar layout. My track day buddy's car even goes as far as to have full coil-over, heim jointed, 935 style suspension and turbo brakes all around. We are both making over 250 hp at the crank, both running limited slip diffs, and both substantially lightened. Mine is under 2,200 pounds, his about 2,300. There is simply nowhere left to go, short of flaring them and putting massive rubber under them, and neither of us wants to go there. Besides, that might be worth a few seconds per lap, a fraction of the gap to the newer cars. Like I said, as it stands, we are, right now, with our cars in their current state of "development", running lap times competitive with full-on vintage 911 race cars of the same era. There is just nowhere left to go.

We have two local tracks within two hours or less from my home, expanding to maybe four if I am willing to drive a bit and spend the night (which I do, a couple of times per year). They are all the same - big, open, "horsepower" tracks. We have no tight, twisty, "handling" tracks nearby. Hell, I'm not aware of one on the west coast, much less in reasonable range for frequent track days. Your suggestion to simply choose another track is horribly unrealistic.

Lastly, I'm not sure you understand how a track day works. There is no "making it difficult for them" - do that and you will find yourself black flagged off of the track and discussing your driving with the track master. Track days provide very limited passing areas in which faster cars are allowed to pass slower cars. Always on a straight, never in the corners. And they can only pass when you, the slower car, acknowledges their presence and authorize them to pass by pointing your arm out the window. If they pass without this "point by", or if they pass anywhere that is not a "passing zone", they get black flagged and get to talk to the boss.

What this means is that when a faster car catches you, there is no "defending", or "making it difficult" for them to pass you. They are required to stay behind you until the next passing zone. That can be half a lap or more on some of our tracks. And, while the first one is stuck behind you for that half a lap, his buddies are piling up behind him, equally frustrated at being held up until the next passing zone. You cannot let them pass even if you wanted to - again, that's an immediate black flag and trip to the principal's office. Then, when you do get to the next passing zone, it is often too short to let more than a couple of them pass. Unless, of course, you land on your brakes and just park it, but then that presents another set of dangers for both you and everyone coming up behind you. And another sure black flag.

I do this to have fun with my friends. I'm too "poor" to go racing. And again, while it is still an awful lot of fun to take to the track, especially when a buddy brings his early car so I have someone to play with, I am painfully aware of the impact our fun is now having on others' fun. If I were selfish and didn't give a rip, this wouldn't bother me. But it does.

Edit - Jerry, I saw your old car at the Historics this year. Talked to Walt a bit as well - he is really enjoying FV after parking the 911. I think there were only two 356's in the whole field. Geez, I remember when Rod and Gary alone supported damn near twenty of them. And it looks like the 240 Z's are killin' the old 911's...