I ended up with the R888's. The RA1's weren't offered in the size I wanted. I think I am going to try NT01's next time 275 all around. I know I'll blow through these Toyos quick. I absolutely loved them too by the way, but its my first R-comp so I can't compare yet. I picked up a lot of time.

 

Not sure if anyone saw/heard.. but there was a rollover at the OTd @ Waterford this past weekend. I was not able to make it out to the track this day - here's a video that show the incident.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBiZ--IM5Qo

Not sure what kind of car it was.. just said that he hit the gator strip in the S's.. and boom. Pretty nasty for a 'slow' track.

 

Wow that's crazy. Did he slide into the gator or something?

Also... isn't that hyundai way off line?

 

That blue car in front? looks like a civic, but, yes.. he is way off. This was in the Yellow group (one step above beginner). Typically they are not allowed to have passengers - it's OTD, not HPDE.. But Ralph is a regular, racer, instructor.. I guess they made an exception for him.

 

Man that's one helluva flip. Glad the driver walked away fine.

 

You guys still thinking about doing Grattan with BMW CCA on the 18th & 19th?

I'm thinking about registering for that and the last SEMPCA HPDE on the 9th... And I just got an email from the club I went to Gingerman with back in June. $165 on Sat 10/16. Very tempting... ;/

 

I would be wary of an event that late in the season. The weather in October can be VERY iffy. 3 ***** has an event at Grattan on the 11th and an event at Waterford on the 27th. I will be attending both. It has been rumored that 3 ***** will be running Grattan backwards in the afternoon.

 

I'm a little bit intimidated by the 3balls format to be honest. :P Would it be suitable for someone as slow and inexperienced as me?

 

I really want to go to the BMW event but unfortunately I can't afford it.

 

You'll be fine

 

Plus, I would ride with you and we could work on your line, aggressiveness, etc.

 

I might sign up for the PCASEM event next week @ Waterford. I need to make sure I can get the day off work, and I want to keep an eye on the weather forecast. Sorry I can't commit to it yet.. but I'm definitely getting the itch to get back out.

3 ***** sounds good too at the end of the month.. We'll see how it goes.

 

I signed up for the SEM PCA event next Thursday and Grattan Saturday. I actually thought the PCA thing was Wednesday when I signed up but I should still have time to check out the car Friday before going to GR.

 

I really wish I could make it to Gingerman or Grattan before the end of the year, but its not looking so good. I ordered my new clutch and everything. It should be here this week, but I think I am going to replace my rear main seal as well, because it has a slight leak in it. I probably won't even have the car back together until next weekend and then I have to break in my new clutch.

 

No offense guys - but I will never attend another SEMPCA event. Way too "over organized" for me. The Waterford day that I attended was just plain ridiculous. We had to do outside tech, then had to have a track side inspection. We were told to arrive at 8:00 and did not get out on track until almost 11. No thanks!

 

valid point.. i think i'm swayed to the 9/9 SEMPCA event due to timing. But yeah, pre-track day tech, onsite tech, .. i usually have to eat about 3 times before I get on the track.

 

Yep. I'm in it for timing as well. NASA has a bunch of organization but at least they do their damnedest to keep on schedule and keep you on the track for as much time as they can. I just want to do Waterford in the dry and this looks like my last opportunity this season since I'm going on vacation to help with harvest toward the end of the month.

 

Lee just be careful pushing it at Waterford. With the new tires and all, make sure you understand how the car feels before you go on finding the limit.

me on the other hand, I'm trying to find the funds to attend the 2 day BMW event at Grattan on 9/18 since I won't be doin crap all winter and hopefully I can save enough for the wedding and tuition

 

Lee, I see you signed up for the 3 ***** event - cool! I will be happy to ride with you and give you some pointers. You can ride with me too.

 

As you guys know I was at Autobahn past weekend with Chin Motorsports. It was a blast and they live up to their tag line More Tracks, More Time.

-They run 30 min sessions, 3 run groups and you get 4 sessions
- At the end of the day there is a HAPPY HOUR where you can go and run all the hour if you'd like.
- In total I got 2.5hrs track time per day.

Here's the kicker - I barely qualified for a SOLO. They have 3 run groups
GREEN - novices with instructors and recently qualified novices who drive in green
BLUE - Intermediate group with open passing anywhere with point by
RED - Advanced group with open passing anywhere with point by

My instructor qualified me to run SOLO in BLUE, but had to be signed off by a senior instructor and the guy only qualified me SOLO in GREEN. The reason was that I was not able to heel-toe. So, I have been trying to pick it up now.

They were right on time with no delays at all. They have a tech process too but very fast. They follow process but it does not get in the way like some of the other bigger groups.

All in all, I am very satisfied with this group and will run with them on other tracks further out from Michigan. My instructor was a guy who drove 08 350Z and was very good.