InsaneSp

NCCAR was pretty fun even though I was driving up 85N on Friday skirting in and out of the leading edge of a hurricane. Saturday night it poured, estimates were around 3" from the time we got there until it settled in to a steady drizzle around 10am. I did mount up the rain tires on arrival, even before setting up anything else in the paddock.

The course is designed primarily as a test track so there are lots of constant radius corners and transitions to test a car's handling. We had two races Saturday and two races on Sunday, a double points weekend. Most of the entire field had not run there before so we were all watching video in advance trying to learn the layout. Turnout was also relatively low so the race groups were combined to one large group, we had Super Unlimited running with PTF. We qualified in the rain but it looked to clear for Race 1 so everyone started swapping to dry tires. Of course when the 10 minute warning sounded and we started making our way to grid, it started raining again but with no time to swap back. Stopped raining halfway through and it was so windy from the hurricane that the track had a full dry line in a lap or two. My best time in Race 1 was a 1:36.9 on the CCW layout, third fastest of the field. We grid for Race 2 according to finish position of Race 1, which put me right in the middle of the AIX and SI cars on a rolling start...i.e. I'm a moving chicane. Times improved each lap and I got down to a 1:33.4, again 3rd fastest of the field and a new track record.

Sunday was much of the same, Race 3 grid set by Race 2 finish, more rolling chicane-ry and setting up passes on cars that were much faster on the single straight than the rest of the course. I ended Race 3 in 3rd overall (again) but times were a little slower as I didn't adjust tire pressures enough to suit a much warmer day and less cloud cover, making the surface warmer. At the racers meeting on Sunday, NASA announced that race 4 would be run clockwise...after running all weekend counter-clockwise. Contrary to Jim Pantas' usual speech, the south DOES go both ways! Cue the mad dash to find some CW video on Youtube to try and learn the course all over again. A few people decided they didn't want to see a track for the first time under race conditions and started packing up. As a result I got the "lucky bump" and moved up a grid spot to start on pole. Another rolling start had a ST2 corvette and a AIX mustang pass me before the first turn. I was apprehensive but quickly figured out a groove and was able to start pushing the car a little harder. Video should be interesting but with getting prepared for East Coast Champs at Watkins Glen in 2 weeks, I haven't had time to go through it.

RedCelica

NASA does on site (at track) tech right?

InsaneSp

Varies by region.

RedCelica

How about our region

InsaneSp

I know we spoke but figured I'd post here in case anyone else is wondering. Southeast requires a tech form and bringing the vehicle through trackside tech, typically the night before the event or first thing before the driver's meeting. Mid-Atlantic requires the same form except DE1 and 2 get a tech inspection by the instructor on grid before the first session. DE3 and 4 go bring the car and form to wherever the tech station is. Race cars will get an annual tech at the start of each season that's good for a year.

InsaneSp

Heading up to Watkins Glen next week for the NASA East Coast Championships. Will be running the test day on Thursday, races start Friday and run through Sunday.

Schedule


Live Video Coverage


Live Timing

RedCelica

Good luck Stephen

RedCelica

Signed up for TrackDaze VIR event Nov 3-4 and CMP with NASA Nov 5-6. Can't wait to do Grand course again.

InsaneSp

Managed to take home 3rd in a all-s2k podium at Watkins Glen. I'll start looking at video tomorrow, the 12h tow home pretty much knocked me out.

petegemelli

I signed up too. Looking forward to grand course. I have never run it. Also being in advanced group with open passing no point by.