OK- here is what I learned this year...some of you may already guess what I'm going to say

1. either don't drive like me...or get new tires BEFORE the event. Then use those tires up during the autocross season. rinse and repeat. The aggressive front camber didn't help either...
2. always, ALWAYS put your oil fill cap back on. I was lucky that the cap slipped into the intake runners and I only lost an 1/8 cup of oil over 2 miles. is this a sign of being 50?
3. cheap ($90) sailiun tires actually work ok when driven with reserve. The local tire shop in Robbinsville hooked me up 10 mins before they closed.
4. At 60 MPH in the driving rain and standing water, with the top down, and the windows up, the rain streams off the back of the window and soaks your shoulder...good thing I keep 2 towels in the cabin for just such an occurrence. For you hardcore CR owners...well, ask Curt about his experience
5. If you don't remove the hard top on your CR, it won't rain. Thank you, Curt!

What a great vacation- I love this crew!

darcy

 

I can second number 1. Too much camber on my rears because the car was lowered caused my rears to wear thru on the inside edge and I got a flat at 6am in California on a trip a few years ago. The tire shop couldn't get the right tires for several days so instead I drove 3,000 miles home with Dunlops on the front and 1 used Continental on one side of the rear and a used Michelin on the other rear. They were still quieter than the worn out Dunlops that were on the rear but driving in the rain was sketchy, the car walked all over the place and made for a few white knuckle moments in the mountains.

 

Definitely agree with #1. Ran with 2020 tires on the front and 2023 tires in the back. VSA kicked on for every other left hander on the Dragon. Drove less aggressive than I normally would.

Fresh Tires... Fresh Brakes.... Fresh Fluids... Fresh Mind

 

That's a sign to turn VSA off

 

Darcy at 85+ MPH you don’t have a water issue with the top down. The camber issues Billman told me long ago to run a little toe front and back and the knife edge on the inside of the tire will go away. I run about .05 on each side and .1 total. Tires will love you for it. I’m betting you were so ready to get back down here that you overlooked some things this time. Bet that won’t be an issue next time for sure Eh?!

 

Never too old to learn new stuff!
darcy

 

I learned that

1. routes from Darcy or BD are definitely worth taking
2. radio headsets work great, just remember to disconnect it before you jump out at a construction stop to quick grab something out of your trunk
3. Tammy and Kristine can make me laugh until I cry
4. if you blink too long, you can miss an R8 going by
5. Waze is cruel. I was already missing everyone on the way home, including my favorite Canadians… direction was given to turn on a numbered road which included an ‘A’, and spoken with a gap between the two, sounded like ‘turn right on 123 … eh?’

You folks are the absolute best. It was great meeting new friends, seeing friends that haven’t been there in a year or so, and spending time with the old friends that have become family. Take care until we all meet again.

 

AND...
6. Will never order Calderwood alfredo pasta and chocolate ganache cake again at Tapoco. LOL

 

Never believe a weather forecast 48 hours before you leave....

Too be honest, I knew this already!

 

Thanks for the compliment!
darcy