Last year, it was hot. 113 ambient temp. Probably around 140 on the track. Up to 170 inside some of the cars. This year, it's pretty cold. And wet. It's rather uncomfortable, but it makes for some exciting spectating. Tons of cars were loosing it transitioning into the infield, then again going back onto the oval. The most spectacular damage happened with a couple Formula Mazda cars hitting the wall, followed by a Vette locking up and sliding into a 911. Towards the end of the day, the track was drying out and the sun even made an appearance. Hopefully tomorrow will be a great race day.

The local car clubs were able to get on the track for a parade lap (the Impala that tried to sneak in behind me was turned away.) There must have been 50 or 60 Vettes, maybe 35 BMWs, about 25 Porsches, four S2000s, 2 Ferraris, and one Lotus Esprit. While we didn't get fast enough for the banking to work (I'm surprised nobody slid to the inside, it was so steep) the infield was at about 30-40mph. I was studying the line the racers took during practice, so I think I got a fairly good idea of what the infield is like. There's a ton of track out area - I think you'd be able to really get on it coming out of the corners. I'm realling looking forward to a DE there. One guy told me its a bit boring, though - you learn the track in a few laps, and there's not much else besides just trying to be consistent. Motorsport Ranch, on the other hand, has a ton of different ways of taking the corners.

Not surprisingly, after qualifying Audi was in the lead for Prototype, followed closely by a Panoz with a new engine - it sounds like a V10 or V12, not the usual blatting V8. Corvette leads in GTS, and Porsche is in front in GT.

The coolest part, for me, was Peter Cunninghamg taking pole in Speedvision GT with his Comptech SC NSX. (I'm surprised that's legal!) The Audi S4s were right behind him. The new M3s - well, they must have no development work or something. They qualified 26th and 30th (out of 33.) I was rather surprised.

 

We had more S2000s than Lotuses! Yay! We were getting worried, but we had them beat, 5-4. Other notables - Ferrari 355 (those are getting old now however )), the V8 Lotues, and a Porsche 550 Spyder. The 550 was definitely a high point in my weekend. It looked and sounded gorgeous. My friend parked his GSX-R1000 in front of my car, and we attracted quite a few more sportbikes during the day. I daresay the Suzuki got at least as many looks and comments as the Honda. And I saw what appeared to be a Skyline drive past (white, but very dirty) - I assume it was Nick, but the car didn't stop.

The weather was perfect. Really, it couldn't have been any better.

The first order of business was the Speedvision Touring Car race. First through fourth changed a couple times during the race, but #26 led for all but two laps. The real excitement was happening in the battle for, I think, 9th place. Four or five cars were just hammering at each other, swapping positions left and right. I've never seen such a quick Civic.

After that race, we went to check out the garages again. (But first we ate at the Texas de Brazil set up in the infield. Much better than the hamburger dreck available at the concessions stands.) We went through the ALMS garage and watched the Audis and Panozes being rolled/driven to the pits. Jeez, those cars are awesome.

In the Speedvision, we were able to get even closer to the cars - including the Jetta, which had a Motorsport Ranch sticker on the rollcage! The uncle of the driver was quite friendly. One of the new M3s had its hood open and the engine running - they have a pretty wicked looking airbox setup. I missed the Formula Mazda races because of lunch and the garages.

I'm awefully tired right now, so while I'm still awake I'll just say that the ALMS race definitely had it's exciting parts, but it was also definitely all of it's 2.75hrs long. Ooooh, my poor ears. And finally the Speedvision GT race wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped - Cunningham's NSX (supercharged yes, but not by Comptech as I had assumed) (I think) didn't look as fast as it was in qualifying, and only took second.

Sorry, I didn't have a digital camera with me.

(ps - oh yeah, I went for a quick ride on the Suzuki and it is indeed an amazing bike.)

 

Thought I would add that while standing in the lines for posters and autographs for my kid, one of the Integra drivers asked if I really drove an S2000.... (had my S2000 hat on.)I said yes and he asked how I liked it... responded with "loved it" and he said yes it was truely and amazing street car. Also I have several pics I made with my Canon, that I will try and get scanned and sent to svann to post ...