Phoenix Cmr Inc - Watkins Glen June 2006

[bhartman]

For those of you who couldn't make the Phoenix CMR, Inc. - Watkins Glen June 2006 event, you missed a GREAT TIME! :bna

First I would like to thank Joe Quaranto and his family for sponsoring the event, all of the Instructors (especially Pam who now has a few more grey hairs ;) ) who put up with us newbies and the track workers who made it a safe event. THANK YOU! :D

I would also like to thank Dell for recommeending the Toyo Proxes RA1 tires. I LOVE THEM!

The event started off with a rainy Sunday drive to Watkins Glen for the early Tech Inspection and ended with a rainy Wednesday drive home, but the Track Gods decided to smile on us and gave us 2 BEAUTIFUL, SUNNY days on Monday & Tuesday! :spinem:

There were many familar, as well as new faces there, with ~85 cars divided amoung 3 run groups.

The Monday night dinner made for a great social event.

I have a few pictures and will try to post them in the next day or so.

Each run groupd got 4 runs per day, with Group 1 running 25 minute sessions and Groups 2 & 3 running 40 minute sessions.

With 4 40 minute sessions, gas became an issue, causing myself to exit the track early, twice, for lack of fuel. The track had fuel, but a $6.50 a gallon for 100 Octane!!! So, some of us were forced to make trips into town for gas.

I personally had a great time and only went 2 wheels off once. Guess what? Trying to take turn 10 at ~100 mph and no brakes is a challenge. ;)

The Glen is a GREAT track for Mustangs! 3.4 miles! While still a beginner, I was able to get up to ~125 mph on a couple of the straights, get through the Esses at ~105 mph and the Bus Stop at ~70 mph. Personally, I left a very happy driver.

I am SO GLAD I upgraded my brakes to the 4 piston Brembos! While they did not give me any more braking power, their larger mass significantly reduced heat, which in turn reduced brake pad wear and eliminated brake fade.

There was only 1 major mishap, but thankfully no one was hurt.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/brucehartman/Watkins%20Glen%200606/DSCF0052.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/brucehartman/Watkins%20Glen%200606/DSCF0050.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/brucehartman/Watkins%20Glen%200606/DSCF0051.jpg

For those of you who have not done Watkins Glen, I STRONGLY advise you to try and make the August event. :cool:

http://www.phoenixcmr.com/august_track_event_frame.htm

I hope to see you there.

[Dellcobra]

Yes come on out in August, I will be there as one of the instructors and if I can get there from Oklahoma, some of your also can make.

Watkins is my favorite track. It is hard on brakes, but the track is so well prepared and taken care of it is a blast to drive.

Dell

[bhartman]

It is hard on brakes, but the track is so well prepared and taken care of it is a blast to drive.

Dell

We were told that before August the track should be resurfaced.

[Stanger58]

Right now, my plans are to come up and instruct at the August event as well. After all, Joe and his family have been HUGE supporters of our SVTOA On Track events, it's only right that we support them! :allhail:

While I would LOVE to have my car back on the track there, I'll probably be in something a little more "pedestrian"...but I WILL be driving whatever it is! I had a blast there in 2004 with my own car when WG was one of our Track Dawg stops...my old pickemup truck engine LOVED pulling up and out of the toe of the boot...

Hope to see lots of y'all at Watkins Glen in August. :cool:

[bhartman]

Jeff,

Unfortunately, I missed the 2006 Mountaineer Madness. So, I am looking forward to seeing you and Dell at The Glen this August. :tmb:

Greg Cassidy has said he was only going to pay for 3 years of his daughters college, so he could be there too. :hehe: