The
www.SAAC-MCR.com held an open track event at GingerMan in South Haven, MI (closer to Chicago than Detroit) yesterday.
Photos:
GingerMan
A few of us left Sunday night, and camped at the track. I was outside till about 2:00am when it started drizzling on my face, so I slept in the Lightning (not very comfortable with the center seatbelts jabbing you).
Monday, we were awakened by new people pulling in. There were about 40 registered drivers (thanks Illinoise and Indiana, to fill up the grid). Got ready and opened up tech. Several of us Detroit members ran tech, thanks guys. The weather sucked. It was gloomy and got worse all morning. Slight
annoying drizzle, until a heavy drizzle (not RAIN, but very heavy drizzle).
Many of us went out between the medium/heavy drizzle. I had my "rain" tires, old G-forces :-) Needless to say, I spent a LOT of time driving on the grass :-)
We broke for lunch (only 3 cars went out in the last run group just before lunch) so we had lunch early. Some decided to write off the day and packed up and went home. WRONG MOVE! It got clearer and clearer all day, until finally the track was bone dry and great.
Due to the limited number of participants (40), and we paid $5 per driver to have cornerworkers supplied by the track (great deal), we got 3 run groups with 7 (yes SEVEN run sessions at 20 minutes). There was a wide array of drivers there, as well as cars. BMW, Porsche, Lotus, Mustangs, Vettes,
Dodge Shelby's (yeah, I guess they are still with the Shelby club....hmmmm). I took a rookie out in a 1984 SVO (body) with a Boss 302 and 6-speed dynoed at 485hp. THAT was a cool ride! Several cars went out in the afternoon with overheat/radiator problems. Only one BMW went home on a hook. Seemed
to me like 25% of the field was not running by the end of the day. It was overcast and 76'F outside, so not sure why the overheating. Luckily, noone hit anything, and we had a safe day. In the rain, we had a lot of "sod driving", but in the afternoor, it was pretty much under control. I was
running with the Prosche (ok, he pulled a few car lengths on me in 2 laps).
That was fun. When we pitted, Jim even said he was surprised that I was still in his mirrors :-) I "lost it" on turn #1 while following him. I was driving 10/10's (don't do that too often, usually 9/10's) to keep up. I was slowing for turn #1, hit the brakes..., ok hit the brakes harder..., ok
just go off straight into the infield ! (oops). Yeah, my M2300K brakes with PF90 compound, and 3" ducting from the Saleen airdam found its threshold. :-( Last session, I was out of gas. I pulled in and Scott asked why I came in early. Next thing I know Dale Jerrett's pit crew (Scott
and Sloane) were fueling up my car, GET IN! GO GO GO!!!!! I was on the track in record time! :-) Thanks. They also took my camera so there are a "few" photos of me (Hey, its MY camera, right?).
I had an AWESOME day. Ran great, had fun, DIDN'T BREAK ANYTHING... Way cool!
Just before leaving, we got the "SVT TEAM" photo.
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Darius Rudis
Roadracer: Home built t-arm/panhard suspension powered by an S-trimmed motor :-)
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