Mt Tam I am's Driving Journal

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

I drove to Thunderhill Raceway last Sunday passing multiple CHP victims. They were out in force so I was on cruise control the entire way. Some car ahead of me and I set our cruise to the same speed after 20 minutes I hadn't gained an inch on her. I started to always be on the inside of turns and would gain a few feet. After another 20 minutes I was along side her. I do get bored. Two hours and 15 minutes on three dots.

The standard drivers meeting ensued at 8AM at the track. Bad news for the club is that Laguna Seca is not giving dates to clubs like mine, over 90db days. That works for me as I tested 85db at Laguna but a $20,000 rental needs to be split with as many others as possible to lower the cost. Their will only be one Laguna event next year instead of three.

Last year it rained on and off. This year promised to be warm. As I had only driven the track once I asked for three mentors hoping at least two would show. No such luck. I was left off the list, sorry.

So I had not reviewed the track before arriving so I just make it up as I go along. It was coolest in the first session and heated up by 11:30. The power just was not as good. I failed to fill up after my first session and had fuel starvation with 3/4 tank or better. Just as I hit the main straight where I wound out 4th every time and got into fifth once, was a sputtering fuel starved coasting Z. My main rival, a green Lotus blew past me. RATS! This rivalry started at our first event where we both were newbies.

I apparently showed up with warped rotors and after a lap my steering wheel started to shake and by the end of the day it was scary. This is what ultimately lead to my decision not to drive the last race. I was cooked by the heat and this was now an endurance test, fun had departed, and I packed it in.

I broke my own cardinal rule: Stay hydrated and fueled with food. I tried like heck to eat breakfast and lunch and it was like poison. I had no appetite but forced what I could down. I ran out of steam and was a bit dehydrated. I felt sickly the next day and cured myself with Gatorade, clearly dehydrated.


Track videos (still loading all four):
Thunderhill 10/21/13 - YouTube

Fuel starvation strikes: Thunderhill second session with Fuel starvation - YouTube

Originally Posted by blackcherry20

sounds like kind of a disappointing day for you. sorry.
but still, to even be on such a track is exciting eh? I know when I get on my local (really small) track I love it that I can say I ahd my Z on track at KilKare. Local people are impressed. LOL
on the dehydration, I guess you were distracted by everything else that day. Lots going on so it isn't any surprise you got sidetracked.


BTW-the MVSCC (my auto club) has asked me to be on their planning board.
I accepted so I get to help run the club and give input on events etc... Kind of excited about it. although basically it's just another person to help out. LOL

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

A bit disappointing but certainly well worth attending, even with warped rotors I still beat my previous best lap time by nearly 3 seconds. My old record became a normal time.

I will return in all liklihood many times next year as the club needs a substitute track for Laguna Seca. This track is about 15 minutes closer to me, yet feels much further away. It is way out in the country while Laguna has a large wealthy city nearby.

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Often when returning home after a HPDE, I become a bit sad that the fun is over and I'll have to wait for another event. On the way home I had one of those legal opportunities to stay at the limit while passing everybody driving in the left lane. It was an off ramp that takes you from one freeway to another, all with a 70 MPH limit. It was a long left hander so I could gas it all the way without fuel starvation striking. The little lady sat up stiff in her chair as she does not like these sorts of situations as I do.

When it was over I was pumped and I said "I love these moments"

And she said "I know you do."

Two more stories later. Back to work.