It has taken me over a week to get to the point I can spend a few minute trying to catch up with my posting. Sorry it has taken so long. I really had a great time at Roebling this event. Even though I was not driving, I did feel the excitement. It's always a pleasure spending time with the RX8 gang and also others in the NASA organization. My mission this time was to take photos and OMG did I take a lot of photos. I've just now caught up with all of my request. I had no idea of the response I would get and quite frankly it was hard work but worth it in the long run. I did get a lot of great shots from what I consider the hardest track in our region to shoot. I also learned a lot about shooting and can't wait to go back and do it again to put my ideas back into the camera. Things have changed for me at the track but this is where I started and I do enjoy hanging and being a part of things in my own way. You don't have to drive to have a good time. (mumbles to himself)

TrackAddict – Always fun to watch, talk, laugh, dine and just be around you dude. Taking your second record in TTD in two events is awesome. I don't care who set the previous records or what they were driving, you earned both of them and I'm proud of your accomplishments. You always have good wisdom for me on and off the track. Now, go kick *** at Barber and bring home a 3rd record and stand on the podium again.

Phlash - No-one can bring a smile or a belly laugh to me as quick as you can my friend and no event is the same without you. Thanks for sharing the room with L8 and I. I will never forget you bouncing on the bed, like a trampoline, trying to touch the ceiling of the 12' room. I thought I was going to have to send you to the corner for 15 min. I think you are getting much better every time you drive and making the adjustments to your car did a lot to help. Don't you wish you had made those changes earlier?

L8APEX - Yes, your car is loud as hell, it sounds awesome and I do miss my mid-pipe but it is in good hands now. I just may have to get a SuperCat because my car is just too quiet now. Thanks for letting me room with you and Phlash. The snoring was not bad and didn't last long so I don't put you in the ranks of Team Snoring. You looked great on the track, kind of like a Sunday drive but you were flying. Good to see you driving and not working. Look forward to seeing more of your pics. The couple I've seen look great.

KurtBob – I love your little trailer. That is perfect. Wonder why some of the 8 drivers don't do something like that. Have any of you guys tried it or looked into it? I wanted to spend a little time with you discussing AutoX but there was never really an opportunity to sit down and get into very much. Maybe next time.

Dano – You looked really comfortable out there Dano, well... except for that one time when you came in looking like you had just been chased by a bear. That excursion was a real eye opener, eh! I know that feeling well. Hope maybe you learned something in the process so next time you don't do what you did again. Getting signed off was nice to see. That first time out by yourself is quite a rush. Still didn't get those SilverEIGHTStudio.com stickers on your magnetic labels.

TorqueAholic – I really wish I could have been on the track with you again. Running with you at CMP and RA was fun stuff. Maybe next year I can break loose of my chains and do the Mustang Club event at CMP. Don't think you had any break or tire issues this event... what's up with that? You are supposed to have problems! Congrats on your award in TT. Maybe you should make it your avitar. You were quite entertaining when you were in the instructor seat and I was shooting in the carousel. Every time you would come by, you'd look at me and smile with a great big **** eating grin. So much for the serious photo!

Lego – Your car farts smoke in turn 5! I laughed when I saw it the first time. The 7 is looking great! The rotor graphics really make it look like a race car. Now... about the waving at me when I'm taking photos... I knew I should never have said anything about that Saturday night because on Sunday I think you guys conspired against me and decided to wave or grin like a mule every time by. It's hard to take pics when the camera is shaking from laughing.

Steve – Dude, you are getting to be a really good driver. That car was flying out of turn 5 toward the carousel and you looked really smooth. That car is a beast and you were doing a good job of controlling her.

Don & Donna - Always enjoy seeing you guys again. Both of you are doing great on the track. Now you need to get your son in that RX-7 and let's see what he can do. Next time I'll try to spend a little more time with you guys and get more pics with you and your cars in the paddock.

All the people I talked with - I talked with sooooo many people and had a great time. So many I can't even begin to remember all the names and conversations. A special thanks to Rob Bodle (05Cobra, Thunder) for letting me shoot from his trailer. I think some of my best shots came from there. It's nice to be able to walk thru the paddock and just strike up a conversation with someone about their car's. Everyone generally likes to talk about what they are up to. I don't believe I met a stranger the whole weekend.

Thanks everyone for a great time.

EDIT:
Damnit! I knew I left someone off!

OnRails - John, it's always a pleasure you watch you on the track. Not seen any video yet but I look forward to it. I'd like to know how you like this track compared to CMP. Sorry it took so long to get you mount installed. I missed photoing the first two sessions of the morning but I wanted to make sure you were set up properly. You are so laid back when at the track. I know inside you have to be excited but you just don't show it. Even at RA when you got your windshild smashed by the road alligator. You were very cool. Wish I could be that calm. I'm somewhere between you and Phlash. (no offense phlash, no one really knows it but you do get just a little excited!)

 

Excellent post OMS-
You were so darn busy, it was hard to get a word in with you at the track.
Heck yeah those first solo laps were exciting, and an eye opener. Made me really have to put in to practice all the stuff my fine instructors have been telling me without using them as a crutch.
And my little agricultural excursion (I am still finding weeds in the car) was thankfully a very inexpensive learning experience.

Yes, definitely need to get me some SilverEightStudio stickers. I have some red backing now, as well as the white - so I any color should work. I should see you in the next couple weeks - so drag them along.

d

and your handiwork is still my sig when I use it.

 

i need to fill out my order form for you OMS, I just have not gotten around to it. been a little busy.

 

I know all your details. I'll consider this your order if you like and i will proceed. Just let me know for sure. I don't push stuff on my friends so if you want anything from me, you have ask.

 

Yeah, I would like a CD, I know you were working your *** off out there, I know how it is. I can pay you when we have lunch on Thursday.

 

See ya thursday for lunch!

 

Video Time!!

First one...a fellow RX-8 driver, NASA instructor and current record holder in class at Road Atlanta, and now Roelbing Road, my good friend TrackAddict, riding shotgun, to get me re-calibrated. I had a bad Saturday, spent letting the world pass me. He climbed in, and we went from slow to fast. The old track record for Roebling in TTD, was 1:29:xx, "un-officially" laps were clocked anywhere from 1:27-1:29, so I was happy. I owe it all to him.
Sunday-Session 3

Second one, just some nice clean open track, last session of the weekend, only about 6 cars stayed to see the last session. I love open track. It lets you really work on your lines, techniques, and lets you experiment a little, with braking points, and track out points, and not have to worry about other cars should you experiment a little too much.

Sunday-Session 4

Turn up the volume, and enjoy!

 

L8, it's really nice to see the improvements you made lap after lap.....keep up the good work - HO!!!

 

I do not!

 

I picked up my SilverEIGHT Studio CD of track pictures today. Me Likey. There is one that will be blown up, and printed for the office, I can lie and say I was faster than someone…no one will ever know the difference…



I have also learned that I need a full face helmet...with a tinted visor...

 

I'm going to have to get one too. You can see my **** eating grin in most of the pictures.

 

Hahaha... Lego, you had that **** eating grin on your face the whole weekend. You made me laugh every time you came by while in the instructor seat. That grin is contagious. If you get a full face helmet, your smile will be greatly missed.

 

you grin, I look somewhat more perplexed...as If I can't figure out how I got to where I am. But if OMS took some of mine on Saturday, it was a look of frustration. At least he did not give me any of the ones with my perma-point-by working...I am sure he has some.

 

Silver, do you have enough of me to make it worthwhile?

And L8, I am anxiously awaiting a pic of me passing that Porsche!

 

Shoot. With my 110 hp ***, I felt like I needed to put one of these foam fingers on top of the car on that front straight.

 

I looked for one real quick today! Was just gonna strap it to the roll bar and drive in to Barber with it.

 

I have an open face helmet also--now just to get some Billy Bob teeth to wear while on track.
OD

 

Don't sell yourself so short. You were holding your own in HPDE1. Now as you move through the groups, you will find drivers able to handle their faster cars but you will still do OK.

 

OK my slack a** finally got around to getting some video downloaded. I really liked this track. I see why some of call it your favorite. Thanks to everyone who made this a great weekend.

Special thanks to Phlash for sittting right seat and cheering me on and providing some excellent coaching. You're really fun to ride with man!

Here are some random clips:

Catching a Subie

Some solo laps

Classic Phlash at the end of this one

Enjoy!

 

I have an open faced and a closed faced - I just can't get used to the closed.
Maybe during the off season I will wear it to mow lawns or something.........

 

Please get someone to take a picture if you do!

 

Looks like I missed some posts as I was posting..

TA, Yeah, I was happy with RR. I learned a lot and really felt I got quicker and caught some cars way out of my league. Not only are you a TTD monster, you are a helluva teacher.
I promise, the amp will be in for Barber.

Like Lego ( who is damn fast in that car ), I joke with myself about playing track with the big hp guys when I might put 110 down at the dyno.
I am cranked up to try to chase down some more this weekend!!

 

her ya go, passing the 911 Twin Turbo...

 

Thanks dude!

 

sorry it is a little blown out, and a little out of focus, I was not ready to take pictures at that distance, but when I saw you going around the 911TT I had to take a picture, and hope for the best.