Carl Byck

Disclaimer, we were not racing
Well new clutch in most minor problems sorted, no suspension adjustments yet, other than tire pressures. I run in NASA TTU currently. This is a wheel to wheel "time trial event" This is a really great group, and if you race in norcal, and want to run with a group were courtesey is number one, and finishing first is number two, then this is a great series. I run in the unlimited division with T1 corvettes, POC Porsche GT3Rs, and anything else you can think of. We had two Grand Am BMWs, a 700 hp GT40 Kit car, and anything else you can think of. Long story short I ended up 3rd with a 2:01.238 (IIRC on the hundreths), and plenty of higher 2:01s. This was good for 3rd, first being a third gen widebody RX7 single turbo @1:595xx. To put this in perspective the T1 SCCA trac record is 1:58.5xx. Not bad for three year old tires, and a new car . Anyway, thought I'd share my first experience. The field was about 35 cars, of all levels, although most of the drivers have many years under their belts.
BTW, the gray GT40 pictured in the other thread was mine in the corners, and on the starights Talk to you guys later, Carl

speedturn

iTrader: (1)

Congrats Carl! When you get some fresh rubber, you will be in first place!

Carl Byck

Yea, the 3rd gen was on new Hoosier SGS Grand Am Slicks.

C. Ludwig

iTrader: (27)

Good job Carl. Though we really need some in car video to varify.

Carl Byck

Not sure how to convert HI8 to Digital, maybe this winter after I recover from this seasons expenses, I can buy an inexpensive mini DV camera. I just ordered some more take-offs, at 65.00 per tire, an entire set costs the same as one new tire. I think I will focus on becoming a better driver. I just picked up a GEEZ data logger, so Hopefully I can get that running , and start to refine my efforts. I do have pics of me, and the Umbrella girls on the podium with our medals Also, I'll be at Button Willow Oct 9, and then back at T'hill end of Oct. Main thing that I do need is more brake. I had to get out of the throttle way too early in a couple spots due to my brakes, either that, or learn to go through 1 at 100, instead of 85. That said, they work extremely well for stock brakes

C. Ludwig

iTrader: (27)

Umbrella girls? I need to check out this NASA thing. We don't get umbrella girls with the SCCA. Far from it!!!

I bought a video converter about a year ago for under $100. It's a simple device that has RCA and S-Video in and plugs into a USB port on your computer. Plug in your HI-8 camera and press play. The software lets you capture and edit the video.

Carl Byck

Here's one photo, from a prior event. The girls help on grid, and actually do hold umbrellas over the topless cars. we also have a huge free BBQ, and drinks after the races on Saturdays. We even make margaritas in a gas powered blender! There are at least a half a dozen of these helpful gals at every event
http://norcal.nasa-tt.com/0605medalTTU.jpg

Icemastr

iTrader: (2)

WTH, our idea of a "trophy" girl over here is my girlfriend and she gets top time of the day raw and handicap usually for ladies so she isn't handing out too many other people's trophies. Congrats on the 2:01 and 3rd place sounds like you did really well. T1 Cars sure aren't slow.

C. Ludwig

iTrader: (27)

WTF?!?!?! I'm through with SCCA!!!

John Magnuson

Congratulations! I hope to see you at an event someday. I do four or five track days a year. Have not done any NASA events yet but I think I may try their time trial series next season.

Carl Byck

The front of my car looks like I just did a 24 hour LOL, broken '99 spec light, and not much paint left. I'd say as long as there are no major "incidents" Time Trial" is a hell of a deal, actually quite a few racers have joined the group, and we are certainly running times consistent with the production classes. I think EP is right in that range as well. If you are interested, it is a national thing. There are severalregions participating, with fields as large as 40 cars. One thing about it is overtaking speeds, I am out there with spec miatas, and Honda challenge cars. It can make for quite a show. You can check it out by going to this page; http://www.nasa-tt.com/ expect it to continue to grow, as it is fun as hell, and I think alot more NASA regions will pick it up next year. It takes a firm hand to control it, as wheel to wheel time trialing is sort of a mis-nomer.

NasaPro7

Carl, give it up and come racing.
DUW-
pic of your car: http://images.miller-motorsports.com...5/P9100192.JPG

Other pics from the weekend:
http://images.miller-motorsports.com...dr=thill091205
in cluding gratuitous shots of the girls.
more on my weekend later.
Marcus

NasaPro7

okay, its later.... let's play find the rx7club.ocm members in my photos
Quickie race report:
It was my brother's birthday this weekend, and I raced last weekend, so I let him race the car....
Before practice on Saturday, we found a leaking rear brake line.
Borrowed one from Geoff Mohler (user: Speedtoys here on the forum.) Thanks Geoff!
My brother raced saturday, for last place... ended up 3rd of 4 in pro7.
Sunday all was going well, he was down into the 2:15's and getting quicker each session, until the end of qualifying when a Miata spun in front of him on the exit of one.
My brother had to go off track driver's right at ~100 MPH. He made it through unscathed, but the right front strut didn't. The shaft now wobbles, and you can hear pieces rattling around inside.... oops.

Borrowed a spare from Bill Coulter, and that got us back out for the race. This time he was racing for last, just edging out our buddies in their GTi cup car.
I diassembled the front end to give Bill back his strut insert, and left the track at 7:30 , got home and crashed about midnight.
One of those weekends.

Marcus

christaylor

What was on fire?

NasaPro7

Farm land across the road from the track. Burned for a long time...

Marcus

christaylor

I'll bet... good kindling.

Oh, and you guys that are jumping ship... NASA Texas doesn't have any trophy babes, but we have named the new grid girl Puss N' Boots.

Carl Byck

Marcus, Sorry I missed you, I had my share of mechanicals as well. Nothing terminal though. Nice pics, Carl

Carl Byck

I like my car blue Marcus, something about trading paint is not my thing yet. As it is, the rocks, and car parts on the track are brutal enough. DUW? I'll come racing once the car is sorted, honestly the TT thing may not last, it got pretty darn close to racing in several sessions, Three wide in 3, three wide over the top of 9, passing on the inside of 10, and 11 we had plenty of fun. Some people got a little tense, but we were mixing it up pretty good with two Grand Am BMWs. Carl

aka_rocket

i think i've seen a 1st gen with red, white, and blue like that one in the picture coming up to chico. car from gridley?

gnx7

iTrader: (10)

Congrats on your podium finish Carl. That is a very very fast time. I couldn't keep up with you, the GT-40, or the wide body FD.

It was a fun weekend. I could only make Sundays event and it was a nice 85ish and breeze in the afternoon. I could barely catch up to the Grand Am BMW's on the straights.... and in the corners they blew my doors off.

I think I placed 2nd in TTA. 2:07.02 best lap time on the same tires I drive to work on. They are MichPilotSportCup 285/30/18's. Hoping with some more track time, Hoosiers, and sorting out my brakes that like to lock up (non functional ABS) to trim a few more seconds off my times.

-Mark

RX-Heven

iTrader: (1)

Congrats Carl, those are some good times. Next step is under 2:00. I'm sure you can do it, especially now that you've got the Gezz data logger to help find some time.
How about some pics of the front end after the weekend. Hint: Clear Armour (sheets of helicopter tape)

How come you only did 1 session on Sunday? Car getting to hot?

Mark, btw, you ran a 2:04.8 according to the results page but that time was dq'd for an off track excursion I assume?

NasaPro7

Yep, and looking at the way you guys are getting serious in the TT groups, its pretty close to an all out race, anyway. I'd thinking about a full cage if I were you. (IIRC you have a bar, right?)

Dial up warning, some people are still on modems
I have serious reservations about going that quickly on a track sans the proper safety gear...

Heh, those were World challenge cars, unless he changed the spec. Did you talk to him? My bet was the e46 was testing for the LS round of World Challenge, and the E36 for the 25 hours this year.

More photo's of this weekend, and another good one of you.
http://www.shedracing.com/NASA_thill_sep05/index.html

Marcus

NasaPro7

Nope, this one is from San Jose, I tihnk T hil uis the futherest north its been. One time to Sierra Nevada in Chico, maybe...

Marcus

Carl Byck

Dave, front end is pretty beat, put a rock through one of my fancy '99 spec lights. My flares have no paint, but it's all good .
Marcus, all the Fastest TTU cars have full safety gear(nobody is turning 2:00 in a street car), mine included. I agree, that TT should have additional safety gear, but we run with Group 4, and that would mean that we are racing, and NASA does not agree with that statement. We have strict rules of conduct, the two Pro cars were nearly ejected from the group for racing as opposed to TT'ing. Most of the TTA, and TTU cars have been in Group 4 for a while, we have a code of conduct. If, as a group we say this person is unsafe, Albert will likely remove them. In fact, he let the fate of the two BMW's lie in our hands. It is a fine line, but when it was simply group 4, you would never be told, "you are under 2:00, so you have to run a cage, and wear a suit... " I think it would be better if we had our own session, but the slower TT cars are still in the 2:10-2:15 range. So then you would need a seperate session for TTU/TTA. Also, what about the group 4 cars w/out transponders? I wonder what an insurance company will say if they learn of there being cars timed on the track at the same time... As it is most insurance companies specifically do not insure any on track activities. Some say if you ae on the property, you are not insured, I think Farmers is that way.
Dave I ran two sessions, and yes my car got hot in the last session, mainly I was tired, and I had a questionable tire, so I decided to bring it home in one piece Later, Carl

christaylor

I'll second the helicopter tape... we used that trick on formula cars as early as the mid-late 90's. Tough stuff.