Well, I finally got my car back out to Summit Point for a Friday At The Track (FATT) event. FATT is a high performance driving school put on by BSR. I have been out to Summit Point three times previously, but not in 6 or 7 years.
I've got to tell you, I was a little nervous about how my car would do, as I just replaced my front brakes (with the infamous Granada spindle) and have been fighting some bump steer issues. I installed a Baer Bumpsteer kit, but was having problems finding a qualified shop to measure the toe change dynamically. The day before the event, I went to a new race prep shop and the mechanic eyeballed the bumpsteer kit, moved some shims and sent me on my way. On the test drive the car stayed dead straight on hard braking but seemed a little twitchy around 70 mph.
I decided to go ahead out to Summit Point and at least see how things felt as I pushed the car progressively harder. As part of the saftey tech, the instructor drives the car 2-3 laps. I warned him about the bumpsteer, but it never showed it's ugly head - the car handled superbly! The instructor was very impressed and full of praise for my 41 year old piece of American iron.
This was, also, the first time that I have driven the Shenandoah Circuit and after the thrill ride the instructor gave me in my own car, my blood pressure was up quite a bit. The Shenandoah Circuit is a much more technical track to the main track. There are over 18 turns in it's 2.2 mile length. Many of the turns are off camber and of decreasing radius. Turn ins, apexs and track outs are not necessaryly intutitive. And there is the infamous banked "Karussel", which is a single lane banked curve of around 270 degrees (curve degrees, not banked degrees). Man my paws were sweating as we lined up on the grid.
But after a few laps on the track, all of the nervousness was replaced by pure adrenalin. The day was outstanding and just reaffirmed my addiction. Another interesting section of the track is a prominate rise in the track, 3/4's of the way down the Bridge Straight. If you look at the picture, you can see how my front suspension is at full extention as I crest the hill.
Here's a couple of more pictures and more on my experience later.
View attachment 472533
I may have to use this one in my signature.
I've got to tell you, I was a little nervous about how my car would do, as I just replaced my front brakes (with the infamous Granada spindle) and have been fighting some bump steer issues. I installed a Baer Bumpsteer kit, but was having problems finding a qualified shop to measure the toe change dynamically. The day before the event, I went to a new race prep shop and the mechanic eyeballed the bumpsteer kit, moved some shims and sent me on my way. On the test drive the car stayed dead straight on hard braking but seemed a little twitchy around 70 mph.
I decided to go ahead out to Summit Point and at least see how things felt as I pushed the car progressively harder. As part of the saftey tech, the instructor drives the car 2-3 laps. I warned him about the bumpsteer, but it never showed it's ugly head - the car handled superbly! The instructor was very impressed and full of praise for my 41 year old piece of American iron.
This was, also, the first time that I have driven the Shenandoah Circuit and after the thrill ride the instructor gave me in my own car, my blood pressure was up quite a bit. The Shenandoah Circuit is a much more technical track to the main track. There are over 18 turns in it's 2.2 mile length. Many of the turns are off camber and of decreasing radius. Turn ins, apexs and track outs are not necessaryly intutitive. And there is the infamous banked "Karussel", which is a single lane banked curve of around 270 degrees (curve degrees, not banked degrees). Man my paws were sweating as we lined up on the grid.
But after a few laps on the track, all of the nervousness was replaced by pure adrenalin. The day was outstanding and just reaffirmed my addiction. Another interesting section of the track is a prominate rise in the track, 3/4's of the way down the Bridge Straight. If you look at the picture, you can see how my front suspension is at full extention as I crest the hill.
Here's a couple of more pictures and more on my experience later.
View attachment 472533
I may have to use this one in my signature.
Man....I wish I could do something like that. How much does an experience like that cost a guy? (Not including the fuel and tires you went through!)
