My first Drivers Ed Recapp

[Cornpanzer]

Well, as everyoe told me I would, I absolutly loved the drivers school at Putnum Park in western Indiana this past weekend. Prior to leaving, I put the "S" up on the rack and went over it very carefully. I changed gear oil, motor oil, brake fluid and adjusted the valves. I also checked the wheel bearings and brake pads before I left on Friday afternoon for the 2 1/2 hour drive to the track.
Friday night we went through tech at the hotel and then went out to dinner with several friends who had gone along.
Sat morning was damp, windy and cold. (mid 40s). The track was fairly dry but we had a stiff headwind on the front straight and the track was very cold.
We spent some time in a classroom session while the instructors and advanced students got thier track time. This classroom time is very important and should never be skipped.This is where they discuss the rules of the school and stress safety, smoothness and control. Very good reminders for a bunch of adreneline infused pseudo race drivers.

My first session was around 10am on Sat morning. As we strapped into the car I explained to my instructor that my only driving experience was dragracing and that I had no aspirations other than to be safe. We decided that we would take it slow and see how it went from there. The first session was great. After 20 minutes on the track I was beginning to understand the line and I was no longer intimidated of the course. We were still quite slow and deliberate, but I was getting smoother.

Session #2 was right before lunch. It was just a nice progression that lasted throgh session 3 and 4 on Sat. By the end of the day I was really lapping well. The "S was simply amazing, performing far better than I ever expected. The car is primarily stock except for big sway bars, torsions and double adjustable Koni shocks. My Toyo Proxes street tires were very predictable and the whole package could really be loaded up in the corners with very little drama. Everyone who watched the car on the track commented on how quick it was and my instructor couldnt belive that it was a stock 2.2 S motor.

During my last session on Sat, the instructor told me that I was smooth, safe and was having fun and to enjoy the rest of the session. On Sunday we would slow down, spend some time working on a couple corners that I was still struggling with and work up to higher speeds in the afternoon.....

[Cornpanzer]

at speed (more or less)

[Cornpanzer]

Sunday was a gorgeous day. It was very sunny but started out at 31 degrees F.......Brrrrrrr! In our classroom, they reminded us that the track would be cold for a while and that we couldnt expect to drive as smoothly as we had the day before. We were encouraged to work up to speed slowly and get our rythm back again. Before we drove, we got to go out with various instructors in thier own cars to see how they approached the track and what lines they used. I had the opportunity to ride in a track prepped 944, a 450hp 930 and a new 996. They all had totally different handling and feel around the track. This did help me tremendously with the corners that I was having trouble with (#1 and #7). I was afraid of #1 since it was at the end of the front straight and I was turning about 110 on the approach. The uncertainty would cause me to brake too early and turn in too early which would leave me with very little track on my exit. Turn 7 on the on the other hand was a 40mph corner with a decreasing radius and I would always go in wayyyy too hot. After ridng with the instructors, I had a better idea of what was needed and was ready to try it myself.

[swbsam]

[Cornpanzer]

With my new-found knowledge I went onto the track to make some laps. We made about two laps to get heat in the tires and my mind right before we began increasing the speeds. After only a couple more laps I was finally able to NAIL turn #1! As we came out of the #1-#4 series, my instructor said "way to go, you have never been that smooth or fast through that section". I was still working on 7 however. It was hard to get the car slowed down enough to deal with that corner. After a few more lap, I finally nailed #7. Wooohoo! This is awsome.
One downside to finally nailing a corner like #7 is that your exit speed is now much higher which means that your entry speed into the next series of turns is also much higher. The previous day I had learned how to set the steering input in turns 8 (a long LH sweeper) and turn9/10 (a long high speed RH sweeper) and use the throttle to "steer" the car. What an amazing feeling!
Well, coming out of 8 I set the car up for 9 and just as I hit the apex of 9 I realized that I was going way too fast and the tires were not going to hold it. My butt suddenly starts saying "lift.... LIFT!" and my head is telling me the exact opposite. Fortunatly the head won out this time and I mashed the throttle as hard as I could. The car continued to drift as we came to the exit of 10 and jumped the berm and dropped the left tires in the dirt.........

[Cornpanzer]

Now, Putnum park is carefully designed to have huge, smooth run-off's with no guard rails except for ...you guessed it, corner #10. As we jumped the berm at about 70mph my instructer sez "Oh S##T!!!!" I kept the pedal to the floor, tried not to give it any steering input and we slipped right past the guard rail with about a foot to spare and back onto the track as smooth as silk. Bill says, "nice save" and we drove into the pits to inspect the car for any suspension damage and to clean my undies out. On one hand I was proud that I hadnt paniced but on the other hand I was so upset at myself for pushing that hard and getting in over my head and over the cars abilities. I hadnt missed the line at all, I just had not recognized the extra speed that we were carrying. I was very fortunate. It wouldnt have been a terrible impact due to the hay bales in front of the railing and our angle of approach, but it would have without a doubt screwed up the side of the car.

We went out the following session and I was a total grandma through 9-10. I still manage to spin in corner 4 due to a brain fart when I trail-braked into the corner. Who knows what I was thinking on that one.

After that, I just couldnt break the jitters. I drove three more laps and realized that I had totally blown my confidence. I had psyced myself out so much that I was making silly mistakes and it seemed like the tires were not sticking at all any more. Probably all in my head. I decided after three sloppy laps that it was time to call it a day and become a spectator. It sucked to end the weekend on a downer, but no use in pushing myself when my heart wasnt in it.

After a good nights sleep, my attitude was much better. I suspect that fatigue was part of the psycological problems I was having. I am glad I stopped when I did but I will definatly be doing it again next year. This time I will not allow my confidence to fool my better judgement and take things slower and more methodical.
IMHO, everyone on this board should participate in one of these events. They are not only fun but extremely educational. These are not sham "schools" designed so people can recklessly drive fast on a track. They are very legitimet training and they take your safety and equipment very seriously.

[Cornpanzer]

By next year I hope to have new bushings in the rear suspension and some better seats. Those stock seats really are distracting when you find yourself hanging on to the wheel to keep from sliding around....even with racing harnesses.
Oh, and yes Sam the magnesium wheels stayed home. I got sick of polishing them in June and I wouldnt use them on a track anyway. They are find for casual driving but I wouldnt trust them on a track.

Next year I expect Curt E and JCR to be out there with me!

[Chuck Miller]

CONGRATS DAVE!!!!!!!!!!

Great write-up !!! ......
Sounds like you did just fine...

Now, "Everthing else is just waiting" ....

Cheers,

[bob tilton]

well done. that was an excellent read and such a beautiful car!

[Gburner]

Sounds like you learned a lot, I hope your write up encourages other S owners to try a track event. Throttle steering a 911 is what it is all about, pitch and catch or how lifting can be fun in a 911. Don’t take this personally , it surprises me you were not asked to tape up your 4 headlights or front turn signals? Besides avoiding a broken (exploding ) lens it would keep your glass debris off the track.

If Cornpanzer's track adventure has made you curious…..
Any So Cal guys interested in some local track experiance please join 5 or 6 R Gruppe early 911s, lapping, time trailing or racing at the next Alfa club Big Willow event.
Info for the October 23/34 race and time trail at Big Willow.
Alfa's and Porsches at it again.