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NoBucksRacing
This page is for our fledgling race team. After 4 years of SCCA autocross, we are currently running NASA Time Trials in the TTA class.
The car that makes it look easy:
Barber Motorsports Park, 06/2008
The car that makes it look easy:
Barber Motorsports Park, 06/2008
Barber is a 2.4mile, 16 turn, 80' of elevation change, road course outside of Birmingham, AL. Did my first Time Trials there with NASA. These events put mulitple cars, in multiple classes, on track at the same time, for roughly 20minutes, all trying for that 1 fastest lap of the day in their respective class. It's not quite wheel2wheel racing, but it can get pretty crowded out there. Had to enter HPDE3(open track practice session) on Friday for a checkride to get my provisional license to run trials on Saturday and Sunday. The rules for 3 allow passing anywhere, with a point-by. Was only my 2nd time on Barber, and my first time ever passing in corners. And my checkride was the first session of the day. Nerves much? Hit a cone in grid. So much for "precision driving". Made it through the first session with little drama. Couple of little saves chalked up to cold tires and a cold brain. Spent the rest of the day's sessions getting used to passing in corners. Got pointed by in two different directions by two different VW's on the front stretch once. Wife said it looked like a slalom going from the top of the timing tower.
On Saturday it was time for the real deal. No point-bys required. Open passing. Don't wreck yourself. Don't wreck anyone else. Don't hold anyone up. The first session of the day is gridded by class, so I was closer to the front than I really wanted to be, but just behind my instructor(Jake) so I figured I could follow him around. Rolled out on recon lap and by the time I got around to the green, I was getting smoked. Gave more point-bys (not required, but a courtesy) than I have in my entire life. Finally get a little bit of space around me, check my mirrors on the backstretch and see a 350z and a couple of other cars spinning off track. Next corner is red flag. Sit and sweat for ~10min until we're all black flagged back to the paddock. As I come around, I see the real reason for the red flag. A red Z06 was stuffed HARD into the front stretch wall. He walked away. The car was toast.
By the end of Saturday, I had managed to stay out of everyone's way and finish 4th in class out of 8. 1 spot off the podium. Only cracked one rotor along the way, easy enough to fix. Only minor scarring expected. Drank many beers that night with the other guys in my class and called it a night early. Top time was 1:45.0 for my class. Mine was 146.5.
Sunday morning was either hotter, or I was just less hydrated. Went out determined to hit my marks. Brake late. Brake hard. Only brake once. Last lap of the session I finally cleared traffic and was able to run hard all the way around. 1:44.08 New class record. My instructor came in right behind me with a 1:44.8. To say I was shocked would be a bit of an understatement.
For these later sessions, we are gridded by our previous time, so to the front I went. All the guys I'd been chasing all weekend were now starting behind me. Nerves much again? The temp is climbing quickly. Most folks are planning to make this their last session of the day. I feel like there is a 10ft target on my rear bumper. Roll off and go for it. I know there's only one place to find clean track. At the front. Push hard to clear traffic. Take every opportunity to pass. Mid-session I see my instructor coming up behind me. We hit the last turn before the front stretch nose to tail and wide open. Brake later into turn1 than ever before, back flat on the gas to turn2 and wait all day to nail the gas again out of turn3, over the hill, check the mirrors, he's right there. Down into 5 and up and out, Katie said I pulled a couple of feet away, but I didn't see it. Down to the corkscrew where I always get through well and I gained another couple of feet. Down the backstretch up the hill in 12, over the hill in 13 and the car is floating. Jake (behind me) said we were both on the very edge of the pavement. Down and around to the last corner and there is a Cobra replicar right in my runout. I pinch my exit just the tiniest bit to clear him and I see that Jake didn't have to. Let Jake by in T1, but our last lap is blown by traffic so we head to the pits. Both of us are pumped and have no idea how fast we ran, just that we had a blast doing it. With his white Z06 and my black one, Katie said it looked like Spy vs. Spy going around the track nose to tail.
Finally get the times, and there is another new track record:
1:43.69 - Jake
1:43.91 - Me
2nd place in class. Held the track record for 2 hours. Car was in one piece and able to drive it home. Met some first class people and had an absolute blast. I have never had so much fun driving.
Heading to Road Atlanta in a couple of weeks to do it all over again.
Road Atlanta, 12/06/2008
Plans change. Quit my job. Moved. Katie started med school. Opened our own business. Didn't make it back to the track until December, at Road Atlanta.
Road Atlanta is 2.54 miles long, with huge hills and the blindest corners most people ever see (or don't see). Coming under the Suzuki bridge at Turn11 takes a leap of faith that has to be built up to over time. Turn 12 is fast, off camber, and will put you into both the outside and inside walls if you get it wrong. It's also the key to a fast lap.
This was only my 2nd trip to this track, the only other time being the previous March for an HPDE. This would be my first competition here. Arrived Friday evening, cleared tech, and met with the usual cast of characters from the TT classes. Heard rumors of a 911 in our class that was loaded for bear.
Saturday morning was c-c-cold. Cold tires, cold engines, cold brains. Nearly spun on the pace lap of the opening session. Cold race slicks don't stick very well on cold asphalt. Everyone was being extra careful and the entire field was pretty much on extended parade laps even after the green flag flew. Everyone building up speed slowly as the tires and track started to warm up. Spent the rest of the day dicing back forth with Jeff and Jake England in their Corvette FRC all while futily watching Patrick Dowd's 911 drive off into the distance. Finished the day in 2nd place, .9sec behind Patrick, .7sec ahead of the Englands.
Sunday was more of the same. I'd use corners 1-11 and my mad straightaway skills to claw my way back up to within reach of Patrick's 911, then watch him sail off into the distance as we went around turn 12. 11 corners later, I'd be right there, and off he'd go again. Ended the day in 3rd, .2sec behind the Englands and a distant 2.5sec from Patrick.
All in all it was a good end to the season. Got to see Jake get his season championship trophy (that I plan to win next season) Saturday night, discovered I am completely incapable of packing for myself, hung out with good friends, and loaded the car back in the trailer the same way it came out. Bring on 2009.
Click here to see one incredibly sloppy lap around RA.
CarolinaMotorsportsPark, 12/22/08
Who said the season was over? Made a quick one day trip to Kershaw, SC for an open track day to check out CMP. This track will be the hosting our first race of next season, and I'd never seen it, so when I was offered the chance to drive it before I had to race on it, I jumped at the chance. Met with the usual group of fellow track junkies. Come morning we hit the track to start thawing out and trying to work some heat into the track and our tires. Toby Milne was kind/brave/foolish enough to offer to ride along with me and show me around the track. I'm sure he was shaking his head and wondering how I ever managed to make a remotely quick lap after the utter lack of driving ability I showed him on the unfamiliar track. Spent the rest of the morning trying to follow others in similar cars around figuring if they could do it, so could I. Never completely spun the car around or drove it off track, but it wasn't from lack of trying. By the end of the morning I was able to keep up fairly well starting to get a feel for where the car wanted to go. And then there was lunch.
Lunch was the biggest trackday lunch I had ever seen. The plan had called for a potluck style affair, with everyone bringing a little something. Instead I think everyone brought enough for everyone. I could have just slept the rest of the day and been happy.
After lunch had settled a bit, we decided we hadn't gotten all dressed up for nothing, so we may as well get back in the cars and drive a little. The rest of the day was spent experimenting a little and fine tuning marks. Felt pretty good being able to keep up with and even pull away from people with a lot more experience at this track than I had. Wrapped up with a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my track buddies, put the car back in the trailer and headed home. Ok, now, the 2008 season is over.
Burned the tranmission up in my tow-rig on the way home.
On Saturday it was time for the real deal. No point-bys required. Open passing. Don't wreck yourself. Don't wreck anyone else. Don't hold anyone up. The first session of the day is gridded by class, so I was closer to the front than I really wanted to be, but just behind my instructor(Jake) so I figured I could follow him around. Rolled out on recon lap and by the time I got around to the green, I was getting smoked. Gave more point-bys (not required, but a courtesy) than I have in my entire life. Finally get a little bit of space around me, check my mirrors on the backstretch and see a 350z and a couple of other cars spinning off track. Next corner is red flag. Sit and sweat for ~10min until we're all black flagged back to the paddock. As I come around, I see the real reason for the red flag. A red Z06 was stuffed HARD into the front stretch wall. He walked away. The car was toast.
By the end of Saturday, I had managed to stay out of everyone's way and finish 4th in class out of 8. 1 spot off the podium. Only cracked one rotor along the way, easy enough to fix. Only minor scarring expected. Drank many beers that night with the other guys in my class and called it a night early. Top time was 1:45.0 for my class. Mine was 146.5.
Sunday morning was either hotter, or I was just less hydrated. Went out determined to hit my marks. Brake late. Brake hard. Only brake once. Last lap of the session I finally cleared traffic and was able to run hard all the way around. 1:44.08 New class record. My instructor came in right behind me with a 1:44.8. To say I was shocked would be a bit of an understatement.
For these later sessions, we are gridded by our previous time, so to the front I went. All the guys I'd been chasing all weekend were now starting behind me. Nerves much again? The temp is climbing quickly. Most folks are planning to make this their last session of the day. I feel like there is a 10ft target on my rear bumper. Roll off and go for it. I know there's only one place to find clean track. At the front. Push hard to clear traffic. Take every opportunity to pass. Mid-session I see my instructor coming up behind me. We hit the last turn before the front stretch nose to tail and wide open. Brake later into turn1 than ever before, back flat on the gas to turn2 and wait all day to nail the gas again out of turn3, over the hill, check the mirrors, he's right there. Down into 5 and up and out, Katie said I pulled a couple of feet away, but I didn't see it. Down to the corkscrew where I always get through well and I gained another couple of feet. Down the backstretch up the hill in 12, over the hill in 13 and the car is floating. Jake (behind me) said we were both on the very edge of the pavement. Down and around to the last corner and there is a Cobra replicar right in my runout. I pinch my exit just the tiniest bit to clear him and I see that Jake didn't have to. Let Jake by in T1, but our last lap is blown by traffic so we head to the pits. Both of us are pumped and have no idea how fast we ran, just that we had a blast doing it. With his white Z06 and my black one, Katie said it looked like Spy vs. Spy going around the track nose to tail.
Finally get the times, and there is another new track record:
1:43.69 - Jake
1:43.91 - Me
2nd place in class. Held the track record for 2 hours. Car was in one piece and able to drive it home. Met some first class people and had an absolute blast. I have never had so much fun driving.
Heading to Road Atlanta in a couple of weeks to do it all over again.
Road Atlanta, 12/06/2008
Plans change. Quit my job. Moved. Katie started med school. Opened our own business. Didn't make it back to the track until December, at Road Atlanta.
Road Atlanta is 2.54 miles long, with huge hills and the blindest corners most people ever see (or don't see). Coming under the Suzuki bridge at Turn11 takes a leap of faith that has to be built up to over time. Turn 12 is fast, off camber, and will put you into both the outside and inside walls if you get it wrong. It's also the key to a fast lap.
This was only my 2nd trip to this track, the only other time being the previous March for an HPDE. This would be my first competition here. Arrived Friday evening, cleared tech, and met with the usual cast of characters from the TT classes. Heard rumors of a 911 in our class that was loaded for bear.
Saturday morning was c-c-cold. Cold tires, cold engines, cold brains. Nearly spun on the pace lap of the opening session. Cold race slicks don't stick very well on cold asphalt. Everyone was being extra careful and the entire field was pretty much on extended parade laps even after the green flag flew. Everyone building up speed slowly as the tires and track started to warm up. Spent the rest of the day dicing back forth with Jeff and Jake England in their Corvette FRC all while futily watching Patrick Dowd's 911 drive off into the distance. Finished the day in 2nd place, .9sec behind Patrick, .7sec ahead of the Englands.
Sunday was more of the same. I'd use corners 1-11 and my mad straightaway skills to claw my way back up to within reach of Patrick's 911, then watch him sail off into the distance as we went around turn 12. 11 corners later, I'd be right there, and off he'd go again. Ended the day in 3rd, .2sec behind the Englands and a distant 2.5sec from Patrick.
All in all it was a good end to the season. Got to see Jake get his season championship trophy (that I plan to win next season) Saturday night, discovered I am completely incapable of packing for myself, hung out with good friends, and loaded the car back in the trailer the same way it came out. Bring on 2009.
Click here to see one incredibly sloppy lap around RA.
CarolinaMotorsportsPark, 12/22/08
Who said the season was over? Made a quick one day trip to Kershaw, SC for an open track day to check out CMP. This track will be the hosting our first race of next season, and I'd never seen it, so when I was offered the chance to drive it before I had to race on it, I jumped at the chance. Met with the usual group of fellow track junkies. Come morning we hit the track to start thawing out and trying to work some heat into the track and our tires. Toby Milne was kind/brave/foolish enough to offer to ride along with me and show me around the track. I'm sure he was shaking his head and wondering how I ever managed to make a remotely quick lap after the utter lack of driving ability I showed him on the unfamiliar track. Spent the rest of the morning trying to follow others in similar cars around figuring if they could do it, so could I. Never completely spun the car around or drove it off track, but it wasn't from lack of trying. By the end of the morning I was able to keep up fairly well starting to get a feel for where the car wanted to go. And then there was lunch.
Lunch was the biggest trackday lunch I had ever seen. The plan had called for a potluck style affair, with everyone bringing a little something. Instead I think everyone brought enough for everyone. I could have just slept the rest of the day and been happy.
After lunch had settled a bit, we decided we hadn't gotten all dressed up for nothing, so we may as well get back in the cars and drive a little. The rest of the day was spent experimenting a little and fine tuning marks. Felt pretty good being able to keep up with and even pull away from people with a lot more experience at this track than I had. Wrapped up with a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my track buddies, put the car back in the trailer and headed home. Ok, now, the 2008 season is over.
Burned the tranmission up in my tow-rig on the way home.
Open from:
Mon-Thu 7am-8pm
Fri 7am-5pm
Sat 8am-2pm
Will stay late for study groups, meetings, or ay other special occasion.
No-Buck$Coffee House
200 Nettleton Rd
Harrogate, TN 37752
(423) 869-0200
jason@nobuckscoffeehouse.com
