This past weekend was my first two day event with Team Grab & Go. Well, part of the team anyway. David was unable to get away this time. It was so exciting to finally run at the much heard of "Black Lake" Michelin Proving Grounds in South Carolina. Ever since I was offered the opportunity to co-drive with Jim Feinberg and David Spratte I've had a renewed interest and excitement for autocross. That's saying a lot, because everyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy this sport.
I must say, right up front, that Bernie has been my staunchest supporter, reminding me that this is my sport and I should take advantage of this clearly once in my lifetime opportunity to drive with two of the top drivers in the country. It's so strange how things happen in life. Never, ever would I have even dreamed of having such an opportunity presented to me. When Jim first asked me if I'd like to give it a try all I could say was "wow".
Anyway, off I went. The weather forecast was for rain on Saturday, but drying out for a beautiful Sunday, which was just about on target. Saturday morning brought showers off and on as we wandered through the country to reach the site. I was thankful to be able to follow Jim, for believe me when I say that Black Lake is in the middle of nowhere. Being one of the first cars to arrive we got a good pit spot and were immediately off to walk the course. It was just dawn and the rains had stopped, at least for awhile. Waffling back and forth about the wet conditions, we decided to leave the street tires on the car. Several more showers reinforced our decision. We watched the first heat with rain and rooster tails flying, but the second runs for that group seemed to be drying the course, so off we ran to change to R comps. Yep, this is a good decision, we're sure. Don't be mistaken, Jim was doing the heavy lifting, I'm just the tire and lug nut placer and wheel torquer. All fluff stuff, really. Then they're calling for heat two. That's our heat. Off we go. Being a two driver car we're on the front row. We'll be off and running in a few minutes. What's this? Rain? It can't be. We just put race rubber on the car. One glance at each other, "yeah, we can do it", and we're off to the pit to change to street tires before the grid worker gets to our slot. Back in time and Jim's out first. It was still pretty wet so probably a good decision to have made the change. The tires actually had a little grip, well, until brakes were applied. Still, it was wet. They had to be better than R comps. Now, I must mention, these weren't the "golden autocross streets". These were the 440 tread ware get down here from Sunny Fuquay street tires. We each had two runs. The conditions were changing, the rain had stopped, it was windy as all get out, and the track was drying. While I made my second run Jim headed back to the pit and got the R comps out again. When I finished my second run I drove straight back to the pit and we once again changed tires and were back in grid for our third runs. We each got our third runs in and realized that the right front was starting to cord and the tires were just cooked. Do we really want to go back and take the 225s we've planned to run on Sunday out for one run. Hell no. We took our forth runs with what we had left and were done for the day. So how many tire changes was that? I lost count, but decided I was getting the hang of this Jewish Fire Drill stuff. Oh yeah, there was one more tire change to get ready for Sunday. All this and I didn't even mention how many shock adjustments Jim made that morning. Every run was a new learning experience, which, after all, is why I was there. I had switched my entry to Pro to be assured of running at the same time as Jim for the ride-alongs. Besides, bumping up to Pro took all concerns about placing well in the class out of the mix. As it turned out, while I was well down the list....not at the bottom, mind you....of Pro, I would have placed second had I stayed in D Stock. So, for my first time out at a bigish event in the Integra Type R, I was pretty happy. Jim placed well considering the crappy tires. We knew most of the other Pros were on new stuff, so it wasn't so bad.
I learned so much on Saturday. I still have the same tendencies to brake too hard and over steer, and though my brain wants to ease onto the gas, my foot sometimes works like a light switch. A discussion about that on Saturday night while watching videos of our runs, helped to determine that I'm not looking far enough ahead, and perhaps not at the right things, exactly. That changed a bit for the better on Sunday. At least I gave it my best effort. I also learned a lot about gas points. So much is made of braking points, I think maybe gas points are more important, and braking should be done with them in mind.
One of the sidebars to co-driving with Jim is getting an early start in the morning. Sunday morning we met at 5:45 AM and were again on site by dawn. What a beautiful day. The course was reversed, I got in all the walks I needed with Jim and alone. Jim's a great guy to walk the course with, and has lots of cool little tricks to help remember the important stuff. However, I'm more the "you tell me what to do and I'll try to do it girl" and he actually wants me to think things through and understand what I'm doing. Damn coaching! But I'll get there. Then there's always the test...." what are you looking at now?" sort of thing. He says there's going to be more of that, so I'd better get used to it.
The main reason for going to Black Lake was to learn how to do National style sweepers. Something that we just don't see around here due to the size and shape of our sites. Sunday was the perfect day for that. Dry, warm and sunny. How could you not just be as happy as a clam? I worked on good entry, not over steering, controlling more speed in the sweepers while staying right on the cones, and not braking at all where a breathe or small lift would do. I actually found the rev limiter too. That was way cool. By our third runs the 225s were shot and I was amazed that my last run was .5 faster than my third. Of course I was still several seconds, three to four, I think, as final times have not been posted as I write this, behind Jim, but I'm working on it.
At Black Lake, once you're there you can't leave unless there's a break in the event. We worked forth heat but were ready to go and bugged out ASAP after the last car finished. Four hours later I was home, tired but happy, and Bernie had dinner waiting. The perfect end to a great weekend.
We've got a Tour coming up in three weeks, and perhaps a Pro event either before that or in June. I am so excited about this year with some really great opportunities to autocross with the best drivers in the country. What's not to love. Thanks to all.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
My First Day on Track
by Gwen Baake on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 10:32pm
This is a testament to the reason you never say never. I never intended to put my little Mini Cooper on track. However, Bernie has enjoyed HPDE for several years, and now that he’s instructing for a number of venues and doing some club racing he’s at the track more and more. He just has such a passion for track work that in a moment of weakness I suggested that he sign me up for a track day. I immediately wondered “what was I thinking?” This was the perfect opportunity though. A group new to the area, on a weekday, low participation, VIR Full, and Bernie could instruct me. I heard that there were some in the instructor’s meeting who questioned the sanity of a husband instructing his wife on track, but we assured them, among all the “who’ll kill who first” jokes, that it would be fine.
Let’s just say that I’m not a big fan of going fast, or being passed by cars going much faster then I, and that’s been the big hold up to me giving track a try. Bright and early on Tuesday morning I showed up for my class. There were only 7 in Green group, 5 Vettes, a Mustang and me. Not too much was discussed in class so I was glad for all the hours of discussion that we’d had over the past few years. I knew the flags and where the flag stations were, so that was a plus, even though several of the stations weren’t manned.
Then, at 9 AM it was time for my first venture on track behind the wheel. All the hours of videos of VIR that I’ve watched did help some, and riding along on parade laps the week before was better than not, but everything changes when the pit marshal points at you to go. At least it did for me. The first few laps were a combination of excitement, joy and terror. I knew where I was on track, and didn’t have a clue where I was, both at the same time. Apparently I did a lot of praying out loud; at least if saying “Oh God” a LOT of times counts as praying. I settled down just a little about the time I got lapped by the Vettes. Then all my “Oh Gods” turned into “Oh sh!ts” as I had to release the grip of death to point them by. I was pretty sure I’d want to come in early, but as it turned out, the time went pretty fast. I was surprised when I saw the checkered flag. The first lap I called out all the stations to Bernie, and he told me when to turn and what to look for as reference points in turns. I had some problems getting over to some of the gators, and turning early was an issue as well. I had the most trouble with T3 and the entry into T17. I was uncomfortable on the back straight in my first session too. At 9:30 we were done.
At 11:30 we were out again and I was feeling a little better. I still had trouble at T3, feeling like I was going to drop a right front wheel, I continued to turn early. I began to enjoy T4 and T5 and the lower s’s. I was able to go 80-90 in the uphill s’s with Bernie saying power, power, power, but hadn’t yet gotten the rhythm that he was talking about. I also had trouble seeing where to make the turn at 10. Even watching the videos later I couldn’t see the edge of the gator there. With the initial fear of the 1st run out of the way I had a little trouble making my foot do what was being asked of it, ie, don’t brake until the instructor says to. Eventually, as I gained trust in the car (which is weird, since I trust the car 100% in autocross) I was able to brake later.
At lunch you could take your car on track for as much of the hour as you wanted, but only at 55 mph. We stayed out quite a long time and I could drive the line slowly. It was funny then, trying to stay at such a slow speed. Bernie also showed me another line into T3, the momentum line, and though I never did the rimshot as close to the edge of the track as I should have, I was way more comfortable with the new line. Driving parade laps was absolutely the best way to actually see what I needed to do. It was probably the most valuable tool I used all day.
2PM, time for my third track session. There was supposed to be another class session afterwards, but instead they opened the track, first to green and yellow with green rules, then they just opened the track to ALL, with green point by rules. I was satisfied with my 3 sessions. Anyway, in the 3rd session I was feeling much better after my parade laps. I lined up to be the last one out and fell in behind the Mustang. Off we went. Well, there I was, on track where I could see other cars ahead of me. Guess what. I stayed with the Mustang until he began to pull away at T10. I took T11 fine but didn’t use enough track entering Oak Tree and ended up with my first little off over the gator and right back on coming out of T11A. It was nothing like I had imagined. I actually was laughing and pretty excited that I was in complete control of the car and knew exactly how to manage it. I just said “I guess I have to go in don’t I?” Yep. But then, I was right back out on track to finish the session. We found that the little Mini with the two of us on board can only get about 108-110 when matted on the straight, which was way plenty fast for me. The back straight became a little more tolerable by the end of my third session. I was beginning to like 14A and 15.
When I came in after my 3rd session everyone could see that I was finally smiling and laughing. So, I made it through my first day on track to live and tell the tale.
Here’s the rub. I keep going over all the turns in my mind. It’s been two full days now and I’ve just got to do turns 3, 10, and 16 better. Guess that means I’m bound to return to VIR Full at least once more. Pass the track crack pipe, please.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I could not have asked for a more patient instructor. He took me from wishing I wasn’t there to wanting to go again. He always said the right thing, used a lot of humor, gave verbal upbeat rewards when I did a turn correctly and never gave up on me. Everyone there was rooting for me to do well.
It was a really cool day.
Let’s just say that I’m not a big fan of going fast, or being passed by cars going much faster then I, and that’s been the big hold up to me giving track a try. Bright and early on Tuesday morning I showed up for my class. There were only 7 in Green group, 5 Vettes, a Mustang and me. Not too much was discussed in class so I was glad for all the hours of discussion that we’d had over the past few years. I knew the flags and where the flag stations were, so that was a plus, even though several of the stations weren’t manned.
Then, at 9 AM it was time for my first venture on track behind the wheel. All the hours of videos of VIR that I’ve watched did help some, and riding along on parade laps the week before was better than not, but everything changes when the pit marshal points at you to go. At least it did for me. The first few laps were a combination of excitement, joy and terror. I knew where I was on track, and didn’t have a clue where I was, both at the same time. Apparently I did a lot of praying out loud; at least if saying “Oh God” a LOT of times counts as praying. I settled down just a little about the time I got lapped by the Vettes. Then all my “Oh Gods” turned into “Oh sh!ts” as I had to release the grip of death to point them by. I was pretty sure I’d want to come in early, but as it turned out, the time went pretty fast. I was surprised when I saw the checkered flag. The first lap I called out all the stations to Bernie, and he told me when to turn and what to look for as reference points in turns. I had some problems getting over to some of the gators, and turning early was an issue as well. I had the most trouble with T3 and the entry into T17. I was uncomfortable on the back straight in my first session too. At 9:30 we were done.
At 11:30 we were out again and I was feeling a little better. I still had trouble at T3, feeling like I was going to drop a right front wheel, I continued to turn early. I began to enjoy T4 and T5 and the lower s’s. I was able to go 80-90 in the uphill s’s with Bernie saying power, power, power, but hadn’t yet gotten the rhythm that he was talking about. I also had trouble seeing where to make the turn at 10. Even watching the videos later I couldn’t see the edge of the gator there. With the initial fear of the 1st run out of the way I had a little trouble making my foot do what was being asked of it, ie, don’t brake until the instructor says to. Eventually, as I gained trust in the car (which is weird, since I trust the car 100% in autocross) I was able to brake later.
At lunch you could take your car on track for as much of the hour as you wanted, but only at 55 mph. We stayed out quite a long time and I could drive the line slowly. It was funny then, trying to stay at such a slow speed. Bernie also showed me another line into T3, the momentum line, and though I never did the rimshot as close to the edge of the track as I should have, I was way more comfortable with the new line. Driving parade laps was absolutely the best way to actually see what I needed to do. It was probably the most valuable tool I used all day.
2PM, time for my third track session. There was supposed to be another class session afterwards, but instead they opened the track, first to green and yellow with green rules, then they just opened the track to ALL, with green point by rules. I was satisfied with my 3 sessions. Anyway, in the 3rd session I was feeling much better after my parade laps. I lined up to be the last one out and fell in behind the Mustang. Off we went. Well, there I was, on track where I could see other cars ahead of me. Guess what. I stayed with the Mustang until he began to pull away at T10. I took T11 fine but didn’t use enough track entering Oak Tree and ended up with my first little off over the gator and right back on coming out of T11A. It was nothing like I had imagined. I actually was laughing and pretty excited that I was in complete control of the car and knew exactly how to manage it. I just said “I guess I have to go in don’t I?” Yep. But then, I was right back out on track to finish the session. We found that the little Mini with the two of us on board can only get about 108-110 when matted on the straight, which was way plenty fast for me. The back straight became a little more tolerable by the end of my third session. I was beginning to like 14A and 15.
When I came in after my 3rd session everyone could see that I was finally smiling and laughing. So, I made it through my first day on track to live and tell the tale.
Here’s the rub. I keep going over all the turns in my mind. It’s been two full days now and I’ve just got to do turns 3, 10, and 16 better. Guess that means I’m bound to return to VIR Full at least once more. Pass the track crack pipe, please.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I could not have asked for a more patient instructor. He took me from wishing I wasn’t there to wanting to go again. He always said the right thing, used a lot of humor, gave verbal upbeat rewards when I did a turn correctly and never gave up on me. Everyone there was rooting for me to do well.
It was a really cool day.
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