Slipstream - October 2006

Photo by Charlie Davis
Time Trial #6 and Autocross #6
by Bob Kuykendall
Ican't believe this is the final weekend for Time Trials and Autocrosses
in 2006. It seems like only yesterday (March to be exact) that everyone
was strapping on those brand new Toyo's and Kumho’s in hopes of
turning faster laps than last year and showing their fellow drivers just how
Mario-like they could be. Actually, there is one more driving event scheduled
for October (the Charity autocross at Pennington) that is purely for
fun and won't count for Driver standings. The October autocross will also
have a Top Driver runoff for the top ten Men's and Lady's drivers based
on final standings from this weekend. So, the gauntlet has been thrown.
GENTLEMEN (AND GENTLEWOMEN) START YOUR ENGINES !
So here I am getting up at 5:30 to head out to Mineral Wells for the
last time. Only contractors and bass fishermen are up this early on a
Saturday morning. Along the way, I make the turn at Weatherford and
duck into the pits at a local Citgo for a splash of fuel for both body and
car. Think I'll indulge in a good ol' Texas breakfast, consisting of a Dr
Pepper and a Mrs. Baird's cherry-fried pie. Umm…..good.
Pulling into the Paddock area at the MineralRing, I see all the usual
suspects- Charlie and the Truxster (is that a rock band?), Bryan Bell and
Darron Shaffer setting up the course, Wendy and Andrea taking names
and money for the event registration, James unloading the race car
(which has all 5 gears again), Rick Randall doing tech inspections, etc. So
nice to have these folks doing all the hard work. They're real pros !
Some interesting non-Porsche cars occasionally find their way here.
An old Datsun 2000 roadster makes its way to the grid for some hot laps.
A few Corvettes, Subarus, and Mustangs also join the fray. In the paddock
area, I notice some odd-looking extra valve stems on Dean Yamada's
Corvette. He tells me these are pressure-release valves that automatically
release excess pressure as the tires heat up. Pretty cool, which means that
you can start off at the optimum psi on the very first run and not worry
about coming off the track too hot or greasy. If they just made such a
device to replace the driver, I'd be in great shape.
Despite the friendly camaraderie, a little early morning trash talking
begins. Jeff Atkins and Wendy Shoffit are neck and neck in class 5. Rick
Randall, Chuck Machala, and Mark Steele are vying for top honors in the
highly competitive Class 6. This ain't just for bragging rights, folkstrophies
are on the line here! But it's all in good fun.
Driver's meeting begins promptly at 9:00. Bryan reminds us for the
umpteenth time that if we hit the perimeter fence, we get to roll it up and
take it home, as you have just bought it. But that never happens. I worry
more about people in the Port-a-Johns as cars leave the course. Shouldn't
those be a 2-second penalty?
The final Time Trial will utilize Course # 3, to be run counter
14
Robyn Howard taking the corner at speed.
Photo by Charlie Davis
clockwise with a medium-speed chicane in the back left corner. James
Shoffit decided to try the chicane in full sideways mode, but does not
recommend it (unless you are a
trained professional). Despite a few
spins and an occasional DNF, it's
just amazing how well organized
and safe these events are. This isn't
just my opinion, as I hear this
constantly from drivers who attend
other Club's events. Mike Lockas,
Joel Nannis, and others are always
keeping a careful eye on safety.
When it's my turn to work the
course, I'm assigned to Start/Finish
line. Not hard duty until someone
impedes another driver, then keeping
up with which car is on what lap
becomes a bit challenging. But, the
final checker flag for the morning
session gets waved right before noon. Wendy Shoffit getting the green light.
Time for lunch. On Saturday, most Mavericks head out to the local
Braum’s for a #1 double-burger combo with fresh-squeezed limeade. Oh,
so good. Or, is it just the air conditioning which makes it all taste so great?
On Sunday, most folks stop by the Chicken Express for hot (and I do
mean right out of the fryer hot) fried chicken, fresh-brewed ice tea, and a
fried pie. Hey, we're working hard out there and chasing cones! So, the
diets will have to wait.
The afternoon goes by quickly with only one run-set per car. So,
Time Trial #6 was history by 3:00. Time to set up the course for tomorrow's
autocross!
Sunday brings many more P-cars to the track. Autocross #6 is the last
chance to score points, so the trash talk worsens. Threats of lowering tire
pressures turns out to be just that. Again, this is for fun! A whole army of
914's show up early. Those lightweight cars were made for this stuff. Very
flingable, lively, and well-balanced in the tight twisties.
Camaraderie abounds - Chuck McCoy (Car #44)
entertains Lisa Steele and Chuck Machala
Photo by Charlie Davis