Slipstream - September 2006

Time Trial and Autocross - What’s it Really About?
by Ray Nannis
As the heat vapors rise off the track at the end of the day, I asked
myself what were the August 5-6, 2006, Maverick Region
Porsche Time Trial #5 and Autocross #5 about? Well, mostly it
was about 104 degrees. I arrived on Saturday an hour and a half early
as the course was just being completed. It is always exciting driving to
these high speed events, which is something new to me this year. This
was an intimate event compared to the other events I have attended.
On Saturday we only had 20 drivers which made things go by fast
(some drivers were faster then others and most faster than me). The
high speed course was the longest I had ever seen. Now, I have only
seen three so that may not be impressive, but even experienced
members, like my father, Joel Nannis, had to be shown the course. For
those of you who know him for some reason he seems to be the butt
of many jokes so I had to take advantage of the fact he did not know
the course and asked for a new instructor. (He jokily replied that
would also mean I would need to get a new car to drive since I was
using his.)
Because of the low attendance each corner worker had to be by
himself or herself, but the working times seemed very short. Most
drivers stayed on course and few cones were hit. As a driver I really
enjoyed the event because of the amount of “seat time.” Each driver
received two sets of five laps on the early run and three laps in the
second series. This was great for an inexperienced driver. Somehow the
corner work stations went by quickly and I felt like I was in the car for
a long time. We completed the entire event by 1:00pm.
After the Time Trial most of us took a trip to Braum's for lunch.
After lunch, it was back to the track to set up for the Autocross. Kevin
Hardison had already picked up all the cones from the speed event so
the set up actually went very quickly. Bryan Bell designed the AX
course and led the set up team. He almost dumped most of us out of
the back of the pickup each time he took off from a stop. He must have
still thought it was his 911. We were done by just a little after 3:00pm
and then it was to the hotel and the pool. Wow, that felt good! My dad
and I stayed at the Executive Inn and the pool felt great. Dinner at the
Italian Restaurant was fifteen of us reviewing the day and enjoying
each others’ company.
Sunday came and we got a bit of a reprieve from the heat. It was
still hot but, only in the upper 90's with an occasional nice breeze.
Only about 26 drivers showed as we were competing with a BMW
event and Porsche Parade, not to mention the heat that may
have run off a few less brave members. The title of the course was
“15 anniversary” and the “Toilet Bowl.” We were informed that it was
Bryan and Andrea Bell's 15th anniversary that week. This obviously
lead to more than a few comments about the title but we found there
was no relationship between the shape of the track and the quality of
the marriage. This was a fast track with an optional straight run with
a 90 degree turn or a long wide run with a wide turn one, I found that
corner one could not be as fast as I originally thought as I made a full
360 spin wiping out about 5 cones. I really enjoyed this course because
again we had the ability for a lot of seat time, five timed runs and
three fun runs for anyone who wished. We only had to work corners
one time but this time most of us did get a partner. I got to work
with Denny Payne, and I find it interesting just to get to know
another club member.
So the question again is, “what was this event really about?”
It wasn't really the heat, it wasn't about the time each of us made (ok
maybe it was about the time for some), and it really wasn't even about
the cars. It was about a great group of people having fun and enjoying
each others’ company and one of the friendliest competitions I have
ever been around. It was joking and laughing at ourselves and each
other. It was about families spending some time together. Darron
Shaffer's father, Ted, was there. He worked and appeared to be having
a great time. Bryan and Andrea's son, Conner, was there with his
basketball, which made it about trying to wear that kid out. Finally,
for me, it was about finding a way to enjoy spending time with my
father. When I was in grade school I remember many times coming
out to events, but then college got in the way, chiropractic school,
starting a business, marriage and the list goes on and on. For some reason
I never got involved with many of the club events other than the
Fathers’ Day picnic. The reality is over the last few years I would say I
have not really been involved with my father’s life more than an
occasional family dinner. What this event and this season of high
speed events represents is the first time my father and I have had a
father and son weekend since the 1987 Parade. It has offered a
bonding experience as an adult with someone very important to me.
As someone who doesn't own Porsche yet, what I recognize is that the
events are really about relationships. Each time I get to meet someone
new, and get to know a little about them. I find friends, get closer to
some and meet new friends. Most important I found a great way to
build the important relationship between father and son.
Photo by Gray Cat Graphics
Bryan Bell explaining the flags - Joel Nannis tipping his hat to acknowledge his
car number being used to describe how to call in the use of a certain color flag.
Photo by Gray Cat Graphics
Ray Nannis “borrowing” his father’s car for the day . . . at least for now!
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