Slipstream - August 2006

Photo by Gray Cat Graphics
My First Year
by Clint C. Blackman III
This month marks my first year as a Maverick member and I
wanted to write to say, “Thanks!” to all of my new Maverick
PCA friends and encourage those of you who have never
participated in a PCA event to come out and join us! I have NEVER
had so much fun in a car club. I bought a 2005 Boxster last June.
At the very first “new member” meeting, Dennis Chamberlain and
Lanean Hughes made my wife and me feel like old friends. Having
been in other car clubs, I have to say that I was most surprised by
the organization of the Maverick club. You have so many opportunities
to do so many interesting things with your Porsche.
At that first meeting we were encouraged to come to a “DE.”
One of the reasons I bought my car was to learn to drive more
proficiently. So, I signed up for the October, 2005 Driver
Education school. I borrowed my brother's old motorcycle helmet,
my dealer loaned me some cool car numbers and I showed
up at MotorSport Ranch. I can now admit that as I drove up I
thought I made a terrible mistake! I saw hundreds of “race cars,”
everyone was in racing suits, and the air was full of racing fuel
and revving engines. I timidly parked and walked up to the registration
building. Fortunately, friendly faces greeted me and I
found out that I really had come to the right place. MotorSport
Ranch is a safe, “open road” course. As a “greenie” you receive
extensive classroom training with up to forty other “greenies”
who all look “big eyed” about the experience. The class lecture
really steadied our “butterflies” as we learned that performance
driving is all about looking ahead and understanding what cars
“do and won't do.” Suddenly, two hours were gone and we were
told to drive up to meet our instructors. In the “pits” I met Bryan
Bell, my first instructor. Bryan had a big smile and lots of confidence.
Your instructor drives your car the first four laps to get you
acquainted with the course. For me, the first lap was, “Wow,
Bryan, I didn't know my car would go that fast”….Bryan said,
“No…that was the warm up lap.” The second lap was a “Wow,
that was FAST;” the third lap was “WOW, THAT'S FAST” and the
fourth lap left me SPEECHLESS… Maybe I exaggerate a little too
much, but I was impressed with what my car could do. I learned
volumes about the skill of driving that weekend. Bryan was a
great instructor and we had a blast. I made a great friend that first
weekend. The Maverick instructors teach you about “driving
safe” versus “driving fast.” Safety is their “Job One” hallmark. My
first DE was everything I had hoped for.
Judy and I set out to try everything “Maverick” that first year.
Clint also enjoyed the “Fun Runs” held after the Pennington Field Autocross.
Photo by Dennis Chamberlain
Clint with his lovely wife, Judy
We really enjoyed the “Founders’ Day” celebration party. Who
says a bunch of “gear heads” don't have tuxedos! It was the best
“formal” car club party I have ever attended. Next, we enjoyed the
East Texas Autumn Trails Tour. The route was very fun to drive
and we learned what “spirited” driving means. I sure was glad I
took a DE before that tour. We had lots of fun with the radios and
meeting a whole new group of Maverick members. My second
DE was more challenging. It rained in “sheets” that Saturday and
I learned the difference in driving a “wet line” versus the “dry
line.” Sunday was sunny and my instructor, Colin Graidage really
improved my “smoothness” (in proper King's English). Colin is
from England and an experienced club racer. Rotating among
instructors you get a wonderful blend of instruction. I was promoted
from Green to Blue as I became more confident about
driving the MSR road course.
The leadership of the club is good about encouraging you to
try out other types of driving events. I drove my first Autocross
last March and it was another educational experience. Driving
around cones at Texas Motor Speedway was a totally different
type of driving experience. For those who have never tried it, an
Autocross is a short, low speed, driving course made up of orange
cones arranged in a twisting system of tight turns. Again,
Maverick instructors help you learn how to turn your car
smoothly and quickly. Autocross courses are never the same and
are sprint-like timed events. A Time Trial is similar to an
autocross, but a little different. Maverick time trials are typically
held out at Mineral Wells, on an old Army helicopter base. The
course is the same each time and it has longer straight-a-ways,
which yield higher speeds. Again, Maverick instructors give you
excellent instruction on how to safely learn how to drive this special,
timed event. My first time trial was April 22nd and I must
admit I made a good “middle of the pack” showing.
I want to say “Thanks” to all of the Maverick officers, “event
meisters” and instructors who have made my first club year so
special. The e-mail “list serve” has kindly answered my “new guy”
questions and suggested some great books. Thanks to all of
you…I'm hooked. For those of you who are still waiting to come
out and try something with the club….come on out….I sure have
had lots of fun and I think you will too. You'll find me at the next
event….I'm the guy with the grin in Boxster No: 108.
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