Slipstream - May 2008

Eagles Canyon DE and the “Aha” Moment
by Roy Clingman
Having been a PCA member and 911 owner for
quite some time, adding a 914/6 to the garage
meant it was time to head to the track. It had
been a long time coming for me, and was a perfect opportunity
to learn at the brand new facility at Eagles Canyon.
Giddy as a kid anticipating Christmas morning, I packed
all the necessary tools
and supplies, and headed
off at “O:dark thirty”
for the 50 mile drive to
Slidell. I could hardly
wait to get there. The
temperature Saturday
morning was a balmy
17 degrees F, but most
of the 9 inches of snow
Snow was no deterent that fell in Slidell on
Thursday, had already
melted.
Although I had read all the DE handbook info several
times, I still wasn’t quite
sure what to expect.
The event organization
was really impressive.
Registration and the
Drivers Meeting went
smoothly, with the emphasis
on safety. The
communication was
great and even though a
lot of it focused on the
Eagles Canyon has a very nice,
large Grid area
cold conditions, and the water on and around the track, it
was geared toward all experience levels. I’m sure the organizers
felt like they were “herding cats”, trying to get 100+
cars and drivers in the right place at the right time. It all
came off like clockwork, and the effort by all involved was
Cars continuing around Turn One
really impressive.
The classroom
instruction for us
“Greenies” was
also well done.
Thanks to Keith
Olcha and John
Sandusky for a
session geared to
novices, as well as
those with a bit of
experience. They
went out of their
Photos by Alan Hall and James Petrosky
way to answer all of the groups’ questions in detail, while
emphasizing safety and having fun, every step of the way.
My driving instructor, Rick Del Monte, was really terrific
as well. Besides just being an all round great guy, he
was really patient with my learning. Rick drove first, talking
me around the track, the apexes, track out points and correct
line. Once it was my turn, he calmly and confidently
coached me thru the headset. It really helped me gain some
confidence, reassuring me as I learned the correct line. Rick
didn’t even scream in fear as I got him going backwards
once at about 60 mph.
Now for the “Aha” moment…. About halfway thru the
second day, Rick invited me to ride in the right hand seat of
his 911, while he drove in the Red run group. I’m not sure he
got the invitation out of his mouth before I replied yes, as this
was an “E ticket” ride I didn’t want to miss. We buckled in and
Rick pulled
out of the hot
pits and down
the straight
into turn 3,
calmly telling
me thru the
headset, that
once we got
the tires up to
Saturday morning started with Ice on
most of the corners
Exiting the track
temperature, we would get going a bit faster. WE WERE
ALREADY GOING A LOT FASTER THAN I HAD EVER
CONTEMPLATED in that part of the track!!!
Rick was smooth as silk, dancing the car from apex to apex,
once again talking me around the track. We followed Colin
Graidage in the #21 car for a bit, and watching him “3
wheel” his way thru turn 1 and 2 was truly amazing. Then
it dawned on me… “Aha!!” …. That little 914/6 could go a
lot faster ……
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