Slipstream - April 2010

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Autocross, You’ll Love It By Michelle Barton My friend Tannia had been pestering me for months to sign up for the PCA autocross school and finally enrolled me herself just to get me going; nothing like a gentle kick in the butt. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I figured it would be mostly a group of men that would be impatient with a woman driver on their course. I figured I didn’t have anything to lose by participating, so off we went, road trip to Dallas, one instructor, one student and one fast Carrera. We arrived at Pennington early in the morning, registered, started looking at cars and visiting with students and instructors while the course was being set up. I was surprised and reassured to see several women there as students, instructors, and course workers. There were also a variety of cars, not just Porsches. We took everything out of the cars for the tech inspection. The course was divided into two sections and students were put in cars with their instructors. Lisa, my instructor, drove the course first and showed me what to do and how the car would react. Then it was my turn. I loved the 2 slalom runs, even made a cone wiggle. The chicane was a little harder for me and it seemed that I always wanted to brake too early. After several practice runs, the students switched sides of the course and we practiced hard-braking, skid pads, and pivots. During the skid pad exercise we were told the Carrera was making a funny noise. It was reassuring to know that everyone is watching out for each other. We got the car checked out, determined that it was not mechanical, and back in the saddle we went. After lunch, a great boxed lunch provided by the club, we walked the course with instructors. Student/instructors teams were divided up – work the course, and then drive the course. Some advice to next year’s students: don’t work corner one if you just want to stand and Just a wiggle watch. We ran out a lot to reposition cones since this was the long slalom and it seemed almost everyone hit a cone there. As it got closer to our turn to drive the course, I started to get a little nervous. Was I going to stall the car? Would I take out a bunch of cones? Was I going to be the slowest? Alas, all that was forgotten after the first run with the instructor driving. I couldn’t wait for my turn! It felt a little like sitting at the front of a roller coaster, just much smoother. Then it was my turn, the hardest part is Photos by Charlie Davis waiting for the green light. I was ready to go! Green light! And I’m off, my instructor Lisa was great, she calmly gave me instructions, give it the gas, brake, feather it, hard right, give the gas, hard left, give it gas, hit the brake, towards the gate, turn it hard, give it the gas, give it gas, stop. I LOVED it and couldn’t wait to go again. My favorite part of the course was the short fast slalom and the pivot cone. Sliding around the cone was unbelievably fun. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I got better/faster with each run. Everyone was friendly, All smiles encouraging. Club members made sure we all had a good time while watching out for our safety. At the end of the day, I felt like I had learned a lot, made some new friends and am looking forward to seeing them and the pivot cone again in the near future. I want to especially thank Tannia for opening my eyes to a really fun sport … and for letting me borrow her car for the ride of my life! We can help you earn Deductible Rewards. Earn $100 off your deductible for every year you don’t have an accident, up to $500 total. Call us today. (972) 377-7788 TERRY BLECHAR 7500 STONEBROOK PARKWAY, SUITE 102 FRISCO TerryBAgency@Allstate.com Feature is optional and subject to terms and conditions. Available in select states now and in most states by 1/31/06 (subject to regulatory approval where required). Deductible Rewards apply to collision coverage.Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL. © 2009 Allstate Insurance Company 26
Learning Car Control Via Time Trial By Russ Rosenberg I have been waiting awhile to get started in racing. Now 53, I have been a car fanatic since birth. As finances allowed, I have always owned nice cars, usually sports cars. In no particular order, I’ve owned a 914, 911, MG, MR2, TT and most recently a TVR. When my TVR died in a freak accident last October, I was heartbroken. I was and still am building a Brunton Super Stalker (Lotus 7 clone) in my garage, anticipating an opportunity to try my hand at racing, something I have wanted to do since my 20’s. I had planned on using the Super Stalker when it was complete, but took the opportunity to buy a Miata to replace the TVR. According to GrassRoots Motorsports magazine, a Miata is the answer to all questions automotive. I thought why not start in the Miata and once comfortable in a car that is not too powerful upgrade to the nearly 300hp Supercharged 1400 lb Super Stalker. I decided to look for a venue to try my luck. I had some limited Autocross experience, but I knew enough to know that flat out racing would require a much different skill set than Autocross. I looked around the usual places on the web to find a school or event to try when I came across the Maverick Region of the PCA. A couple of emails and I was introduced to Robyn Howard who answered my questions, seemed real friendly and made me feel like this was the event for me. I booked my reservation and had about 3 weeks to get my Watch out for the cone Miata ready. The night before the TT, I got my Helmet, tools and stuff I thought I’d need at the track, packed my car and tried to get a good night,s sleep. Finally, it’s the morning of February and Time Trial School was finally here. I arrived right about 8:00 am and was one of the last people there. Not knowing what to do, I walked towards the group and introduced myself. Before I could even get a word out Robyn asked if I was Russ. She told me I had a “special” instructor who also drove a Miata, referred to him as Miata Mitch. Mitch came in from helping set up the course and we started talking. I was a little nervous, but ready to get started so after we inspected my car we just started talking about what to expect. Mitch has been racing for a lot of years so I felt comfortable that I was in good hands. He explained what we would do throughout the day so I knew what to expect. Mitch gave me two great pieces of advice right off. He said Photos by Charlie Davis to make sure I go over the limit so I can see where the limit is and he also reminded me to have fun. Our first event was the skid-pad. Mitch went first, then me. I met my first cone there, and I ate it. It was a great exercise to understand how the car would perform at the traction limit. I found that the Miata was pretty neutral unless pushed too hard at which point it would over-steer. Next we were off to the half course. Mitch went first and it was fun to see how he handled the course. He really squeezed a lot out of my little Miata, but the best part is he missed a corner on his first try. That made me feel better, even the instructors aren’t perfect. Then it was my turn. There was only two words to describe how I felt after my first run, and that would be Holy %(*&! Several more attempts and Mitch decided to step out of the car and let me go solo. Or maybe he was thinking it might be safer……. I got faster and faster. After many turns we switched to the other half. Braking exercise, then slalom and then the other half of the total course, which had more straights and higher speeds. It was fun, but different than the morning because it was much simpler. All too soon it was time for lunch. We discussed the morning with the other students, and generally just took a break to relax. After lunch was the actual time trial. Once again Mitch went first, and ran a 92 second average on his laps. Then it was my turn. First time through I missed a turn and the start/finish line. I found throughout the day the most difficult part for me was reading the cones in the center of the course. Once I ran a section a couple of times I was fine. I guess I’m a slow learner. In my last set of laps I really started Control at turn-in to get it. I ran a 102, 101 and 100 second consecutively, eight seconds behind Mitch. I started to feel more confident, anticipate the course and find better racing lines. I was becoming better by the lap. Then we took our turn at a corner station. It was very interesting seeing other cars drive the course. I know I have a lot to learn, but I couldn’t have had a better day (or more fun) of learning. Several days later I still have a smile on my face. Thanks to Mitch, Robyn and all the other club members for the most fun day I have ever had in a car. See you in <strong>April</strong> at TT #3. I met my first cone... <strong>April</strong> 27
Page 1: http://mav.pca.org Upcoming Events
Page 4 and 5: Drifting Mik e B rodig an, Pr eside
Page 6 and 7: President Mike Brodigan H-817-488-8
Page 8 and 9: RAC Performance, parent company of
Page 10 and 11: Maverick Minutes Lisa Steele, Secre
Page 12 and 13: Mavericks Build With Habitat by Tom
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Page 16 and 17: So You Want To Drive A Racecar! by
Page 18 and 19: And The Green Flag Waves By Carrie
Page 20 and 21: IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT THE REPAIR
Page 22 and 23: every way possible; each cell had e
Page 24 and 25: Experience Your Porsche in a New Wa
Page 26 and 27: Happy Hour at iFratelli by Bob Lewi
Page 30 and 31: Tech Corner by Ed Mullenix A specia
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Slipstream - April 2010

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