Slipstream - December 2010

Cliff’s Ramblings: Hallett Club Race
By Cliff Blackshear
I
love the Hallett track. It is a driver’s
track. I have not met a driver/racer that
does not like this road course. Plus the
atmosphere is awesome. Beautiful setting
with rolling hills, wooded surroundings,
and a wonderful family that built and
runs it to this day. Food at the Finish Line
Café is not bad at all, especially breakfast.
I’ve been to that track many, many times. Started out going
there to support a friend racing in the Hallett “COMMA”,
(Competition Motorsport Association) series. He was
racing an Alfa in the GT3 class in the 90’s. Took the GT3
championship in 1998. My friend gave me the plaque after
it was presented to him that year. I have it on the wall in
my room to this day. It was a special time for us. We grew
up together and remain tight even today... He is responsible
for my being a Porsche technician. His dad bought a 1957
356 new back in the day. Turned it over to his son when he
was old enough to drive and grilled him with proper driving
techniques. I was right there and drove that 356 many times,
full on, tail hanging out steering crossed up, throttle pinned
to the floor.
So in the middle of October, I was off to Hallett, once
again this time to witness a PCA club race, with the goal
of helping anyone I could to overcome any difficulties with
their machines. Gladwill went and paddocked up with six
other competitors. They rented three nice rigs to stay in
for the weekend in the paddock and had them set up as a
compound and parked their cars right there. Nice set up for
the drivers. Get some sleep, wake up, have some food and
a little coffee (motion lotion I call it), step out the door and
there is the race car.
I stayed off track nearby and came in each day in stealth
mode. Wanted to look in from the outside and observe. Then
help when I could when
someone was
in need. Sent
out an email
on Maverick
site letting
folks know I
would be there
and help in any
way I could
if they had a
problem that wa s
inside my realm of knowledge. My expertise is really road
going Porsches, so my ability to help is limited to mechanical
issues. Track settings, handling problems, etc. are not things
I have a lot of experience with. Come to me and tell me
the car feels loose and I’m lost. So many variables. Tires
Photos by Cliff Blackshear
(condition, heat cycles, pressures), sway bar settings, spring
rates, shock settings, alignment, etc. all vary from track to
track.
Friday one of the guys
in the compound, Mike
Redenbaugh, had an off
exiting turn 10 on an
early lap. Slicks were
still a little cold when
he got on throttle at exit
and the car came around.
He ended up hitting the
tire wall with
both front and
rear of car. His
GT4R 993 was
not happy with
the resulting
Taking a well deserved nap! damage. I
looked it over
from the bottom and tried to push the body parts back
out to make it drivable. Was not totally successful in my
efforts. Fortunately Steve Watkins was there. His body shop
expertise really paid off. He made the car right. The rest of
Mike’s weekend went well.
Saturday I got up and was kinda lazy. Hit the track a
little after 8:30. Went to “Finish Line Café” and had some
pancakes, bacon, milk and coffee. Felt
good; morning air was crisp and cool,
sky clear, good day I’m thinking.
Drive over to compound, barely out
of car and Gladwill says “Can you
help Edwin? He had an off that
resulted in some front damage to his
car this morning and his Sp Box has
a broken radiator!” Absolutely, I’m
thinking and reply. So off I go up the
hill to check it out. Brian Amond
comes along and I see that he is
most concerned for Edwin’s situation.
Turns out Edwin had what started out with a simple
off, then he encountered a small ditch that sent his car
somewhere near 4 feet in the air. Nose comes down first
and front of car is not pretty. Oh my! Most air management
components under front of car are either destroyed or
December 19