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For friends and potential 'Crew', the 2007 Racing Season schedule is as follows:
April 27 and 28: Lime Rock Park Porsche Club Race. This is the second year that PCA is including an Enduro race (longer than a typical Sprint race, which is ~30 minutes) for the annual Lime Rock event. This is a very rough track with many concrete patches and subtle surface changes that can make a big difference in your lap times. With some valuable coaching assistance from brother-in-law Michael Zimicki at this event last year, I finally mastered the esses and brought my lap time down to a competitive 1:02.2 - good enough for second place in both the sprint and the enduro. This event is the only one in New England, so it's the easiest one for friends and family to attend. There are some very nice restaurants around and camping at the track can be fun, too. Results: Came in third in the Sprint and the fourth in the Enduro. Got caught out in the last 10 minutes of the Enduro due to slow accident cleanup, but somehow did OK. June 1,2 and 3: Watkins Glen International Porsche Club Race. This is an awesome track, located in Western NY - perhaps the best in the Northeast. It's full of wicked sweepers and is very smooth. Flat-footing it from the apex of Turn 1 to the brake point for the Bus Stop (chicane) is an unparalleled experience, and not for the faint of heart. In 2006 I had the fastest lap in the Sprint race at 2:16.3, but could not capitalize on it and got a 4th. I was running 3rd in the Enduro when a wheel broke about 4 laps from the finish (crap). Anyway, the paddock at WGI is huge and all the big guns show up at this event. It's not uncommon to see rare and vintage Porsches out and about. Great restaurants downtown, and vineyards galore. This event has both Sprint and Enduro races. Results: Came in 5th in both Sprint races, and ran into the back of Tim Lynn's 911 Targa on lap 4 of the Enduro, so had to sit that one out. Was not my fault and no 13/13 was assessed. Karl Poeltl was there and was blisteringly fast as usual. Andy got a few second place finishes, and Steve had to replace a transmission on Sprint day - he was plagued by tranny troubles all weekend and was assigned a permanent parking spot on driver's right in the chute after the Toe. Andy's purchased a beautiful 964 Cup Car and will be getting rid of the 911, I believe. Ran into a deer on the way home at about 60mph. Obliterated the deer but fortunately minor truck damage and nobody got hurt. July 27, 28, and 29: Mosport International Raceway Porsche Club Race. It's about a 7 hour tow to get to Mosport, which is a bit east of Toronto, but it's well worth the drive. We always have great fun at this event - the Upper Canada Region of the Porsche Club hosts the event and they insure it's fun for everyone. The track is diabolical in some sections, and jaw-dropping in others. There are some excellent vantage points for spectators and you can even take in a very local stock car race at the circle track on the grounds. We always find time to head into Oshawa to visit 'The Keg' - a great spot for dinner and a drink. I consider this a 'local' track although my car was not working well at the 2006 event - some serious vibration at very high speeds (above 100mph) and some challenges getting the right gear in 5a/5b. Well, I unfortunately have to pass on this one, as we are moving out of Vermont to a new place in Portland, ME that weekend. Sorry about that folks. I have downsized a bit and gone to an open trailer. Probably going to shed the F350 Diesel and buy an SUV for towing, so we can streamline our lifestyle a bit. Other 2007 Possibilities (Depending On Budget and Work Related Issues): September 1,2 and 3 - Road America. October 12,13 and 14 - Daytona. Let me know if you are interested in attending and/or helping out at any of these events - I would be glad to answer any questions or provide additional information. E-mail me at: jeff@zipshift.com <JM> |