Hmmmm - 2 wickedly fast VW's. I smell a track record if the track stays dry and you guys hook up in the draft.
My preference is up near the top since it's close to the results, tire guys & air, gas, bathrooms, etc.
The area near turn 2 is nice and quiet like Bill suggested but might be difficult to hear the PA. Another good spot is in the south paddock down at the bottom of the hill near the tree line (across from station #4). Nice thing is you can walk along the woods to get to turn 5, and there is a nice big hill for the kids to play with. They can rake up a storm if they want.
Since this isn't a spectator weekend, the track might be restricting where you can go to watch.
As far as getting in early, tough luck. You will be able to sign the track waiver to park your tow rig inside the gate, but you'll have to come right back out after parking and wait in line for registration to open up. Bring a chair! Schedule says 6:00pm CST. Tech is located at the RA center located inside between turns 5 and 6. Here in Area 5, If your car has passed its annual tech, and you have a 2003 sticker on your helmet, and you are not a waived group or don't have any notations for damage, all you need to bring is your logbook and helmet.
First time at RA? Your gonna love 7, the Carousel and the Kink. On that subject, everybody talks about the Kink but in a 'B' or a 'C' car, it's turn 1 that I find to be the scariest corner!
Here's a couple of tips:
Most of the curbs on corner exit are 'innies' not 'outies' so you can drive over them as you track out. They will loosen the car so be prepared, but like any front wheel drive car mash the gas and hang on. If it's wet stay off them since they are painted and get slick. Our softly sprung IT cars can take good advantage of this at turns 5, 6, and 8. If you let the car drift out 3 feet past the rumble strips, the track is actually smoother so you can ride it out and then merge back once the track straightenes out. If you watched last years World Challenge, you'll know what I'm talking about.
The turn in for 7 is a little bit earlier than it looks. It is really fast! Crank it in and hang on!
The Carousel is flat out and really fast. Find a line that allows you to take a set on the wheel and hold it with minimal steering input. As soon as you can see the exit, unwind the wheel. If you drop a wheel, DO NOT FORCE THE CAR BACK ON TRACK!!!! You will have a short weekend if you do. Ride it out, scrub off speed and the ease back on. Ditto for the Kink. You can put your inside wheels over the speed bumps at the apex of the Kink.
A 'B' or 'C' car can pick up some time at 13 if you turn in a little bit early and let the car drift over the access road after the Billy Mitchell bridge. This makes the hill at 13 a little bit less steep and sets you up perfectly for 14.
Get on the power for 14 as soon as possible to make it up that D$mn hill! Exit speed is way more important than late braking someone cuz it's a looooong uphill straight. Bring a copy of "War and Peace" or a crossword puzzle for the uphill climb.
Turn 3 is faster than it looks. It always feels like the transition from the hill to flat helps the car to rotate. Use it to you advantage for a good run out of 3 onto another long straight. FYI turn 3 is my favorite for some reason. It has a 'sweet spot' when you hit it just right that feels really good. Can't explain why.
Last tip, When you exit 1, look as far ahead on the horizon for the bleachers on the outside of 3. Look for light colored metal shed. Aim for it as soon as you can see it, before you come over the hill (you'll see it before you can see turn 3). If you aim for this shed, you'll be set up perfectly for the braking zone at 3. If you don't, you'll do like EVERBODY else does and follow the track as it doglegs, and drive 20-30ft longer. A good example of how not to do it is this months cover of Sports Car. The Vees do it because the draft is more important than the extra distance driven and if the leader in Vee does it everybody follows the leader. It's interesting cuz the long lens effect of the camera makes the short cut I describe really apparent. Look at a photo of the C^RT or T/A boys to see how to do it the right way.
If I don't see you in the morning, I see you at the dinner party!
[This message has been edited by Greg Gauper (edited August 12, 2003).]
