Originally posted by Bob Burns:
Thirteen years later, we cross paths again.
Yeah, I was in an 8-valve GTI (back then, they were in ITA). You in your Corolla GTS, a guy in a Jody Lift-prepared 16-valve Scirocco, and me qualified first through third for Sunday's race. The green flag dropped, I nailed the throttle, and passed the Scirocco as we crossed the start line. Then I noticed I was gaining on you and you were drifting left to take the proper line into Turn 1. I said, "what the heck", and stayed on the right with my foot on the floor, passing you at the end of the straight. I was very exhilirating! My lead didn't last, though, as both you and the Scirocco got back around me by the time we got to Turn 12.
>>> Bob,
Thanks for piping up.. It was very cool to read your account.. I actually don't remember the race at all except some poor schlub waxing his car on the last corner in the concrete walls! (was your bunny black? - I kept all my old race sheets from those days I'll have to look you up)
That was very flattering to say that I was 'drifting left to take the proper line'... even today, I wouldn't know even what the line is - I just know what feels right, and if thats the right line great! <grin>
The Toyota plant in Georgetown? My employer makes seats and interior trim parts for you guys. I lived in Lexington for a while.
>>> I'm an hour north at headquarters, but I go down to the plant once in a while. Which company are you with? (I work with purchasing's systems stuff)
They should be having a Tech Day at Jim Schings' shop on the north side of Lexington sometime soon. You can get your annual tech done there so you won't have to worry with it at the track.
>> Thanks for the tip Bob! (Haven't decided yet if I'll really get into it this year or next). I did a track day with a fellow IT/A racer in his race prepped street CRX with an itegra engine.. I was able to eventually run him down at putnam, him with lots more power and new race tires, me on 6 year old used race tires! I got to thinking, hmmm. maybe the old dog has some life left (and the car too)
Bob...[/B]