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Harvey's Half Lap of America - The Long Thread and Final Update!
The post title is a play on the One Lap of America event that takes place each year. Basically, One Lap hits as many road courses as possible in one week. It is pretty intense.
As an exercise in Bucket List Fullfillment, I have decided to take a more relaxed approach, but still pretty intense by my standards. In the first 3 weeks of September I have lined up the following track events. All are High Performance Driving Events (HPDE), except for the Watkins Glen SVRA, where I'll be a spectator:
Watkins Glen (Chin) 9/2-3
Watkins Glen (SVRA) 9/4-5
Mid-Ohio (Allegheney Region PCA) 9/7-8
Road America 9/10
Gingerman (SCCA Track Night In America) 9/12
Mid-Ohio (Mid-Ohio Region PCA) 9/14-15
Muncie, IN (Visiting relatives)
Mt. Veron, IL (Visiting relatives)
National Corvette Museum Track (Chin) 9/21-22
Home!
So if any of you are at these tracks on those dates, look for a Royal Blue Porsche 944 number 444 and come over and say Hi.
Last edited by harveyf; 09-23-2019 at 10:06 PM.
Reason: Final Update
You owe it to yourself to try and hit Grattan (not far from Gingerman), if you ever get a chance. A much more enjoyable track, in my opinion. Waterford Hills is good too - but sometimes hard to get track time.
Hey Scott, the track map for Grattan does look interesting. Being from down south, the only track in Michigan that I had heard of was Gingerman. Probably from reading Autoweek. Whatever, my schedule is pretty full at this point. Strangely enough, I'm also looking forward to the 4 hour ferry ride from Wisconsin to Michigan. I can read my book rather than fighting Chicago traffic!
Hey Scott, the track map for Grattan does look interesting. Being from down south, the only track in Michigan that I had heard of was Gingerman. Probably from reading Autoweek. Whatever, my schedule is pretty full at this point. Strangely enough, I'm also looking forward to the 4 hour ferry ride from Wisconsin to Michigan. I can read my book rather than fighting Chicago traffic!
You will definitely be well ahead taking the ferry. Chicago traffic is some of the worst. When we travelled through there to run rallies in Wisconsin, we'd always shoot for 1-3 AM. Still crappy, even at that hour.
Grattan has got character. Something Gingerman is missing. I do like the extra length created by expanding turn 10 (Gingerman) - but contrast against turn #3 (blind left over crest) and the whole back section....
I'm not a big track guy but have done Gingerman in a C4S. It is a "curvy" course for sure and I imagine would test ones skills in a RWD car. I even spun the C4. Shows what a rookie I am. Nonetheless if learned it could probably be very fun. I would love to get back there in my 944T.
Also, Mt Vernon? You will practically be passing through my area (Deer Park).
Yes, unfortunately I have to fight my way through Chicagoland on my way to Wisconsin.
I Googled Deer Park. I'm sure I'm not the first one to notice the irony that Deer Park is right next to Kildeer!
Yes. The nomenclature over here is interesting. And Chicago traffic is very bad. I work downtown and as you can see from the map I’m roughly 45mi door to door. In rush hour that can be 2hrs. However, if I leave my place at 5am it’s about 45min. You would be very wise (and happy) to make that portion of your trip early. Even though you are going the opposite direction of my commute, it will be similarly miserable during rush. Once you get N of Chicago the highway towards Milwaukee is not too bad. They are doing work on it now but Milwaukee congestion is a walk in the park. I have colleagues who live/work there and complain about it. I can’t really take them seriously.
I'd recommend a slight tweak to your awesome schedule, I don't think you will have enough actual track time without interruptions. I'd suggest you drop out of the Allegheny Region PCA event at Mid-Ohio and instead sign up for this one: https://champcar.org/mainweb/event/n...hour-enduro-2/. It is a 24 hour endurance race on the repaved Nelson Ledges. Just that one change would add a new track to your tour and likely double your overall track time! If you need some crew or co drivers I know a few guys! (not really expecting you to, just saying) Have a great trip! If you need any 944 parts while passing thru the CLE, I could help you out.
Great suggestion Dan!
Over the years, every time I start to add up the pros and cons of actual racing versus DEs, I talk myself out of the racing scene. Call me a coward, both physically and financially I hopefully will not have to take you up on the parts offer but you never know. Thanks.
Sounds like a great trip!! When you're in northern Ohio and need anything feel free to message me. I'm 20 mins East of Cedar Point and 40 mins West of Cleveland.
08-23-2019, 08:21 PM
Harvey's Half Lap of America - The Long Thread and Final Update!
(not really expecting you to, just saying) Have a great trip! If you need any 944 parts while passing thru the CLE, I could help you out.
I hopefully will not have to take you up on the parts offer but you never know. Thanks.
