IcemanG17

Well 4 928's arrived EARLY this morning (think 0630 before the gates were open) at Thunderhill today for the annual Got Guts at Thunderhill Charity event...

Myself, Gerry, Rich and Charlie all brought 928's.....Paul brought the un-928, which happens to be his stupid fast C6 Z06....so 5 of us total......

Perfect weather, cool (almost cold in the AM) with little wind and sunshine!!! Perfect for some hot laps!! I was in the "C" group with Paul (gee thanks) and Rich-Gerry-Charlie were all in the "B" group.....

To start the day off in true 928 fashion Rich noticed his rear tire was loosing air at the Chevron station BEFORE we even got to the track....once we got to the track he found out his sidewall was CUT and there were two cracks in his OEM GTS wheel (complete with RDK sensors!)....so everyone thought his day was over :>( Then along comes Allen, your friendly neighborhood 944 owner who loans Rich his spare 225 rear wheels!!!! Not the best rear tire for an S4.....but better than not running at all!!!!

The really good news is everyone DROVE home....no tow trucks this time!!! I even was able to improve my best lap time by a few seconds....but the REALLY good news is Paul never caught me!?!?!?!?! Of course I never caught him either....

Enough talk onto the pics

Richard S

First, a big to Allan for loaning me his extra set of wheels....you saved my track day!

As Brian mentioned, my rear tire somehow got sliced on the inside sidewall, and the wheel was then cracked, most likely from the uneven pavement roadwork the last couple miles on I-5. Looked like my day was done before it even started. But then Allan showed up with his extra wheels, and I was back in business. The handling was a bit loose, so I played it safe and didn't push too hard. Otherwise, the car ran perfect.

Paul took me out in his Z-06 for the last 2 sessions....505hp + ginormous tires = I want one.

Didn't go home empty handed though....I won a set of 4 Miata monoblock lightweight racing wheels....11 pounds each...damn that's light! Unfortunately I don't own a Miata....

Rich

gersar928

Rich: Sara was able to swap our Go Miata polo and visor for a Got Guts hat and T-shirt .I am pretty sure any Miata guy would happily take those off of your hands (for a price) .
Everyone had a great time (hope Charleys in car video did not work) I know that I did until I got shown the
meatball flag (fuel spilling from gas filler)
Thanks to Ron for all the work that goes into staging such a fun Fundraiser.
Gerry & Sara

Charley B

Well Gerry, you're in luck. I only got video of the first session. I think your drifting exhibition in turn three might have been the result of dumping gas on your rear tire. At least I'd go with that.

My record stays intact for never finishing a DE. Lost my brakes after an hour on the track. Overall it was a good shake down for the new track car and I love the performance of the Euro.

IcemanG17

Charley
Sweet....your batting 100%!!!!!!!!! Nice...

but now that I think about it....so am I....lets see....4 sessions in my 1st DE (5 total), went home early after the other 2 928's broke and I got scared.....2nd DE...blew a PS line after 1.5 sessions...2 other 928's also DNF'd that day.....3rd DE ran great for 4 sessions (of 6) got tired and went home.....yesterday....ran 3 sessions, sharky ran GREAT....handling is improved with the new front end and alignment....called it a day after 3 sessions just to be safe.....I could have kept going, but all that time at the top of 2nd gear was starting to freak me out a bit...

I did score some sweet ride alongs.......I was hoping to go out with Charley, but I'm about 6 inches too tall..... I got a to ride with Gerry in his extremely quiet bone stock S4 (full stock 87 muffler)....a NSX with R compounds and suspension mods, it was very interesting to see how the mid engined car handled compared to front engined....trail braking was very effective in the NSX & NOT a good idea in a 928!! Of course being VERY low helps too and 3000lbs...

Then I scored a ride with Paul in his Z06...(my 2nd) like Rich says its a wild ride....nobody there could touch it on the straights..not even close....even all the loud modified mustangs just got dropped once Paul buried the loud pedal....they'd be about 1 car back at the beginning of the straight....then GONE...by the end of the straight where Paul is pushing 135mph the stang is 5 cars back.... (on the same straight I never saw above 110mph) Some cars were faster in the corners, but had custom suspension and R compounds....then would get destroyed on the straights.... whats even scarier is Paul was only shifting ONCE....3rd to 4th on the main straight...in 3rd the rest of the track....lugging at 2500rpms....mash the loud pedal and it pins you in the seat and your GONE...... wicked wicked ride

pmooradian

Brian, thanks for not putting grease on my tires when I wasn't looking! Even without it, I managed to take Rich for an off track excursion on turn 15 on my last session. After a mild scolding from the starter and a brief stop to pull the grass out of my radiator, we went back out for a few more laps.
Needless to say, the car's a lot more capable than the driver, but I had a blast. Rich provided some good tips during his ride along. I'd really like to spend some quality seat time with someone who can help me tackle the turns better. I know I can do a better job through the turns to shave some real time and I really didn't feel I pushed the car very hard.
It was good to have some 928 buddies out there. Sorry Charley had problems with the brakes. I wish I knew the answer, but I would have expected an early car with S4 brakes to last the full day.

Got some great pics!

The_Remora

Sounds like a blast, guys!

Dennis K

I'm bummed I couldn't be there. Congrats to all on a successful day.

Charley - we're going to have to do a full brake fluid flush on your car(s) and get some Ate Superblue or Motul 600 in there. S4 brakes should live w/ decent fluid & pads.

Charley B

I've got the Superblue ready to go in, but I'm open to suggestions for a good set of duel purpose pads that don't cost $500.

The brakes on the '88 were my fault. I had put the rotors on the wrong sides. Don't tell anyone, it would be too embarrassing.

IcemanG17

Paul
Bummer on the off track adventure off 15.....my guess is a bit too much throttle caused oversteer right off the track?? Easy to do with your kind of HP....I was able to pretty much pin the BWAAAHH pedal before the apex and drift to the outside (not sliding, just undwinding the steering).... I gotta say though there was a couple corners when I was riding with you that had me a bit scared.... I remember 9 and 1 always getting my attention!!! But flying up on 1 at 130+ will wake you up....over 100 up to 9 too...

I also think S4 brakes should make a whole track day no problem.....my fluid was fresh, but my pads were VERY worn pagid street pads....my front pads were between 4.5-6.5mm at the start of the day....I guess 1/2 that now.... I never had any problems, but the pedal would take a bit more effort at the end of the session, however the power was still there.....but seeing all the fluid overflowing out of the tank onto the underside of the hood wasn't good either.....but I did leave the fluid a touch over the max mark too

Maybe some fresh Super Blue and Pagid Oranges would help?

http://www.livermoreperformance.com/...ds.html#pag356

$227 for the front Pagid oranges...seems like a good price!!

Charley B

Check the coolant dumping under the right side tires. Having a little trouble keeping the *** end behind me.

Bill Ball

Charley: Is that the coolant dripping off the bumper cover in front of your passenger side front wheel? Looks like a flood. What leaked?

Charley B

I think the clamp to the top radiator hose was too far back on the coupling and pulled off. I saw the steam coming out of the hood just as I entered the corner, so at least I had a hint why, when the track turned into ice.

pmooradian

Coolant it was! The top radiator hose was loose and leaking fluid on the passenger side of the car.

gersar928

Charlie,

With Gerry spilling gas and you water, hopefully you'll both get to run again and the rain will wash it away tonight. Also, Gerry's story is, "that's why he spun out..." mmm

Sara