Yesterday was a great day. I woke up early and got things ready. The forecast was for scattered thunderstorms and rain throughout the day. But we roll rain or shine, so I hopped in the Cayenne and towed the Coke car to Waterford Hills.



Waterford Hills is a relatively short tight track. It's approximately 1.4 miles and has 8-12 turns depending on who you ask. At least three of us were going to be there. Me, Dave K (Davek9), and Rhudy (Camboinc). However, Dave K checked the timing belt the previous night on the car he was going to bring, and it was not happy, and decided to bail on the DE which was the right decision. He still showed up and we got him out for at least one session.



I was really surprised at how nervous I was. Maybe because I wasn't sure how the car was going to perform, or maybe because it was the first session of the year. Regardless, I had some shakes. I unloaded the car from the trailer, got checked in, and proceeded to see some old familiar faces. Before I knew it it was time for the track walk. The track was damp from the previous night's rain and the morning dew.

I had street tires mounted on the car, but brought slicks with me. The forecast was for rain, so I opted to leave the street tires on (Continental ExtremeContact DW). After the introductions to flags, passing, etc., I met my instructor for the day, Andy S. Unfortunately, Andy has an artificial hip, so getting in and out of the car was going to be a problem, so he traded me to Jeff Amos, previous chief instructor. I've had Jeff before and he a very good instructor.

I'm still in the Intermediate group (hope to get promoted to advance group by the end of the year). After the classroom, it was time to get on the track.

My first session out was great! I took it easy, but the was all that I expected and then some. It handles better than any 928 I've ever driven before. No pushing in the corners and the brakes were awesome! I wish it had a bit more power, but that's me being used to a supercharged car. Luckily, Waterford Hills is a momentum course, and so it's all about being smooth and know just how much break you need so not to kill your momentum.

I had to make a lot of adjustments to my driving with this car. Braking was SO superior that I could go so much deeper that before (That's what she said). Turn in was also far superior. The car did not understeer like my other 928s. I'm sure it had a lot to do with the suspension and aggressive camber settings. By the 6th or 7th lap, I had a pretty good feel for the car.

In the next session, Dave asked if he could take the car out with the green group. I said okay. He went out and had a blast. He says he was trying to take it easy, and then Rhudy came up behind him in his Jeep SRT - the wonder pig - and passed Dave. Seriously? How can you let a Jeep pass you?



My next session things got better and smoother. I started braking later (and less) and got my line pretty much down. The 928, is not the best suited car for this track as it's quite heavy (compared to the other cars out here. I got passed by a couple other cars, but most of them were running slicks. I knew I should have switched tires. Oh well.

Then Just as Brian was about to go out for his 3rd session, his power steering crapped out on the 2015 Jeep SRT. SCREEECH. So Rhudy looked at me and asked... can I? I told him only if he shaves and give me a BJ. SOLD! He took the car out and had a blast. As soon as he came back in, I hoped in because it was my run group. Luckily we had the same instructor.

Wow, what a difference to go out in a warm car. Brakes were good, tires were sticky. I was on a roll. Then about half-way through my session, the tires started getting greasy, but they were still fun. I was able to get a little oversteer on a few corners and have some real fun.

For the 4th session, Rhudy took the car out again, and after he came back in, I took it out for another back-to-back session. The car was flawless. However on this session, I was so hot (and probably dehydrated) that by the 8th lap, I had to call it quits before I tossed my cookies.

There was a fifth session, but I decided to call it a day. Besides, the car was just about out of fuel. We started with a full tank, but after 7 sessions (my 4 sessions, Rhudy's 2 and Dave's 1) that pretty much ate it up. The car didn't seem to consume any oil, which was a real bonus too. When I finally got to looking at the video this morning, I noticed the audio was missing. Not sure why. So I had to throw some music on top, just to give it a little flavor. See one of the sessions below.

I'm still grinning. The car is nothing short of amazing! By far this was the BEST purchase I've ever made. The next event will likely be at Mid-Ohio on June 15. May try to get one other event in before then, but will have to see what's available. Need to get a splitter installed, the Accusump, and few other odds and ends.

Thanks to all the guys who helped make this come together. It was risky, but it paid off huge! What an AWESOME car!




Edit: Found this vide of Rhudy going by the tower.

 

On that second video (first one says private and doesn't play for me) the car sounds amazing on that fly-by...

 

Great time at the track yesterday. The coke car is a ton of fun to drive. Great turn in, suspension and brakes. Thanks for sharing AO. You will always be my one and only homo. Unless I need a ride real bad...

 

Very happy to see that everything went very well.
Also reading that: "By far this was the BEST purchase I've ever made" is quite something.

Coming from a guy well into the 928 world like you, it says a lot.

Have fun with your new toy.
Keep up the good work.

BTW, can't see the first video either.

 

Sorry, had it set to private. All fixed now.

 

It works.

Thanks.

 

You made someone shave on the weekend...that's just wrong.

 

Cool in car vid, music OK, but I think you should have dubbed in you making engine sounds as you went through the gears.

Had a great time driving her, I could have pushed much harder, she wanted me to it, however AO reminded me as I pulled out "you brake it, you fix it", as I already have four on the operating table, didn't need a fifth

Thanks AO !

 

Glad to see the car back on track again.

 

make sure you get that video behind the driver so we can see what you are doing and help with your progress.. sounds like you had fun! as was said, 928 videos need to have engine sound.. sorry, just a requirement!

 

 

It's great to see the car on the track again. It couldn't be in better hands. Andrew, if you decide to take a trip south, there are a lot of Coca Cola 928 fans here that will clamor to be your pit crew and maybe even buy you drinks afterwards. You KNOW you want to drive it at Daytona and Sebring.

 

Just a quick vid of the spring shakedown...

 

Forgot the hood pins?

 

Yup. New rule. If hood is closed, pins must be in. If pins cannot be in, hood must stay open.