joey bagadonuts

I just returned from a glorious weekend at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI. This BMW-sponsored event was my first time on one of North America's premier road courses and certainly won't be my last. As always, the 964 held it's own and laid waste to many of Bavaria's finest (well, in my group at least).

The weather was very cooperative and, except for one session where the C4 lapped the field in light rain, we managed to get in three hours of unimpeded track time. As in UAE, this event also brought out quite a collection of other renowned marques, a sample of which I've included below. For those familiar with the track, I was clocked right around 3:00 flat (still room for improvement), occasionally hit 135 on the front straight and took the Kink at over 100 with peddle mashed! Enjoy.


Look out for this nut.


The VIP Tower hovering over 964 and friend's 996.


His and her Ferrari's (seriously). F355, here, and NSX and Z06 back right.


Yes folks, that's an F40. They also had an open wheel F333 race car!


Notice the drool!


That's Lefty's white M3--one of the few I didn't spank--and another "prancing horse."


Notice the short wheel base on this 68. Very capable in the corners.


964 at speed--what a beauty!

Roygarth

Hi Joey

What fun! I must get on a track some day. How much quicker than 3 mins was your friends 996?

BR
Piers
1990 C4 Coupe
54K Miles
Performance Chip
Cat bypass
Drilled air box
Abrasive Green Sponge

Riccardo

Joey,

Great action shots!

By the way, I know you've already been through this recently, but how did you lower your car? What kit did you use and which alignment specs? It looks very low and beautiful, I wish mine looked like that....

sullivs

Great pictures, Joey. Thanks for sharing them.
Steve

Jay H

Joey:

Nice times at RA! Thanks for the pics too.

Just in case you want more stuff to do at RA next year, be sure to check out the Brian Redman International Challenge (Vintage Weekend) next July. There are usually quite a few of rare cars floating around during this event.

Then there is always the infamous PCA-Chicago Region races every Labor Day.

At least there are a few things to do in WI that don't include cows, beer and cheese...

Jay
90 964

joey bagadonuts

Thanks, all, for the kind words.

Piers, I'm afraid my friend in the 996 did not unleash the full potential of his automobile. Had we had a different sort of nut behind the wheel, my guess is that a 3-5 second improvement over this 4-mile circuit would be very achievable.

Riccardo, Eibach Pro-Kit--no complaints. Still using standard alignment specs, but will go with Euro RS next time.

Jay, What a beautiful setting, especially this time of year! Thanks for the tips.

Eric in Chicago

Joey,
At our last RA outing (labor day) my buddy Mark got a lap of 2:38 out of his pretty stock 01 996. I think he is running PZero C's and H&R supension.
The damm 996 is not for me but the extra HP sure is nice on a long track! I think you could do better than 4-5 sec. improvement

joey bagadonuts

Yup, you're probably right. I was comparing the Club Racing Results and evidently read the wrong line. The best B Class (996) lap was 2:33 while the F competitor (964) could only manage a 2:43.

But don't sell your buddy, Mark, short. 2:38 with a street car? Wow! He is one helluva' driver! And that 996--that IS one amazing car.

So Eric, I heard you put up some pretty decent times yourself. Low 2:40's, right? When are you getting that dedicated track car?

Jeff Curtis

Good deal Joey, I did RA in August of 2001 and had the time of my life. At the time, my 964 was on it's fourth track event (30+ at present) and I was pulling consistent 2:45's by the end of the first day.

I eventually got my time down to a low 2:44 on the second day...what a blast!

Elkhart Lake is a quaint little town with plenty to offer in the way of food, beverage and excitement on a race weekend...I had a great time, thanks to a good buddy of mine who's a long time member of the Chicago Region and an RA "veteran".

joey bagadonuts

[quote]Originally posted by Jeff Curtis:
<strong>I eventually got my time down to a low 2:44 on the second day...what a blast!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Jeezuz, Jeff! That's f'n flying! NOW I know how you guys go through a set of Pagids in a weekend. Let me guess, you were braking at the #2 markers in T5 and Canada Corner? And you were just lifting on T1 and T14, right?

Me, I got on the brakes early, probably too early. Bringing it down from 120 on downhills which end in sharp turns takes some getting used to (read: brake straight). Of course, now I have that "Pagid judder" from riding the pads a bit much but I'll get that sorted shortly.

Looks like you're definitely ready for E Class, Jeff. The Class winner ran a 2:38 in a 951 over Labor Day, but I'm sure you'll be able to find a few more seconds, especially with those Big Reds and a set of Sport Cups. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Jeff Curtis

You BRAKE for Canada corner? <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

...just kidding.

Thinking back, my visit to RA was with stock C2 brake calipers, Pagid pads and 16" 225/245 Hoosiers...if you can believe that.

I look forward to returning to RA next year, maybe in the Summer, now that I have Big Reds and 17" Hoosiers, a rollcage and maybe Sport Cups by then, I certainly look forward to lowering my times to an even 2:40 or better??

We'll see. For now I'm content with the times I pulled at VIR this past weekend - my GOD what an improvement in the last year! (my tenth visit in 2002) <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

I had the time of my life tailing an F-40 for SEVERAL laps, while he may have dusted me on the straights, he couldn't outbrake or out turn me...that was fun, same to be said about a Sport Cup clad Twin Turbo 996 that was present, killer on the straights, had me to worry about in the braking zones and turns.

Next weekend I get to try out the new Beaver Run in Pa. - that should be a hoot...full report later.