993 tt at VIR for VIPER DAYS DE
07-26-2001, 07:16 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Elkin, North Carolina
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993 tt at VIR for VIPER DAYS DE
Hello fellow listers: I had an incredible time at the Viper
days event at Virginia International Raceway. In addition to meeting Todd Serota, I had the distinct privilege of having him as my instructor for the entire event. His reputation is well-earned. Not only is he an awesome driver, but he is a very good teacher (not always a given). His tuition was calm and to the point and really gave me the confidence to drive hard. I really learned a lot. I also had the pleasure to meet fellow P-car guys Chris Brown (who's generosity saved the weekend for me), E. J. Feulner, John Huang, and Greg Fishman.
Saturday's driving was cut short for me when, going into the turn just
before Oak tree, we noticed a tire was flat. I pulled off the course to the inside, and waited for the tow truck. A flatbed came and I drove up (tearing off my license plate and damaging the rear fascia). "Clay" took us back to the paddock where we found that a four inch nail
had gone through the tread. Unfortunately, in the time it took me to
get off the course, I ruined the sidewall. I thought my weekend was over. Chris Brown came to the rescue when he offered to sell me one of his street
tires, (the same BFG G-Force KD's I was running). After a quick tire
remounting, we jumped into the car, this time with Todd
driving, when we saw that the steering wheel was cocked about 75 degrees to the right.
Eyeballing the front wheels, they appeared to be towed OUT about an inch on each side! It seems that the flat bed driver hooked his
chain around the left tie rod, bending it forward and causing the toe out. Fortunately, Todd had met a guy named AJ who had a 911 cup car
and his own mechanic, who had been a Porsche line mechanic for ten years, and who had
recently been running his own shop in San Diego serving Porsche racers.
Timothy removed the tie rod, hammered it straight, and reset
the toe in. Sunday was awesome! Todd drove the first session so I could get a better
feel for the line, and after that I drove about four sessions. I had an incredible time and was really worn out by the end of the day.
As I mentioned before, Todd was an incredible teacher, and very
patient. Everyone I met (Viper people included) were very friendly,
helpful, and quick to welcome me to what was my first "real" DE type event(I had
previously only done the one day Porsche Driving Experience at Road
Atlanta). Except for a few 'bumps in the road' I had a
wonderful time. I can't wait for Todd's Tracquest Day at Road Atlanta! And I hope things
work out so he can hold an event at VIR.
Robert Lewe 1997 993 tt
Rennlist # 010626-2792
days event at Virginia International Raceway. In addition to meeting Todd Serota, I had the distinct privilege of having him as my instructor for the entire event. His reputation is well-earned. Not only is he an awesome driver, but he is a very good teacher (not always a given). His tuition was calm and to the point and really gave me the confidence to drive hard. I really learned a lot. I also had the pleasure to meet fellow P-car guys Chris Brown (who's generosity saved the weekend for me), E. J. Feulner, John Huang, and Greg Fishman.
Saturday's driving was cut short for me when, going into the turn just
before Oak tree, we noticed a tire was flat. I pulled off the course to the inside, and waited for the tow truck. A flatbed came and I drove up (tearing off my license plate and damaging the rear fascia). "Clay" took us back to the paddock where we found that a four inch nail
had gone through the tread. Unfortunately, in the time it took me to
get off the course, I ruined the sidewall. I thought my weekend was over. Chris Brown came to the rescue when he offered to sell me one of his street
tires, (the same BFG G-Force KD's I was running). After a quick tire
remounting, we jumped into the car, this time with Todd
driving, when we saw that the steering wheel was cocked about 75 degrees to the right.
Eyeballing the front wheels, they appeared to be towed OUT about an inch on each side! It seems that the flat bed driver hooked his
chain around the left tie rod, bending it forward and causing the toe out. Fortunately, Todd had met a guy named AJ who had a 911 cup car
and his own mechanic, who had been a Porsche line mechanic for ten years, and who had
recently been running his own shop in San Diego serving Porsche racers.
Timothy removed the tie rod, hammered it straight, and reset
the toe in. Sunday was awesome! Todd drove the first session so I could get a better
feel for the line, and after that I drove about four sessions. I had an incredible time and was really worn out by the end of the day.
As I mentioned before, Todd was an incredible teacher, and very
patient. Everyone I met (Viper people included) were very friendly,
helpful, and quick to welcome me to what was my first "real" DE type event(I had
previously only done the one day Porsche Driving Experience at Road
Atlanta). Except for a few 'bumps in the road' I had a
wonderful time. I can't wait for Todd's Tracquest Day at Road Atlanta! And I hope things
work out so he can hold an event at VIR.
Robert Lewe 1997 993 tt
Rennlist # 010626-2792
