Coochas

I completed my first DE in 25 years this past weekend at NHMS driving my C4S.

Jay Gratton was my instructor for the weekend and I just can't believe how much I learned about driving my car at speed. Jay - a huge public thanks again to you.

I am sure you all will understand it when I say that words simply cannot describe the level of enjoyment I experienced driving on the track. I knew that I was going to be bitten by the track bug again but my time on the track truly exceeded my expectations.

My 997 is stock and ran very well except for a sticking clutch at the end of the first day which resolved once the car cooled down a bit. The leading diagnosis is that there's a bubble in the hydraulics line,...I'm going to get it looked into and bled.

I truly experienced my PSM for the first time and now realize why it is referred to as "please save me." Going through turn 2 off apex and too fast when I went to correct the skid the car magically decelerated and straightened itself out. It happened very quickly and I have no doubt that the car's computer saved me. I know many purists don't care for this sort of thing, but as a track novice I am glad I had it.

I've already put myself on the waitlist for the October DE at NHMS. I am definitely in this for life!
I also am going to Barber Motorsports park in October for 4 days of PSDS which was my huge gift to myself this year...I can't wait to get back on track.

And to Jay G and everyone else who was up at NHMS last weekend, another big thanks for such a fun weekend.

JackOlsen

Like they say, it can make heroin addiction seem like a vague wish for something salty.

Veloce Raptor

Congrats, Dave! Welcome to our obsession!

Cassandra

Welcome to the club, it only gets worse from here on out!

race911

25 years in between, wow! I'm about to celebrate 25 years of doing this stuff. Not sure I could have done it once and walked away for such an extended time. Cars have changed a bit in the mean time, huh?

Coochas

Thanks everyone.

And Ken,...the cars sure have changed! 25 Years ago I had a 1980 Rx7 with lots of suspension and engine mods that I ran at NHMS ("Loudon" at the time) with a group called COM, "Corvettes of Massachusetts" which ironically didn't have that many vettes! The track only had 10 turns back then and ran clockwise not counter-clockwise.
I got to run Limerock once back then as well. I was so 'into' it all back then and have always regretted never returning to the track,...until now!

Thanks again for the welcome everyone,....I just can't stop thinking about how much fun I had.

mglobe

Dave,

I hate to tell you this, but that there is no turning back. Expect the following progression (maybe not exactly in this order):

1. New helmet
2. Driving shoes & gloves
3. Torque wrench & pressure gauge
4. GT3 seats
5. Extra track wheels and tires
6. Harnesses
7. Compressor
8. Racing brake pads, stainless steel brake lines, SRF or Motul brake fluid
9. Data acquisition system
10. Dedicated Track Car, trailer, and tow vehicle.

If you're a smarter man than most of us here, you'll just skip all the modification steps and go right to the last step. Welcome aboard. Resistance is futile...

dmoffitt

welcome to the cult, errrrr.... club

Coochas

That's scary Mike,...I already have 1, 2 and 3. We'll see,...I just want to learn to drive well first!

Brian A.

It's funny how us addicts enjoy watching someone else take that first hit off the crack pipe called DE.

Gary R.

Welcome Dave, you picked a great time to hop on the bus. The new Limerock, NJ Motorsports Park's two new tracks, Watkins Glen close by.... you should really look for events at those tracks if possible.

Sean F

cue the guys with track cars for sale in 3...2...1

mglobe

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA -- Just skip to step #10.

true

Gary R.

You PM him with your's yet (beat you!)?

kevin135

Hey Dave,
Nice to have met you there. I am glad your clutch issue sorted itself out. See you at the next event!
Kevin