Buttonwillow compared to Thunderhill
05-23-2009, 12:52 AM
#17
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The morning fog that smells like Kettleman city (cows), followed by the dust clouds, are your canopy at Buttonwillow. At least there are showers to wash off the dust, yet they are out in the open so the folks on the I-5 can see you bathing...
05-23-2009, 08:38 AM
#18
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05-23-2009, 11:18 AM
#19
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It's a rough track - it tends to eat numerous cars every time I've been there (not mine, fortunately). There is not good run-off room and it's a really tight track so it gets crowded quickly in races, especially after the last turn before the straight - so many cars hit the inside wall when blowing the last turn. I've witnessed the turn over the hill eating many a car's bumper, including causing cars to roll over if they go off-track. And the dust there is like no other - it just hangs, impeding all vision!
My advice - be careful!!
My advice - be careful!!
05-23-2009, 02:33 PM
#20
Three Wheelin'
Well by now you get the idea...
The most important thing I like to impart to BW newbbies is that it takes a while to learn the track. Even with a guidebook and/or video, there are a lot of turns and it takes a while to get settled in. Expect some off relatively harmless track excursions... perhaps not you but someone in your run group.
Although relatively safe, there have been accidents and even fatalities-- it is a racing track.
As for the guidebook by Hank-- it has been a while since I have looked at it. Anything Hank does is first class, so you can count on it-- perhaps better than some random video. But you should know that back when Hank's current 3.8 liter TT car was new to him, he was bested in a Golden Gate Time Trial using that same track configuration, by a car with similar weight, less sophisticated suspension and less than half the bhp. Driven by the only woman to ever get the top time of day at a GGR Time Trial event. Underscores the great instructional program they have in the GGR.
The most important thing I like to impart to BW newbbies is that it takes a while to learn the track. Even with a guidebook and/or video, there are a lot of turns and it takes a while to get settled in. Expect some off relatively harmless track excursions... perhaps not you but someone in your run group.
Although relatively safe, there have been accidents and even fatalities-- it is a racing track.
As for the guidebook by Hank-- it has been a while since I have looked at it. Anything Hank does is first class, so you can count on it-- perhaps better than some random video. But you should know that back when Hank's current 3.8 liter TT car was new to him, he was bested in a Golden Gate Time Trial using that same track configuration, by a car with similar weight, less sophisticated suspension and less than half the bhp. Driven by the only woman to ever get the top time of day at a GGR Time Trial event. Underscores the great instructional program they have in the GGR.
05-23-2009, 02:34 PM
#21
Three Wheelin'
oops, I meant "relatively harmless off track excursions..."
05-25-2009, 12:41 AM
#22
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sundog, i asw youar car, but didn't realize that was you, else i would have stopped by to chat.
harry, nice driving 2:10 i saw. i had to leave early today, lost all gears except 4th. it would have been a LONG race for me today.
harry, nice driving 2:10 i saw. i had to leave early today, lost all gears except 4th. it would have been a LONG race for me today.
05-25-2009, 02:54 PM
#23
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I had 2 spins happen right in front of me on the Star Mazda turn. Both drivers were taking the turn too hot. Good thing I put on the race pads before I went up for the weekend.
I had a pucker moment taking the left turn approaching Lost Hill, I came around too hot, and the rear end started coming around to the right, I was able to correct the excursion with 2 more tail wiggles and stay on the track, but by the time I realized it, I was already heading up the hill and thought, great I saved a spin only to launch myself off the top of the hill. So mash the brakes, and made the turn.
It was an adrenaline buzz that lasted for a couple of laps!
Fun weekend, and a couple of very fun Club races to watch!
05-25-2009, 07:16 PM
#24
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the blue boxster with silver top in my avatar in the race group
also very little grip there, many went off straight.
also very little grip there, many went off straight.
05-26-2009, 03:18 AM
#25
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In a strange turn of events, I managed to keep all 4 wheels on the pavement and pointed in the right direction all 3 days.
It was nice to meet you on Sunday, Sundog. I expect we will bump into each other again.
John: Going to have the transmission replaced so you can race with us at the end of June?
It was nice to meet you on Sunday, Sundog. I expect we will bump into each other again.
John: Going to have the transmission replaced so you can race with us at the end of June?
05-26-2009, 10:43 AM
#26
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In a strange turn of events, I managed to keep all 4 wheels on the pavement and pointed in the right direction all 3 days.
It was nice to meet you on Sunday, Sundog. I expect we will bump into each other again.
John: Going to have the transmission replaced so you can race with us at the end of June?
It was nice to meet you on Sunday, Sundog. I expect we will bump into each other again.
John: Going to have the transmission replaced so you can race with us at the end of June?
05-26-2009, 01:24 PM
#28
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