Kicking ass, taking names.

Show stoppin'

As PJ says, show stoppin'. It seems to happen whenever he takes the S2000 out. Tonight was one of those nights, a meet at the local A&W.

Solo Event #2

The temperature is climbing already in the Nevada desert, turning our windswept runway into a block of scorched tarmac.

The day was also a farewell. PJ is leaving for Vegas before the next event, and so it was a last hurrah to see what his S2000 could do.

The session started with the battle in STR between Bart, Tim and myself resuming, our position and fast times swapping by the run. The session ended with PJ setting the fastest time of the day. The slick and pebbled surface that normally favors the AWD cars couldn't stop PJ.

In the end PJ's time was edged out by less than .1" by a modified Corvette.

When the dust settled in STR it was:
1 - Bart
2 - Derek
3 - Tim

Season opener.

The first time the car has been turned loose this year. The first time testing many modifications, the first time with truly sticky tires, the first time in the faster Blue "advanced" run group. What a day it was. I was feeling a little sick and just couldn't get into the rhythm of things. The car also had a few mechanical problems that prevented me from participating in all run groups. But in doing so it did reaffirm a belief I've long held.

Don't force things. If they're supposed to happen they will. When things start stacking up and you find yourself having to rush, cut corners, or not proceed with the normal amount of caution then there is probably trouble on the horizon.

My Miata, PJ's S2000, Bart's S2000

I decided Bart's car needed some more masking tape so people knew who was following them.

 BEE! AY! ARR! TEE!

Bart's tape needed constant adjusting and replacement. It was flying off the car down the main straight.

A beautiful Nevada day.

Battered and bruised, our cars make their way home.

The longest the S2000 was behind me all day.

Love it or hate it. Just call it the Bartmobile.

When tires are hot, and sticky and decide to grab the fender, bad things happen. Take note hellaflush kids.

PJ gives me an official Chinaroll fender service. What a sweet heart.

Track Ready.

I know I haven't finished up where I left off with the brake upgrades. The last week has been a little crazy with work and such. And up until yesterday I didn't plan on going to this Friday's season opener track day. Now that a track day is in the line up all the little projects I'd been meaning to get to got put into fast forward.
-Lower temp thermostat
-Oil change with heavier weight oil
-Finish up some one the yet to be seen changes to the braking setup.

(excuse the blur, it's late and I'm tired.)

General maintenance to make sure that everything is buttoned up and ready to roll tomorrow. It's been over a week since I drove the car, with the weather getting nicer, and my want to save money, and hopefully a little of the environment I've been riding the bike every day. Switching back to the Miata is odd, its probably the first time the car has felt fast, I don't remember the spacing of the gears, and it rides so much lower than my little Honda commuter bike. It's time to remember how to do all this before I hit the track Saturday. Last stop before that is a family friend's local shop for new transmission and differential fluid. Its hard to believe I've put 25 thousand miles on my car since this time last year, but I have.

The most important thing is I'm joining my friend Bart, and instead of spending the day instructing, PJ. They're both bringing their S2000's out for the day. Its sad to think that it may be one of the last track days I have with them both.