[ReEntryRacer]

I dropped into Laguna Seca a few days ago while I was heading back to Canada after a vacation in AZ. We watched the Audi bunch having so much fun that I have convinced my wife to support me in a long haul back down there this season with my SCCA-legal GT1 car. Its just production-based and nowhere near as fast as purpose-built tube-frame 'real' GT1 cars, but I want to try that track before I get much older/fatter/slower. I have joined SCCA-SF Region in preparation, and see three SCCA events listed, one in early May, another in late June and another in early Oct. I could REALLY use some advice as I prep the car and plan the long trip down from British Columbia. Is there anyone on here that intends to compete in one or more of these weekends? This old 'newbie' could use all the local information he can get! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
Larry

[ReEntryRacer]

Hmmm... I see there are only 4 GT1 cars as of now (including me). I expected to see lots of those high-buck bullets using me as a moving chicane. Is everyone going to ITE instead these days?

[rmackintosh]

Hmmm... I see there are only 4 GT1 cars as of now (including me). I expected to see lots of those high-buck bullets using me as a moving chicane. Is everyone going to ITE instead these days?

GT1 has been lightly attended here for quite a few years. There will likely be a lot of big cars to run with...SP, GTA and the like....just the big cars seem to be a bit too pricey or something.....

One thing we DO HAVE A LOT OF is Miatas......YIKES (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) .....you will need to practice AVOIDING them in the Group 1 race.....they are quite aggressive, and don't move over for nobody....you gotta take 'em strong! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[Blainefab]

One thing we DO HAVE A LOT OF is Miatas......YIKES (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) .....you will need to practice AVOIDING them in the Group 1 race.....they are quite aggressive, and don't move over for nobody....you gotta take 'em strong! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

My last year racing was the first year SM had its own run group, I saw the beginning of the phaseout of RX-7s in favor of the Miata as budget racer. You won't outbrake a good SM, so set up for a good drive out and get them on exit. In group1 you'll start lapping the backmarkers in a couple of laps - hopefully by midseason the new batch of rookies have it figured out, but they are usually more focused on other SMs than a fast car that's closing quickly. Watch out for a line of them spreading out 2-3 wide abruptly as you approach.

[ReEntryRacer]

One thing we DO HAVE A LOT OF is Miatas......YIKES (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) .....you will need to practice AVOIDING them in the Group 1 race.....they are quite aggressive, and don't move over for nobody....you gotta take 'em strong! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

My last year racing was the first year SM had its own run group, I saw the beginning of the phaseout of RX-7s in favor of the Miata as budget racer. You won't outbrake a good SM, so set up for a good drive out and get them on exit. In group1 you'll start lapping the backmarkers in a couple of laps - hopefully by midseason the new batch of rookies have it figured out, but they are usually more focused on other SMs than a fast car that's closing quickly. Watch out for a line of them spreading out 2-3 wide abruptly as you approach.

Watch out for a line of them spreading out 2-3 wide abruptly as you approach. YIKES!! Now I just can't get that thought out of my head of taking out a whole gaggle of those little buggers all at once! Don't talk like that around my wife when we meet, PLEASE! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

[rmackintosh]

One thing we DO HAVE A LOT OF is Miatas......YIKES (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) .....you will need to practice AVOIDING them in the Group 1 race.....they are quite aggressive, and don't move over for nobody....you gotta take 'em strong! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

My last year racing was the first year SM had its own run group, I saw the beginning of the phaseout of RX-7s in favor of the Miata as budget racer. You won't outbrake a good SM, so set up for a good drive out and get them on exit. In group1 you'll start lapping the backmarkers in a couple of laps - hopefully by midseason the new batch of rookies have it figured out, but they are usually more focused on other SMs than a fast car that's closing quickly. Watch out for a line of them spreading out 2-3 wide abruptly as you approach.

Watch out for a line of them spreading out 2-3 wide abruptly as you approach. YIKES!! Now I just can't get that thought out of my head of taking out a whole gaggle of those little buggers all at once! Don't talk like that around my wife when we meet, PLEASE! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

It is true...Miatas running for position 20-30 IN THERE OWN CLASS will be running like they were on the last lap of the 24 Hours of LeMans and it was all on the line! It is a point of "pride" with them that they can find a "race" anywhere in the field...no matter what your "skill" level may be. So just be VERY cautious/aware around them. They will think NOTHING of running 3 wide up the straight and make you either A. wait or B. make a risky move at times.

I am not trying to scare you (and I will not discuss this with your wife....trust me I know this feeling) but I think you would be better served to get the heads up. If you drive a clean/heads up race you will be fine. I am just trying to prevent you from getting in a session and having a "WTF IS THAT IDIOT DOING" moment and putting the car in the wall in session number one (Miatas drive like crazed fools on the out lap of the first session of the weekend--couldn't tell ya how many I see get balled up on the test day BEFORE the weekend!). Sorta like warning you about the sound thing there....hate to have you tow all that way and have a problem right off. Keep your head and you will have a blast! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

[ReEntryRacer]

One thing we DO HAVE A LOT OF is Miatas......YIKES (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) .....you will need to practice AVOIDING them in the Group 1 race.....they are quite aggressive, and don't move over for nobody....you gotta take 'em strong! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

My last year racing was the first year SM had its own run group, I saw the beginning of the phaseout of RX-7s in favor of the Miata as budget racer. You won't outbrake a good SM, so set up for a good drive out and get them on exit. In group1 you'll start lapping the backmarkers in a couple of laps - hopefully by midseason the new batch of rookies have it figured out, but they are usually more focused on other SMs than a fast car that's closing quickly. Watch out for a line of them spreading out 2-3 wide abruptly as you approach.

Watch out for a line of them spreading out 2-3 wide abruptly as you approach. YIKES!! Now I just can't get that thought out of my head of taking out a whole gaggle of those little buggers all at once! Don't talk like that around my wife when we meet, PLEASE! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

It is true...Miatas running for position 20-30 IN THERE OWN CLASS will be running like they were on the last lap of the 24 Hours of LeMans and it was all on the line! It is a point of "pride" with them that they can find a "race" anywhere in the field...no matter what your "skill" level may be. So just be VERY cautious/aware around them. They will think NOTHING of running 3 wide up the straight and make you either A. wait or B. make a risky move at times.

I am not trying to scare you (and I will not discuss this with your wife....trust me I know this feeling) but I think you would be better served to get the heads up. If you drive a clean/heads up race you will be fine. I am just trying to prevent you from getting in a session and having a "WTF IS THAT IDIOT DOING" moment and putting the car in the wall in session number one (Miatas drive like crazed fools on the out lap of the first session of the weekend--couldn't tell ya how many I see get balled up on the test day BEFORE the weekend!). Sorta like warning you about the sound thing there....hate to have you tow all that way and have a problem right off. Keep your head and you will have a blast! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

Up here, blocking of faster cars is a black flag issue, and nobody wins a race while parked. Don't these guys get told to respect the blue flag? Or do the Stewards not bother to enforce the rules? Seems a little like anarchy has taken over down there!

[Blainefab]

Up here, blocking of faster cars is a black flag issue, and nobody wins a race while parked. Don't these guys get told to respect the blue flag? Or do the Stewards not bother to enforce the rules? Seems a little like anarchy has taken over down there!

Blue flag is advisory. It's the responsibility of the overtaking car to make a safe pass. Not trying to be an alarmist, it's just a reality with the SM's mixed into Group 1. It's also true that it's in the best interest of a SM driver to not get parked on by a Camaro.

Mebbe make a up a big windshield banner: !SEKARB YTTIHS

[rmackintosh]

Mebbe make a up a big windshield banner: !SEKARB YTTIHS

...perfect!....
(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)