I've been mentioning it here for a while, but I wanted to issue a formal invitation to everyone here to come participate in the Grand Bayou Racing Series (www.grandbayouracingseries.com). It is held at No Problem Raceway, which is a 1.8 mile circuit. The circuit has been described as somewhat technical. Typical times range from 1:20 to 1:30, with speeds averaging 80mph to 70mph (top speed of 130ish).

Our class structure is meant to be the most friendly and inviting possible. It's basically a run-what-you-brung structure. We practice in the morning, qualify around noon, and race in the afternoon. Your qualifying time determines your class:

Super Production - faster than 1:19.000
GTO - between 1:19.000 and 1:23.999, and exceeding 3.0L engines
GTU - between 1:19.000 and 1:23.999, and under 3.0L engines
Red bracket - between 1:24.000 and 1:26.999
Yellow bracket - between 1:27.000 and 1:29.999
Green bracket - between 1:30 and 1:33.999
Blue bracket - slower than 1:34.000

We accept any sanctioning body racing license. Car safety equipment is as listed in the SCCA GCR. Basically, you register, you get there, you get inspected, you race.

We hold it in the winter because, let's face it, who wants to race in the Louisiana summer heat?

So, if you are itching to race, but there is nothing going on in your neck of the woods, come try us out. We race on the first Sunday of the month. You can travel down on Friday, enjoy Saturday in New Orleans, and race on Sunday. Plus, we have several rental cars available. Fly down on Saturday, rent a race, fly back Sunday night.

Let me know if you have any questions, or are interested!

How do you keep dem cajuns from sandbagging during qualifying? And why wasn't this track around when I lived in La?

You can certainly sandbag - but you'll have to do it during the race, too. If you exceed your breakout time during the race, then that lap is thrown out, immediately putting you 1 lap down.

When did you live in LA? And where?

Fun layout. Yes as Matt said somewhat technical. Turn 1 if you were to call it a turn is interesting at speed!!!!!!! I did 1:27 average(street tires) over 3 laps which included a standing start and first time ever on the track. The car that won the event ran 1:17 3 lap average also on street tires. Hotter than hell aint the word for it and this was in MAY.

Matt good luck.

John

Matthew,

My son got the ORR B4C and he is stationed at Keesler in Biloxi. With nothing but ORR experience, do y'all have things he can participate in?

Sure! Every Saturday before a race (starting in January) there is a lapping day. They're called Chris Carver lapping days. You can show up and run pretty much all day long for only $100. Helmets and long pants required. Chris pretty much guarantees that you'll get more track time than either you or your car can take!

Or, they also have a challenge for $25 more. They take the most consistent (NOT the fastest) 5 consecutive laps and the most consistent person wins $125.

John is right - Turn 1 is very interesting. I took my 100% stock G8GT out there a few weeks ago and ran it. I was going through Turn 1 at 115mph, and running 1:26s (on hot laps) and 1:28s consistently. The track has gotten a little faster than when you were here, John.

This is a good track for people who are autocrossers getting into road racing. It rewards car placement, hitting the apexes, and handling. And, there are relatively few places where you can get into REAL trouble. Only about 3-4 corners have any real obstacles you can hit if you go off course, and only 1-2 are in places where you can really hurt yourself or the car. 99% of the time people go off they just slide through the grass until they stop.

Andy - have your son e-mail me. There is a new autox club that is forming right near Keesler. In fact, they are in the final stages of negotiating to use a pad on the base (HUGE piece of concrete). It's a good group of guys, and the guy running the show knows how to put on a good event. Plus, I can get him introduced to a few people that I'd trust to show him the ropes out at NPR.

Bossier City from 95-98