Buttonwillow April NASA

[moosetestbestanden]

Registration is now open. I'm in.

Doug: I couldn't find how to get a garage. I'm happy to do the sign up, or we can stick w/ tradition...:D

[Doug Liedblad]

Chris

I rent the garage direct from the track not thru NASA.

I typically get garage 8 so I can park the trailer on the pad next to it. I am planning on being there so will be happy to reserve one garage.

Garage 7 too if there is enough cars.

Doug

[soareyes]

I'm in too, and will chip in for the garage again.
My brother and his Miata friend won't be there this time.

Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

Garage 8 reserved for us.

$150.00 for the weekend and this includes Friday as that is a test day.

We can pick up the key anytime after 7:00 AM Friday.

The track entrance is open all night so we can get in anytime.

Garage 7 is also available if we get enough cars.

One garage should hold 5 easy and 6 possible.

Shall I bring the BBQ?

Doug

[magnusfeuer]

Booked and paid both Sat and Sun ($249). I also rented a transponder.

I also booked a room at Super8.

Shall we synch who brings what tools?

I offer:
Jack stands
Jack.

Compressor + tools. (But there is air in the garage, so maybe just the tools.)

The usual hand tools.

Laptop with mapping software for Pectel T2/T6.

I also have a set of front Avons 13" (I have the exact specs at home) with about 3 events on them, if anyone is interested.



/Magnus F.

[soareyes]

Laptop with mapping software for Pectel T2/T6.

/Magnus F.


Thanks Magnus, that would be a good time to check out my mapping.



Stan

[thwagmostar]

Hello! Finally finally FINALLY... my car is registered (got through SB100 today). Is this an event for license holders, or just a track day? I'd love to finally get my car to a track.

[thwagmostar]

Another shot of the Megabusa...

-Scott

[soareyes]

Hello! Finally finally FINALLY... my car is registered (got through SB100 today). Is this an event for license holders, or just a track day? I'd love to finally get my car to a track.

Congratulations!

The NASA event is just a track day, no race license needed. You can go to www.nasaproracing to learn more about their HPDE program, but basically level 1 is newbies with an instructor, and level 4 is nearly ready to race.

Hoping to see you and your car there! I've read it's history on www.dpcars.net.

Stan

[slomove]

Just make sure you have front fenders (ahem...wings)
I think NASA won't allow you on track without.

Obviously you need a helmet, long sleeve cotton clothes or race suit, at least 5-point harness (3" wide) for driver and instructor, well secured fire extinguisher (I believe), working brakes & brake lights, secured battery with posts covered, no bad steering play, car number on the sides and other common sense items.

Gert

[thwagmostar]

OK, I'm signed up for Group 1. I didn't see any explanation of how one progresses through the groups. I did a weekend of trackdays with the guys in Texas with my Esprit. Don't know what requirements there are to be in Group 2...

I'm also booked at Super 8, and willing to chip in for garage space.

-Scott

[Doug Liedblad]

Garage 8.

The garage may be full.

Doug
Chris
Scott of the Megabusa
Stan
Gert?
Magnus?

I assume Gert and Magnus are in as they usually are.

Clark is pending.

We may be able to fit 8 but if there are more coming shall we book garage 7?

Please advise ASAP

Note there are usually plenty of rides to the hotel

Doug

[soareyes]

I would vote for the additional garage if anyone else decides to come. Have we heard from the northern group? It's nice to have the space to set up chairs for the evening social activities too.

Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

There is an event at Thunderhill the same weekend.

[slomove]

Just made up my mind....count me in!

Gert

[magnusfeuer]

I'm in on the garage.

/Magnus F.

[Doug Liedblad]

The word I have is that it will probably be just the S. California group at Buttonwillow this time.

I'll know tomorrow if garage 7 is available.


Doug

[soareyes]

It looks like garage 7 is currently available. We have six people committed for garage 8, which is a comfortable fit. If anyone else wants a garage spot, post here and I'll reserve garage 7 if we get two more people.

Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

Stan

Michael Murphy is going to try and make it to Buttonwillow.

Scott of New 2 7 Sevens is a maybe if he gets the car working.

We might sign the garage up now on spec, asking what the cancellation policy is. I think if you give them a week or so notice they will refund the money no problem. Best to ask first of course.

Doug

[Michael Murphy]

Count me in.

[moosetestbestanden]

Count me in.

Bravo:D

[soareyes]

Rats! I just called for a second garage and they are sold out already. I did give them my number in case a cancellation occurs.

Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

We will find out how many we can really fit in one garage.

Doug

[Michael Murphy]

Here's a suggestion.

The enduro starts at 6 pm. That prettty much guarantees that we'll be shouting at each other until 8 pm at least. Although I prefer barbequeing at the track, listening to a group of unmuffled Porsches and rice rockets screaming around the track for two hours leaves my beer kind of flat.

Any interest in a trip to the Big Smoke (Buttonwillow) for dinner instead? Say, the Indian restaurant that is only a short stagger from the hotel?

[soareyes]

Any interest in a trip to the Big Smoke (Buttonwillow) for dinner instead? Say, the Indian restaurant that is only a short stagger from the hotel?

Fine with me!

Stan

[moosetestbestanden]

That prettty much guarantees that we'll be shouting at each other until 8 pm at least.

That's what happened the last 2 times, so we pulled the garage door down and watched videos.

Just the same, I like the Indian food joint so I'm easy either way, provided they're not on vacation again like last fall. istr that they roll up the rugs pretty early there too.

One more thing... Saturday night is the F1 race from Bakir, or Fakir, or where ever the middle east race is. We could sit up all night in the hotel room and watch really really fast cars not pass each other, except maybe when they stop for gas:D

[Doug Liedblad]

I kind of like the videos and was going to bring the 'Day the Earth Stood Still' that we didn't get to last time.

Also the 'Sin of Harold Diddlebock.'

If we go to town, I'd vote for the BBQ place, but then my taste in food is sort of vanilla, which is also my favorite ice cream.

Willow Ranch I believe.

Doug

[thwagmostar]

Does HPDE require numbers on the car? The CCR says 10" numbers on both sides. Where do you fit 10" numbers on a Se7en? I'm thinking of attaching a plate to the roll cage.

How strict are the noise limits? I was busted for a loud exhaust last time I was at an autox, but they were pretty strict about it. I figured I could make up a small 90 degree turn to fit on the end of the exhaust if needed.

Really looking forward to this!

-Scott

[soareyes]

Yes, they require numbers, and anywhere on the side is fine. Many use the blue low-tack painters tape. They just want the corner workers to be able to identify your car, so size and location isn't strict.

I don't think there are any noise restrictions at Buttonwillow. (See the above comments about the night enduro). If the unmuffled rotary RX7's can run, then you will be fine.

Glad you will be coming along!

Stan

[slomove]

I preprinted my standard number "157" on an letter sized paper in landscape with the biggest font that fit and laminated it. The numbers are effectively only 7" tall but nobody complained so far. The laminated sheet can be attached with scotch tape around the edges and removed easily.

The tape numbers are technically just as good but if you want to buy the track pics from the photographer (if this is your first track day with the car I guess you might) the tape numbers look a little shoddy if you hang a bragging size blow-up in your office ;)

Gert

[Michael Murphy]

Scott, if there are any noise restrictions they are liberal, to say the least. Doug Liedblad runs his "straight" pipe (no muffler) when he really wants to annoy us. The official decibel reading is "bloody loud"... and that's from a bunch of guys who sit by the track all day.

So here's an idea. If Doug shows up with his straight pipe, we go to the Indian restaurant for dinner and force feed him vindaloo.

[thwagmostar]

Excellent... thank you. Looks like I'm all set then!

[Doug Liedblad]

I was going to leave the muffler on, just in difference to your sensitive ears.

Now I'll have to bring the straight pipe just to be sure I am louder than Scott and to find out what the heck vindaloo is.

Doug

[moosetestbestanden]

"vindaloo' is a word formed from words of 3 different Indo-European languages:

'vin' is French for 'wine'

'da' is Italian for 'from' (or 'since')

'loo' is English English for 'toilet'

Thus, 'vindaloo' is 'Wine from toilet'...

Still want to bring that straight pipe Doug?

[Michael Murphy]

Bravo Chris!

Doug, you have been warned.

[Doug Liedblad]

Μολών Λαβέ

[soareyes]

Μολών Λαβέ


The Greek phrase Molōn labe! (Μολὼν λαβέ; pronunciation in Modern Greek [mo̞ˈlo̞n laˈve̞]), meaning "Come and take [them]!", is a classical expression of defiance reported by Plutarch, roughly corresponding to the modern equivalent English phrase "over my dead body".

[Michael Murphy]

Well, that may prove to be a prescient statement. Death by vindaloo is not an uncommon occurrence.

[Doug Liedblad]

My physician friend from India says vindaloo is a:

'very nice, hot spicy lamb dish. if you ate it, your skin would fall off'

and 'Wine from Toilet' is what you get after eating Vindaloo.

[thwagmostar]

The registration receipt said there would be a detailed schedule emailed out a week before the event, but I haven't seen it yet. I'm mainly concerned with when I can get teched. Do they do it on Friday? I plan to drive up from LA in my Seven on Friday. Is there a time/place you guys usually gather?

-Scott

[slomove]

I am planning to do the tech Saturday morning because I will arrive Friday only quite late (go directly to the hotel). That is normally not a problem if you show up at the track around 6:45 am. Just make sure to get tech done before the mandatory driver's meeting (usually 7:45). Depending on the schedule the first session for HPDE1 may be early and you need to hook up with your instructor.

Gert

[moosetestbestanden]

Yes, trackside tech is usually at 7:00 Saturday morning, driver's meeting at 7:45 (they usually run a little late). There are also tech locations scattered throughout the southland. I believe they can be found through their website.

[soareyes]

The registration receipt said there would be a detailed schedule emailed out a week before the event, but I haven't seen it yet. I'm mainly concerned with when I can get teched. Do they do it on Friday? I plan to drive up from LA in my Seven on Friday. Is there a time/place you guys usually gather?

-Scott

Scott, the schedule usually doesn't come out till a couple days before the event. Like Gert said, just show up early Saturday for tech, but the line moves pretty quick. Remember to have your battery secured and the terminals covered, and bring your helmet to tech as they usually check its date sticker.

If you arrive early enough Friday, come out to the track to garage 8. Typically, there are a few of us there by mid-afternoon, and there is nothing else to do in Buttonwillow!

See you there,
Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

We should be able to get into the garage Friday AM. Whoever gets there first, just ask for the key.

M. Murphy is planning on being there for testing around Noon on Friday. I hope to be there not much later, if not I may arrive late so please don't lock the garage. Security of the cars has never been a problem.

The pad next to the garage is ours as well, I get dibs on that for my toyhauler. I'll be staying at the track.

Here is the latest offical garage list.

Doug
Chris
Scott
Stan
Gert
Magnus
M. Murphy

Everyone is welcome and we'll fit in all the cars we can. There is plenty of room for everyone to leave their cars even if not enough room inside. I'll try to remember my EZUP which works fine unless it gets windy.

Doug

[Michael Murphy]

Scott, regarding tech inspection -- one area of difficulty that we encountered last season for HPDE tech is seat belts. Read the CCRs carefully (they are available on the NASA website). "Stock" (OEM) belts are okay, even three point inertia reels. If you have anything that does not look "stock", then as I recall it must be at least five point (four point was disallowed last season). So we have this weird arrangement where three point is okay, four point is not okay and five point or more is okay.

The Norcal inspector was on the lookout for four point belts last year. Not sure whether the Socal inspectors are as aggressive but I would not take the risk.

[soareyes]

A bit early, but I noticed NASA opened the next three S. California events for registration:

May 5/6- Willow Springs
June 9/10- Buttonwillow
July 7/8- Willow Springs

Anyone going? I would consider the May event at Willow Springs, but not the June and July events as that's getting close to the PNW2007 tour and it's too hot that time of year!

Stan

[moosetestbestanden]

I've gotta get one in or I'll get ta jonesing, but which one I'm not sure yet. I'm contemplating a trip to Merry Ol' to see CC's 7s 50th race weekend June 2 / 3 and I have a deadline at work end of June so it might be July for me. Ruminating...

The WSIR July event is a crossover event for NorCal & SoCal. Could be crowded, will be loud, and HOT. Ugh.

[Michael Murphy]

Jerry Kunzman sent a note to instructors over the weekend indicating that there is a change of schedule. There will now be a Norcal/Socal crossover event at Infineon on June 30/July 1st instead of the WISR event in early June.

Mmmmm -- Infineon --- superb track, perfect weather, umbrella girls...

[DIYMAN25]

not nasa event, but a speed venture. a pretty good track day club we were runing BW 13 CW. nick name Time attack course

as you guys might guess there are no super 7 in the event besdie me...

I was doing pretty well. the car become faster at exit corner due to the rebuild lsd. and new control arm and bump steer kit work pretty well too

Few of lotus show up too. but most of them are not that fast( and they were driving a RED group with open pass any where) only one exiage is faster then me, his best lap time was 2.04... and I am in 2.06.1.. consider I am using a junk toyo ra1 that my friend giveto me from their spec miata...
suprisly the super is pretty fast on straight way. of course on corner i was ride on their ass all the time, with my semi straight pipe. poor them

My car have up hill under steer a bit. that is on Turn2 , and cotton hill. but on hight speed up hill like magic mountain, the car hook up very well. over all like the current setting will do more fine tune next time before the major suspension update.. hopely i will brake under 2 min this year !!

so what is every one's lap time in BW 13 ?

[Rich H]

Scott, regarding tech inspection -- one area of difficulty that we encountered last season for HPDE tech is seat belts. Read the CCRs carefully (they are available on the NASA website). "Stock" (OEM) belts are okay, even three point inertia reels. If you have anything that does not look "stock", then as I recall it must be at least five point (four point was disallowed last season). So we have this weird arrangement where three point is okay, four point is not okay and five point or more is okay.

The Norcal inspector was on the lookout for four point belts last year. Not sure whether the Socal inspectors are as aggressive but I would not take the risk.

Suggest reading the thread at the link below for a concise discussion of this.

NASA's concern was not the number of anchor points, per se, or looking "stock". The very specific requirement was to either have belts installed per the vehicle manufacturer's specification, or belts that comply with NASA's race car CCRs. Standard 4-point belts were prohibited, regardless, because they don't inhibit the driver's body from sliding loose out of the bottom of the harness in a crash.

I don't know whether or not NASA's position has changed since this thread was written in February 2006, but Michael is correct that showing up with the wrong thing at track tech can end your day before it starts. Might be worth a phone call to NASA tech ahead of time.

http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/chat/showthread.php?t=494&highlight=seat+belts

[soareyes]

The schedule has been posted on the NASA website:

http://socal.drivenasa.com/events/SchedBW-April07.pdf

Briefly, gates open at 6:30, tech starts at 6:45, driver's meeting at 7:45, HPDE 4 drives at 8:20, HPDE 3 at 8:45, and HPDE 1 & 2 at 9:10.

Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

The person that rented us the garage says the track will be open all night so you can get in anytime.

Shall I bring the BBQ for Friday night?

Doug

[Michael Murphy]

I vote for a barbeque on Friday night. I will bring some salads and bangers from Whole Foods. Can we have a show of hands from those who would like to partake. Dinner promptly at six?

[moosetestbestanden]

Michael,

Whole Fools (or Whole Paycheck or, correctly, the Land of Post Menopausal Spatially Oblivious Hippy Chicks - Ow Bitch, if you run into me w/ that frickin shopping cart one more time I'm gonna...) does NOT sell "bangers". They sell a 'sustainably selected, humanely slaugh.. er... processed, fine hand cubed, Organically packed in Organic Pig entrail... er, enveloped in Organic tubular (totally) shaped packaging Tofu sustenance-like' substance.

Now, what you really meant to say is that you're going to bring (as our friends in the UK say)...

Sossiges!

We'll bring some boneless pork chops from the same grocery, er, Organiclly Sustainable SuperOrganicNoGlobalWarmingSustenance Boutique. We'll be sure to have them well soaked in Stubbs ("Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm a cook") pork marinade. Mmmmm...

[slomove]

We'll proably have "dinner" on the road. Too late to come to the BBQ. Looks like nobody is going to bring lobster and filet mignon, anyway ;)

But I will probably to drop off the trailer later Friday night at the track. Can somebody give me lift back to the track Saturday morning, early enough for tech? (Rosie will need my car).

Gert

[soareyes]

I'll be there for the BBQ on Friday too. I don't have room to bring much, but I'll try to stuff in some Belgian ales.

Can someone possibly bring a couple of extra chairs if they have room? I can't find anything that collapses down enough to fit in the Birkin. Thanks!

Stan

[Doug Liedblad]

I have a few chairs that I will bring, table, and BBQ

I still have plenty of plates, plastic flatware, cups etc left over from last time.

Gert - if needed you can use my truck.

Doug

[soareyes]

I have a few chairs that I will bring, table, and BBQ

I still have plenty of plates, plastic flatware, cups etc left over from last time.

Gert - if needed you can use my truck.

Doug

Thanks Doug, for the use of your chairs.
I'll probably need to ride with Gert and your truck too if I leave the Birkin at the track.
Stan

[slomove]

Thanks Doug, appreciate the offer. If nobody else can give us a lift it would be helpful.

[magnusfeuer]

I'm in for BBQ as well.

Just finished up prepping the car (oil/filter change, switch to aeroscreen, check fluids) and went for a short ride to check that the new suspension setup is not overly lethal.

I'll bring:
Scales + leveling stuff. (Doug will bring ramps and shims).
Assorted tools (including a couple of torque wrenches).
IR thermometer.
Camber/caster gauge.
Toe-in plates and tape measure.
A selection of imperial and metric bolts, nuts and washers.
Tie wraps.
Laptop + cable and software for T2 and T6 ECUs.
Duct tape.
paper towels.
Assorted solvents, adhesives and other chemicals.

Who brings jackstands and a lift? I can do the stands, but my lift weighs 50+ lbs. Shall I bring any foodstuff or beer?

/Magnus F.

[slomove]

I will have 2 largish jack stands.

[Doug Liedblad]

I will bring my quick jack, which is only good for changing tires, not putting the car up on stands.

I have a subsurface type tire pyrometer that I will bring, also chassis setup worksheets.

Magnus, sorry but the shims may not be ready for this weekend, if you still have some please bring them along.

[moosetestbestanden]

I'll bring (superlight:D) jackstands & jack. I hope to arrive mid-afternoon. What time will you be there Magnus?

4 pages! A CCC record?

[magnusfeuer]

I'll pack up most of the stuff tonight in order to leave early tomorrow. I'll probably be there around 11 or 12.
I'll bring some sheet metal that I cut up as shims as well. They look like crap, but should get the work done.

/Magnus F.

[moosetestbestanden]

MM,

You driving on-track Friday? Schedule?

[slomove]

what a shit weather this morning.....Sorry that I could not say "bye" but I guess everybody was at the driver's meeting when I left.

Did somebody still go out in the afternoon? Or did the weather turn magically sunny after I left?

I hope everybody made it home safely and reasonably dry.

Gert

[soareyes]

Well I made it home safe but definitely not dry!

Actually it was only bad in some sections of the Grapevine when the wind would blow the rain in from the side. Hopefully the rain eased a bit when Megabusa Scott went home since he had no top.

I'm still considering Willow Springs in May.

Stan

[moosetestbestanden]

It didn't turn sunny exactly but it did dry right out, and rapidly. Doug, Magnus and I went out for sessions 3 & 4 and it was fine. Not hot enough to get any temperature in the tires but fun just the same. I finally got some speed going in the last session of the day, although nothing to be proud of. For me it was a c or c+ weekend, the only real good news coming when we drove the car up on the scales and found out its true weight w/ me and a full tank o gas in it. Nice.

General consensus is Willow is on, although Doug was somewhat ambivalent. Gert will be traveling I believe, or so close to returning from what sounds like an exhausting marathon Eurotrip that I doubt he'll make it.

MM did well in his race and got his time down to 2:00 n change. Stokes took home the TT bacon both days, tripping the lights w/ a 1:55.something, a full 4 seconds faster than his best from last year[big bulgy boingy bug eyed emoticon thingy].

[magnusfeuer]

My home trip turned into quite an ordeal.

I started with gassing up at the 76 @ Buttonwillow and took the opportunity to fix a dead taillight on my trailer. Since this was the best gas station I've seen to date, I subconsciously decided to bring piece of it back with me home; just as I was pulling out of the station a guy tapped on the window and pointed out that I still had the nozzle plus hose dangling from my fill pipe. Oops. I went back in and they told me it wasn't a problem.

To top things off: At Six Flags my rear right tire decided to make sweet sweet love with a bolt dropped earlier on the highway by a considerate car. When I pulled into a gas station to check out what I've picked up and saw the bolt head sitting nicely mounted on the tire, my first thought was "Hmm, looks like an M10." followed by "I wonder how deep it sits.". It turned out to sit deeply enough.
The rest of the trip home was made at 50 mph with an emergency spare to the sweet tunes of my constant swearing.

I'll give Mr Stokes a call today to see what he can offer.

Lovely weekend, though...

/Magnus F.

[slomove]

Magnus, would you mind returning my M10 bolt?

[Doug Liedblad]

Gert

Chris is just trying to keep you from feeling bad, it was dry and SUNNY within 10 minutes of you leaving.

Doug

[Doug Liedblad]

Found in the garage:

Magnus' logbook, I will send to him with the check for the scales.

One glasses case, Maui Jim in Blue. With some purple glasses cleaning cloth.

No money.

[moosetestbestanden]

Magnus - send me a PM w/ your address please.

[magnusfeuer]

Chris - Done.

[Doug Liedblad]

Will fit in a two car garage.

Eight might be possible with more fiddling.

[moosetestbestanden]

7's enough!

Very cool!

[Doug Liedblad]

Gert looking for a 10mm bolt

[magnusfeuer]

Michael posted two in-car videos from his races:

http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/~murphy/BW Race 4-14-07 (High Res).wmv (http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/%7Emurphy/BW%20Race%204-14-07%20%28High%20Res%29.wmv) (31.3 Mb):
http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/~murphy/BW Race 4-15-07 Backwards (High Res).wmv (http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/%7Emurphy/BW%20Race%204-15-07%20Backwards%20%28High%20Res%29.wmv) (63.7Mb)

[DIYMAN25]

hello gangs.
wonder how did every one do ? did any one time them self or Bring a Timer ?

Want to get a reference time of my 7... plan to brake into low 2 min or under this year... I am going to street of willow with speed venture in may any one want to joint ?

J

[moosetestbestanden]

If you scroll up in this thread you'll see some times from several of the cars. Times are mostly irrelevant for those of us in HPDE because it's rare that we get a clear lap.

Several of us are driving at Willow on the big track the 1st weekend of May.

[Doug Liedblad]

M. Murphy's best time was around 2:01 in the race group.

I believe Jon Stokes did a 1:55 in the time trial group.

I did have some clear laps but no time on them a guess would be 2:10 - 2:15 ish. I did a 2.06 two weeks before on a slightly faster track configuration.

Doug