Fiat fun at Road Atlanta

[ga.spyder]

I took today off and drove the 2 hours to Road Atlanta in my 82 Spider.Nice ride,although it was 29 deg. when I left the house.I attended the American Road Race of Champions,which is a SCCA event.The cars are mostly newer cars(many,many,many Miatas) running in Improved touring,GT1,etc... At lunch,all the race bodies open the track for touring laps ,for a $20 donation to the corner workers.I was 1st in line behind a new Mustang from a dealer ,that was our pace car.There were only 6 cars!!Me,the pace car,a X19,new Camaro,Toyota,and a Suv.We took off and I rode the Pace Car like a rented mule.We were having a blast!!He was laughing all the way around(he had never been on track before),and we were going past the 65 mph top speed.Then,he pulled off and told us that the Drivers Meeting was running long,and we were on our own!!!I ran 1/2 tank of gas out of my car in a 45 min stretch.We were flying around there. We were on track for almost an hour for what was supposed to be a 1/2 hour poke along.Unreal.I drove home with a smile plastered on my face.
While I was there,I joined the SCCA.I am going to a couple classes and will be a flagman next year.I will get into all events free.Since getting on the track in a car seems a longshot for now,maybe being involved will cure my racing desire.Calm it some anyway.
Craig

[racydave]

I really think you should join us at the Rolex

[ga.spyder]

Dave,are you going there in Jan? I could probably swing that.When I lived in Fla.,I used to go there and to Sebring every year.
Craig

[azygoustoyou]

Your hooked!! Soon you'll have three Fiats. Red, Blue, and a racer. I want to go.

[ga.spyder]

One of the reasons I went today was to scope out some of the cars for sale.The Improved Touring classes are the least expensive way to get into road racing.Basically street cars with all the safety gear,on race rubber.Several cars there for less than $4K.One guy said he would sell me his ITT,Improved TouringTruck!for 3K.Fresh motor and new paint,race winner to boot.Might as well be 30K for me right now.Although....once the wife divorces me,hmmmmm.
Craig

[racydave]

Yes Craig, I have my tickets. Im going with a friend who's Mother in law lives there, so I have a place to stay. Im not sure about extra room thou... Peter ( Killer Whale ) is thinkin about coming down too! It will be my first Can-am event. Also first time in a Jet!

[mdrburchette]

You'll have fun, Dave. It wasn't coincidental that mine and Ron's wedding anniversary is around the same time! Daytona is a happening place the end of Jan and beginning of Feb.

Craig, you dirty dawg. Wish I knew all this was going on. I would have come down to play.

[ga.spyder]

I called you Denise.Remember...while that Chevy(go figure) was burning to the ground.Dave ,I will get with you on the details re. Rolex 24.I would say count me in,though. I will send you an email re. tickets,etc...We always bought General Admission cause after 5-6 hours,you can sit anywhere you want.It doesnt draw like the 500.And hey,floor space would work for me!
Craig

[racydave]

We have gen admission, and will be there on Thurs evenivg in time for Fri practice. Ill see about the floor space, or if Peter goes, he probably needs a roomie... Im pumped!!!

[ga.spyder]

email sent ,Dave.Count me in!!!

[baltobernie]

You see what happens, Denise, when you put a bunch of middle-age guys in go-carts? I hope you've learned your lesson!

[racydave]

Yes, she is a bad influence... but thats why we like her

[mdrburchette]

You see what happens, Denise, when you put a bunch of middle-age guys in go-carts? I hope you've learned your lesson!

Really! They didn't even know they had it in 'em, did they?

Yes, she is a bad influence... but thats why we like her

Fun being naughty once in a while, ain't it? Wish I could be there. You guys have fun now, hear?

[Zebbidog]

Craig,

I know what you mean! Out here in Utah, we have the fairly new Miller Motorsports Park as the lasting legacy of a great man (Larry Miller).
The track is fantastic and I would invite anyone here to come to Utah specifically to see and even participate in some great events!
I picked up a job at the track just so I could be a part of the action and interact with the racers. It has been great!

I am now hoping to join SCCA myself for further fun and even possibly see some track time.

The more realistic track time will likely be a track days on my motorcycle though.

Anyway, just wanted to say my two cents as well on having the track bug...if you've joined SCCA to work flags - you are in for a real exciting time! I've worked a corner or two and it is a blast being so close to the action!

[ga.spyder]

Brent,
I am looking forward to the SCCA corner work.I try to make almost all the events at RA anyway,might as well get in free and get fed to be there.Also,you can camp for free inside the track.And maybe....I can make some contacts that would get me into a car.You know...to drive,not to pull some poor guy out of .I have watched some races from Miller,it looks like an awesome facility.
Craig