BeaveRun wrap-up (3-5 Sep NASA OH-IN HPDE)

[Black396]

http://www.beaverun.com/images/homenav.gif
All I can say is if you track rats missed this one, you missed one of the best weekends of the year. If you haven't been to BeaveRun (http://www.beaverun.com/) , it is a 1.53 mile track with 12 turns and a fair amount of elevation changes.

It was our 3rd annual trip to this event and by far the best yet. Attendees were:
Mike and Janet Higgins
James Anderson
Dave Rankin
Ralph Watts
Mike Sarver
and
Matt Ward (track pal from the Corvette Forum MattW_VA)

The weather was beautiful for the entire weekend. Temps were in the upper 70s - low 80s during the day and middle to upper 50s at night. Lots of blue skies with some scattered clouds that were welcome shade at times. [:D]

All run groups had four 20 minute sessions on Saturday and two 20 minute and one 40 minute session on Sunday. NASA Oh-In will combine run groups when the groups are smaller in size and BeaveRun had some combined sessions. Their run groups are similar to NASA Mid-Atlantic except for HPDE4 and Time Trials.

HPDE4 is comprised of Instructors and experienced HPDE'ers that have progressed beyond HPDE3. (OH-IN restricts HPDE3 to passing on straights with point bys while HPDE4 is open passing anywhere with points by suggested but not required) Makes for some very interesting run groups until you get the hang of how it all works.

I'll let Ralph and the others get into details about the runs but I will say that Corvettes lead the way in the HPDEs. [:D] [:))]

Unless gas prices stay crazy we will be going back up to this event next year (always Labor Day weekend) If you can only make one 'away trip' next year you really need to think about doing this one. [:D]

[Akcelr8]

It was a blast. We figured out the best way for us "to play" was to grid first, giving us a few laps of clear track before we started lapping other cars. With the exception of one very quick S2000 and a couple of race cars getting some additional practice, we were only passed by each other usually with Matt in his C6 setting the pace! [:D [B-)] ] We also had to run in a combined Group 3-4, with Time Trials cars. Very strange to go from Group 4 pass anywhere (point bys recommended but not necessary meant set up the pass, make sure it was safe, and go!) to Group 3 rules of passing only on the two main straights with point by. Frustrating for us and the TT guys at times. Because Mike and I instructed a Group 1 session on Sunday afternoon, we negotiated a morning Group 4 session on Monday morning. Absolute heaven. Less than 10 cars gridded, open track with Mike wearing me out and then me trying to return the favor. A great time. By the way, Dave's mom (we made her the Honorary Track Rat Mom) brought lunch both days including homemade blueberry muffins, banana nut bread and a homemade peach pie. [:p] What a great Mom! There are more stories here but I'll let the others tell them. Aloha Mike? James?

[urtoslo]

Sounds like you all had fun. However, you didn't have to go to western PA to have fun. I was instructing on Shenandoah Circuit this weekend and, like you guys, it was a perfect weekend. I had the Vette out and while it was still not running 100%, I could see glimpses of it's former self. I have all the parts to fix it, no time. I need to get my video up on the web!

You guys missed a good one right in your backyard. [:D]

[janderson]

Even though I had to run the Rustang I had a gret time [:D] [:D] [:D]

Dave's Mom makes the best cookies, bananna nut bread and blueberry muffins. The roast beef was excellent for lunch on Sunday.
Dave - let your mom know once again that I am truely appreciative of her hard work with lunch and snacks each day!

Day 1 - extreme pucker factor as soon as the brakes warmed up. There is nothing like comming down the front straight at 90 - 100 and having the brake pedal go almost to the floor. [b-(]
Woke me up, babied it for a lap and they came back. Missed my next classroom session to bleed all four corners, glad I brought a full can of ATE. Next session was much better, brakes lasted the whole seesion without fading too much. Re-learned the track and all was good, was probably the slowest car in HPDE 1. About what I expected for a V6 Mustang.

Day 2 - After the first session my instructor signed me off for solo and suggested since I was pushing the street tires so bad in the front I should swap the back and front tires. Did that and ran the next session solo. Had a blast, was still slow but I was able to hit the line more often. Well except the first lap, I droped the left front off the pavement coming out of turn 2 (just went too wide). The rest of the session was very good though. Last session I ran 10 - 11 laps and had Mike ride with me. That was very good, had one "perfect lap" (Mike's words)

I love this track, and I'm looking forward to the next event. My eval from my instructor was mostly 1's. Things I need to work on is my downshifts and waiting a while longer before I upshift.

I love the comraderie that happens at the trak. We extended our hospitality to a Mini driver that showed up for just Sunday. Poor lady didn't even know she had to clean her car out. At least Sandy had on the right belt buckle [:D] [:D] [:D]

[JaxVette]

Hey guys, sorry I missed this one. I'm jealous. Sounds like a lot more fun than wondering around the Mexico City industrial area. I'll make sure I don't schedule any travel anywhere near Labor Day next year.

Trying to get the old Vette ready for the next Summit Point date. Got the intake system stripped off, trying to find that big vacumn leak that reared its ugly head last track day at VIR. Also got my new Earl's oil cooler in. Hopefully I'll be able to run it hard from start to finish without any oil overheating problems. Guess we'll see.

See you at Summit. - Jack -

[Black396]

Hey Jack, you were definitely missed. We were talking about how you were probably enjoying the night life and the beer in Mexico City [:))] I think you would have enjoyed group 4.

I especially missed you (well your generator anyway [:D] [:D] [:))] [:))] ) in the mornings! No electric hookups and I couldn't get my coffee. Actually Matt and James were [B-)] and brought coffee in or I would have really been in trouble. [:O]

Looking forward to seeing you at Summit on the 24th and 25th.

[AlohaC5]

Janet and I had a great time visiting Beaver Run, PA for the first time with fellow NVCC track rats. I had two very good sessions - running the fastest laps in Group 1, and was 2nd fastest during a combined Group 1 & 2 session - exchanging "point bys" with a modified BMW 3-series with a very experienced driver.

We're also the proud owners of a new aluminum Trailex trailer (http://www.trailex.com/viewprod.cfm?id=125&mcat=104&cat_id=104) that we bought while at the track. She's a real beauty and hauls the C5 effortlessly. We look forward to going back next year. Awesome track in a beautiful part of the country!

Unfortunately, I experienced a mechanical problem after the 2nd session that pulled me out for the rest of the weekend; however, shes now at East Coast Supercharging (ECS) in NJ for repairs that will be completed in a month or two. I decided to go with forged internals (pistons and rods) and a few other goodies! (NO supercharger, turbo or nitrous.)

Since the vette is in the shop for the next several weeks, we will have to pull out of Spook as well as a NASA event I registered for in late September. However, we'll be back next year faster and stronger than before. I'll practice my "heal - toe" shifting for the next HPDE session. We plan to go to Watkins Glen, VIR, Mid-Ohio, Beaver Run, Summit Point and Limerock next year!

We had a great time (as usual) with Mike, Ralph, James, Matt and Dave. Dave's mom was awesome bringing cookies and other snacks! Please let her know how much we appreciated that. Jack - you would have really enjoyed Beaver Run! Matt - congratulations on moving up to HPDE 4!

I told Janet she's getting 8 diamonds....... diamond forged pistons (ha-ha) Do you think she'll go for that???

We hope to see more members (and wives) attend HPDE sessions next year. There is plenty to see and do at the track and enjoy in the local communities. [:D]

Mike

[Black396]

Mike, what was the outcome of the car? Send me an email if you want to...

[C5inWV]

I, too, learned something new at the track last weekend. I learned that you could wear a helmet bag on your head, and nobody says anything as long as you have the FTD.
The guys that ran Monday were smart. The last session on Sunday wasn't the best, with the full track caution for several laps.
My mom enjoys cooking, and she appreciates all the kind comments. We won't go hungry at BeaveRun.
I look forward to SP in a couple of weeks...see ya there. [:D]

[Ebein]

Glad you guys had fun, Wish I could have made it!

[Black396]

Glad you guys had fun, Wish I could have made it!

Yeah, we were 'bad mouthing' you all weekend! <j/K> [:D]

You were a topic of discussion more than once over the weekend. (Hey we had to tell the story about how you got hung out to dry on the back straight during that combined groups session at Mid-Ohio.)

You really need to make another event with us this year if you can manage it Bill. If all else fails, be sure to reserve time for the NASA event at VIR in February next year.

[Ebein]

Glad you guys had fun, Wish I could have made it!

Yeah, we were 'bad mouthing' you all weekend! <j/K> [:D]

You were a topic of discussion more than once over the weekend. (Hey we had to tell the story about how you got hung out to dry on the back straight during that combined groups session at Mid-Ohio.)

You really need to make another event with us this year if you can manage it Bill. If all else fails, be sure to reserve time for the NASA event at VIR in February next year.

You know I wana go, but they've got me working every other
weekend now and talking about sending me between
CA and Lima, OH. Anyone take video from this weekend?

[Black396]

You know I wana go, but they've got me working every other weekend now and talking about sending me between
CA and Lima, OH. Anyone take video from this weekend?

Mike Higgins or Dave Rankin might have gotten some. I had the camera in the car but had problems with it shutting off while on the grid. (never did get anything).

[Akcelr8]

If you want to see some great pictures of this event, with me, Dave, Mike S, Matt, Mike H. and James, check out this website. ( http://www.fred-voit.com/frames.html ). Here's the path: car event photos then NASA BeaveRun Sept... then HP4 and then 53, 111, 07, 82 also check HP01 and then 28 and 114.

[janderson]

If you want to see some great pictures of this event, with me, Dave, Mike S, Matt, Mike H. and James, check out this website. ( http://www.fred-voit.com/frames.html ). Here's the path: car event photos then NASA BeaveRun Sept... then HP4 and then 53, 111, 07, 82 also check HP01 and then 28 and 114.

Thanks!!!!! I didn't get by their photo booth. Don't think I'll order any though.