SCCA HPDE /TT - Summit Point Main April 26-28 2024
Event Preparation:
Coming off of a pretty eventful MARRs weekend, I had to get the EG ready to turn around and go right back to Summit Point Main. Back to back weekends on track make it a bit easier for prepping the RV and trailer. Really just need to make sure things are topped off and that the laundry has been pulled.
Sean and I did a top to bottom run through of the car. Did a nut and bolt check and replaced the steering rack bushings. We quickly realized that the kit that was delivered was not the correct one, so we did some custom fabrication to get a working solution for the weekend. Then we checked all the fluid levels, bled the brakes, replaced the rotors and the brake pads. This weekend required a bit more mental preparation than most. I had a pretty significant impact at the tire wall in Turn 3 at MARRs that left me with some bruised ribs, a broken trailing arm, and a little loss of confidence. I reviewed all the data I’ve recorded this season on Main (MARRs and Season Opener), rewatched all of my videos to analyze what I’ve been doing right and what needs improvement, and started psyching myself up to get back on track. My main focus was getting in the right head space to focus on driving safely without being scared of the car or the track. I didn’t need to be fast this weekend, I just needed to get from point a to point b, consistently and safely. I needed to get behind the wheel and back on track as soon as possible to get the monkey off my back, the elephant out of the room, and get back on that horse (enough animal metaphors?). It was now, or never.
Got the car loaded Wednesday night, with plans to be on the road by 1pm Thursday….We technically left by 1pm, but the trip to Summit was an absolute nightmare. The only road out from our neighborhood was being repaved, so it was one lane surrounded by heavy machinery. A tight fit for a regular car, the RV made it worse. Then we went to fill up the tank at the nearby Wawa that we can easily get in and out of with the RV and trailer, but it was half closed to be repaved. We had to turn around in a neighborhoods roundabout to try and make it back to route 1. After a 600 point turn, we were back on the road to try and hit the slightly further Wawa we knew we could fit in. What are the odds that it was also half closed to be repaved? We continued on south to try any other gas station we could fit in and landed on the newest Sheetz, which was a nightmare to get into. It was probably the busiest gas station we’ve been to in a while, and we had to wait for like 30 minutes because a tour bus was blocking the only pump we could have used.
We finally got on the road for real, just to immediately be stuck in traffic. 95 was a parking lot, going up one more exit was going to give us a 30 minute delay. We got off on 1 just in time for that traffic to back up. All in all, it took us almost 2 extra hours to get to Summit Point. Made it through the gates and set up in the back of the paddock in the wooded area as the rest of our crew started slowly trickling in. It was a great spot, and nice to be surrounded by friends, almost like summer camp.
Friday:
Friday was Instructor Appreciation / No Novice day. There were no students and no novice sessions which opened up the track for more driving sessions. My first session was just to get it done and not die. Jump with two feet in and remind myself I can do this, and I’m good at it. I was about 3 seconds off my regular pace, but I’ll take that while I’m rebuilding my confidence. I then went out with the TT session and was able to replicate my previous time but was fighting traffic the whole time the main point was to set a time and not have to start Saturday or Sunday from DFL.
I drove a friends car to test out his new set up and suspension, and talked through some recommendations and things to watch for this weekend. I then reviewed some track data with another Max 4 competitor who is new to the track but proved to be an alien from outer space putting in a 22.9 that afternoon (not counted due to rules with driving multiple cars on the same day with the same transponder). We talked through his turn 3 brake application, turn 4 exit car placement, and his turn 10 brake application while trying to break his down shifting habit.
Saturday:
On Saturday I didn’t have time to run TT while juggling 3 intermediate students and working grid. With student one, we worked on car placement in turns 5, 6, and 7, and discussed stiffening rear sway bar to stop the car from being “pushy” on turn entry. Student two needed to work on car placement in turns 6, 7, and 8, and allowing the car to exit with a smoother steering angle (set the wheel, leave it, drive with the throttle). Student three didn’t make it to grid due to some car issues.
It was a cold and rainy day, which led me to helping repair some cars that experienced some minor impacts. They were able to get back out on track before the weekend ended, so there was a silver lining. I also had to replace an axle on the EG due to binding and wear, and tested out an 8 inch front wheel set up versus my normal 10. Need to replace the tires to get a better feel for how it drives.
Sunday
On Sunday, we had one bad accident before lunch at turn 10, mechanical brake failure. Driver walked away from it, so all around the best outcome anyone could ask for. His safety equipment did exactly what it needed to. I went on a ride along with Student one and kept working on car placement improvements, and coached a novice student in a Porsche 944. We worked on car placement, building confidence in driving skills, and ultimately having fun on track.
I drove a TT session, but had to go out late and manage traffic, but most people were outstanding with their point bys, one lap included 3 passes and no major drops in predictive time until being held on the entry of turn 10. I was also able to convince my wife to go for a ride along in a combined session. It was her first in at least 4 years. Unfortunately after about 4 laps, the session was red flagged for an impact on turn 1. The red flag was called errantly, and the car continued on. My wife has never been able to finish a session, 3 times on track total, and each one has ended early with a red or black flag. It was for the best because we picked up a rock in turn 5 that punctured a hole in the radiator and I corded the front tires. Regardless of a short session I tend to forget how much fun it can be just going out with the focus of having fun with friends, that’s what we are here for right? Austin and I were side by side for multiple laps, I wish I could have gotten a picture from the rear view of how close the s2000 was on corner entry to 10, he was never worried about car proximity and nor was I. It’s a shame that Keely wasn’t able to stay out longer but we’ll get her out at Dominion in two weeks. She had a blast. I had a blast.
This was one of the best weekends, despite everything going on and poor driving, that we have had at the track in a long time. New people, old friends, and the NE 86 cup folks, as well as my “real” family joined us at the track back in the old and forgotten No Class Paddock (NCP, apparently some legacy MARRS term for home of the cast-aways or something like that) and it was AWESOME. Having everyone close, nice shade, good weather and off the pavement for the dogs was something else. From my perspective everyone was walking around, sharing, helping, laughing and fully enjoying the vibes. We are only a few events into this season, 3 to be exact, with 11 more locally. 2024 is going to be an awesome year with good competition, growth and learning for all.
Next steps for Dominion on 13-14 May 2024
Need to order new axle
Need to replace radiator
Mount new front tires
Find a way to access rear strut adjusters
