Did a DE this past weekend at Putnam Park. Unfortunately, my video camera failed, so I don't have anything to post. New Traqmate worked great. Couple of comments worth mentioning...

I arranged with RAINEYCD to instruct for him, and he deserves a lot of praise. First never-ever student I have soloed at the end of the first day. He's a good driver, safe, thoughtful and a fast learner. It was a real pleasure. I did make him sick in my car, though.

Had some issue in prep, but my car ran flawlessly all weekend. Only time I laid a wrench on it was to swap tires side-to-side and torque the wheels. I was on Michelin PSC's, and got within a half-second of my PR on Hoosiers. I found that if I tightened up the anti-sub strap enough I could carry more speed into the corners. It was on Sunday morning when it was cooler and the turbos could be more effective.

Two notable cars in the paddock. 2009 GT2 (belongs to an instructor who was really fast in his 997 TT, and is probably faster now). He went through 3 sets of Hoosiers in 3 days. Other was a Nissan GT-R. He was a C-group student, instructed by the owner of the GT2. Sounded great, and seemed really fast.

 

It was an awesome weekend! I really appreciate you, Jon! You are an awesome instructor! My first track event could not have been better! Well, except for the car sickness! :-) I have a little video and some pics I am going to post up soon.

I agree, the 997GT2 and the GT-R were definitely stand out cars! I really loved how the 996/997 turbo cars (including the GT2) sounded like jets going down the straight! I also enjoyed the yellow Corvette ZR1! It was loud to!

Can't wait until October! Are you going to be there?

 

again very cool you guys had that experience!!!
I assume it wasnt a PCA event, no clubs I instruct for would EVER solo a student on their first day!! No disrespect to you guys and your skills but I wouldnt want to be out on track with a guy in a TT driving by himself at his first event!! No wonder you guys had so much fun!!

 

Tom -

It was Kentucky region PCA. I gave him his solo sticker after the last session of the first day, and rode with him for 1/2 of the first session on Sunday to be sure that he was still the same guy, then let him out alone. I made myself conspicuous by the rail so he knew I was watching.

I soloed him because he recognized his limits, and drove within them, and wasn't overly aggressive. He was also very consistent. Like I said - it was the first time I'd done that for a never-ever. By contrast, I also had a C-group student, who also was in a 996TT, whom I never sent out solo because he wasn't ready.

Jon

 

Sounds like Putnam Park's surface is tough on tires. Even allowing for the weight and assuming advanced skills, that seems excessive.