Thanks to everyone who actually showed up! All of you who showed made the experience unbelieveable. I have never been in a kart before and find them more difficult to master than I anticipated. I am also surprised at how drained I was after the third and forth segements. It literally wore me out but I was pushing as hard as I could which was part of the problem. I need to work more on being smooth which will bring speed. I am definitely up for doing this again.

 

The first day of karting was an unqualified success for everyone. I knew that it was going to be a hot day the minute I looked out the window this morning and upon arriving at the track, it was HOT! Before we arrived, a few of us guessed that Mark would probably show up in shorts and a t-shirt even though we were told to wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt. That's Mark, always wanting to be the different one.

After registering for our first outing. $50 for an annual pass or $10 for just the day plus $75 for 4 sessions or $20 for a single session. We were all set! After Tim gave us a brief explanation, the first group went out on the track driving those 15 hp cars. I was part of the first group so I wore my helmet camera to take some videos! I spun out a couple times throughout my 5 sessions with the first being because of Todd bumping into me around a corner in the first one! I would get my revenge!

A little background about the track. It's multi configured and can be set up as either one big track or two separate North and South sections. The Southern track is not as challenging and is easier to really pick up some serious speed with nice, flat and wide turns. The Northern section however has banked turns, varying elevation and much tighter corners. Using the entire track combines the best of both worlds but it's also much easier to max out in the straightways before the first corner.

The video!

The result of my trip off the track thanks to Todd


James took pictures along with me


Eric comes around!


Two fo the staff (Tim is the one with the sunglasses)




Jim aka Busta Rib


Aaron can't believe that Mark is faster than him!


James gives the thumbs up


Jody looked pretty tired after the first round


Jason is ready for round 2!


Walking to the pit area


And they're off!


James' coming around the first corner




Jim's turn


Todd laughing about bumping some guys (including me)


I think Aaron was telling Mark something about a turn


Jody is still all smiles! A little story. During the first session, Jody and Josh were both driving together in the back, spinning out, giving each other high fives, and just having fun! The rest of us were driving like maniacs somewhere else on the track!


Jason and his helmet camera setup with Mark in the background


Mark relaxing a bit before the race started

 

Jason, Mark and Aaron


Mark and Aaron just before the start


And Jason


Mark is already in front of Jason


Jason giving the thumbs up!


Shifter karts!


Here comes James aka Hot Shot


And Todd


Mark showing his winning form


Aaron close behind!


Jody trying desperately not to spin out by leaning over!


Jason purposefully leaning over for the video camera!


A little friendly competition between friends


Now Mark is starting to get serious


Todd was already left behind!


Mark leading the pack as usual


Jason trying to hug the corners


I guess, it didn't always work


Mark even hugs the corners when coming into the pit area


Jody coming in last but I wonder why she's driving a car that has a body shop's name on it? An omen, perhaps?

 

Jody is either imitating a certain movie star or actually trying to cool off


Josh aka Bosco giving the thumbs up!


Jim going out for his next session


Eric is all smiles as he thinks how hard this is going to be


Josh is ready!


Heading to the North track


One of the many banked corners in the Northern section


Josh likes this section!


Jim and Eric goes neck to neck arond the final turn


Josh takes a short nap after his 4th and final session


Our time attack machines at rest


Mark and Aaron went again for their 5th time! Can you find them?


Mark and Aaron were neck to neck!


Eric is STILL all smiles as he comes in


I guess his arms didn't agree with his smile


Some of the flags used


Before and after our session, there was this rider who did a great job drifting around the corners fast!


Coming around!

 

Crap, I'm really sorry to have missed today! That looks like a blast. I should have just bailed on work, I spent all day working on an issue and I should have just said "screw it."

Glad you guys had a blast.

 

I want to give a special thanks to Jason, James, and Jody for taking the time to snap some photos for everyone. That was very generous of you to document the occasion. Especially considering everyone else was slacking, drinking water, and shooting the breeze in between sessions. It was Africa hot today. Awesome photos as usual! The helmet cam was a success.

 

Awesome pictures & video, Jason!

 

Awesome photos Jason. Especially with documentation! Thanks for grabbing some photos of me. I'm not usually in front of the lens.

I have to get one of those cams! Where'd you get it?

 

Don't forget Josh and Todd. They took pictures too. And it was my pleasure! Just because we're all out there having fun doesn't mean someone should also be out there helping you guys remember it all!

James, I got the camera originally from the guys at GoPro WIDE down at SEMA. They had a special deal going for it, $120 bucks! I think it costs a bit more directly from them. Check it out!

GoPro camera

 

AWESOME photos!

 

woohoo! great pictures jason! i always enjoy the captions on each picture! it adds to the story and humor! i had a blast with you guys yesterday and i can't wait to do it again!

 

Jody if i go next time I'll be in the back of the pack with you

 

^^you got it RB! you know, i was in the back on purpose. that way i can watch everyone else. haha...ya, right! it's all that dang corner drifting i tell ya! thank goodness i'm much better on the autox course!

now we just need to drag your butt out there!

 

1. I was at work
2. I had to pack for today's flight
3. I have to ration my sun exposure before I turn purple

I will do my best to make the next one. I promise to the porsche gods

 

^^have a good flight! we'll see you when you return! =)