DE, Why Bother?

[AllanJ]

Originally Posted by FTS

I supposed the "local track/groups" are not PCA since they did not have open passing? Most clubs on the east coast nowadays, allow open passing in black/red type groups, which adds a lot of excitement and enjoyment IMO.

No open passing here, PCA or not. I'm in BC, Canada and the track (Mission Raceway Park) is small and lined with concrete walls. Many of the really experienced guys are sick of this puny track and don't come anymore. They prefer to cross the border to WA or OR and go to tracks there. So that leaves more junior people here and they don't have the track awareness/skills for advanced passing rules.

I grabbed a lap from my session last week and tossed it on youtube to show you what I came across every 2-3 laps. It starts off with me easing up a bit to confirm what the fella in the turbo was doing (just being safe) and then I caught up to the red car pretty fast, except he didn't have the courtesy to ease up and let me by before the hairpin. He knows I have to wait a while before I can pass him, so why not let me by then? Not a huge deal (I know the guy and he seems nice), but I don't have to deal with stuff like this in Oregon. Better track, better drivers and better passing rules.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWxjvYkFal0

[FFaust]

Allan, would it have been considered too aggressive if you had stayed on his bumper a bit more? Any chance that he thought that he was really staying away?

I echo all that you've said above. I don't race cause I can't afford it... and the GT3 has spoiled it for me as well. Even last year, when I had a 997 S and considering the next step, I really did not want to go the way of a 944 or other low power full race car, even though it would have made a lot of sense and have been way cheaper.

There's just something about trying to perfect the driving in these higher-powered, rear-engined cars that we have. It is just so rewarding when you get it right.

We are very lucky in the east, here, to have this many top-level tracks to chose from.

[AllanJ]

Originally Posted by FFaust

Allan, would it have been considered too aggressive if you had stayed on his bumper a bit more? Any chance that he thought that he was really staying away?

I tend to dial it back a little bit in that turn because of the wall. Concrete and my car don't mix too well. I understand what you're saying, but in this case he knows I'm way faster than him so it isn't like strangers not being aware of how fast a guy might be. A couple turns back I was nowhere to be seen and now in turn 2, right before the passing zone I'm just behind him. Maybe I'm more aware of other traffic? I don't know.

Originally Posted by FFaust

There's just something about trying to perfect the driving in these higher-powered, rear-engined cars that we have. It is just so rewarding when you get it right.

I feel exactly the same way.

Originally Posted by FFaust

We are very lucky in the east, here, to have this many top-level tracks to chose from.

Lucky bugger. Now where's that "jealous as hell" emoticon....