So, there’s lots more to tell, and it will take some time to get it all down on “ePaper”. Â But, the biggest news of the weekend is that I’ve been upgraded to run solo. Â Actually, my instructor got out after the first green session, and said, “Your doing good enough to drive solo. Â You don’t need me here. Â Just work on tightening up those Apexes.”
At the time I presumed that just meant that he would recommend upgrading me to the intermediate group at the end of the day. Â Still cool. Â That was my goal for the day because it opens up so many more options for seat time. Â Besides the intermediates get a full 120 minutes of green-flag seat time. Â The Novice groups only get 80 minutes.
Anyway, I showed up for the 4th session of the day (first one after lunch). Â And the instructor never showed. Â When the pit-master came to my car I kinda shrugged, indicating I didn’t know where my instructor was. Â Shane came over and said “your instructor is Scott, right?”
Me, “Er, maybe? I didn’t catch his name.”
Shane, “Yeah, he talked to me about you. Â Said you can run solo. So, GO!”
Alright then! Â I, um, tightened the belts a bit more than usual, threw it in gear, and GTFO before someone changed their mind. Â Yippe, Kai-yay!
I spent the remaining three sessions running solo, but still in the novice run group. Â The car sure handled different without the 200 lbs in the passenger seat. Â It took a few laps to settle in, and get into a groove. Â Its funny how your psychology changes when the instructor isn’t there anymore. Â Instantly, I was paying more attention to my own marks, turns, laps, etc. Â I didn’t realize I was doing it before…but, I was deferring (at least) part of the job of analysis and correction to the right seat. Â Once he wasn’t there, I had to THINK about it on my own…and make my own decisions about what to do next.
That was where the G2X came in. Â It took me a few sessions to actually remember to set the SF. Â But, I managed to do that on the first green session. Â So, I had lap time +/- to use to see what I was doing, and how well. Â In addition the G2X has a real-time +/- vs. best lap that helps to see how you just did in the last corner. Â That makes a huge difference for on-track corrections.
I have video from most sessions (I forgot to start the camera a couple times). Â And, I have G2X data from all. Â It will take some time to go through it all…and figure out what I need to do differently. Â I’ll be posting my thoughts as I make my way through it. Â Besides, its also a learning experience to figure out how to use the G2X software, and data+video as a learning tool.
Given the limited amount of actual track time (once or twice a month), the data+video becomes important to get the most learning out of each and every corner of each and every lap.
The car performed great. Â I have a couple minor issues to sort out:
1. Â The car consumed about a 1/2 qt of oil during the day. Â Nothing visible coming out the tail-pipe, But, I do know the front seal is leaking (normally just a nightly drip), and the valve cover gasket is leaking. Â But, I don’t know how those two things add up to a 1/2 qt. Â Hmmm….
2. Â My entire dash, and blinker circuits stopped working on the last couple laps of the last session. Â Not sure if this is a fuse, or something more sinister.
Stay tuned for more!
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