CodeBlack

I going to Watkins Glen for a HPDE and would like your recommendations being that it's my first time at this track and it's my first time running on Hoosier R6's. I've spent 2 seasons on street tires. I've purchased a good set of scrubs for my C6Z06 and also have new Hoosier R6's. Does it make a difference on this track whether I use the scrubs or new tires?
I'm also taking my street tires in case it rains.

NewC6Toy

Watkins Glen can be pretty cold in the mornings and I have had some days where it has taken 3 or 4 laps before my R6s felt like they were up to temperature. Watkins Glen also tends to be tough on brakes, bring spares and good brake fluid.
As far scrubs vs. new R6s, I find R6s to be consistent over their life so you should be fine on scrubs. Although, not being a professional racer I couldn't tell you about the fraction of second kind of performance of the tire.

CHJ In Virginia

Scrubs or new should not make a lot of difference unless the scrubs are very old tires - 3-4 years or so. They get hard and slippery. I agree with the second post, you have to get some heat in the tires before pushing really hard, especially on a cold morning run group at the Glen

Wicked Weasel

When are you going?

John Shiels

if you go with scrubs they will possibly cord faster then you will not be able to run on them for the two days. Since nothing is mounted yet and you have two sets of rims mount the new tires. You better get the alignment done also.

For all those whinning & about the body cast picture Steve and I talk nearly everyday and bust each others chops. Steve goes to autopsies fairly frequently so he was very, very amused when I PM'ed the picture as it was deleted before he saw it. Some here worry to much. What happens happens that is life and we need to have a laugh. If Steve posted pictures I can only imagine what he would put up on me. Plus he is a fire arms expert so I doubt he feels threatened.

John Shiels

He's going with PDA in beginning of May 5th + - bring bread crumbs and throw them out the window for him so he knows where he is going.

GettReal

There is a huge group of us Canadians showing up for the same PDA event at the Glen (May 3-4). I think its going to be VERY well represented by vettes.

The last time I ran R6's at the Glen, they were what I would have considered scrubs and they ran fine for the 2 days, however, it was also early in the season and the tires took longer to get up to temps as mentioned.

I'm not sure if you will be in HPDE1, since this is your first time at the track, but I'm sure you wont be pushing that hard day 1 anyway. But also as mentioned, bring back up pads.

<<--- Look for the Flag and drop by and say Hi,

Steve

CodeBlack

I run in HPDE 3 but for the first session or 2 I'll be in HPDE 2 I measured the scrubs and got a read of 3/32. I hear that Watkins Glen has some rough areas on the track, meaning for tire wear.

CodeBlack

meow meow

CodeBlack

Let me set the record straight! I have to admit, at first when John would break my ***** about going off track, it spooked me but now I laugh since I've been behind the wheel for a few seasons. I've known John for a long time and he has done nothing but help me both on and off the track. You couldn't find a better person. Get back on the track John

Bill Dearborn

I usually get good tire wear at the Glen. This will be my 18th year running there. It will probably be cold in the morning and it will take several laps to get your tires up to a high enough temp so they will stick. Be sure to bring warm enough clothing. The best thing to do is to have a couple of layers of sweatshirts with a jacket over them. Then as the weather warms up you can pull some stuff off to keep from getting too warm.

Bill

Wicked Weasel

Wicked Weasel

It gets cold a WGI in the morning but usually a few hours of sun and the track warms up nicely. No reason for anyone to push the car the first session although someone will

Regarding tire wear - I have been to WGI for the last 6 years around 6 days per year. I never notice more tire wear at WGI versus any other track.

ZR1 MK

To avoid cold and rainy days, I recommend going in the summer. Since this is your first time, go with the lower cost itres you have.

95jersey

Always seems that somebody has to be a hero in the first session at WG. It's almost a guarantee.

I personally only go to the Glen during the summer. Been burnt too many times going in the spring and fall (snow, cold, rain). I went in early Oct "once" and it never got above 33the entire day (sucked).

ZR1 MK

Are you sure?

Wicked Weasel

I always think of the story of the Porsche guy who hired a professional instructor and didn't wait 5 mins while the instructor was in the bathroom and a BMW guy that thought he was a great rain driver.

It was raining and the track was cold. There were streams running across the track. I was out with 2 guys going slow to show the rain line. People passed us but honestly it was difficult to see so point bys were few and far between. As we came out of turn 5 I saw all the lights flashing on the track and the fire truck lights turned on. I looked back saw I had room and began to slowed down coming up the hill and saw the red flags waiving. I looked back again, had room to slow down and moved over to the flag station. My final look back I saw a BMW sliding pass us. He was so concentrated at wanting to pass us that he missed the track lights, the fire truck lights and the red flag.

Up ahead you can guess was a GT3 in pieces. My assumption was he turned in too early on turn 6 hit the river of water and slide into the guard rail on the right. The car was damaged beyond repair.

95jersey

Something like this happened to me at Pocono a few years ago. Some douch with little to no experience bought a purpose built Viper Challenge car. This thing was OVER the top. He was running in the advanced group, but was CLEARLY a novice. He must have gone off the track 4-5 times in just one session. We all went in and complained about how dangerous his driving was. They had a talk with him.

Next session, there was a red flag at the chicane (running SCCA course). A bunch of cars along with myself, came to a stop due to a small accident (somebody hit a guardrail). I look in my rear view miror and this ahole viper guy is barreling down the back strait at 150mph, sees the red flag, slams on his breaks, looses control of his car, starts spinning and literally slides right in between all of the parked cars waiting for the red flag. He literally came within a car length or two of taking out all of the parked cars.

Now if you know Pocono, one thing you got on that track is PERFECT line of sight down any part of the course (nothing is really blind). We were all parked there for at least a minute and this guy sees us and continues to barrel down the strait without any control.

All of the drivers in those parked cars, including me, came in FURIOUS and demanded that he be pulled. So, sorry to get off topic Codeblack, but I felt after hearing Weasil's story, I had to share a similar experience.

Bottom line, WG in particular, is a very fast professional type road course that can be very unforgiving (little run off everywhere). My intent is not to make you nervous, but please go with the intention of having fun and running well below your personal threshold for the first time. It really took me a few visits to build confidence to carry a lot of speed. I have been going there now for 8-10 years and instead of being faster than I was 5 years ago, the more I learn about that course (and the older I get) the more caution and respect I have and just take it easy and go to have fun anymore. There are just too many walls to close for me to feel comfortable pushing the car.

GeorgeZNJ

I got it all on video since I was directly behind you. After I pulled over and came to a complete stop, the guy in the bmw missed my drivers side door by 8inches or so. But I think the real excitement happened afterward in the garages.

Wicked Weasel

When he approached us to say we were in the wrong I am sure he wasn't ready to go to the video evidence. Funny he became very nice after he realized he missed all the warnings.