waddisme

I am in. Excited about doing a roval. I don't think I will have my belt slip issues settled by then, but it still should be fun. I found some Porsche vids from last year to get a feel for the layout. Looks like most of the time is on the oval. Should be different.

rustyguns

Rovals rock! Love the one at PIR !

EvilBoffin

I cut my racing teeth by corner working the SCCA National road-races and the IMSA Camel GT there. Being so close to the awesome factory Porsche 962's, Jaguar and Corvette Prototypes in their heyday at CMS was what started my passion for sports cars. I've also run a variety of events there myself, from lapping days to SCCA Divisional autocrosses on & off for 20 years.

My sig pic below was taken there a few months ago, pre-running & helping to set up the PCA Parade autocross that'll be held there next Wednesday. It'll be a neat hybrid auto-x/road course, that uses the entire infield including the bus stop chicane and all of the paved area between turns 2 & 3. Should be a hoot for the 400 P-car drivers that are signed up. I'll be there too, but only as a volunteer since I now drive a lowly Corvette...

I think you'll really enjoy the infield course. It has a lot more elevation changes (especially between infield turns 4 & 5) then you would think possible within the confines of a 1.5 mile oval.

Just keep an eye on your right-side tires, since you'll spend so much time at hi-speed on the oval. And watch your angle of attack onto the banking (NASCAR turn 1) coming out of turn 5. You can easily bust a shock if you hit it wrong. Of course, your instructor will tell you all that...

Jim Zilisch (JRZ1) ran there last year with the PCA, so he could offer you some fresh tips for running your Vette.

HAVE FUN, and let us know how it goes...

varkwso

see you there

davidfarmer

I'll be there both days. I did my first several events at Lowes a LOOOONNNNGGGGG time ago, and always enjoy running it.

I agree one of the trickiest parts of the course is making a really really late apex going onto the oval, so that you slide up parallel to the oval, not hit it at any angle at all.

waddisme

Cool pics.

sperkins

I was wondering if any of you were going to be there. I'll be arriving Friday afternoon. Looks like the wife and kids may tag along as well. I'm sure it will be a blast!

waddisme

Anyone doing anything special to your car, like tire pressure adjs etc?

varkwso

nope....pressure adjustments generally happen throughout the day...

davidfarmer

You don't HAVE to go full blast into the oval. If you take it easy through NASCAR 3-4, the track is quite easy on equipment.

I always take it pretty easy on the oval, as BFG Tire Testing (prior to the World Challenge/TransAm race in 00) showed that we could quadruple the load rating of the tires in the oval.

sperkins

David - I've driven on street tires at Atlanta Motor Speedway at around 110mph through the banking. Is it a completely different feeling than in a flat turn obviously. With the downward G forces, it makes it very difficult for me to really "feel" what the car is doing. I'm running DOT approved road race tires now and I have no idea what speeds I can expect to run at Lowes. I'm not concerned about turning the fastest laps, but I don't want to get run over either. What speeds do you normally and safely carry through the Nascar turns at Lowes?

Falcon

Do you guys know whether they are going to allow visitors on Saturday?

davidfarmer

they will NOT allow non-participating passengers, but I'm sure visitors can get in. If not I can add you as a 'crew' member.

I've not run Lowes in several years, but in the past I've approached 155mph or so, then coasted into turn 3....once the car felt stable, then get back on the gas through 4 and into the tri-oval. I know there is plenty of grip, I just am not willing to have a blow-out.

Falcon

I don't care about a ride around. I'd just like to come down and see the activity.

If you don't mind put me down as crew so I won't waste a trip down there in case there's a problem with visitors.

jrz1

Last year it was no problem to get in. Just sign the waiver. I believe it will be same this year.

varkwso

Falcon you would be more like a visiting dignitary - the PCA would roll out the red carpet for you....

varkwso

It is highly unlikely I will be hitting 155 mph on the oval....I tend more to the 55 mph side...I learned my driving skills from Wally...

sperkins

Forcast is calling for 40% chance of rain on Saturday .
Anyone plan on running street tires? I'm wondering if I should run them instead of my Nitto's.

waddisme

I will be running my dd Vredesteins. I have only driven them in the rain once and they seemed to do fine. Hopefully the rain will stay away until later in the day.

See you there.

WNDOPDLR

Having seen you drive, I must suck as an instructor.