95jersey

I have to tell someone as none of my real friends care

Entered ST1 last Sunday at the last minute (actually just showed up that morning) and on my last session came out with a 1:12.6. I got a nice 2.5ft tall plastic trophy (at least my 6 year old was impressed)

My last time at CART was a 1:12.7, so I beat myself by a tenth of a second. This was also done on 4 track day old used Hoosier R6's with a dozen heat cycles (running at 32lbs cold). This time around there were actually several ST1 competitors, so it turned out to be lots of fun. Weather stayed relatively cool in the high 70's, which probably helped the HP factor.

Not sure I was fond of their new format. Instead of having dedicated timed runs like CART, NASA, SCCA, at the end of the day, they simply took your times from the practice sessions. Yes, I also thought this was strange for a couple reasons:

1) Your constantly fighting traffic for a clean lap.
2) It created a competitiveness in the practice sessions that was almost equal to actual racing (as everyone is trying to get in good times).

The sessions weren't as crowded as typical HPDE, but nontheless, unless they change their format, I don't think I will be running with them any time soon. Don't get me wrong, GREAT group of people and saftey is their priority, I just think the new format puts folks in awkward situation to make poor judgement calls for the sake of good times. It seemed their goal in this decision was to allow folks to have more track time, but in my opinion if you are looking for abundant track time, TT is not the event for you. It is for those who wish to compete and win vs. having 3 hours of track time in a day.

In the end, I made it home safe once more and got another piece of fine plastic sitting in my office

AU N EGL

Cyclonite

I was supposed to be there but the trans in my truck went out last Monday and I couldn't tow my car there. Glad to hear you did so well.

I haven't run with EMRA since they changed their timing format. Were there enough cars on the track that you couldn't come in to the pits for a second and wait for a good opening to get a clean run?

95jersey

Thanks for the thumbs up guys!

They put in standard HPDE guys in the run groups, so there were too many cars that I could not get a clean lap until the very last session of the day (after most the HPDE guys left).

drivinhard

When I did EMRA we ran all day and then blocked the last 2-3 hrs for solo runs, basically like NASCAR qualifying. It was fun to stop and watch everybody else run, and the "all eyes on you" and have 1 crack at it, really teaches you to sit on the stove and sweat ice water.

PA Z06

Congrats Matt good work

John Shiels

but one question if they are real friends are we fake friends?

L98Terror

Nice Job Congrats, my kids love those trophies also

DOUG @ ECS

That does sound like a stange format, but congrats either way Matt.