Chuckwalla Race Day (Dec 18th & Jan 14-15th

[Mem21]

So Cal f5 Team
A few open track days coming up @ chuckwalla for anyone interested. The day cost $175 and that gets you pretty much all the racing you require and the 3 times I have gone there may have been 10 cars max

Let me know if anyone wants to head out to palm springs. You can sign up for the event on their web site

www.chuckwallavalleyraceway.com

Dave

[Marty Prario]

I am going to try and make Jan 14th. I won't know until early Jan though.

Marty

[xlr8or]

That January date may be very doable. One of these times I'm actually going to make it there.

[xlr8or]

Confirmed my schedule and it's clear. I am registered for Saturday Jan. 14.

[Marty Prario]

Scott, are you bringing up the Coupe? I am planning on going, it will be a birthday present to myself.

Marty

[John Tongish]

Now that my motor is repaired and up and running, I am wanting to give it a little exercise. I plan to be at the track the 14th. See you then.

[xlr8or]

Yes I am Marty.

[Marty Prario]

Dave, I hope you don't mind but I posted this on the other forum also.

Marty

[Marty Prario]

Signed up and ready to go.

[xlr8or]

New tires will be here next week. The rest of the car is prepped and ready to go.

[Mem21]

I am also registered now for Saturday the 14th...That makes Marty, John, XLR80R(Name?) and myself. We have a quorum!!

I may head up Friday evening so let me know if any of you guys are going up a day early. If not you are looking at about 45 minutes outside of Palm Springs and typically they start the 30 minute drivers meeting @ 8AM

[xlr8or]

xlr8or = Scott.


Here's what you need:

Requirements
Here's what you need to attend a STAR Car Sports Event:

•Medical insurance. STAR provides no medical insurance.
•Owner's Self Tech Responsibility Form must be completed. Print one here.
•A well-prepared vehicle. Required preparation includes:
◦No fluid leaks, good brakes, etc.
◦Minimum 8" numbers on both sides of car (use of tape is OK).
◦Tow hook or tow point you feel comfortable with.
◦Excellent tires. We suggest that you contact the manufacturer for recommended racetrack pressures. These are not pressures on the side of the tire, nor are they the pressures cited in your owners manual.

•Proper driving gear, including:
◦Helmet (must have to go on track).
◦Driving suit or cotton shirt and pants.
◦Comfortable driving shoes

•Other (optional)

◦Fire Extinguisher
◦Brake Fluid
◦Engine Oil
◦Extra Brake Pads
◦Tools
◦Jacks
◦EZ-Up - For Shade



Daily Schedule:

Gates open at 7:00AM

7:30AM - 8:30AM - Registration and Self Tech Form Filled out and Signed.

Registration - Listen to the PA for important announcements.

8:30AM - 9:00AM - Manditory Drivers Meeting.

9:00AM - 1:00PM - Group Sessions.

After separating the drivers into evenly distributed groups, each group spends twenty minutes on track.

Three groups alternate sessions.

1:00PM - 2:00PM - Lunch break.

Food is available all day at the food snack bar. STAR does not provide lunch.

2:00PM - 5:00PM - Group Sessions.

Three groups alternate sessions.

[Marty Prario]

We may have another FFR, I think my brother Nels is going to make it.

Scott, what type of tires did you get?

[Mem21]

Gents...I will most likely tow my car out which means I will have jack, tools, ez up etc..in the back of my truck, so we are in good shape. They always have a BBQ snack bar and gas pump that provides 92 & 102 octane. I spoke to Charlie today who is in charge of ops and they can't wait to put us together on the track for photos that could be used for marketing.

The only safety features they mandate is an auto racing helmet vs bike which they will provide if you don't have. Brand new hjc's with communication units

[xlr8or]

Mem21 = ??


Marty I ordered the Nitto NT05's.

I will have an ez-up, some tools and misc stuff too if anyone needs it.
I also got my wife a new 18 megapixel Nikon DSLR T3i with a telephoto lens so we should be able to get some good pics.

[xlr8or]

My plan is to drive it hard, see what it can do and put it away wet.

Really looking forward to finally getting this thing on a track.

[Marty Prario]

I have done some research on the Nitto tires. I have read some very good reviews. Looking forward to seeing how you like them.

[Mem21]

I run the nitto nt01 on my car (315 rear-245 front) and they are excellent on price/performance and longevity for a track tire. As you can imagine for a street tire they fall short in comfort, but what they hell they look cool right....

[Marty Prario]

The NT-01's are there street legal sticky "R" Compound tire and the NT-05 is there non sticky street tire, Right? Looking forward to seeing you guys on the 14th.

I run the Kumho Ecsta XS tires. I live on a dirt road and cannot run the sticky "R" Compound DOT tires.

255 40r 17 all four corners

[xlr8or]

I'm running the 275 front and 315 rear.

[xlr8or]

We are planning on towing out on Friday and staying at BEST WESTERN PLUS Palm Desert Resort on the 111. I'd rather pay the $130 than get up at before 4 am.

Anyone else bringing the female carbon unit with them?

[John Tongish]

Scott,
My carbon unit is planning to spend the weekend working in the library on her book collection. I will be spending Friday night at my Mom's home in Palm Desert. She was going to join me at the track and maybe drive a lap or two but the timing conflicted with her skydiving class. (Just kidding, though she is quite spry at 90. She hasn't missed a Pines to Palms luncheon that I have attended.)
I will be heading to the track with my cobra-in-trailer around 7AM. PM me if you want to gather for a cup-to-go and cruise out together. I love arriving in mass.
John

[xlr8or]

Sounds like a good plan John. PM on the way.

[xlr8or]

Got the new tires on, got the car on the scales and got it aligned.

Scales are showing a 50.4 % cross weight with a 54% rear bias.

Took the car out for a little shakedown run through the hills afterward and the new tires feel real good. Getting anxious to get out to the track.

[Marty Prario]

I am getting anxious also, can't wait.

[Mem21]

Scott-Marty
I will also be towing out Friday afternoon. I have not locked down a location but typically stay at the Aguascalientes casino. I will connect with you guys Saturday morning.

Do we still have 5-6 guys going on this one??

[Marty Prario]

Dave, We will be 1 less FFR. My brothers car has a mechanical problem.

[xlr8or]

Made it over the hill and into palm desert. Staying at the best western and will be road bound 6:30 to6:45

See you guys in the morning.

[xlr8or]

Here's a few of the pics we got.

Getting prepped.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/Gettingready.jpg

Crossing the line, foot down in fourth.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/IMG_0271.jpg

Me and Dave chasing/passing one of the many Porsche's out there.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/IMG_0278.jpg

Chasing down Dave at the end of the front straight

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/IMG_0326.jpg

Me and Dave

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/IMG_0317.jpg

Marty chasing a Beemer.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/IMG_0227.jpg

John coming around to the last couple of turns

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/IMG_0206.jpg

[xlr8or]

The weather couldn't have been any better. 72 degrees with just a hint of a breeze.

I'm sure the others will post some videos. My Go-Pro was having issues so I just have the stills that my wife took.

Here's Marty and Dave at the line.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/IMG_0261.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii227/xlr8or/Chuckwalla%20Jan%20-%202012/IMG_0258.jpg

[Marty Prario]

Here are a couple of photos. What a great time. I loved the track, Challenging yet safe. John & Scott, check out CaliPhotography website, they have some great photos of all of us. They have a series of photos of John doing an off road excursion.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6698866303_d55831e41e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8983689@N03/6698866303/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6698883801_8fb8122168.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8983689@N03/6698883801/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6698886287_84e3bb2024.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8983689@N03/6698886287/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6698966865_ab58cbb642.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8983689@N03/6698966865/)

I will try and post a video tomorrow.

Marty

[xlr8or]

I looked at the site but didn't see anything from today. Got a link?

[Marty Prario]

Sorry Scott, they are not posted yet. He told me at the track that they would be posted last nite.

http://www.caliphotography.com/photos/index.php?category=29

[John Tongish]

Scott and Marty, Great photos. (Thanks to Scott's wife and CaliPhotography) My day was cut short not by my off-roading adventure but an oil leak. Fixed yesterday was a leaking rear engine seal. Am now ready for another assault on Chuckwalla.

This is a fun track with lots of interest and challenges. Too bad it is a bit of a long drive from anywhere but definitely worth the effort. Let's do it again sometime soon.

[Mem21]

More photos from the track...

7507750875097510

[Marty Prario]

Video of Dave and I having fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxr-twhblGU

[xlr8or]

I finally got around to figuring out what was going on with my GoPro..... Damn thing got into "one button" mode. Every time I powered it up we were shooting video of me and Marty saying WTF while staring into the camera. DOH

[Marty Prario]

Scott, Glad you got you Go Pro figured out, these camera's are not very user friendly but once set up they are great.

[xlr8or]

Marty yes they have a great picture and according to video I have of us staring down at the camera you need to trim your nose hair. ;)

[Marty Prario]

To funny, I can't tell you how many times I have taken videos of myself trying to figure out how to work or to see if it was working. I trimed the nose hairs on Saturday.