Tom Veale
06-25-2023, 02:38 PM
Last year, after preparing #007 for the Hot Rod Power Tour I got a chance to take one lap of Road America about a week before the HRPT started. It was my first chance to drive the car on pavement I knew quite well and see how the car handled on the softer springs I was using for the long road trip.
The 2022 HRPT ended up being 2600 miles, round trip, so the lower spring rates saved me a lot of personal abuse! The car is far more comfortable with the lower spring rates on back roads and highways.
This video gives you an idea of Road America's size and terrain. It's basically a two lane highway with no oncoming traffic and no cops! Nothing tricky, nothing "french curve" about it's design. While speeds were moderate for this touring session, it still is fun. I drove the race line wherever I could to give you the general idea. "Use all the Road" is the basic rule and every corner here at Road America is a very Late Apex corner. Audio isn't great, but I'm talking to my good friend, Walt, who's riding with me. He is a Viet Nam era Marine F-4 Phantom pilot and made a good passenger. Now I have to convince him to take me up in an F-4!!!
Note: This lap includes the "chicane" that is used for the SuperBikes (after the carossel and eliminating the "Kink"). The Kink is more fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5yDm89w78I&t=48s
Enjoy the Ride!
Best wishes,
Tom
The 2022 HRPT ended up being 2600 miles, round trip, so the lower spring rates saved me a lot of personal abuse! The car is far more comfortable with the lower spring rates on back roads and highways.
This video gives you an idea of Road America's size and terrain. It's basically a two lane highway with no oncoming traffic and no cops! Nothing tricky, nothing "french curve" about it's design. While speeds were moderate for this touring session, it still is fun. I drove the race line wherever I could to give you the general idea. "Use all the Road" is the basic rule and every corner here at Road America is a very Late Apex corner. Audio isn't great, but I'm talking to my good friend, Walt, who's riding with me. He is a Viet Nam era Marine F-4 Phantom pilot and made a good passenger. Now I have to convince him to take me up in an F-4!!!
Note: This lap includes the "chicane" that is used for the SuperBikes (after the carossel and eliminating the "Kink"). The Kink is more fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5yDm89w78I&t=48s
Enjoy the Ride!
Best wishes,
Tom