Today started very early with a really tasty breakfast at the hotel and then a short bus ride to VIR. When we arrived at VIR it finally struck me how big this place really is. I heard reports today that the track facility and grounds are set on 1500 acres. We literally drove for a good 5 minutes before we reached the paddock. When we arrived at the track this site was here to greet us!
Would you look at all of these M cars? M6’s M5’s and M3’s oh my!
But sadly, this stuff wasn’t for us, it was for a BMW driving school. So that begs the question, what are we driving? When I know, you’ll know!
Today we had our drivers meeting where we heard about today’s events: karts, SUV driving and ATV.
Our Pro instructors were very animated group and gave some great tips about each of todays events.
First up was our time at the Kart track. Our karts are 6.5hp touch and go (TAG) just like the ones that you can find at the local batting cages except much faster.
Our track looks like this.
We have been told that with the new Dunlop kart tires, we are consistently running 3-5 seconds faster than the same karts usually run. Since I’ve never been here before, I’ll just their word for it.
What I can say is that these karts cornered harder than any I’ve driven before. The day wasn’t terribly hot, so it took about a lap and a half before the tires had some heat in them and were sticky. But once they were hot they stuck like glue. So much so that I literally came around a couple of corners on two wheels! I don’t have any ictures of that, but I am asking around to see if maybe there are some available.
At the end of the session, the whole group gridded up and we ran a wheel to wheel race. It was very cool to be out there with 10 other motor heads dicing it up.
Right after the kart track we headed to another amazing lunch, this time right at the track. Today for lunch we had an assortment of salads and some blackened tuna that was out of this world.
Post lunch time we headed over to the SUV course. Our goal here is to negotiate a tight and twisty off-road course, come through two precision sections marked with caution tape.
If you make any mistakes and any part of the vehicle comes in contact with part of the scenery they deduct points, just like if you hit a cone when autocrossing. We got 8 minutes to complete the course, but no one in my group took more than 5 to finish and my teammate Juan took a record 3:18 to complete.
This track was very hard to photograph becase it was completely deep in the forrest. So all I got was this groovy shot of the finish.
As you can see here, we got the trucks pretty dirty and the course has been dry for a few days. It was an easy drive for now, but if the rain that is predicted for tonight comes in and soaks the course, it is going to be a different story. The course is almost totally clay and will become very slippery and unpredictable. Only time will tell.
Maybe these guys know...
After tearing up the SUV course we moved on to the ATV course. This was not exactly what I was expecting. First, we are riding utility quads instead of the sport quads that I have 99% of my experience with. For any of you who think that it’s all the same thing, you are WRONG! These utility ATV’s don’t turn nearly as quickly and they sure don’t jump like anything I expected. It was very easy to over drive the suspension and get a little behind the bike. I did, however see some provisional results and at this time, I have the fastest time for my group. There is a lot of time left out there to be had, I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow and really dialing in and getting a faster time. Thanks Harry for your help. I managed to not take any pictures of this event because of some administrative dificulties. Again I am going to see if anyone else has some and take some next time we are at that course.
After a really great dinner it was back to the hotel and time for bed. Tomorrow starts early, we are on the bus at 6:45 for the track.
To reply to FriendsCS, yes there has been cake, and I like pie. I don’t think there is a beer sponsor, but I have been drinking Coors... how did you know?
Would you look at all of these M cars? M6’s M5’s and M3’s oh my!
But sadly, this stuff wasn’t for us, it was for a BMW driving school. So that begs the question, what are we driving? When I know, you’ll know!
Today we had our drivers meeting where we heard about today’s events: karts, SUV driving and ATV.
Our Pro instructors were very animated group and gave some great tips about each of todays events.First up was our time at the Kart track. Our karts are 6.5hp touch and go (TAG) just like the ones that you can find at the local batting cages except much faster.
Our track looks like this.
We have been told that with the new Dunlop kart tires, we are consistently running 3-5 seconds faster than the same karts usually run. Since I’ve never been here before, I’ll just their word for it.
What I can say is that these karts cornered harder than any I’ve driven before. The day wasn’t terribly hot, so it took about a lap and a half before the tires had some heat in them and were sticky. But once they were hot they stuck like glue. So much so that I literally came around a couple of corners on two wheels! I don’t have any ictures of that, but I am asking around to see if maybe there are some available.
At the end of the session, the whole group gridded up and we ran a wheel to wheel race. It was very cool to be out there with 10 other motor heads dicing it up.Right after the kart track we headed to another amazing lunch, this time right at the track. Today for lunch we had an assortment of salads and some blackened tuna that was out of this world.
Post lunch time we headed over to the SUV course. Our goal here is to negotiate a tight and twisty off-road course, come through two precision sections marked with caution tape.
If you make any mistakes and any part of the vehicle comes in contact with part of the scenery they deduct points, just like if you hit a cone when autocrossing. We got 8 minutes to complete the course, but no one in my group took more than 5 to finish and my teammate Juan took a record 3:18 to complete.
This track was very hard to photograph becase it was completely deep in the forrest. So all I got was this groovy shot of the finish.
As you can see here, we got the trucks pretty dirty and the course has been dry for a few days. It was an easy drive for now, but if the rain that is predicted for tonight comes in and soaks the course, it is going to be a different story. The course is almost totally clay and will become very slippery and unpredictable. Only time will tell.
Maybe these guys know...
After tearing up the SUV course we moved on to the ATV course. This was not exactly what I was expecting. First, we are riding utility quads instead of the sport quads that I have 99% of my experience with. For any of you who think that it’s all the same thing, you are WRONG! These utility ATV’s don’t turn nearly as quickly and they sure don’t jump like anything I expected. It was very easy to over drive the suspension and get a little behind the bike. I did, however see some provisional results and at this time, I have the fastest time for my group. There is a lot of time left out there to be had, I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow and really dialing in and getting a faster time. Thanks Harry for your help. I managed to not take any pictures of this event because of some administrative dificulties. Again I am going to see if anyone else has some and take some next time we are at that course.
After a really great dinner it was back to the hotel and time for bed. Tomorrow starts early, we are on the bus at 6:45 for the track.
To reply to FriendsCS, yes there has been cake, and I like pie. I don’t think there is a beer sponsor, but I have been drinking Coors... how did you know?
posted by Unknown at 9:19 PM
3 Comments:
With a little luck and a lot of surgery you could be the next Danica Patrick
dad & mom here. It looks like you are having a great time. Mom says "Rock On!" I say go for it and have a great time.
Man, the food alone sounds like it makes this adventure worthwhile. Where are the photos of the food? Any chance you can employ an assistant photographer to head out on the SUV course with you and shoot from the passenger side? Will there be Coors available? Oh, please let it be so!
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