Clark Kent

Here's some more footage from the track. I typically put the camera near the passenger side fog light but this time I experimented with the camera facing backwards attached right next to the license plate on the trunk lid. I did get some decent footage with the forward facing mounting also, maybe I'll share that later.

This was my last session for the day as my front tires were shot. I arrived Saturday morning on tires more than half worn already and I was planning on using up whatever life they had left. I wanted to fight off the Porsches (at the end) a little bit longer but I had no grip on the slow tight corners and went wide on the fast corners, especially T19 so I couldn't keep my lead.

There were a number of Trans Am series cars out there practicing and I drag raced one down the long back straight. He was right on my bumper at T11 and I immediately gave him the point by but I floored it as well. It took him the entire length of the straight away to get past me - and I offered just a little lift right at the end in order to give safe room for him to move over to the right to set up for T12. That was fun! If I find footage of it I will post it.

Bahnstormer

Cool footage, you really held your own with the other cars, especially with shot tires.
Straight line speed you were pulling away from at least a few of them.

roadkillrob

I like watching that Camaro get smaller on each straight!

Jasonoff

Must have been the 3.6L

Clark Kent

lol - - it was an SS
And, I don't have any footage of drag racing the yellow Trans Am car down the long back straight. But at ~2:55 in this video I give it a go with the white Trans Am car but I had to lift early because I saw the white Camaro up ahead and realized that the three of us would converge at the same point too close to the braking zone. Being 3 wide while going up the hill is okay for a real race but not for HPDE. So I let the Trans Am car go by, tucked in behind him, and then we both passed the Camaro - all nice and safe for everybody!

Bahnstormer

Is there a way to distinguish which ones are the Trans Am cars?

Clark Kent

In the paddock parked at their trailers, or while lined up on pit row waiting to go out on track, I noticed these cars said 'Trans Am' on the driver's side right below the rear view mirror in what seemed to be 6 inch lettering.

Steiner

Could watch this all day! Thanks for posting. Was that a Mazda 787B at the beginning of the video?

Clark Kent

Sure looks like one but I didn't check it out closely. I think my footage with the forward facing camera angle shows me getting passed by a 'prototype' looking car just as we enter the carousel T16-17-18 and it flies past me like I'm standing still. I'll post the link to that session in a moment.

Clark Kent

Here's why I had nothing left for the corners. I would have liked to hold off those 3 Porches' for at least another half lap . . .

BLKROKT

Clark Kent

Here's the front facing footage . . .
Apparently I was 'coasting' at the beginning of the video as I head downhill from T1 to T2 - but the footage I just mentioned above is at 4:46. Zooooom!

Clark Kent

pbaylog

Great footage - looks like a lot of fun and thanks for sharing

For those interested, attached is a track overview I received at an ADA event a couple years ago

Bahnstormer

What was your too speed on the longest straight?

Clark Kent

Thanks, that was nice to read. Great description of the track. At previous events, during the lunch hour break, Cota provided a passenger van tour out to particular corners with professional driver Dave Scott. Last time we went out to T9. We get out of the van and walk the track and Dave describes his take on things. T9 is at the crest of a hill. Looking (and walking) back towards T8, T7 he describes his strategy (and the why's behind it) on how to tackle this segment. Looking forward to T10 & T11 it's surprising just how steep that slope is. T10 is a trip because you can't see the apex marker until AFTER you've turned in for it.
One of these weeks I need to get off of my butt and go join the bicyclists that get to ride the track every Tuesday evening. I don't have a bike, nor a bike rack, nor shorts, shirt, or a helmet - so I'd have to rent/borrow all of this stuff. But I promise one day . . . .

153 mph

zcct04

That's the way to do it. Your lines at COTA are good and your track etiquette is great. I wish everyone out there doing HDPE was so good.

Being 3 wide while going up the hill in a real race, especially at the start, would be a luxury. Here's the start of my last race there . . .


SRF3 start at COTA 2018-02

Clark Kent

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.
Your race start is CROWDED! I bet that has to be a blast in those low open seat vehicles.

norb

Man the rear view at T1 really shows how steep it is! Well done!

Ludedude

AMG6.3

broussardc

Clark Kent

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

Ok, see you there!