April NHIS School/Regional

[Andy Bettencourt]

Good to meet you Chris! The car looks as good in person as it does on the web...

[wepsbee]

I had a great time at the school. I would like to thank everyone that worked and directed this event. I learned a considerable amount and feel that given 10 or 12 years and a few million in car parts I can also become competitive. Seriously, Jeff, Matt and Greg ( and others) were very patient and helpful during this school and I would specifically like to thank them for their help. The school really proved to help the attitude in that after awhile you start to feel that you can really do this. Of course on Sunday at the first real race you are quickly brought back to the reality that you have a "long" way to go. I still had a blast and will continue to improve while trying to stay out of the way until I gain some more track time and experience. So again " Thanks to all the instructors and track workers for their help".

[Doc Bro]

Dan,

Keep doin' what you're doin'- you're going to do great.

R

[JLawton]

Dan,

Keep doin' what you're doin'- you're going to do great.

R

I second that Dan. All you need now is seat time. You have a great attitude and the rest will come. Also, pass on to your sister how impressed I was with her. Considering she had never been in a race car before, considering she was battling an ill handling car AND had to drive in the rain, she did a hell of a job!! It takes a lot of guts to do that.

One of the reasons I had such a good time in this school was becasue of the great attitudes and enthusiasm!! I had a blast too!!

Yes, being in that first race situation can be scarey (trust me, we've all been there). Nothing like having a couple of the leaders who are hammering on each other come up on you. Yes, they will try to make silly passes and use you as a pick. As I said during the schools though, you don't have to worry about the regulars in ITA. Good group of guys.

[Magical Trevor]

This was a good one, definitely.
Everyone seemed to make it through the weather-and the school-ok, and Sunday had some good races. I think SSM and ITA are tied for best to watch. My brain was a little cold to follow all the races, but I remember Richie winning in his 'Teg (no more making fun of the color of his car-though there's still his huge hauler!), and Maynard owning in DP. Beran Peter had quite an "oops" moment involving the inside frontstretch wall and cold tires. Joe dominated ITA (and lapped the first car with a namesake crazy pass in turn 2), but had #44 Miata (Brandon Bogart?) close behind (and alongside every time through 3), with Andy finally overtaking Shane H. for third on the penultimate lap (what's wrong with the 09?). Dick Patullo got to practice his emergency handling skills when slight contact got him spinning about halfway through heading into 3. Jeff scared people when his hood flew open after flooring it for the group's morning practice-that thing sounded like a bomb!
As far as students, I couldn't even tell there were any out there! Everything was smoooth...

Thanks for the worker goodies too, Mr. Bettencourt.

[wepsbee]

Well I found out what the problem was with the car. All the whining I did over the weekend was caused by a broken rack and pinion. When the car is up on the rack you can grab one wheel and rock both back and forth very easily, no resistance at all. So replace this and try again, this time going around corners might be a bit smoother, I hope. Is it possible to have one of the veterans take my car for a ride at a track day or is that not an OK thing to ask.

[gran racing]

Dan,
That's a great way to learn more about your car, get feedback about potential ways it could be improved or your driving might be adjusted.

Feel like going to the Glen for SCDA's April 28/29th HPDE? Both Jake Gulick and I will be there instructing and would be happy to help out. (www.scda1.com)

[raffaelli]

I had a great time at the school. I would like to thank everyone that worked and directed this event. I learned a considerable amount and feel that given 10 or 12 years and a few million in car parts I can also become competitive. Seriously, Jeff, Matt and Greg ( and others) were very patient and helpful during this school and I would specifically like to thank them for their help. The school really proved to help the attitude in that after awhile you start to feel that you can really do this. Of course on Sunday at the first real race you are quickly brought back to the reality that you have a "long" way to go. I still had a blast and will continue to improve while trying to stay out of the way until I gain some more track time and experience. So again " Thanks to all the instructors and track workers for their help".

Blue escort? If so, shoot me your email. I have some photos and video for you!