I got suspicious of two of the tires so didn't run in the last two sessions. If I had, I would have mounted the camera up front and maybe underneath checking out the Panhard bar. I have other videos of up front shots from Buttonwillow, plus other videos in this directory:
http://www.spikeengineering.com/quicktime/
I wouldn't look at the video of me beating a Viper and GNX down a main straight. It's has LOTS of jiggles and it might upset your stomach (so I've been told). Yet, the Viper & GNX owner got a good laugh after seeing it. There are also videos of my dogs and a few other interesting shots of some of the Lightning's mechanics.

The group is Creed.

Spike

 

Got home a little while ago, and I had to download your video once more. It's STILL as enjoyable as it was this morning. Thanks Spike, keep it between the curbs

 

I sorta wish that I was behind you when you did the vidoes but oh well.You should tell them about us trying to do some agricultural racing still have not cleaned the truck up after that little experience! But it was fun and I now know the limit of that turn!!!Stan

 

Spike Engineering:
Assume Video’s .. Thanks…

Oh .. yea.. took awhile but I found “Creed – Higher” on Morpheus…. Thanks….

David

 

I kind of mentioned it on NLOC on the post about your 1st place win at the Gambler's 50 ( http://nloc.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/002424.html ). I stated "Glad to know you got back safe! 2 days, huh? Either you didn't stop much or our last high speed spin around the track ..."

Since you brought it up...

I had the opportunity to ride with Stan at Thunderhill. Since my tires were done for the day, I asked Stan if he would take me for a spin. He did, but little did I know that I should have used different words such as "how about a few laps around the track" instead of using the word "spin." You have to realize that Stan drives a Cobra and uses the same aggressive driving technique with his Lightning. So, after climbing in and around all the roll bars and getting belted in, we took off on our warm up lap. The warm up lap was a thrill!!

Then, coming down the back stretch, just before the final two turn into the main straight, Stan shut his face shield with a WACK and I knew I was in for some excitement. We flew into the last two turns, he dropped the gear lever into 2nd and then I understood for the first time "throttle steer." Now keep in mind he's running street tires. We fly down the main straight and into turn 1 hotter than I expected! Again, school's in session and throttle steer was the lesson. Just point the truck where you want it to end up and spank it if you have to. Somehow we ended up on the line headed into turn 2. Cool! So that's what they mean about "corner exit speed." Turn 2 is a long sweeping left turn that is easily a four wheel slide with a super late apex and plenty of runout on the right side to drift. Well since exit speed is important, Stan carried it out of the corner and we drifted and drifted and drifted....

Then as quickly as we were going fast, everything turned to s l o w m o t i o n. The right side of track got closer and closer. Just as the right wheels crested the edge, Stan almost got the Lightning under control.

That's when I quickly noticed how close Dreamin was behind us because his face flashed right by as our front end quickly flew by his! Imagine two front row seats in two different cars facing each other! Except we're going backwards into another off camber corner at 90+ mph! No problem, I'm in a cage. The next thing I know, Stan swings the wheel one way, then another, then another, he drops the tranny into 2nd, nails the throttle, and steers it backwards out of Azeems way. That was friendly of him, except now were headed into a field. No problem, I guess - I'm a passenger going for a spin, remember?

But wait. Imagine what dirt does if you kick it up at a high speed while your spinning. Sooner or later you'll slow down and it'll catch up with you.

OK, my senses go back to slow motion. As I watch Azeem drive by and notice we're now about to do a 360 in the dirt (after our spin on the asphalt). I also notice that the dirt that we kicked up has taken on it's own personality and is somewhat upset at being disturbed. I then notice that as we're slowing down and still spinning, all the clods and dust suddenly accelerated and locked on to my open window!

WACK! ONE... TWO...THREE dirt clods smack my helmet with the remaining BUCKETS of dust/dirt going down my shirt and into the cab!

It doesn't get any better than this...Life's great! Just remember to LIVE IT!

Thanks Stan!

All my best,

Spike

 

so what are you running for exhaust it sounds sweet!!

 

Spike

What kind of cars did you go up against; was the M3 the quickest? See any of those WRX Subarooooos yet. Where do you fall in the food chain.

 

Spike,

What are the requirements for the track days? What would you suggest be done suspension and setup before going? That looks like a great time, and some killer driving skills.

Berto

 

Did someone say fully race-prepped Subarooooo WRX 4WD running 21psi of boost?


This guy was probably the fastest, fully race-prepped E36 M3.


This guys coulda been fast, but he was babing his car...

 

Berto, I lost your email address... shoot me another email, I can tell you about Track event requirements and upcoming events...

zeemr@yahoo.com

 

Azheem,

Thanks. I'm in for sure as I've set my schedule to allow for a completely irresponsible couple of months. I'd love to meet up with you guys.

Holeshot@ventaso.com

THanks again

Berto

 

retics4me:
The ravins that I have developed an unusual sound the week before the track day. One of their engineers asked if I could send them back so they could cut them open and see if anything on the inside had failed. Since I scheduled a couple mechanics at Westcoast Muffler to prep the truck for the track day, I had them cut out the mufflers and put in straight pipes. They're more than a muffler shop - every time I'm there, they have one or two race cars that they're modifying for the track or drags. Although they sell Ravins, they weren't the original installers and they want to comp me a different setup. So I probably have have a new exhaust setup installed sometime in September.

I must be honest, I don't like the sound of the straight pipes. No metallic rasp - it's just loud. Yet, Dreamin told me it sounded good from the pits while I was driving.

Did I notice a performance change? A qualified "yes" would be the best answer. Yes, I noticed a decrease in low end grunt. And this was early in the morning before the temps were above 100 degrees. But would it affect 1/4 times? I don't know.

Berto:
I'd say the top requirement for the track day is to meet the right people, get invited, and show up at the track with an eagerness to learn. You don't need anything special other than a helmet. Stock "everything" works good enough - improving driving skills is the cheapest and most effective upgrade and there are plently of people that will to teach you the basics. Dreamin and I have talked many times about how we can get more Lightning owners involved in road racing. Hopefully these videos will get one or two more Lightnings out the next time.

One thing I haven't mentioned yet (and I apologize for not having done so) is that the people you meet are so cool: the Lightning owners - Azeem, Rob, Stan, Jeff (from a past event), and all the rest. They are true gentlemen and I feel lucky to have met them and am proud know them!!!

Spike