Summit Point Raceway, 8/9 March 03

newsvx · #1 02-02-2003, 02:19 PM

All SVX'ers interested in running a road course with your SVX,

A number of folks late last year at BRAKESHOE I expressed an interest in joining the local Mercedes Benz Club here in the Washington area when they (we) have this year's "driving ed event" at the Summit Point Raceway in Eastern West Virginia. The dates are now firm, and they are 8 and 9 March - yes, it will still be a bit cold at that time of the year. Summit is a very active track, and the time for clubs to schedule a weekend is limited. We take what we can get. I am on the Board of Directors, so that is our (SVX's) in to participate.

So what is Summit Point? There are two courses there, but we will be using only one - the two (2) mile, 10 turn course. It has a 1/2 mile straight (the SVX should reach about 115 MPH at the end of the straight), just before a hairpin turn (taken best at about 50 MPH! - that assumes one wants to remain on the track!). Then the fun begins with right turns, left turns and more right turns - ten in all. This is great fun, where one learns his ability to control his car and learns the car's overall capability and where the limits of each are. If one has not run Summit before, he (or she) will have a licensed instructor from Bill Scott Racing that will instruct you on how to drive the course. Great bunch of guys and gals, and very good at their job too. Go to the following web site for more detail on the track: >www.summitpoint-raceway.com<.

My next posting will provide the details - how to join the Mercedes club (required), how much the weekend (can run only one day, if you like) will cost, etc.

I hope to see a bunch of SVX's there to watch and / or run.
Harry

newsvx · #2 02-02-2003, 02:41 PM

Allow me to take a few liberties (paraphasing, etc) and quote from the Mercedes Club Newsletter.

This is a 2-day Performance Driving School at Summit Point Raceway on March 8 and 9. If you can't make both days, then join us for one. The POINT is a two mile long track with a half mile straight and ten turns. It's a safe and fun track to drive with lots of runoff room (for those "off road" excursions that we hope will not occur!). One can get a good look at what it's like doing a hot lab at the Summit Point web page mentioned in the previous page.

Are you a novice with no previous track experience? No problem! Instructors from Bill Scott Racing will be on hand both days to teach you performance driving - this is classromm and on-the-track instruction. You'll like the instructors and the track. No one will force you to drive any faster than you comfortably want to drive. We want you to progress at your own pace.

You don't have to have a Mercedes to participate. You can drive any car you wish, AS LONG AS IT HAS $100,000 LIBILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE AND WILL PASS A MANDATORY TECH INSPECTION. Rag tops require a roll bar or a hardtop. The Pre-event car safety inspection sheet can be downloaded on the club's web site, as can be the registration form. The web site is: >www.gws-mbca.org<.

Rates for the event are only $295 for both days or $165 for one day and include a HOT LUNCH catered in (remember this is a Mercedes event!). Additional lunches for your guests are $12 each. Rates increase after 16 Feb, so act now and get your registration form in soon.

Listen! This is good for your soul and will help eliminate stress in your life! If you have any questions, please let me know - send an e-mail or post the questions. A reminder: Be sure to join the Mercedes club in order to be able to participate.
See you there (with a heavy coat!
Harry

newsvx · #3 02-20-2003, 07:10 PM

8/9 March is very close. The price per day has already gone up because you missed the deadline. Only two of us Subaru have signed up at this point.
If you don't come to run the track, come to enjoy the machinery.
Harry

Ron Mummert · #4 02-20-2003, 07:18 PM

Gawd, where did February go? Hey, old man, I'll try to drop in & watch the goings-on one of the two days. Which day do you recommend?

Ron.

newsvx · #5 02-20-2003, 08:22 PM

Hey, Ron.
I would thin Sat would be the best day - probably more folks running. And are you putting yours out there? You ought to try it! Once you do, you won't go back.

Harry

Ron Mummert · #6 02-28-2003, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by newsvx
Hey, Ron.
I would thin Sat would be the best day - probably more folks running. And are you putting yours out there? You ought to try it! Once you do, you won't go back.

Harry

Hahahahahaha! Moi? ...of the warped rotors & daily driver routine?
(Well, maybe in a borrowed Civic!)
If we actually have a weekend without snow, I'll try to drag my lazy butt up there on Saturday.

Ron.

newsvx · #7 03-01-2003, 05:51 AM

Hey, Ron.
Looks like the two of us will be the only SVX's to show. Bring your camera. We'll show everybody what they missed.

But like you, I hope the snow goes away. But come to think of it, your car (being black) will be easy to spot in the snow bank

.
Later,
Harry

#8 03-01-2003, 08:41 PM

I might try to be there. I'll check into my schedule and let ya know.

Mike

newsvx · #9 03-03-2003, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Green1995SVX
I might try to be there. I'll check into my schedule and let ya know.

Mike

Great, Mike. Do come, you'll enjoy it. You will be amazed at the Mercedes and how well they run. AND there will be a "warmed-over" WRX there to run too - upgraded brakes and suspension to match the 300 HP at the wheels! This thing should fly. He's been "working on it over the winter"

. There will also be a 2003 Mustang Cobra - God that thing is fast! and there are a number of slots still open that we have opened up to some of the other car clubs in the area, like Porsche and BMW. Should be some very interesting cars running.

Cars in the first run will be on the track at 9:00 AM - there are 20 minute runs at a time, and the groups are broken down from beginners to advanced (done it a few times).

Be sure to bring warm clothes. It will only be in the mid-40 degree range, but NO SNOW! Wear some good boots too, since the melting snow will make for a mess in some areas. And bring your camera too. some great areas for pics.

Looking forward to seeing you!
Harry

newsvx · #10 03-03-2003, 06:30 PM

A shot of a '94 SVX going into Turn 10 and braking hard at about 85-90 MPH.

SVXphile · #11 03-03-2003, 06:53 PM

Whose beautiful blue SVX is that, Harry? Don

newsvx · #12 03-04-2003, 10:14 AM

Don,
That was my first SVX - the '94 L Model that Kyle (my youngest son) had that was totaled - I still have parts to sell off of it. It was also FWD. Running little car and faster than the AWD models, probably because of less weight. Just felt quicker and more nibble too.
Harry

GreenMarine · #13 03-04-2003, 01:47 PM

You guys go ahead and go for it... I would be there to run my Jeep around the track a few times

, but I'm gonna be in Greensboro, NC this comming weekend putting on my Stebro System!!!! Be sure to get lots of great pictures of SVX's against other awesome cars...

SVXphile · #14 03-08-2003, 08:42 PM

I'm WAITING Ron....for all the details and pictures that are going to make me green with envy.....

Don

Ron Mummert · #15 03-08-2003, 09:14 PM

Listen! This is good for your soul and will help eliminate stress in your life! If you have any questions, please let me know - send an e-mail or post the questions. A reminder: Be sure to join the Mercedes club in order to be able to participate.
See you there (with a heavy coat!
Harry [/B][/QUOTE]

Well, I'm back from a beautiful, sunny, fifty degree day at Summit Point. Thanks once again to the generosity of Harry & Tom, Harry's son, we (Rufus & I) were treated to many miles of flat out racing. Harry's right about eliminating stress. In fact I personally just about eliminated my 7/11 hotdog right though Tom's Focus SVT's windshield. Lucky for me Tom was "taking it easy" in breaking in the new 6 speed gearbox. I almost repeated the performance in Harry's SVX, but bailed out & let Rufus finish the heat for me. Remember your first ride in a Tilt-a-Whirl, right after you ate a slice 'o pizza, a box 'o popcorn & a big cotton candy? That's enough description.

Despite my uh...touch 'o the vapors, I must say I was extremely impressed with capabilities of the drivers & their cars today. The diversity of vehicles is amazing. Everything - from our favorite car, the SVX, to Mercedes Turbo-Diesel sedans, to BMW M3s to Hondas to Mustangs to ...may I say it? OK - a Neon; were lettin' it safely all hang out around 2 miles of turns, curves & straights.

Thanks again, Harry, for a wonderful day!

Ron.