Watkins Glen Track Day

[shotgunslade]

Did a track day at Watkins Glen yesterday with Trackmasters. It was supposed to be a full weekend, but didn't make it. More on that latter. Since I had been away from the track for so long, I decided to go for an event with instructors, to get my groove back. Trackmasters is a very good organization with very good, very experienced instructors. Great way to get back in the saddle.

Good news. Good news. Good news. Bad News

Good news 1: I experienced no overheating whatsoever. My third session, I drove as hard as I have ever driven at Watkins Glen. The temp needle didn't budge above "a smidgeon less than horizontal." My new high temp warning light installed by Tom didn't blink. I think my days of vomiting coolant all over my engine are over. Knock on wood.

Good news 2: All those mods that Tom put in make the car a delight to drive. Great torque, great handling, potential for much greater pace. I did not experience additional, uncontrolled understeer because of Nevin's rear sway bar. The car was stable and handled the right-left-right chicane at the end of the back straight with aplomb. I was being caught up, slowly, by a Lotus Exige, but on a some corners, I was able to pick up a couple of car lengths. He eventually passed me, but, we had fun in the process

Good news 3: Personally, the skills really started to come back. I was a little worried before going on the track, since I hadn't been on for more than a year, but you don't forget. Watching endless hot laps from the driver's viewpoint on the video "Secrets of Driving the Glen." really helped. Visually recreating the experience of driving the track brings back the body memory. Great fun.

Bad news 1: Near the end of the 3rd session yesterday, as I was passing someone on the back straight, and approaching the braking point for the chicane, the engine cut out big-time. I got a little bamboozled because on top of finishing the pass,, braking, anticipating turn-in, downshifting, now I was also dealing with a significant engine problem. I missedthe shift, slowed too much. A buddy was following in a Porshe Turbo, he also got bamboozled by my sudden loss of pace. But, no paint was exchanged. Fortunately, it was the last lap of the session.

The engine now had a significant very loud tapping, over and above the normal clatter of the solid lifters. Opinions differed over whether it was a top-end of a bottom end problem. I had it trailered 250 miles back to Tom's garage in Jersey City. At this point, he is digging into it, but his initial opinion is that it is a top-end problem, maybe a sticking valve or lifter, or broken valve spring, and thus much less dire than a spun bearing. The engine cut out was probably caused by the ECU knock sensor detecting an irregularity, and retarding the ignition and cutting back fuel. More later.

Anyway, it was a great Saturday, and I hope that the engine problem is solved before my next scheduled track weekend at Summit Point in mid-May.