2009 RNG Pics and updates

Tim M

Tim M

PRESIDENT, Member # 015
GCC Member
Location
St. Charles
First Name
Tim
Last Name
Mauldin
The day started with an instruction class presented by Don Barnes (http://www.texasdrivingexperience.com/sub.aspx?p=MeetCrew)
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The driver's meeting was after that which covered the rules of the track, flag meanings (yes Mark, Black flag means come in), passing zones and questions answered. I have to admit, I didn't take many pics today, too busy driving, logged 54 miles on the 1.6 mile road course. When I came out of the driver's meeting, I saw this
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Then this:
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And this:
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A new member we "recruited", hope no one minds:
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The Blue car on the left is Randy Lawrence's car from Effingham, IL - he's a member
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Another member on the track:
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The Orange Backdraft in the picture above doesn't look like that anymore. Backed in to the tire barrier coming out of turn 7 on to the Oval. Passenger side rear fender and taillights are toast. That was the only incident today. Had Tom, Paul, Mike S., Mike W., and Skip there today providing some valuable feedback to Mark and I. Mark and I learned alot, but still not enough. Our times aren't worth mentioning here, but if given the chance again, I believe we can improve. Lot's of track time, and a lot of fun.
 
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Great Pics guys! really makes those of us stuck at work green with envy!
 
Glad to see everyone having a good time.

Unfortunately, my car discovered a guardrail driving on I-70 on the way to RnG. What a bummer - two years in a row that I didn't make it.

A bent tie rod and some body damage. Tie rod now replaced and heading back licking my wounds to have her repaired over the winter.

It looked much worse than it actually was. Vid is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_uiPqI76qQ
 
That sucks, but glad you're ok. So, how do you repair a fender like that?

A few pics from today. Was wet, very wet so they closed the road course but setup the Autocross which we ran IN the rain! :eek:

My first run I missed one cone, and it was a DNF. I finished the run without slipping, but got very wet when driving through the 'lakes' on the lot. My 2nd run, I ran a 54 second lap, I think. They didn't post the times, so not sure what I ran. It was pouring as hard as it did any other time today on my 2nd run. The car handled it much better than I expected and did not slip or get out of shape. I have no clue how fast I was going as I just concentrated on not hitting cones and where I was going, but it felt fast in the rain.

So, tomorrow, rain is forecast until noon or so. They plan to let us on the track at 1pm and extend the day a little to get our timed runs in. Yes, it can/will be a wet track. The puddles will change the racing/driving lines dramatically, so it will be interesting. Just hope I can slow down enough for turn 1 :eek: Mark packed it up today, too much going on at work/home to concentrate on racing. So, that leaves me in the Big Block Street class, I think I may get a plaque :D :rolleyes: Will try to take more pics tomorrow. I know people took pics today of the autocross, hope they post them up on one of the forums.
 
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I don't have a clue. But they are working on one with similar damage to it right now at Vintage where I'm taking the car. Hopefully after that one, mine will go much easier.

Sorry to hear about the rain. But at least you guys are getting some time in and can fill the rest of the time with the inevitable "bull sessions" that I enjoy almost as much as the track time.

Here's hoping for a great day tomorrow for you all.
 
Love the pics guys. :cool: Keep em comin. :) Hey Mark how's your beast now with all the engine & carb work done? Is she purring like a kitten or roaring like a lion? :D
 
when ever you damage and break fiberglass PICKUP AND SAVE ALL OF PEICES body man will love you for that. feather edge and basically glue back togeather
 
I had fun guys and I'm glad you all did too. Mark and Tim, the best thing you can do to improve track times is more seat time. Pretty much it. Not sure if they would have given you the time to walk the track, but that's what I did everytime I went to a new Kart track.
Look at everything. You can see the driving lines better when your standing there, then when your driving it at speed.

Anyway, glad those there had fun.

Here's a few more pics...
Skip
 
Just got home from the banquet. I can proudly say that Gateway Cobra Club members walked away with 7 plaques from Run N Gun. Two to Randy Lawrence, Two to Dave Williams, Two to your's truly and one by Mark Earls. We ran the barrell race this morning which Paul, Bob, & Tom took pics and video of. The course was setup to leave a staging are, go straight for 100 yards and do a 360 around the barrell, then off to the next barrell, make a left and accelerate to the 20' x 30' stop box. Penalties were issues for any wheels outside the box. I ended up placing 8th overall in that today out of 19 cars. We had a lunch break, then on to the road course. Was raining/misting my first time out where I ran snails pace 2:01. Next time out I ran a 1:51. I told myself, "well, since I haven't wrecked the car yet, I wil run one more time and try to get in the 1:40's." Ended up running a 1:48, done, and shut 'er down. The track was bad, but was improving at this time, but I just didn't want to chance it. I knew I couldn't beat anyone else, so I was done. Two sessions were ran without me.

I hope Paul, Tom, Jimbill and Bob post pics soon. I know they all had really good one's. I will say that I learned more about my car, track and myself today than I did Wednesday when the track was dry. The car handled very well and the tires really stuck well. The fastest I was on the straightaway today going in to turn one was 105.

Operation Comfort was again the 'charity' of choice. Over $17,000 was raised for this organization (up $4,000 from last year with twice as many people due to Jay's generous matching tonight.) Even the bartender donated his tips to the cause.

The major announcement made tonight was RNG will not be held at Gateway next year. I asked and was told Hallet may be the target track, but nothing was decided yet. Tim Giger said it was a business decision made by the track owner. Sooooo, the search begins for a trailer for my car now :D

Thanks to everyone that showed up today and provided tips and encouragement. Dan, hope Ashley has thawed out by now. Sorry all, I don't have any pics. Mark, will get you your plaque this weekend.
 
Had a great time at run n gun, even with the nice weather. There is nothing like coming down the straight into turn 1. I had a hard time deciding to post this picture because i did not want to scare anyone off from participating next year but i assure you it was a stupid mistake that any person with any common sense would not do. . 1 st 2 laps of friday were under yellow to get a feel of wet track. Well i thought i had a good "feel" of the track, but as typical for me i got wound up and coming out of the turn AND got on it too hard and spun. Once you hit the grass going backwards you car speeds up 10 times from the magnetic force in the concrete barriers. Midway through the grass i decided to let it go the direction it was going. I thouught a rear corner hit would be a lot better than a side hit. Enjoy the pictures!!!!!! Also 2 guys were desparate to keep their and my man cards and blocked my wife from seeeing it when i came in. The wife and i had a good laugh on the way home about all the guys trying to protect me. Also thanks for all the club members help.
RL
 
:D Looks like you weren't the first to hit those barriers. Was great meeting you and your wife. She took it much better than mine would have, matter of fact, she was laughing about it at the track, you have a keeper there :) Thanks for the pics, maybe we can now get you to 10 posts ;)
 
Hey RandyL is that you lookin at the wall with tears rolling down your cheeks? Glad you & your wife keep things in the proper perspective.
 
We been married 24 years . Thats my wife in the picture, boy did you stick it in it. Wait till she meets you!! Look out. I cant really think of a bigger insult than calling one's wife a man. You can tell us apart in that i have a slightly smaller gut.

Rl
 
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