Putnam 9/16

TBULL

TBULL

Member # 010
GCC Member
Location
House Springs
First Name
Dan
Last Name
Turnbull
Well I went to Putnam again this weekend. It was a mixed bag for me. I was paired with an instructor again. He was nice and very knowledgeable, but he pushed me. He said I'm getting tunnel vision when I'm stressed and not using all of the track. He also said I'm too concerned about the people behind me. He's not wrong on either count. On a good note, I cut my time by almost 3 seconds.( 1:33.1), on a bad note I lost my oil pressure Guage and had my first spinout. I was too aggressive on the exist of turn 8 and went too wide and got out in the marbles. Backend started coming around counter clockwise. I over corrected and spun clockwise across the track and into the grass. Almost had a grass fire starting it back up and had flames come out of the sidepipes when it started. Went back out after that and ran pretty well considering. I also got a ride along with another really good driver in the advanced class. Itnrwally showed me a few things. I see my lines a little different than he does and he's VERY comfortable with the car leaning heavily and the back end feeling like it is sliding out just a little bit in each of the corners, which was indicative of how hard he was corning. The instructor was very happy with how stable the car was and how well it handled. Says I just need a lot more track time until I relax more while I'm driving. Right now I'm worried about everything and he says he worries about almost nothing on his corvette. He just drives and expects it to be fine.
 
Dan, I've seen that the Speedhut Oil Pressure sensors are prone to fail. I had to replace mine and read a few other posts on the FFR site about others having the same issue. I'm not aware of anyone else selling them (I wish), they are about $30, but $16 to ship it. I just searched and found this one on Amazon. Might be worth trying, looks like the same plug.
Pressure Transducer 100 PSI 1/8" NPT Thread Stainless Steel Pressure Transducer Sender Sensor for Oil Fuel Air Water 100PSI

Sounds like a good time @ Putnam, I'm going to have to get back out there next year. Much more fun than WWT Raceway.
 
Yeah I'm 90% sure it was the plug I made so that my dash is removab;e. All the guages go through a 27 pin connector and some of those connections are failing inside the plug new Deutsch works plugs on order for this build season.
 
TBULL said:
Well I went to Putnam again this weekend. It was a mixed bag for me. I was paired with an instructor again. He was nice and very knowledgeable, but he pushed me. He said I'm getting tunnel vision when I'm stressed and not using all of the track. He also said I'm too concerned about the people behind me. He's not wrong on either count. On a good note, I cut my time by almost 3 seconds.( 1:33.1), on a bad note I lost my oil pressure Guage and had my first spinout. I was too aggressive on the exist of turn 8 and went too wide and got out in the marbles. Backend started coming around counter clockwise. I over corrected and spun clockwise across the track and into the grass. Almost had a grass fire starting it back up and had flames come out of the sidepipes when it started. Went back out after that and ran pretty well considering. I also got a ride along with another really good driver in the advanced class. Itnrwally showed me a few things. I see my lines a little different than he does and he's VERY comfortable with the car leaning heavily and the back end feeling like it is sliding out just a little bit in each of the corners, which was indicative of how hard he was corning. The instructor was very happy with how stable the car was and how well it handled. Says I just need a lot more track time until I relax more while I'm driving. Right now I'm worried about everything and he says he worries about almost nothing on his corvette. He just drives and expects it to be fine.
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Great job Dan. I can tell from your experience you picked up a lot of insight about yourself and driving. Its good an instructor pushes you since the car is typically capable of more than you expect. It's a fine balance when you don't want to holdup the folks behind you but end up driving by your rear-view mirror. Missed racing line and/or brake points can be the result. Anyone will tell you there's no substitute for seat time. It's always positive completing trackdays and for negatives items, just changing your point of view or how you perceive things can have positive outcomes. Glad you're still "getting it" (y)
 
Thanks. I'm trying. I was still driving the course last night in my sleep. It's funny, once you're on the right line and hitting your brake and shift points you relax, but after you've been hitting them and start to miss, then you immediately know it. I guess I need to slow down for a few seconds, regroup, and get back on the line before taking off hard again.
 
I'll tell you what I was told when I drove in the advance class....Drive THE LINE no matter what. Drivers can then predict and see where they can pass. If you do that, and you are still slower than others, keep doing what you're doing and pay attention to the flagstands. IF they wave the Blue flag with the Yellow stripe, THEN look in your mirror and wait for good passing point. In my Miata, I was holding up folks, but, Oh well, that's what happens when they put 35 cars on a 1.75 mile track. I drove my lines, braked in my zones, and they waited until I found the best passing zone. My suggestion, in a COBRA, no one should pass you from the exit of 10 to the entry of 1. IF someone can keep up with you to turn 1, let them follow you to the short chute from 4 to 5, and let them pass there. I'm hopeful I can join you in my car next time and we can do some lead follow laps. Keep turning laps, that's the best thing.
 
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Sounds like fun Dan, maybe some say I'll join you guys. Just not sure of myself on a big track. The car will do it not sure the driver can do it, man I'm getting old to say that.
 
33ratride said:
Sounds like fun Dan, maybe some say I'll join you guys. Just not sure of myself on a big track. The car will do it not sure the driver can do it, man I'm getting old to say that.
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If there is any big track that you ever want to try, it would be this one. Would be no issue for you after Gateway.
 
There are plenty of people there as old or older than you. You just drive to your comfort level. With 10/10ths you'd start in the novice group and build your experience. I love the course. It's got hills, both positive and negative camber curves, but not really anywhere to seriously hurt yourself or your car. I'd love to have more people go from our club.
 
Is the track packed with 10/10ths? There website post only running 3 groups but really depends how big the group is.
 
I think each event is a little different. The novice group was smaller this time. I judge that by the people in the class time. I'm not sure about the others groups but in general I thought there were fewer people there than in June for all attending
 
Usually, about 25 cars per run group. I have seen 35 at one time. It's really not that bad
 
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