New Member Saying Hello

[Forcednduckshn]

All,

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself! My name is Nick Barbato, and I'll be attending the NHMS 2-Day Event this weekend with Nick Fontana. I look forward to meeting all of you and having some great fun on course.

Safe travels and see you all this weekend.

Nick

[breakaway500]

Howdy.Welcome to the looney bin... (I use to work with a Wendy Barbato at Linders,way back in the 80's.. )

[iamrazor]

oh hai!

[Forcednduckshn]

Howdy.Welcome to the looney bin... (I use to work with a Wendy Barbato at Linders,way back in the 80's.. )

Thanks, I love the looney bin, I'm there all the time!!!

Not sure if I am related to Wendy; Mom and Pops broke up when I was 3 in the early 80's, haven't talked to Pop's since, who knows!

[6PAK72]

If Fontana is bringing you, watch out...

[Forcednduckshn]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for a great time this past weekend. My instructor, Lee Walsh was fantastic and really helped me to get acclimated to the Nuances of running at NHMS as well as providing some tips for hustling the car around a couple of the technical corners, along with some good advice on dealing with traffic (either as the faster or slower car.) Made me feel comfortable. Also thanks to Will (Chief Instructor) for supporting Lee's decision to let me run solo at the completion of Day 1. The event was well run, and lots of good people there, with some great driving by a number of drivers in different platforms. You miata guys we're flying!!! Well done!

And of course, thanks to Nick Fontana for the confidence in letting me codrive his SSB 325i, for the advice and course tips, and for Pete Fontana's prowess in fixing the plethora of mechanical issues we had.

Other feedback:

The course is a blast; the T3 braking zone was fun, two heel toe's down from >110/115mph, especially on the street tires we ran in a few sessions, with the back end walking all over the place under braking. Technically speaking, the entry to the bowl was difficult to get "perfect" for me and the last left hander on to the main street paid huge dividends in time if you nailed it. Overall the course was a blast to drive!

I can say officially that I held the SSB track record too with a 1'21.8, until Nick Fontana came and got me by 8 tenths with a 1'21.0, haha! And to boot, Nick pace is underlined by the fact that he struggled a bit with 3rd gear popping out on his best lap. No doubt Nick could have been in the 20's without having to manage that. I also had a few "mechanical gremlins" to contend with also, though much less detrimental. I was pumped to be so close to Nick's pace, who is a brilliant driver, and clearly a master of this track. No surprises there and yet another data point that his appearance on the Gt Academy was well earned. Fantastic job Nick.

Met some great people, had some great driving fun, and a blast competing in the TT competition. Thanks to all the great people at COM.

Expect to see me more next year!

Very Best,

Nick

[TroyV]

You'll fit right in Nick. Great to have you, and glad to see you had fun!


...and thanks for not wearing pajamas.

[Forcednduckshn]

You'll fit right in Nick. Great to have you, and glad to see you had fun!

Thanks Troy!!

...and thanks for not wearing pajamas

Haha!! I think he said he was going for weight reduction....