Summit Point Reports???

[Jimmy Pet]

Hey Guys,
How about some Summit Point reports for those of us who could not be there?
How was it???

Good turnout?
Weather?
Fill us in so we can live vicariously through you...

[Mick]

Jimmy, you missed a good event despite the weather being mixed. It rained on and off all day Mon but the temps were mild so it wasn't too bad at all. There was tons of track time, format was open track with just 1 student group. Unfortunately I had a clutch issue that ended my day around noon so I packed it up to head home Tues morning. Tuesday started out overcast and looked like it was going to clear up.

[boltonite]

The Summit Point event was under attended so those attending got a TON of track time. In all weather conditions -- rain, drizzle, damp, dry. At one point it was sprinkling at one end of the track but dry(ing) at the other. It was ideal for those who unfamiliar with such track conditions (most of us), it certainly tested the limits of grip. We were told the corner apexes had been treated with some sort of sealant (bed liner?) that provided its own grip (or lack thereof) in wet, damp and dry conditions.

Monday morning was totally wet but the rain stopped and the track slowly started to dry out. Many people ran their rain tires in the morning and swapped to dries in the afternoon. I brought rains but the track was more damp than drenched (by late morning, I sat out the early sessions) so I ran on my slicks which were surprisingly good, I just had to be careful under braking (T1) and on the curbs and powering out of corners. There were only a few incidents, no real drama or downtime, pretty good for Summit in the wet.

After ~4 hours of track time most of us attended the BBQ -- wings, burgers, pulled pork, chili, salad, etc. There was an aerial drone demo conducted by someone and we could hear gun fire from homeland security people doing exercises on the Jefferson circuit. (I spoke w/ someone at the race shop who said they have plans to expand the Jefferson circuit into a full-fledged circuit, from the aerial map they have room to greatly expand that track. They are doing a ton of government-related training exercises, it pays to be an hour from DC.)

The 2nd day was mostly cloudy but dry in the morning with only sporadic drizzle. The morning practice sessions were in mostly good conditions and clear track. But the clouds never dissipated and dry track eventually turned wet due to a drizzle. once the time trial started there was not enough traffic to keep the track dry. A few of us were lucky enough to get their timed laps in before the track turned damp/wet, I was in an early group and had a dry track, most others had to cope with not-so-dry conditions. I ran my fastest laps in the TT on the same radial slicks I ran last year. Btw, a 15x9 Kosei >will< fit on the rear w/ no spacer! The fronts require fender work (or wider fenders) and big spacers to clear.

Kudos to the event organizers and timing crew. Lap times were posted for our timed sessions, the RFID system is working, a big step up from a stop watch.
FF

[brucesallen]

MOST of the students went off track. At one time two were off on the same lap. Two mounted tire walls. Many other spins. No serious damage.

[blindsidefive0]

Fred's write-up is pretty much spot-on... The weather was challenging as a driver, instructor, and family member/friend. You could not find a more varied mix of track conditions.

My two favorite parts of the trip were probably:
1) Going grand theft auto on the red s2000 and running with Pete for a dozen or so laps during the last wet open track session
2) Drinking with friends - we had a good crew both Monday and Tuesday night; it was great to see everyone, and overall was a fun start to the season

As for my TT - I have video, but it was similar to Chris (we were in the same run group)...I may or may not bother uploading it as there's nothing interesting to look at - just keeping the car on a wet track with slick tires. I do want to shout out to Greg H. who had a very solid drive in the #49 Miata to take the win in T60.

Finally, it was a nice, easy roll out for the new touring classes - there were a couple really neat matchups, particularly in T40 and T50 with drivers and cars that have never gone head to head before in close competition.

[paultg]

Finally, it was a nice, easy roll out for the new touring classes - there were a couple really neat matchups, particularly in T40 and T50 with drivers and cars that have never gone head to head before in close competition.

This is great to hear. Can't wait to see how it goes at a sold out event!

[n1gzd]

it was not just students going off track.
Rebecca

[chaos4NH]

it was not just students going off track.
Rebecca

Smart ass

[Jimmy Pet]

Thanks for the reports guys, also stopped in to the Summit Point video thread.
Bummer it wasnt dry and sunny,,, even so,,, I do wish i was able to be there.

Hoping for Watkins Glen next...

[Cassie]

MOST of the students went off track. At one time two were off on the same lap. Two mounted tire walls. Many other spins. No serious damage.

Oh sure Bruce...are you just bragging because Richard didn't go off track? Well maybe he wasn't pushing that car enough or maybe he found the "dry" line!!! I think all six of us did a great job out there...on the track or the grass
COM has some really great members and I wanted to say thanks to everyone that went to Summit Point...especially John Spain and Nate Hine who made sure that my first track event wasn't over after one session. And thanks to Gordon Andrade for putting up with me for two days. Hope to see everyone at the next event...hopefully in a Subaru not a miata

[brucesallen]

MOST of the students went off track. At one time two were off on the same lap. Two mounted tire walls. Many other spins. No serious damage.

Oh sure Bruce...are you just bragging because Richard didn't go off track? Well maybe he wasn't pushing that car enough or maybe he found the "dry" line!!! I think all six of us did a great job out there...on the track or the grass
COM has some really great members and I wanted to say thanks to everyone that went to Summit Point...especially John Spain and Nate Hine who made sure that my first track event wasn't over after one session. And thanks to Gordon Andrade for putting up with me for two days. Hope to see everyone at the next event...hopefully in a Subaru not a miata

No. Richard spun off the track on the second day.