what did you think ???

[962porsche]

so it was comscc 1st time at Thompson .
personally I liked the track allot . it's a ez track to learn at least it was for me and after the 1st run session I was pushing as hard as I could with a car that was stock and on all season tires but what a blast I had .
after years of R and D with the diasio it was great to drive a car (Miata) that gave me no problems at all .
I can't get over how little fuel I used and the car did not burn a drop of oil .
so all and all I liked the track and had a great time once again with Comscc .

[breakaway500]

I have to agree..I liked the track as well. You don't get "lost" out there,and you can move around and find grip. Then it's a matter of hitting that line every time. Every corner has some unique character. The rain line isn't far off the dry line. Not a lot of shifting going on..(for me) I pretty much was in 3rd from turn 1 till the hump on the front straight,and the layout is easy on brakes. For me,the most difficult corner to nail was under the bridge. I had to get my entry speed juuust right,my turn in had to be spot on, and then roll on the throttle juuust so..and use up the runout..before the dirt. Very challenging! I'd like to see them "open" the oval bank as an option in the future.. Glad to see this track on the schedule...especially since it is only 40 minutes from my home. Can't wait for Palmer..I can cut through the woods in back of my house and be there! Good to see everyone again,and lots of smiling faces!

[Bobc]

I also agree, Laura maybe not so much but with all the mech issues she was kinda pissed off. The track was fun for me the hump / jump on the back straight was a wild ride....Add power in the pits and some showers and they would really have something.

[962porsche]

Mark I know just what you mean about the bridge turn . I had a spin there on track out off into the grass area .

as for the braking I found there were only two places I would lift off the gas to do so . that would be turn 1 and for turn 4 the 3 to 4 other places I would just stab the brakes with my left foot .
I found I would not use my brakes from after turn 6 - 7? until I got to turn 1 .

yes two gears is all I would use in the Miata 3rd and 4th . I would shift into 4th between 10 and 11 with my car I would run out of gear if I tried to stay in 3 to the top of the hill .
I did get a little confused with what people were calling the numbers of turns to how they are numbered on the track map . like turn 11 some call it 11A and 11B but it's not stating that on the track map .

it was great to see every one !
out of all the clubs I have run with com has some of the nicest people .

I feel bad for the guys that broke down like Gordon and Nate and John . I have been there my self so many times it's not funny .

[DanB]

Oddly found the 500hp/2900 lb. rx7 easier to drive in the wet! Only ran three dry sessions but was really starting to have fun with it and throw it around like the old 240Z days 2nd practice on Tuesday But then drove straight off the track going into turn 1 during my time trial. Going in at 140 plus sloppy footwork ftmfl...

Great time, but the outside half of the brand new left rear Nitto NT01 is now a slick, and the front isn't far...

[Mick]

If I had one complaint it would be that I came away feeling like it didn't have much character and that it was simply straights with turns at the ends, even though that's not the case. There are some interesting corner groupings in 1-2-3 and 9-10-11. But despite that my impression was that it could have better flow. I'd be very interested to see how it feels with the pass-through at T4 opened up. It looks like 3-4-5-6 could be fun, and I wouldn't miss that tight right hander at all.

Either way I would go back. I liked the track, the track staff was great, and it's awesome that it's so easy to get to.

...and starting at noon on Sunday wasn't bad at all. It saved me a night in a hotel because I had plenty of time to get there in the morning.

[blazer178]

I thought it was very nice and even with the truck not running great I did have a blast there and when we go back I am in hopes that the truck runs better so I can play more. Yes the jump was fun and going into turn 1 was interesting and going under the bridge had so many lines to chose. It would be nice with showers and more electricity

[962porsche]

I also did not mind starting at noon on sunday .
I stay in the dodge lodge so there is no cost of a room but it did give me more time to screw around at home the day before the event to get things done .
I saw when I pulled the car off the trailer my left rear tire is shot ! all the tires had very low miles (8K) on them before the event . the wear rating is a 400 ( i think ) and the alignment is stock spec but that tire is totally gone .
ALL THE OTHERS ARE JUST FINE SO I WILL HAVE TO BUY ONE NEW ONE . all I can think of is new pavement plus turns 1 2 4 7 8 10 and the long sweeper thru 11 up the hill took it's toll on the left rear only .

[dinoracer]

Based on what I was reading on-line, I was ready to hate it. But I was surprised, I liked it. There are some things for the facility to improve on, but they seem to have the right attitude about working things out, hopefully they'll get some improvements in this year. On the way out last night paving equipment was coming in, so maybe they will fix he "patches" now. I would like it a lot better if I could get some F$%^ing grip. I think all my tires are shot...

[imgon]

I think this track has potential. I would have preferred the some of the corners to be a little more "open", especially T1 & 4. That being said I am looking forward to going back, I felt like I had a bunch of spots I didn't quite push hard enough, wasn't coming out of the corners thinking Oh S**T I've run out of track. It has a few tricky spots with the off camber corners and the bump at 11 is fun, keeps it interesting. It feel it is a little like Lime Rock in that it is fairly easy to learn how to get around but it may take a few visits to really get it dialed in. The best part.... only 1.5 hrs door to door!

Hopefully the track is asking for feedback from the clubs that are using the facility and will make the appropriate adjustments. For the track I think they could use some additional curbing in a few spots and this being the 21st century isn't there a way to make the transitions a little smoother? (they really aren't that bad, but we don't have the technology to make things meet properly?) For the facilities they could use a better/bigger parking area, don't charge so much for garages (better still include it in the price of the track rental and let the clubs sell the garages) and showers.

Not to side track this thread, what did people find/think of hotels in the area? I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Dayville. It is only about 15 minutes from the track, was nice and clean, friendly staff, had a decent continental breakfast. The desk clerk asked why I was there and even offered a discount from the rate I had been quoted as they have a discount for the track, $108 per night plus tax.

[962porsche]

chuck
I would not say it's off topic about places to stay at (hotels motels ) and also what people think about them too ?

[TroyV]

I agree with Mick that I think I may like the place more if we used the optional sweeper at T4....or at least tried it to see. The tighter turn at 4 had absolutely no grip. This track was really hard on the left front tire. Whatever that crack sealer grey/tan stuff was, was either really abrasive, or concealing something really abrasive. I found myself modifying my line to stay off of it. The access to greasy food stands was great. The sausage sub was really good. The paddock space was tighter than I would have thought, but at least the PA was audible even from the far viewing area over by 10-11.

I think if there is a market adjustment, both in the overall cost, and the garage rental price, this will be a good alternate to compliment NHMS as a home base.

[Mick]

Not to side track this thread, what did people find/think of hotels in the area? I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Dayville. It is only about 15 minutes from the track, was nice and clean, friendly staff, had a decent continental breakfast. The desk clerk asked why I was there and even offered a discount from the rate I had been quoted as they have a discount for the track, $108 per night plus tax.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn express in Auburn, MA. It was clean, staff was friendly, and it was easy to get to.
FYI: The parking lot is decent but not huge. If the hotel isn't busy you might get lucky and find a place to park a truck & open trailer, but I wouldn't count on it.

[TroyV]

In addendum... If the price were right, I could see a three day at this place with a relay rally.

[962porsche]

yes I agree too with trying the option of turn 4 .
I liked the section of 9 10 and 11 .
coming into 9 I would lift and right back on the gas or dab the brake with my left foot and keep the gas flat to the floor .
then from there its just a nice left right and up the hill .
using the cut thru at 4 maybe the same ????