Reno-Fernley, Full Track (4 Miles), Aug. 26-27

[Bonster]

With Nick's recent sign-up about a half hour ago, the Subarus are 50% of the Saturday A group! Okay, so there's only ten drivers so far, but that's pretty good. I'm sure there will be more.

BW

[MikeK]

Does open passing just mean anywhere on the track, or does it also mean that no pointby is required?

[Bonster]

Very good question, Mike. Open passing means that you can pass in turns and on straights. Point-bys are strongly recommended, but obviously this cannot always safely be done in the middle of a turn, so it is not required. The rule of thumb, at least at the advanced level, is to have cars pass you on the side that your next turn will be. So if your next turn is to the right, you should stay on your line, but let the passer take his or her pass on the right. If your next turn is to the left, the passer should pass on your left. This is because you have a better view of where the driver is than he might, and you can help keep both of you safe during the transaction. Occasionally, being as the Subarus and say, Miatas, are of similar horsepower, you may have to lift a little to let the transaction take place safely. If that does not make sense, PLEASE post such. I have a lot of track time and racing experience, so I've learned how passing should be done -- I just don't always word it perfectly. Questions like this one are awesome -- I want to make sure you all are safe at all times!

BW

[MikeK]

I have no problem with being able to pass anywhere on track, but I am a little concerned with having people passing me when I am not expecting it. Hopefully with the small run groups and the 4 mile track passing won't even be an issue out there.

How long are the run groups going to be? What are the expected lap times on the long course configuration?

[doubleurx]

Originally Posted by MikeK

I have no problem with being able to pass anywhere on track, but I am a little concerned with having people passing me when I am not expecting it. Hopefully with the small run groups and the 4 mile track passing won't even be an issue out there.

How long are the run groups going to be? What are the expected lap times on the long course configuration?

Turn 5/6, Mike goes to pass me and I decide to double apex. That could be cool or really bad depending on how many marbles I toss out the window.

[qksubi]

I with Mattr I have to save cash and rubber for Time trails in sept also I have go to GruppeS for another map thats going to take care of art majors

[Bonster]

Well, the art of open passing is to know when it can safely be done. Advanced drivers should know better. If somebody is at your door as you go into turn 5, my advice would be to lift and fall back onto the line asap. Open passing involves some sacrafice at times, and it requires the most alert of drivers. We've yet to have a problem with it, to be honest. However, if you guys don't like the idea of open passing, drop down to B group. Still a fast bunch, and some of those guys are A groupers that just don't like open passing.

We always feed cars on, so the chances of passing to occur will decrease anyway. The sessions are 20 minutes long. I have not a clue as to the expected lap times, I'll have to ask around on that one. I never timed myself on even the 1.6 or 2.3 mile tracks, so I dunno. I run between a 2:10-2:12 at Thunderhill, and it's a 3 mile track . . . so maybe a 3:30 or less would be decent? I guess we'll just have to find out.

BW

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by qksubi

I with Mattr I have to save cash and rubber for Time trails in sept also I have go to GruppeS for another map thats going to take care of art majors

New turbo? 100 octane? Blow off valve, neon lights and spinners? Spill the beans!

[sperry]

Originally Posted by qksubi

I with Mattr I have to save cash and rubber for Time trails in sept also I have go to GruppeS for another map thats going to take care of art majors

Maybe you missed the part where Mike Warfield is going to be at this event?

[MikeK]

What is the policy on passengers, do they just need to sign a waiver?

Will there be loaner/rental helmets for passenegers?

Will 100 octane be available at the track? (They were sold out the last time I was there)

[Bonster]

Hey Mike . . . passengers are allowed in the cars all but the first session of the day unless that passenger is an instructor or a student is riding along with the instructor. Novice group drivers must be signed off by an instructor to go solo before they are allowed a passenger in the car. Advanced and intermediate groups are allowed ONE passenger in their cars in all but the very first session unless, as stated previously, that passenger is an instructor or vice-versa. If a driver spins or takes four wheels off the track with a passenger, their passenger priveleges will be supsended for the remainder of the day in all but very few occasions. We've never even had to enforce that, but it's been a great way to keep folks from driving over their heads and risking the safety of their passengers. And YES, passengers must sign the track's waiver as well as our own waiver.

I don't think the track itself rents helmets, but a good friend of mine runs a school up there and I bet I can get her to leave us a few helmets for a very small fee, if any fee at all. She has tons of them at her house for her school.

The lady in the office of the track seemed to lack the knowledge I needed in regards to fuel. All I got out of her was something like, "Whatever fuel we have is out there." I left a message for both the friend of mine who runs a school there as well as the track manager, Jeremy Cable. If 100 octane is NOT available, I will be sure and post up on it. Otherwise, assume that it will be available. Last I was there, you had to pay cash for the gasoline because they still don't have any kind of credit card or ATM system in place.

I hope that helps! I'll be sure and post up if helmets will not be available.

BW

[sperry]

Bonni, the last time I was out at RFR, they had a ton of 100 octane. They can also take your credit card IIRC and setup a tab (though the last time I bought gas there it was via pesonal check).

I would expect the track to have 100 octane since you can't buy it in town anymore... if you try they're all sold out because RFR buys it all.

[Bonster]

I just got off the phone with the track manager. Yes, you can set up a tab for gasoline if you leave a check and your drivers license, but they still don't have any kind of credit card or ATM system. The manager says they plan to have that online for next year.

Helmets will be availabe for rental at $25 per day. The trailer in the paddock area will be where you can rent them. Oh -- Jeremy (manager) just told me there's a TON of gas available. So that answers those questions. Next?

BW

[MikeK]

Are long sleeves/pants required?

[Bonster]

In a race-prepped car (i.e., no carpeting, no insulation) long pants are required because there is a chance of burning your ankles, calves, etc. on the hot metallic surfaces of the uncovered areas. In a street car (whether track prepared or not), where there is still carpeting and such, we highly recommend long pants, but do not require it, especially in the summer time. We recommend long sleeves, but we do not require it. So in a nutshell, it's your skin, and your decision. In all honesty, I have never seen a car fire, even while racing. It's not real likely in today's cars, especially not street cars.

BW

[doubleurx]

Originally Posted by MikeK

Are long sleeves/pants required?

What is it with you and your pants?

[MikeK]

They're chafing me!

[Bonster]

ROFL!!! I'm not EVEN gonna go there.

BW

[MPREZIV]

Originally Posted by MikeK

They're chafing me!

Well Played, Mike! Well Played!

[Bonster]

Hey Mpreziv . . . never seen a rally avatar before -- very cool. Okay, you guys can go back to talking about Mike's pants now if you want. But I've only got a dollar, lol.

BW

[dknv]

Say, Bonster,
there's a 'Helen' signed up in an RX8, do you know her? (I know a Helen/RX8 driver from the bay area, just wondering if it's the same person.)

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Bonster

Hey Mpreziv . . . never seen a rally avatar before -- very cool. Okay, you guys can go back to talking about Mike's pants now if you want. But I've only got a dollar, lol.

BW

(There's a running joke about Mike's job being so cushy all they do at work all day is sit around w/o pants, playing video games. You know, what Mike does when he's at home by himself.)

[Bonster]

Originally Posted by dknv

Say, Bonster,
there's a 'Helen' signed up in an RX8, do you know her?

***Are you David B? If so, that's why you know Helen. She's David M's mother. But don't let that fool you. If you know Helen, you'll know that she's come a long way over the past year or so in her RX-8. I keep waiting for her to bump up into advanced group and clean the tarmac with you guys.

BW

[Bonster]

Originally Posted by sperry

You know, what Mike does when he's at home by himself.

***Doh! My eyes! Darn the visual!

BW

[dknv]

Originally Posted by Bonster

***Are you David B?

No.

Mike, Scott: if you see her, tell her Debbie from Reno says Hi!