[s-cars] Watkins Glen report

[Bruce Mendel]

I hear you on the daily driver syndrome. Just do another ten events, like I
did this summer, and get an extended warranty (hiya Paul K!), and then
you'll fling her around like a wild man. But true, I do need to drive home,
so I'm always keeping a tiny (keyword: tiny) something in reserve.

A stock Miata or other light, well balanced car is ideal to learn in, and
needs no modifications (maybe upgraded pads/fluid). You can learn car
control, handling at the limits, etc. I scared myself silly in a 90 HP 1100
lb Formula Ford at Lime Rock when I took the Skip Barber course.

I'd recommend you get a car you can afford to fix up and keep on going, but
I'd ditch the thought that you can "afford" to crash it! :)

You'll know when you need more car from your comfort level at the limits of
whatever car you start in.

Bruce


----- Original Message -----
From: "TM" <t44tq at mindspring.com>
To: "'Bruce Mendel'" <brucem105 at comcast.net>; <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 5:07 PM
Subject: RE: [s-cars] Watkins Glen report


> Bruce-
> You're far too modest- you're a better driver than most of the
> guys in the Porsches, that's why you're running with them.
>
> One thing that is really holding me back from really giving it my
> best effort is the fact that the car is my daily driver. I'm not
> trying to say that I'm some sort of awesome driver (absolutely not
> the case) but I worry about pushing the car to my limits as I need
> to get home in the car. I could pick up a couple seconds at the bus
> stop, several in turns 6, 7 and 8 and another couple seconds at 10,
> but that's more than I'm willing to do at this point. I need a car
> that I can afford to crash, fix up, keep on going and still have a
> way to get home and a way to get around town.
>
> Thus the need for a dedicated track car, probably a nearly-stock 951.
> I'd do the safety equipment before any performance upgrades with a
> track car, try to learn its limits before any upgrades. I wasn't
> comfortable with the brakes, suspension and wheels/tires of my 200
> in stock form for track use, that's why I upgraded them, I wouldn't
> do that with a car with much more capability and knowing what I know
> now.
>
> Taka
>