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1989 at a NNJR PCA event at Pocono. It was one of the regular venues back when choices were more limited (no NJMP, Monticello, Thompson, Palmer, etc. back then). I recognize a few names in that entry list!
Last edited by stownsen914; 12-22-2023 at 10:41 PM.
Started with Skip Barber school at Road America in the ''80's followed by SCCA Spec Racer Ford in the '90's. When my two boys were old enough we all three raced Spec Miata and had a blast. Only did one PCA DE at Road America in 2012 but took it easy as I didn't want to bin the GT3 in the kink!!!
Now it is just track days at a local track near PHX with a track prepared Mach 1...
Dove into the deep end in 2000 with race school... only on my second racecar since then, starting our 25th season this year after countless races and wins and a few lap records...
I bought a used MGB in 1965 and started hillclimbing in Pennsylvania, did a track day at Marlboro, Md. First time on a track, did my first race at Watkins Glen in 1968. I raced into the mid 70s went to the SCCA runoffs in 1973 did a few more events and sold the car. I bought a Cayman S and discovered DE, did my first event at with Schattenbaum, was made an instructor on my second event. Sold that car and bought a GT4
My first "track" driving was in Oct-Dec. 1986 at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Brunswick Ga. It was where I was introduced to the skidpad and the road course, as well as other comprehensive driving exercises. 40 hours of on track and classroom driving. I still have the workbook manuals. From there I went to investigate SCCA and then when the money got to steep for my GS nothing salary, I moved to autocross. I bounced back and forth until I transitioned to motorcycles in the late 90s, doing trackdays and then back to cars full time in 2002. I don't miss motorcycles.
My first "serious" sportscar was a 74 Datsun 260Z. It was a wonderful, basic 130WHP car that weighed about 2600# with a rollbar and 15X7 Wheels, drum rear brakes and no ability to adjust camber or caster, or toe in the rear. They were "really" basic cars.
One of the interesting things about the list is the selection of cars. At the advanced group you see a lot of SC's and early 911's. A 250hp car was considered fast back then. My 911 RS was only around 210hp. Everybody learned to drive in low powered cars. Nowadays, my novice drivers are showing up at my event with 500hp Subies, 700-800hp Corvettes and Camaros. And even modern street 911's are fast today. My daily, a M2, has almost 400 hp. I gave up instructing several years ago when it exceeded my risk tolerance.
My first "track" driving was in Oct-Dec. 1986 at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Brunswick Ga. It was where I was introduced to the skidpad and the road course, as well as other comprehensive driving exercises. 40 hours of on track and classroom driving. I still have the workbook manuals. From there I went to investigate SCCA and then when the money got to steep for my GS nothing salary, I moved to autocross. I bounced back and forth until I transitioned to motorcycles in the late 90s, doing trackdays and then back to cars full time in 2002. I don't miss motorcycles.
Mike
Mine was also at FLETC, a couple years before you. Then I had additional intensive road course training at Summit Point, much of which involved up-armored and VIP-type purpose built vehicles related to my new responsibilities with DSS in late 1986 and early 1987. Small world!
One of the interesting things about the list is the selection of cars. At the advanced group you see a lot of SC's and early 911's. A 250hp car was considered fast back then. My 911 RS was only around 210hp. Everybody learned to drive in low powered cars. Nowadays, my novice drivers are showing up at my event with 500hp Subies, 700-800hp Corvettes and Camaros. And even modern street 911's are fast today. My daily, a M2, has almost 400 hp. I gave up instructing several years ago when it exceeded my risk tolerance.
- Zoé
Delaware Track Registrar
But remember there was a group of drivers looking at those 200hp cars thinking they had a ton of power compared to the old hot rod 356s with 90hp.
I remember as a CI for Tarheel BMWCCA at Rockingham, the first event in 1996 with more than one or two E36 M3’s, I was driving an E36 M3 LTW and we had a bunch of single car incidents at the exit of the Fishhook. All E36 M3’s.
Drivers would go two off and either kick it, drop throttle or yank it back on and crash into the guardrail in front of the blockhouse a hundred yards downstream drivers right.
We had a meeting in the middle of the day to remind folks that they had not forgotten the fundamentals overnight, but the end result among the DEC and multiple chapters was a discussion whether or not the incredible capabilities of the “new cars” were beyond the abilities of our students and some of our instructors. There was briefly discussion about banning those cars at CCA DE’s!
Reminds me of the one on one meetings we would have with DE participants driving the “widow maker” 1975-1979 930 Turbos, before they went out.
I was racing against your 2.7RS in mine, in E class. I found several of my race stories and they had links to your race stories on defunct alpinenet.com.
Here's the Watkins Glen start, I had qualified outside pole in C, D, E, GT4 and GT3 class thanks to the rain, but several blew by me at the start as it was dry.
Indeed it is. I had additional training as well, but mine was south near Williamsburg, Va. Was good training using cars as battering rams and learning how to reverse J-turns and such... Oh the good old days, when I was young, slim, fit and had hair.
Originally Posted by Veloce Raptor
Mine was also at FLETC, a couple years before you. Then I had additional intensive road course training at Summit Point, much of which involved up-armored and VIP-type purpose built vehicles related to my new responsibilities with DSS in late 1986 and early 1987. Small world!
Indeed it is. I had additional training as well, but mine was south near Williamsburg, Va. Was good training using cars as battering rams and learning how to reverse J-turns and such... Oh the good old days, when I was young, slim, fit and had hair.
Haha after I left after 16 years, I also spent a little bit of time near Williamsburg as well as that fun place on Albemarle Sound for my new employer .
For those of you who also spend/spent time with BMW CCA, notice Geoff Atkinson's name. A great guy, great instructor and a great racer always ready to help anybody else. It has been 10 years since he passed away and we all still miss him.
12-22-2023, 10:38 PM
