RENO FERNLEY ADVICE NEEDED

Here’s my take on the configurations; considering predominantly Pantera’s running, the three run group abilities and spectator viewing;

Full 4.2 mile course; Challenging with 23 corners to remember, plenty of track to spread your legs without bumper to bumper racing. Good mix of corners, elevation change and ‘horsepower’ straights.

This is the configuration that most of the HDPE/PDX events use as it provides a great performance driving experience for all level of drivers. Downside for newcomers is there are 23 corners to remember.

Courses B&C, 2.8 & 3 miles;
As above but loses mid straight, which is a designated passing zone and corner 17 a long sweeper that can also be a passing zone for Group A and B
Also loses slide chicane – one of my favorite parts of the track, one of Larry Stock’s most hated (ask him).
These configurations eliminate the most visible part of the track from the pit area, so family, friends, pit crew etc. only really get to see cars on the main straightaway.

Course D, ~2.5 miles; Loses the portion on the back side of the hill, retains good elevation change and number of passing zones for the length of track. Also retains most visible portions of track from pit area. More geared to the higher horsepower cars.

Personally I’d go for the full 4.2 miles, but if it’s a shorter track that the majority want then Course D is one to consider.

There are a few local guys that instruct at RFR and generally hang around the track if there’s something going on. They are usually all too keen to get some jump seat time, so maybe we can muster up one or two to sit in for a couple laps each for novices/newcomers to the track to show them the racing line and add another dimension to people’s experience?

Also for diehard racers bear in mind RFR is at 4,200 ft elevation for set up and tuning. We me be able to broker a deal at one of the local chassis dyno’s (C&C Automotive in Reno, or Marco/Benson Bros. Racing in Carson City) prior to the event (Wednesday?) if there is enough interest.

Thanks, Julian.

Anyone else out there with thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Keep in mind, we gear this to the newbie and we like to see all cars, and drivers, leave under their own power.

Why the newbie?

Well, the real, die hard racers can take advantage of many events at many tracks.

The Fun Rally often attracts owners who do not live near a track or who do not want to take their cars out for the first time with an unknown bunch of racers.

The PCNC Speed Trials offers a place with "Family' who understand these cars. Mentors and instruction is available from folks who understand mid-engined cars. And the groups are very small compared to many track events you might attend.

There is no better place to first start to understand your car's potential than the PCNC event.

Larry

quote:

There is no better place to first start to understand your car's potential than the PCNC event.

I 100% agree, what you learn on the track under controlled conditions will serve well for the street and help you understand you and/or your car's limits, it's not racing just you improving yourself.

Run groups are the smallest you'll ever encounter and with like minded individuals who value their cars. I consider it the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

I know a bunch of people that started in Group C and got the bug, me included. I ran group B last year and hope to have the '74 back together for Group A in 2009.

Just a suggestion here; I you are going out in street cars with a bunch of newbies. From some of my track training: First it would be VERY important to have some theory training, include track rules, then some cone racing in parking lot (various small circuits, cover braking, swerving, avoidance, maybe even with wet surfaces or water obstacles. After that some lapping with a pace car (at least 3 or 4 laps - no passing) with instructors if possible. You wouldn't believe how so easy it is to lose it out there even a lower speeds

Ps. If you use the local track school you might even get performance driving or defensive driving certificates afterwards. Who know might be an asset for insurance rates.

pps. A basic tech check is not a bad investment either if you track the cars as some of you might be driving and maintaining 3 digit speeds for more than a few minutes.

Well, from your suggestions (all good) I can see YOU are a newbie to the PCNC Speed Trials.

While we do not incorporate ALL your ideas, here's what we do, and have been doing for years.

All cars must undergo a technical inspection prior to the event. We have a list of approved inspectors (due to the special needs of our 35 year old cars) and can approve other qualified inspectors IF they contact us for a little primer on Pantera specifics.

ALL drivers must attend, prior to any track time, the driver's meeting held each morning. We cover basic track etiquette and courtesy, approved passing zones for each of the three proficiency groups, corner workers flag signals, and more issues specific to the track and that day's weather.

We then all take a break for some cold pace laps. No helmets needed, to remind them they are NOT racing, so everyone has at least some idea of what the track is like.

We then start with the A group out on the course.

Meanwhile, the C group, all of them, are in the second driver's meeting. This lasts for a half hour or more and will go into detail on theory, rules, responses, etc. Track map, questions being fielded, etc.

We offer in our registration the option of purchasing instructor sessions. And after the first C session, drivers can take passengers and often this means a more experienced driver to pass on guidance.

As we gear towards the newbie, you can see we take special steps to make sure their first experience is fun, and safe.

Our chief instructor, Scott Griffith, has been in motorsports for decades. He consistently remarks how our track event is his VERY favorite and how our group always seems "to get it" and avoid the pitfalls he so often sees with other groups (aggressive, stupid, too fast, pushy, etc).

Since we have, to my memory, never had any issue of concern related to a newbie's lack of experience or skill, we must be doing something right.

So, how far IS Ottawa from Reno?

Love to have you there.

Larry

PCNC MOtorsports Director

The 4.2 course is HUGE. It takes about 1/2 day just to remember all of the turns and how to enter/exit. 23 turns can be a lot to recall. This said it is a blast as it keeps you on your toes. And as Julian said, keeps traffic spread out.

The course is also tough on tires. It will chew them up. The backside has some rough areas that were surface ground down but still it takes its toll.

I was a newbie to the course. I took 2 or 3 instructed runs with another driver who helped with the course. After that, I felt OK in learning on my own.

I think due to the lack of active traffic and aggressive passing, it is more comfortable for new drivers. The longer course provided more room and opportunities to cleanly pass a slower driver. Julian's reference to a chicane(the slide on the map)...the note: do not set it up like a chicane, you will spin like a top. Last count, two Pantera's down on that little slice of life. I lost count on the Mustang's who also bit a piece of the corner.

The facility is not as remote as the LV track. Plus Summit Racing is right here in Reno for quick stop to purchase parts that break. But as Julian learned, it is still far enough away that a motor with a rod knock, only gets worst trying to drive home:>

I would expect the longer course requires more track workers and logistics. My vote would be longer if possible.

Track Masters, who I ran with, had a good setup. Good pre-racing briefing. As well as post heat re-cap and safety review. Plus they had “instructors” on hand to ride with the juniors. Their instruction was good, and for a new driver to the course, I felt comfortable.

I cannot comment on the Reno Fernley staff, but I hope to attend one of their training courses over the winter/spring.

In the last 4 track events I've attended with POCA, they have been nothing but first class the way they were run and how the participants drove their cars.

I know that everyone, or most everyone has wanted a longer track layout, specially the A group. Doesn't matter to me either way.

My only concern is for the drivers with little or no track experience dealing with real long straights and Pantera's.

As we all know, Pantera's are not the lightest cars out there. It would be very easy for an inexperienced driver, or a driver with a Pantera with stock brakes to get way to much speed going down a long straight and either not brake soon enough or have enough brakes to slow down enough going into the turn at the end of the straight and end up plowing through a turn and right off the track.

As Larry states, this is suppose to be a fun, family outting, people start getting in over their head without realizing how fast it can happen and it stops being fun.

So far no one has wrecked a Pantera yet, I hate to see this be the first year it happens.

Just my 2 cents.

quote:

aggressive passing, it is more comfortable for new drivers.

Passing has always been highly limited in the Newbie Group C class. Only in the clear, long straights.

Another reason why this is THE ideal first track experience for any new Pantera owner.

Larry

quote:

Pantera with stock brakes to get way to much speed going down a long straight and either not brake soon enough or have enough brakes to slow down enough going into the turn at the end of the straight and end up plowing through a turn and right off the track.

That is my utmost concern for Newbies.

This is foremost in my, and others minds when we finally decide on a course configuration.

The experienced, fast aggressive drivers (none of us are really aggressive, though) have to realize our event is geared to Newbies and having fun.

We may have a solution to satisfy both needs, but it is still in 'thinking' stage.

For those that crave the speed and totally on the edge, there are lots of opportunity at the tracks throughout the year.

Larry

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
This is foremost in my, and others minds when we finally decide on a course configuration.
***************
I figured it would be Larry...:-)
It was my first thought too.

Whatever you decide, I know it will be the right decision and the event will be perfect as always.

Looking forward to seeing you brother...

When is the date?

quote:

When is the date?

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