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Post June 15
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:37 pm
by jev61
Awesome course design at a good facility, really enjoyed the covered area and a/c inside the building. Real shame I coned my fastest runs, congrats to Rob for a hard fought victory in S2. Back to SPC in July, we'll see who'll take 2d in class. Thanks for hosting a fun event.
June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:42 pm
by AScoda
How hot was it?
Some of the cones didn't make it through the day.
[img]http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i44 ... 7fad8b.jpg[/img]
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:00 pm
by Lava Speed 05
Was that a cone that got caught up in an exhaust?
I really enjoyed this venue. Fun course, great spectating areas for active and non activate spectators. More thoughts in a bit.
Sent from my DROID RAZR
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:09 pm
by Shifterracer
Had a great time! Can't wait for next month, or the next event to be held here! New tires sure did help close the gap to the front runners...just now need to fix my driving and try to dial out some of the oversteer!
Here's two video's from my 4 runs. Of course my best run i didn't get. Guess it didn't matter because i clipped the last cone
http://youtu.be/p5BobN9ZD-k
http://youtu.be/r_DGzwIyN3U
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:24 pm
by Loren
I am exhausted, so this will be short.
Glad everyone enjoyed the new venue! Thanks again to Scott Wheeler for negotiating it for us.
Huge thanks to Doug for tag-teaming this event with me and handling lunch.
Thanks to everyone for doing their part, and to the selfless few who went above and beyond, as usual.
Sorry we only got 4 runs. Totally my fault for being overly optimistic about how that turn being so close to the finish would work out. Still... it was 4 LONG runs on a really great course! We'll definitely be back to this site. I like it better than SPC, myself.
Results when Ron gets around to it.
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:47 pm
by rab
Awesome site great course
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:51 pm
by garage west
Nice event!
Big thanks to everyone that helped out with traffic control, your contribution is well appreciated and necessary to keep a TBD event safe for non-participants.
The course was fun and demanded attention to get it right. I walked it once and forgot where everything was. I've got video of me screwing it up on my first run before the camera died. I'll save that for the blooper reel.
I snagged a second-place class finish today. Special thanks to Kurtis and Greg for putting a fire under my ass. You guys have mad skills and when I can finish ahead I feel like I've accomplished something. Honorable mention to Charles and the Native for not participating, it's easier when there are less hotshoes around to potentially spoil it for me.
Thanks to the professor for reminding me to push harder and suck less.
See you in July for the grand finale.
Drive fast!
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:03 pm
by Native
I was only there for a little while, but several folks offered very positive feedback about the site and in particular the spectator field.
Got to go for a ride with Nathan, then traded seats and drove that beast of a Pontiac of his. Cool car. Course was challenging, and offered a good range of extremes - slower spots, tighter turns and also that nice sweeper and some speed here and there. Nicely done, Loren!
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:07 pm
by Loren
Oh, by the way:
Freakin' Drew and his Freakin' Mustang!
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:07 pm
by Solar
Another very great FAST event in the books ! I loved the venue, like was mentioned before, the shelter, rest rooms, and the overall layout of the area really worked nicely ! Great job by Loren and Doug for getting a "green site" to work out at smoothly as it did.
The course flowed smoothly, though because of my lack of memory and driving skills, I'm not getting the most out of my 240. On my second run, (which was my best) I got a little distracted by the sound of a car that sounded a little out of control right after the finish and though it was heading towards me. You can see what I'm talking about on the run I posted here.
http://youtu.be/18B5tIQGwag
There were a couple times, where other cars were in my line of sight that were finishing, it made me look at them for a split second rather than keeping my eyes on the course. It wasn't a safety issue, but I'm not use to seeing other cars on course that either look like they're stopped or might be heading towards me. Once I knew that I should expect to see a car there, I was fine with it.
Congrats to Dave O'Neil for taking 1st in M3 and getting into the "49's", I really thought I had a chance to beat him on my last run but decided to clobber 3 cones on the 90 degree finish.
All in all a very fun day, the rain held off, and even the sun was held at bay most of the day. I guess I didn't get enough sun, because as soon as I got home I mowed the lawn and trimmed the shrubs. Now I'm ready for a shower and nap.

Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:09 pm
by Native
garage west wrote:... Honorable mention to Charles and the Native for not participating, it's easier when there are less hotshoes around to potentially spoil it for me.
Your humble nature is admirable. Not sure about Charles, but I know you've beaten me the last 2 events...
And begging your pardon, but Charles was running the grid in the first group...he did that and didn't drive?
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:12 pm
by garage west
Native wrote:
And begging your pardon, but Charles was running the grid in the first group...he did that and didn't drive?
A prince among men, truly.
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:15 pm
by Native
Solar wrote:On my second run, (which was my best) I got a little distracted by the sound of a car that sounded a little out of control right after the finish and though it was heading towards me. You can see what I'm talking about on the run I posted here.
http://youtu.be/18B5tIQGwag
There were a couple times, where other cars were in my line of sight that were finishing, it made me look at them for a split second rather than keeping my eyes on the course. It wasn't a safety issue, but I'm not use to seeing other cars on course that either look like they're stopped or might be heading towards me.
Cars making the right turn and entering the straight after the S-curves near the start, depending and at times, were very close to cars in the finish chute. There was some distance, but we'll learn the site and keep 'em a bit more separate next time!
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:15 pm
by Native
garage west wrote:Native wrote:
And begging your pardon, but Charles was running the grid in the first group...he did that and didn't drive?
A prince among men, truly.
Why, thank you, Charles!
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:20 pm
by Solar
garage west wrote: Honorable mention to Charles and the Native for not participating, it's easier when there are less hotshoes around to potentially spoil it for me.
I can't speak for everyone in M3, but I also was happy Greg Rojina wasn't there to spoil our fun either.

Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:35 pm
by Solar
Native wrote:
Cars making the right turn and entering the straight after the S-curves near the start, depending and at times, were very close to cars in the finish chute. There was some distance, but we'll learn the site and keep 'em a bit more separate next time!
I know that we have a learning curve at new site, and like I said, I had no problem with it after I knew that a car might be there. I just need a excuse for driving like a horse with blinders on lol !
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:54 pm
by Ben
Absolutely loved the course today, I surprised myself shaving almost 2 seconds off on my final lap, got second place this time around, maybe if I push harder and suck less I'll snag a first place next time!
Would love to see more events at this venue and a similar course.
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 7:01 pm
by garage west
Also-- well done, Joe Vance, for the "post time" pun. Good one.
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 7:26 pm
by wrx-auto-x
That was a great event. I think this new site shows great promise. The course was challenging and great fun to drive on. Another well done event. Looking forward to next month.
Also, I agree with Loren with liking this site better than SPC.
Re: June 15, 2013 Tampa Bay Downs-post time
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:18 pm
by Loren
Results are up!
(All hail Ron, the king of timing!)