944-spec AX Challenge on Jan 30th

[Tim Comeau]

Well, you're right guys. We should do it again. We had such a blast last time and we raised some money for Children's Hospital.

A number of drivers asked that I do this driving "challenge" again, but charge more money to cover wear and tear on the car so that I could do it on a regular basis. My car did 52 laps during the last event. Most cars do 11 laps! One of the AX chairs for 2005 told me it was great in that it added to the event's fun factor. Absolutely.
So at the risk of sounding cliche'......Back by popular demand......

I'd be interested in bringing one or more of my 944-spec cars down to the stadium on Jan 30th.
You must be a PCA member and entered in the autocross and have signed the insurance waiver to compete in one of my cars. You also have to agree to pay for any damage you cause to the car, including flat spotting the tires. Sound fair? Let's have fun but stay within the limits of the car and your driving ability.

Some drivers may be concerned that driving a spec car before timed runs might help a driver beat them in their normal class , but I would argue that my cars are quite a different driving experience even from a 944 driver's standpoint. They're much lighter and stiffer, and as such, have different turn in, shifting and braking points. Not much help there.

So this time around, let's do the 3 timed laps for $20. Drive when it fits into your driving/instructing/corner working schedule like last time. I'm also interested in continuing to contribute some of this program's profit throughout the year, to a great local organization like Children's Hospital in the name of CRE, Inc. and PCASDR.
The children, the club, the drivers, CRE, Inc. We all win!
Sound good?
Who's your money on?
Drivers list: Timmy's handicap notes:
1. Crosser (2 DE's in the car+.....A smoothie.
2. Reinhardt (go kart and formula driver. YIKES!
3. Groskemper (reigning champ!
4. Earll (newbie? Unknown
5. Duncan (proven 944 driver
6. Chambers? (proven 944 driver
7. Marguglio (ex-spec pilot w/podium race finish
8. Scragg ( just plain quick
9. Straub ( in PCA for 800 years. He can drive!
10. Robert (last name? Unknown
11. Stephanie S. (unknown
12. Ross
13. Souza
Groskemper- 1:1 odds. He's a proven winner.
Scragg, Duncan, Chambers- 2:1 odds. All are quick, 2 from 944's.
Reinhardt- High hopes. But can he adapt quickly enough? 4:1 odds
Straub- the classic dark horse......hasn't raced in a while....does he still have it? 6:1 odds
Marguglio- 99:1 odds. Screw him!......he got to drive with that Tennis model. He's set for life...that rat!
Crosser- 4:1 odds. It's in him. He just needs to get mad.Please don't hurt my car, Kim.

[bryanearll]

A couple of questions for you Tim:
1) May "students" drive the car in the Charity Challenge?
2) Does participating in the Challenge cut into the Official Class run times and practice?
Bryan

[Tim Comeau]

Bryan,
I don't have a problem with students driving the car. They must be eligible to drive without an instructor.
The challenge laps are independent of the normal AX laps.

[bryanearll]

Please sign me up! Though I think I will focus principally on learning the handling characteristics of a 944. It's going to be a change from my 996.
b

[Jackie C]

Tim,
I think this is a great idea and very generous of you. My hope is that it will generate interest and respect for the spec class as well as wet our spirit of giving early on in the season. I hope to drive my spec car that day, but it's good to note that if the 1st runs don't go well, I will still have a chance to try the track in a cool car! See you there!
Blue skies,

[Tim Comeau]

Jackie,
Thanks.
No doubt that it will generate interest in our class.

[Jad]

Sign me up! I was bummed I missed the chance last year.

Though, looking outside, you may need to add rudders if things don't change with this weather....

[Dan Chambers]

Drive when it fits into your driving/instructing/corner working schedule like last time.

Tim:

Just a suggestion: be sure to coordinate this with the Timing and A-X Chairs. The clock/timing system is occasionally being tweeked/adjusted/fixed during practice runs.

Also, what happens when someone spins in front of you while you're in the 944-Spec car. If the cars go "out of sequence" the timing is botched. I'm sure there won't be "re-runs" if that happens .... unless you can figure that out with timing/AX chairs.

Anyway, I might just slap down my Jackson for a chance to trim .95-seconds and catch a certain someone. (BTW: will you have a "weighted driving suit" so that Steve G., Jad D. and I are all the same weight? Heavy-weights want to know .)

Dan C.

[David J Marguglio]

Danno:

The spec 944 rule is 2,600 lbs. with driver at the end of the race. So, if you are over tim's weight you can start tearing stuff out of his car (I am sure he wont mind); conversely, if you are underweight (Martin, Jad, et. al) you will be disqualified.

[David J Marguglio]

Oh and one more thing...I am in too!

[Carl Scragg]

Tim, sign me up! I had a blast last time. That spec car is way too much fun. And I doubt that Steve Grosekemper can embarrass me any worse than he did in December.

Carl

[John Straub]

Tim,

Sign me up, I may not be very fast----first time I'll be driving in two years----but I'll give it a try.

[rss996]

Sign me up please!!!

What a great idea to raise money and add to the already awesome SDR Auto X event!

Robert

[John Straub]

Yep, I thought of some more reasons I may not be to fast....I've never driven a front engined, water cooled Porsche before....I attend social events....I own a concours Porsche....I ate too much for Christmas....and....Oh, whats the shift pattern and red line

[MikeD]

John: The Excuse Generator may be helpful if you need more...