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informal miata challenge @ tws trackday

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Old 08-18-2009, 10:41 AM
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I'll second that!

BTW yall missed a hell of a lot of seat time last Saturday. since the attendance was down we did 8 session, 45 min each. it was insane.
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Old 08-18-2009, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by ZX-Tex
For those who have not been there before, turn one and two separate the men from the boys, the brave (or the insane) from the meek.
Haven't heard it put better...good thing my terminal speed is just a little more than a good entry speed there

I'm seriously thinking about making this event instead of H2R.

1. I'll be getting out of class 2hrs before it starts, 5miles down the road.
2. It's further in the future, and my car isn't anywhere NEAR ready.
3. Open course for my newbness...and can learn from the fast guys.
4. I know the course, even though it's much faster than my skills on four wheels.
5. It's cheaper.
6. Friday night with hustler trapped in an RV...what more could you ask for?

Looks like I'll see you guys there.




EDIT:

I'm getting seriously stoked about this. I really ******* hope I have a Heat Transfer test or something that day so I can own it and then go enjoy myself on the track.
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Old 08-18-2009, 01:36 PM
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I wish TWS was in my backyard. Awesome. But, at least it is only 3 hours away.

So, how are we going to track the results of this 'challenge' anyway? Lap times? Gentleman's honor, or someone on the wall with a stopwatch?
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Old 08-18-2009, 03:29 PM
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i fully anticpate being at this. Are there transponders at this track?
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Old 08-18-2009, 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ZX-Tex
So, how are we going to track the results of this 'challenge' anyway? Lap times? Gentleman's honor, or someone on the wall with a stopwatch?
How about just count who passes me the most times.

My **** will be SLOW...first track day for car and driver.

I'm just going to have fun, won't be spilling the blood this time out.
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Old 08-18-2009, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by ZX-Tex
I wish TWS was in my backyard. Awesome. But, at least it is only 3 hours away.

So, how are we going to track the results of this 'challenge' anyway? Lap times? Gentleman's honor, or someone on the wall with a stopwatch?
that's a good question. i had assumed that there would be amb timing. but now that i think about it. i always go during a nasa weekend. i think it's nasa that rents out the transponders. if that's the case, for those that don't have a trackmate or hot lap or something. we might have to do timing laps. i have a robic stopwatch. we'll have to do 3 lap timing sessions or something.
for those that have one of the new cell phones using the "Android" operating system. i just downloaded this app. and tried it out the other day. it has been tested at portland international raceway against the amb transponder the vehicle had. and it was .05 secs. off of the amb. it also cost $4.99. it's like a budget traqmate. i bought a bracket that holds it firmly to the windshield where i can read it. shows sector times, current lap, faster/slower sectors lit up in green or red. anyway's i would let someone use that for a few laps if they wanted. can't wait to try it out at hhr.

check it out : Trackmaster - Welcome

this is the holder i bought, i'm sure there's a bunch of others.

i used the minigripper (holder) and the rok (mount)

PRODUCTS

i'll find out if tws rents out transponders though. that would be the best way.
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Old 08-18-2009, 05:14 PM
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When I race there with CMRA we have an AMB transponder system but are required to bring our own transponder. They are not cheap, to buy or rent.

I like the idea of the GPS cell phone timer app. Not sure if there is one for my phone, but I can always just keep my laptop in the car (well secured) with a GPS unit. I'll probably have it in the car anyway for ECU data logging.

There has to be some cheap or free apps that will do lap timing on a PC with a GPS. Any recommendations? That and a 5 Hz bluetooth GPS unit and I will be golden. I want to get that in place anyway for post-session lap analysis.

Counting laps will not work well if two guys are only a couple of seconds apart.
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Old 08-18-2009, 05:19 PM
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I'm running a traqmate for lap times. Not sure what others have.

I do not think that they offer transponders. Usually the organizers like NASA SCCA CVAR etc. take care of that. Not sure there is a good way to track lap times.
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Old 08-18-2009, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by ZX-Tex

Counting laps will not work well if two guys are only a couple of seconds apart.
Yeah, was just kidding on that one.

At TWS it is always the organizations that brought out the transponders, or have at least seen this with RideSmart.
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Old 08-18-2009, 05:39 PM
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I don't know if this is true, but do you have to be atleast blue solo to be able to attend this? There won't be instructors there so that may limit some people.
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Old 08-18-2009, 05:43 PM
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Yeah, was just kidding on that one.
No worries

At TWS it is always the organizations that brought out the transponders, or have at least seen this with RideSmart.
Yes the CMRA brings its own AMB system to all of the tracks, including TWS. For track days, most guys that care have on-board lap timers (IR beacon based) and the track day organization puts out a trigger beacon for everyone to use (especially LSTD).

If there is not a cheap GPS based solution out there, I'll probably just yank the Mychron off of my sprint bike and bring my beacon. I really like having lap time feedback while on the track.
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Old 08-18-2009, 05:45 PM
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Yep, blue solo and advanced, looks like I won't be there then.
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Old 08-18-2009, 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by gospeed81
Yep, blue solo and advanced, looks like I won't be there then.
you've never done a track day yet? if not, go to hhr. it's a regular hpde so there will be instructors. not sure what blue solo means to tws, but if you've done a atleast a few trackdays, i don't see why you couldn't go.

okay, i just saw your earlier post. do hhr in sept. if you get signed off for solo in sept. you can go to tws in oct.!
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Old 08-24-2009, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by gospeed81
Yep, blue solo and advanced, looks like I won't be there then.
Here's another idea:
Go to the HPDE at TWS on September 26 & 27. You'll be in the Green group, but before the end of the weekend, I'm sure they'll promote you to the Blue group. Then, you'll be eligible for Open Track Days.

Plus, you'll have learned the track and will be ready for this event Oct. 9th.
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Old 08-25-2009, 01:08 AM
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I might show up with a handheld video camera and a D40.
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Old 09-04-2009, 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by tann3r
I'm running a traqmate for lap times. Not sure what others have.

I do not think that they offer transponders. Usually the organizers like NASA SCCA CVAR etc. take care of that. Not sure there is a good way to track lap times.
I also have a Traqmate installed.

Perhaps we can detach the display from our various lap timers and show the best lap to a volunteer who then records the info.
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Old 09-04-2009, 02:32 PM
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i'm gonna try and take a friend with me to help record lap times for the peeps without timers. he can use my robic stopwatch. we'll make a sheet and record a few cars per session. have to setup who's being timed on what session once we're there.
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Old 09-04-2009, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by spoolin2bars
i'm gonna try and take a friend with me to help record lap times for the peeps without timers. he can use my robic stopwatch. we'll make a sheet and record a few cars per session. have to setup who's being timed on what session once we're there.
Awesome, that would be great. I'll buy them a beer for that. I can even give him a dedicated stopwatch to use when I am on the track if that helps.

Not sure if it is required at this event, but regardless everyone participating should tape numbers, BIG ONES, on the driver's side door of their car with blue painter's tape (or whatever). BIG numbers. It is hard to read them otherwise at TWS.
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Old 09-04-2009, 05:31 PM
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out
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Old 09-04-2009, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by hustler
out
Woos...
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