Subj:    We Drive Rausch Creek
Date:    7/9/01
   
Hi Story Seekers,
Just a short story to tide you over until I get to a larger one.

Last weekend Tony came out to visit and I wanted to do something besides work on cars. (We did do a little work on mine, but that's not in this story.)
Tony bought a Subaru WRX to replace his still good but aging Honda Accord. His reasoning for jumping ship was understandable and I wish him the best of luck with living with something other than a Honda product. (He's gonna need it; the rotors are scoring just after a few hundred miles :-) Because Tony is a good friend, I have made special compensation for his new transportation so that he can park in the driveway (but not near the garage doors) without fear of reprisal from my displayed sign: "Honda parking only, all others will be towed!"

My plan was to take his toy to the new road course track near my house called Rausch Creek. Entrance to the track has been blocked off except for one hidden spot that is only known by the resourceful. Being Sunday, I didn't think anyone would be around as they have not officially opened the track to the public. I directed Tony down unimproved roads to the track entrance where he eased on to the course.

This will be Tony's first track experience. The only other time he has been on a race track was at Lime Rock during the parade lap earlier this year. Although I am not a driving instructor, I feel it is better for him if I ride shotgun. The track is approx. 2.3 miles with elevation changes. Tony starts off with my guiding him through the turns. All the tire barriers are not in place so I don't want him to go full tilt. Because his control inputs are not smooth, I am being jostled about the cockpit longing for a four point harness. He is not hitting the apexes and he makes a couple of off-track excursions. I decide it is time for us to head back to the house where I will be safe.
Larry G.

PS. Did I mention that it took us 20 minutes just to do one lap!!
OK, the rest of the story. The track is mostly rutted dirt and the erratic driving came from dodging sharp rocks, pot holes, and ditches. (One was about 10 feet deep!)

Do you feel better now Tony :-))