Subj: Larry's first track event (part 2)
Date: 7/11/00

The drive to the track from Winchester, VA went smooth. (I cheated and followed someone else) I parked and unloaded the car in spaces provided, checked in, and got the car ready for the tech inspection. I discovered that sometime while I had my tech worksheet out at Max's garage, one sheet blew off the table, so I arrived in the tech line one sheet shy of a full load. I grabbed a new one from the office, and started to fill it out from remembered information. When the tech boys arrived at the car and wanted to view my tech sheets I said, "Wait a minute, I'm almost done." I'm sure it appeared that I was just filling it out for the first time so I explained what happened. They were satisfied, put a red sticker on the windshield, and I parked the car. I put on my "I'm so Green the wetness behind my ears will make the track slippery sticker" on the windshield and waited for class to begin.
Car Guys has just changed ownership, so the owner/classroom instructor wasn't sure how technical to make it. For me; give me all those vectors and formulas. The others seemed content just knowing if they screwed up, they would go off the track.
They explained the driving lines, showed the flag worker locations, discussed passing rules, and other basic stuff. We were also cautioned to "STAY ON THE TRACK" as it had rained and the grass/mud was very slick. Not wanting to become the new "Turf King" I decided not to get to aggressive. The instructors met their students, except mine. He was one of 5 instructors that didn't show up that day. The owner scrambled about to insure all us "greenies" had one. We would do (3) 20 min. laps with instruction in between.
Session 1
My instructor (Woody) met me in the green line, handed me an intercom system, did a commo check, and waited to be sequenced on to the track. He admits he has never instructed in an NSX before, but has instructed in other high performance cars. Not having a chance to discuss my driving background (which was zip anyway) he wanted me to keep in under 80 MPH for the first few laps. Other than the 3,000 foot straight, staying under 80 wasn't going to be hard. Cones had been positioned on the track at the turn in, apex, and track out points for each corner. The first couple laps were to get familiarized with the turns and warm up the tires. As I approached the long straight, a couple of "riftraft" cars (Escort, Neon, and the like) were hot on my tail wanting to pass. I gave the passing hand gesture (it involved one finger, but at least it was done in the appropriate manner). My driving style (the Accord years) has never included heavy braking or hard acceleration. You don't achieve 200K on brake pads and 40 MPG using the previous techniques. I am trying to morph into a different driver, but its not easy. After, I don't know how many laps, the (short) 20 minute session is over and we pull into the pits. I was debriefed by my instructor and headed for the classroom. The classroom instructor wanted to know if everyone saw the flag stations? (My Tim Allen Huhhhh? came out) Stations???? Everyone else was shaking their head yes. I saw two of them, but that was it. I was about to call the rest of them liars, when the instructor continued on. The class session ended, I checked my car out, (tried to give the air that I knew what I was doing) and prepared for the next session.
Session 2
I've got the general idea now, so I start to go a little faster. The car is handling well, the tires are squealing on the corners, and my instructors eyes are smaller than the diameter of his glasses (I must be in his comfort zone). I've gotten the car partially sideways a couple of times followed by a comment from Woody on my ability to keep the car on the track (Yes, I did turn the TCS off). To me it seems no different that driving in Maine on snowy roads. I am keeping up with the riftraft cars and have the ability to pass (they only get to 85mph on the straights), but with no signal from them, I just play follow the leader. I have so much spare time on the straights that I feel like checking out the local radio stations. Woody feels it is a good chance to practice my lines, without worrying about excessive speed. He also wants me to try braking hard enough to engage the anti-locks. Never having done this on the NSX (except when gravel was on the road) I was eager to experience it. Try as I might, it took several attempts before I broke hard enough to engage them (tires were sticking better than expected). I experienced little pedal feedback (unlike my Accord) and mostly just heard the pulsing. The session is over. No cars passed me; I passed no cars. Woody has been snickering from time to time so as we pull into the pits I ask what he found amusing. He said the NSX is balanced to well. When asked what he meant by that, he continued with, "If you were to drive any other car like you had done a couple of times, (i.e., wrong lines, braking hard around corners, etc.) you would have been off the track by now."
He said he would take me out in his BMW (instructors were not allowed to drive students cars) so that I could see/feel the difference between proper lines and improper lines/bad techniques. I also requested he show me where all the flag stations were hiding. We have lunch and talk about driving. Another instructor walks over to our table shaking his head. He is sure that it's only a matter of time before his student puts him in the kitty litter. "He won't listen to me. All he wants to do is drive fast and he's all over the track!!" I comment on the fact that as a flight instructor I have another set of controls to save the day, but they are just along for the ride. After a few driving tales, lunch is over. With a little extra time to spare, I go into the driving shop and buy my usual stuff (T-shirt, driving tapes) and the "I never got it from D. Dali" camera mount.
His session
Although he drives well, his BMW doesn't feel as stable as my NSX. When he does things right, the car feels stable. But showing me what I did, the car felt very unstable. In some ways, I think it would be better to learn driving in a car that complains about improper techniques (the learning curve would be faster). He also points out the flag stations. Sure enough, after we complete each turn, he tells me to look way ahead, which side to look, and there they are, larger than life (most are away from the turns and blend into the trees). After pulling in to the pits I discuss (OK, start whining) my inability to judge braking distances and rates. I find that I look at the corner (quickly approaching I might add) instead of looking for my line through the corner. I over brake from staring at the entry cone, then when my eyes locate the apex and track out cones it's like; "where did all this road come from?" He wants me to visualize the course while I wait for my last session. I go into the classroom (where it is cooler) and drive the course in my mind. The other NSX that was at the track picked up a nail and had to retire.
Session 3
I feel more confident in my abilities, the cars abilities, and I know what to expect of the track. I am third from the front of the line this time and after the first lap, the riftraft car in front of me can feel his car slow down from the vacuum caused by my intake being stuck up his butt. A frantic hand from the driver signals me to pass on the short straight to the right (passing is done on the left at this section) followed by a quick point to the left from his instructor. Woody tells me not to pass and I start laughing at the situation. I hold back until the last turn before the medium straight then start to accelerate. He sees me coming and signals me to pass. The other car in front of him sees me and also signals. I brake a little before the turn, hit the apex, and track out on to the long straight getting up to 120mph before braking for the first turn. The anti-locks engage, I let off the brakes, down shift, and start to accelerate through the turn. I see the flag station ahead and all is well. I hit the next two apexes well (beginners luck, but I'll take it) and accelerate through "the chute" and brake hard for "the Esses". This time I see a flag displayed to the car in front that hasn't happened before; Blue/yellow stripe (faster traffic approaching; ME :-))) Well, I guess Woody is getting a little edgy because he states the obvious: "You're coming up awfully fast to that car" All I say is "Roger." (Here's what's taking place.) The car in front has slowed down to maybe 40mph because he was off-line through the chute and is way over to the right preparing for the next left turn. I, on the other hand, had hit the apex and was accelerating towards that left turn (at 90 mph, follow my hands if you can, I'm French) and was slightly left of center. This seemed to cause anxiety for Woody and the driver of the car in front (he saw the nose of my car in his peripheral vision overtaking him) because it looked like I was going to pass him in the corner. Heavy braking put me safely behind the car while I muttered for him to move his "Lard-assed" car because he was holding me up!! In all, 7 drivers signaled me to pass them. The riftraft ones, plus one BMW, and one Vette. I'm not sure if they were yielding to the better car/driver or just trying to keep some distance from the Maineiac behind them.
After the event we returned to the motel, had a great buffet (put on by Car Guys), and told stories of the days adventures.
The ride home
I have chuckled at Peter for using up the whole road when doing 20mph (I think he is visualizing how to hit the apexes) I start to do the same thing. Except the apex cone I am visualizing is a pedestrian standing too close to the road. I decide to go back to my "keep it in the center" driving style. As I drive home it seems that my tires are starting to howl more than before (sounding like winter tires). The brakes shake a little during light braking, but from following E-mail traffic, I suspect it is from build up on the pads and I am not concerned. After several braking events on the trip home the shaking diminishes, but the howl seems to get louder. The next day I head off to my tire supplier (Steve, who races) and ask his opinion of the situation. He notices that all four tires show signs of cupping. Things were fine before this event. The changes were: 1. New shocks, 2. Different alignment, 3. and Aggressive driving; one had to be the culprit. The shocks seemed fine (everything removed was still tight) Steve didn't think it was the track event because after looking at my tires he commented that I hadn't driven very hard (wise ass). So that just left the alignment. I gave Karl Z. a call and went over my alignment settings. He didn't see any setting that would cause the cupping that I was experiencing. Then as I read the settings again, it hit me right between the eyes! It was starting to make sense now. On the way back from the track I noticed my gas mileage had dropped about 2-3mpg. For the driving style I was doing I should have achieved 31-33mpg, instead, I only got 28mpg. I had wondered if my 6-8 grand driving had done something to the engine that kept it from achieving the usual fuel economy. Can you guess what I did? In my haste to get to the track on Thursday; As I read the alignment settings I forgot that the toe setting was Total Toe, and not a setting for each wheel like the caster and camber settings. So I had double the recommended settings. No wonder the tires were howling and wearing funny! (Dah)
The next day I had it aligned to the correct specifications. The howling is subsiding (it will never go completely away) and my gas mileage is back up.
Oh, and to answer a followup question to a previous story. The gas mileage of an NSX ranges from 13 to 35 MPG. Your mileage may vary.

Be on the lookout for my upcoming best selling stories on your computer screen: I bother Don Lebentritt; Larry gets culture; and Massacre at Miled's car.
Respectfully yours, Larry G.