Why Glenn & I Missed the Cavalcade (Hint: VIR)

[TheKomoman]

Got back about 2 hours and couldn't wait to share some of this stuff. We had an absolute blast! Glenn and I were both running in the Blue group this year and all humility aside we were BAD FAST. After we started running together in the 3rd session on Monday through the end on Tuesday we didn't give a single point-by(and no Norm, we didn't ignore people in the mirrors either!) but we got TONS of them. We were absolutely rocking around that joint.

There were 5 of us this year (ahem, should have been 6 you-know-who!) including my fiance Val and Glenn's new bride Yvonne, plus a new friend from the Corvette forum Brian, who was driving a beautiful Supersonic Blue '09 Z06. Val was driving in the Yellow group and as this was Brian's first time out in his Vette he was driving Green. Yvonne wasn't driving but she had helmet, would ride... and did, twice with Steve Landstra.

Off the track was every bit as much fun as on the track. We tried out a little pizza joint in Milton, NC called Millie's whose atmosphere was as authentic to the area as the pizza was good. Also had a great post-event dinner at the Oak Tree Tavern. Good food and better company. Thanks to Glenn, Yvonne and Brian for sharing a great time with us!

Without any further ado nor ramble....

Session 3 on Monday, about a 14 minute video on YouTube (http://youtu.be/AFUkYw9m2As)

Album of our pics, mostly taken by Yvonne (https://picasaweb.google.com/komoman/NCMVIR2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCNzcnNam2qDjfA)

A few favorites.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PUCw3t_J6HI/Tgu6uFwlo8I/AAAAAAAABvY/mB9RHX8Y9Ww/s720/NCM%252520VIR%2525202011%252520024.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M-c2pscWSHQ/Tgu66qlcE6I/AAAAAAAABxM/rqH6MtTyxUw/s720/NCM%252520VIR%2525202011%252520185.JPG

And can't post these without a classic Oak Tree shot!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o-eQN7wxTc8/Tgu7BF3EcJI/AAAAAAAAByY/XghDt51hYe8/s720/NCM%252520VIR%2525202011%252520340.JPG

[Glennm27]

These past 3 days at VIR were the most fun I have had YET with my Corvette. In 9 years of Corvette ownership this tops anything else I have done to date... Running VIR with over 100 friends and then getting to hang out with Yvonne, Val, Dan, and Brian for the entire 3 days, well it just doesn't get any better... As Dan mentioned, he and I pretty much dominated our Blue run group. We really missed you Norm, you wulod have been Blue this year too. Dan and I ran together on track almost all sessions and it was a blast. Dan can really drive that Velocity Yellow Z06.

I have a video that I shot from my car running directly behind Dan that happens to be the same run he posted above. ( I am trying to upload the video to You Tube and once I do I will post it here. Probably sometime Thursday) I stayed behind Dan for this entire run to film him. It was really a blast. Other sessions we'd swap positions half way through the run and then just go terrorize the rest of the Blue group.. :D

Just a few pictures from the 2 days @ VIR

The Lodge at VIR where we stayed
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/TheLodgeatVIRJune282011-25.jpg

The View from our room @ The Lodge
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/ViewfromtheLodgeatVIRJune272011-25.jpg

Val and Yvonne at The Lodge Monday night
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/ValandYvonneatTheLodgeatVIRJune282011-25.jpg

[Glennm27]

A few more pics

Yvonne headed out on Track with Steve for one of her 160+ mph runs
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/Yvonneheadingoutfora160mphrunwithSteve-25.jpg

Our newest friend Brian, with Yvonne, Dan and Val at The Oak Tree Tavern
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/BrianYvonneDanandValTheOakTreeTavernatVIRJune28201 1-25.jpg

Yvonne, Glenn, Dan and Val at The Oak Tree Tavern
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/YvonneGlennDanandValatTheOakTreeTavernJune2820110-25.jpg

The Oak Tree Tavern is such a cool place to relax and have a drink and dinner after a day at the track. It's just like something out of the movie "LeMans" and it's all right there on the grounds of the track...

[Norm Clemmer]

You guys were painting nice lines around those corners. That's what owning a Vette is all about. Those pictures bring back fond memories and dreams of next year.

It's kind of good in a way that I couldn't make it this year. After I got my car back on Saturday the power steering rack blew out on Sunday. That fluid on the track wouldn't have been too cool. I played mechamic Monday night and Tuesday afternoon and already have it replaced.

I hope the animal in picture 30 wasn't living in the hotel room. :)

[JT-C6]

Looks like a great time. Love the view from the lodge, thats really cool.

[TheKomoman]

You guys were painting nice lines around those corners. That's what owning a Vette is all about. Those pictures bring back fond memories and dreams of next year.

It's kind of good in a way that I couldn't make it this year. After I got my car back on Saturday the power steering rack blew out on Sunday. That fluid on the track wouldn't have been too cool. I played mechamic Monday night and Tuesday afternoon and already have it replaced.

I hope the animal in picture 30 wasn't living in the hotel room. :)

You were sorely missed Norm, but yeah a steering issue on track would have lead to quite a few laundry issues for you and those following! Glad you got the car sorted out (again).

Those critters were huge, around 3" long, but fortunately they were just OUTSIDE the rooms! A wild collection of moths and other various insects there in the woods of Virginia. My biology professor buddy tells me that's a "Dobsonfly" and the ones with the tentacles are females. The males have big ol' pincers!! :eek:

Can't wait til next year! :cool:

[Batgirl]

Being exempt from the early morning drivers' meetings, I was fortunate to be awaken by the glorious sound of Corvettes lapping VIR. The short video below (of the "Red" group, which included Steve Landstra and Mike Newlander) was taken from INSIDE our room. Enjoy.

Click =====> HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgX9HbaDuOQ)

[Norm Clemmer]

Keep sending the pics and vids...

[Glennm27]

Keep sending the pics and vids...

I'm tryin'
My new video camera recorded in .mp4 format and I can't get them onto You Tube for some reason. WTH... I'll get them eventually. I have some good ones. I don't have many still shots, Yvonne took most of them using Brian's and Dan's cameras.....
Yvonne took the shots that Dan posted above......

Here are 3 real short clips taken from the starters stand of Steve Landstra flying by with Yvonne riding shotgun in the #23......

Click Below

FlyBy #1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKlza1Bx2f4)

FlyBy #2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_za1PYr-ns)

FlyBy #3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKOokflFY0U)

[TheKomoman]

Keep sending the pics and vids...

Since I'm way geekier than Glenn I'll handle your request. ;bl

This is a Monday afternoon session of Val's, not sure if it was 3rd or 4th.

http://youtu.be/224Mw0ogo4A

[Norm Clemmer]

I'm glad it worked out for all of you. Between the vids here and on the Corvette Forum it is easy to see that I clearly missed out on a great time. Last year I found myself practicing those turns in my mind several months after the event.

[TheKomoman]

I'm glad it worked out for all of you. Between the vids here and on the Corvette Forum it is easy to see that I clearly missed out on a great time. Last year I found myself practicing those turns in my mind several months after the event.

Visualizations are very important! Chuck would be VERY proud. Can you hear his "little redneck voice" in your head while you do it? "Am I makin' sense? RIGHT?"

[thoyer]

Thanks for posting these pics and videos. I signed up for the HPDE at NJMP in a few weeks and watching these videos makes me wish it was tomorrow!

Tom

[TheKomoman]

Thanks for posting these pics and videos. I signed up for the HPDE at NJMP in a few weeks and watching these videos makes me wish it was tomorrow!

Tom


Nice to see there's more of us that will push these toys hard! ;bc

I assume it's the ECS/HOD event @ Thunderbolt. Have you driven that track before?

[thoyer]

Nice to see there's more of us that will push these toys hard! ;bc

I assume it's the ECS/HOD event @ Thunderbolt. Have you driven that track before?


Nope. My only racing experience is 1/4 mile at a time in a 9 second Camaro. This will be a whole new experience that I've been wanting to do since I got the C6.

Tom

[TheKomoman]

Nope. My only racing experience is 1/4 mile at a time in a 9 second Camaro. This will be a whole new experience that I've been wanting to do since I got the C6.

Tom

VERY cool! :cool:

Just take your time, be a sponge when the instructors are talking and keep your eyes up and WAY ahead. You're gonna have a BLAST.

[thoyer]

VERY cool! :cool:

Just take your time, be a sponge when the instructors are talking and keep your eyes up and WAY ahead. You're gonna have a BLAST.


I'm all ears..................

[bigjohn19136]

i'm also signed up for that event at thunderbolt ECS july 25th. did the lighting last year it's a blast you will love it ! :cool:

[TheKomoman]

Wow, just got the full event CD in the mail from the pro photogs who were at the event. Great shots so I'll give 'em a plug, www.fandsenterprises.com

Here's a link to the whole album (nearly 100 pics):

https://picasaweb.google.com/komoman/NCMVIRProPhotos2011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPvdz-io06CTrgE&feat=directlink

Here's a couple of favorites...

Glenn and me rockin through turns 5 & 6
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6-HxFG78t6g/Tg9MCZMsE6I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/XGyDTlYa3ko/s720/0k6x3608.jpg

Val taking the checkered flag at Oak Tree
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lBU-AzBQfm8/Tg9MO-HzOrI/AAAAAAAAB5M/k_FF1N_2oRs/s720/0k6x5473.jpg

This was quite a moment, dude just lost it in front of me coming off turn 4. I locked 'em down and let him finish spinning. He should have given me the point by on the front straight..... ;bl
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mXpqAuYubHw/Tg9Lq4k7erI/AAAAAAAAB0c/AbkUuvsbHCI/s720/0k6x0926.jpg

[Glennm27]

Nice job there Dan..
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mXpqAuYubHw/Tg9Lq4k7erI/AAAAAAAAB0c/AbkUuvsbHCI/s720/0k6x0926.jpg

I must say, after those couple hundred track miles and most of them I got to run right along with Dan, he has learned a lot in his short 2 or 3 seasons of track time. Dan and I ran together very well and we NEVER had anyone pass us, BUT we pretty much passes everyone else in our group for 2 days..

Congrats Dan, you rocked at VIR and made it EXTRA fun for me. Best time I've ever had at any track....

[MyOwn69]

Oh, that SO much looks like a SERIOUS laundry moment!!!!!:eek::eek:

Please let me correct a few things here:

1. MY 2009 Corvette Z06 is JET STREAM BLUE (picky, picky!)

2. Yvonne, Val, Dan, and Glenn are NOT some of the nicest people you could ever meet, the ARE the nicest people you could ever meet - and you folks in the CCDV gang are SO blessed to have them with you. I can only imagine the fun you guys must have at your events.

It was every bit as much fun as they say it was - and if you don't get to this event you're missing out on a great few days of life - and experiencing what these wonderful toys were REALLY made for! ;yn;yn

[Glennm27]

Oh, that SO much looks like a SERIOUS laundry moment!!!!!:eek::eek:

Please let me correct a few things here:

1. MY 2009 Corvette Z06 is JET STREAM BLUE (picky, picky!)

2. Yvonne, Val, Dan, and Glenn are NOT some of the nicest people you could ever meet, the ARE the nicest people you could ever meet - and you folks in the CCDV gang are SO blessed to have them with you. I can only imagine the fun you guys must have at your events.

It was every bit as much fun as they say it was - and if you don't get to this event you're missing out on a great few days of life - and experiencing what these wonderful toys were REALLY made for! ;yn;yn

Brian, it was our pleasure to meet you and we all had a blast from Sunday morning throughWednesday morning. Looking forward to getting together with you again, which we hope will be before VIR 2012.....

Talk to you soon.

PS I am STILL trying to get my videos uploaded to YouTube but still having problems. I have some good ones, especially of Dan and myself threading our way through the Blue group...... I haven't given up but have also been short on available time...

[Glennm27]

While still trying to get videos uploaded, I CAN at least share a few more "Stills" that may interest those that atended VIR.

Big Red at VIR
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/BirRedVIR0628201101.jpg

Between Rounds, hanging out in the Paddock
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/yrhmpaddockVIR0628201101.jpg

The Garages at VIR, Big Red in #3 - Sunday morning June 26
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/GaragesatVIRJune262011.jpg

Brian (MyOwn69) on track June 28, 2011
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/BrianontrackVIR0628201101.jpg

[Glennm27]

The Oak Tree Tavern - such a nice place
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/OakTreeTavernatVIRJune282011.jpg

Ted who comes on ALL of our trips in Big Red with his buddy Mr Beeps
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/TeddyvisitsVIRwithMrBeepsJune282011.jpg

Our Newest friend whom we met at VIR, "Brembo". Steve & Lainey Landstra's new JR Terrior

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/BremboVIRJune282011.jpg

[Glennm27]

Aunt Millie's Pizza & Sub Shop, Milton, NC
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/AuntMilliesVIRJune272011.jpg

It took 1515 horsepower to get 5 of us to Aunt Millies for dinner..
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/danglennbrianz06sjune272011.jpg

The Underneath of Big Red AFTER the oil overfill.
Check out the Yellow Sway bar.... :o
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq258/glennm277/VIR%20NCM%20HPDE%20June%2027%2028%202011/undersideofBigRed06292011.jpg

[TheKomoman]

Back from Wyoming (wow would Yvonne go nuts there taking pics if you guys haven't visited!) and have real internet access again so I can finally reply....




Nice job there Dan..

I must say, after those couple hundred track miles and most of them I got to run right along with Dan, he has learned a lot in his short 2 or 3 seasons of track time. Dan and I ran together very well and we NEVER had anyone pass us, BUT we pretty much passes everyone else in our group for 2 days..

Congrats Dan, you rocked at VIR and made it EXTRA fun for me. Best time I've ever had at any track....

Thanks Glenn, very kind words. I gotta say it was the most fun I've had on the track as well. I was pretty pumped after the first session the first day when I realized that not only did I belong in Blue I was among the fastest. Was even more pumped when we started running together and just chewing 'em up and spitting 'em out our tailpipes(like oil? ;bl). As much fun as it is hanging out with friends in the paddock being able to trade stories as soon as you get off the track having run together kicks the fun factor up a few more notches!


Oh, that SO much looks like a SERIOUS laundry moment!!!!!:eek::eek:

Please let me correct a few things here:

1. MY 2009 Corvette Z06 is JET STREAM BLUE (picky, picky!)


Yeah, yeah... whatever. ;bl


PS I am STILL trying to get my videos uploaded to YouTube but still having problems. I have some good ones, especially of Dan and myself threading our way through the Blue group...... I haven't given up but have also been short on available time...

Bring your laptop when we figure out an install date for the 9 quart oil tanks and I'll see if I can help ya with that.

Aunt Millie's Pizza & Sub Shop, Milton, NC


It took 1515 horsepower to get 5 of us to Aunt Millies for dinner..


The Underneath of Big Red AFTER the oil overfill.
Check out the Yellow Sway bar.... :o


Aunt Millie's was quite an experience! Lots of local flavor and the pizza was kickass. Definitely an amusing sight to see 3 Z06's parked in that gravel lot, you should have seen us tip-toeing out of it. :eek:

Wow, that oil really was blowing around under the car, no wonder I wasn't 100% on whether it was tailpipe or from underneath. Glad that was only an overfill issue. However the guys that descended on us to help when you jacked the car up was extremely cool. "Lemme get *forgotten name* over here, he helped design the damned thing." ONLY at an NCM event will you hear things like that.

LOVE that shot of Big Red by the prancing horse, great photo idea. We'll have to be sure to steal the composition next year. :cool:

For ANYBODY that thinks they'd like to try their car on the track I can't think of a better way to get started than to run this event. Ping me or Glenn and we'll make sure you get the details for 2012.

[Glennm27]

I saw this yesterday on TV while watching the Rolex-Grand Am race. It's a Continental Tire TV Advertisement filmed at VIR.

This facility really is gorgeous. I described it to a few of my golfer friends as "The Augusta" of US Racing Circuits....

I'd love to get more guys going down with us in 2012.. In case we haven't mentioned this before, this annual event is run by the National Corvette Museum..

Continental Tire TV Ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNtgKGg32X0&) <== CLICK

[Glennm27]

I finally figured out how to get one of my videos onto YouTube.
During the conversion I somehow lost the W I D E screen format..

Big Red following The Komoman around VIR for a few laps. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPTz6t92bkQ)

This is the same session filmed from Dan, The Komoman's car (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFUkYw9m2As&feature=youtu.be)

[TheKomoman]

I finally figured out how to get one of my videos onto YouTube.
During the conversion I somehow lost the W I D E screen format..

Big Red following The Komoman around VIR for a few laps. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPTz6t92bkQ)

This is the same session filmed from Dan, The Komoman's car (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFUkYw9m2As&feature=youtu.be)

That is a BLAST to be able to see the same session from a different angle. :cool:

Wish I hadn't forgotten to charge my camera after the first day and been able to return the favor. :(

[Glennm27]

A couple more videos that I finally got up to YouTube.

June 27, 2011 Session 4 Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFbTlwEtTxc


June 27, 2011 Session 4 Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoYdBc0FP2I

[TheKomoman]

Ya know I felt bad about that thing with the C2.. but not enough to slow down of course.

[Glennm27]

A short video and I promise the last one I'll post. I had set out before we had even got to VIR to try to break the 2:20 lap time this year. My best last year was 2:25.7 but after watching videos of myself, I saw where I lost time that was easy to pick up by just being a little more agressive, ala Frank Gonzalez. Frank always taught me to "be agressive".
So my goal this year was sub 2:20. Knocking off 5.7 seconds is a rather large task but I felt like setting the bar pretty high.
Well, I didn't quite make it. Best lap was 2:20.35. This is that lap. I missed a shift at the 0:57 point of this video which cost me my sub 2:20 lap. I guess I'll just have to retutn to VIR.......

One Lap around VIR's full Course, 3.27 miles per lap. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKl3gTOxDH0)

[thoyer]

Glenn,

Great accomplishment.

A few more laps and I think you would have caught that ZR1........

Tom

[Dan]

Congrats on the improving time. Thanks for posting the video.

I predict by next June 2012 you will be sub 2:20. Based on the following:
1. Older and more aggressive.
2. New and better tires.

Big Red has enough juice to get the job done.

Dan R.

[Glennm27]

Congrats on the improving time. Thanks for posting the video.

I predict by next June 2012 you will be sub 2:20. Based on the following:
1. Older and more aggressive.
2. New and better tires.

Big Red has enough juice to get the job done.

Dan R.
Thanks Dan, AND..........you're right on the money. Those are my thoughts EXACTLY, especially #2. I will be on more agressive tires next year. I have already decided on that. I didn't want to rush into track tires until I really felt like I had learned to control this 500hp car as it comes from the factory. I'm taking things in steps. This year was new sway bars and shocks.. I think I have enough track miles in now to move up to the aggressive 30-80 Tread Wear tires....

Just that should give me the sub 2:20 lap(s), of course as proven in that last video I posted, if I'd learn to shift, I'd already have my sub 2:20 lap... :p

[TheKomoman]

Congrats on the improving time. Thanks for posting the video.

I predict by next June 2012 you will be sub 2:20. Based on the following:
1. Older and more aggressive.
2. New and better tires.

Big Red has enough juice to get the job done.

Dan R.

Not sure, but I may be reason #3. ;bl

[Glennm27]

Not sure, but I may be reason #3. ;bl

I don't want the softer tires to be faster than you, I want them so I can be faster than myself. Does that make sense? I really liked running with you and this year we were basically running identical cars with the same tyres so it was driver against driver. I'm not interested in being faster than you because of tyres, I want to try to be faster than you because of the driver.... I'm hoping you'll decide to get some R Compounds yourself. Get another set of wheels and dedicate them to the track. The OEM wheels are nice for track use....

I never had so much fun at the track as I did at VIR this year and running with you was big part of the fun.. Looking forward to our next track day together... whenever that might be......

[TheKomoman]

I don't want the softer tires to be faster than you, I want them so I can be faster than myself. Does that make sense? I really liked running with you and this year we were basically running identical cars with the same tyres so it was driver against driver. I'm not interested in being faster than you because of tyres, I want to try to be faster than you because of the driver.... I'm hoping you'll decide to get some R Compounds yourself. Get another set of wheels and dedicate them to the track. The OEM wheels are nice for track use....

I never had so much fun at the track as I did at VIR this year and running with you was big part of the fun.. Looking forward to our next track day together... whenever that might be......

Makes complete sense and I wasn't suggesting you're getting tires because of me, just meant that both of our natures are such that we'll push the other by being on track together. Nothing wrong with friendly (and healthy!) competition, whether on the golf course or on the race track. That's a big part of the fun!

I do already have a dedicated set of track wheels, that's what the Nittos are on. Picked up a set of original Speedline split-spokes from a CF forum member not long after I got the Z06 for just that purpose. I have a set of chrome Spyders that were on the car when I bought it (one of the dealers that had the car swapped them on for the original split spokes in the 10 months it sat around on dealer lots) with the Goodyears.

R compounds are an inevitability, but like you I'm building MY speed first so that when I'm doing corner speeds the R compounds are capable of I have the skills to back it up. Also like you I have been building the car to be able to handle those speeds and cornering loads, and in particular braking heat. From things I read the stock brakes can do OK to a certain point but a BBK may end up being the solution, if nothing else other than to reduce the time of pad changes. Another factor is the seat and harness to keep me in place in the corners at those speeds. I already have both but trying to get the seat mounted so Val and I can continue to share the car is a challenge.

I am SO very ready to get back out on track!!!