Corvette Courier Newsletter

The World’s First Corvette Club
The President’s Corner - Jim Parisi
August 2015
Our next autocross class is August 15th, and August 16th is the double autocross itself. I hope everyone
can attend. Steve always has a great course layout. I look forward to a good turnout. We always need volunteers so please come out on the 15th to assist with the setup, and at least 20 volunteers are needed the
day of the double autocross. All club members please come and help if you are able. Steve has assignments
for all. The July autocross was a big success largely because of you all. Learn and test your driving skills.
Beginner or expert, it's a great time for all. The road course a different one every time. The Competition
Director is Steve Catlin and his contact number is (703) 220-1136.
Corvettes at Carlisle starts the 28th of August and goes through the weekend of the 30th of August. If you
attend the event, please make sure you sign up as a Corvette Club Of America participant. We need to let
the people at Carlisle know. We get a tent and tables, chairs etc. providing we have the participation. There
will be a happy hour all weekend at our place, the "CORVETTE CLUB OF AMERICA", so stop by and
have one on Jim. All are welcome. View the Corvettes; shop till you drop; and stop by our place and say
“hi”. The tent is located by coming in Gate 3. Go straight by the first intersection until you get to the porta
potties and we are on the left as you start the right turn. Look forward to seeing you there!
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We soon will have Corvette Club Of America apparel available to all members and we will start selling our apparel to all. Our Vending Chairperson, Van The Man Vander Haar, is getting down the pricing and has a logo that will be on the apparel. We also have CCA Blankets that are very nice. I have
already bought 6 blankets. They make great Christmas gifts and special day gifts so get one soon from
VAN THE MAN. Great job Van!
"Jon Thorn", our all around Guy and Parliamentarian, has an in with his son at the FLYING DOG
BREWERY. The place is fun and they now can serve. We will decide at the August business meeting
if there is a interest and availability. The place is becoming very popular and everyone loves a cold
one. We have visited the place many times and it has always been fun. I hope Jon can provide us with
some details at our meeting on Tuesday, August 11th.
Drive safely and enjoy your Corvette.
It’s all about cars and people
sharing their passions.
Jim Parisi
CCA President
[email protected]
(410) 292-8722
The Corvette Courier
August 2015
Membership Director—Jean Wade
CCA Membership Update
MEMBER NEWS AND INFORMATION
Welcome New Members
Lee & Claire Rock
Hunt Valley
Sponsor
99 red coupe
from Autocross
Lee is a big autocross fan and looking to join us again.
We are looking to see all our new members join in on the events and come to the meetings and
Shop Nights.
Jean Wade, Membership - Questions 301-938-2077, 301-253-6074
24716 Tandem Dr.
Damascus, Md. 20872-2312
2015 NCCC Gov. Jay Srivatsan in Silver Spring, Md. 719-251-9403 [email protected]
CCA events coming up. Don’t miss out on all the fun.
August 15th
August 16th
August 25th
August 28th - 30th
October 3rd
October 4th
** October 16th & 17th
Autocross School, Lincoln Tech. See flyer.
Double Autocross, Lincoln Tech. See flyer.
Shop Night at Sport Chevrolet
Corvettes at Carlisle
Autocross School, Lincoln Tech.
Double Autocross, Lincoln Tech.
Freestate Ocean City Corvette Weekend. See flyer.
* www.carlisleevents.com or 1-717-243-7855
** www.freestatecorvette.com
Fun things to do with your Corvette.
Jimmie Cone cruise inns 1st & 3rd Sat. till Oct. Mt. Airy, Md.
Corner Bakery every Sat. morn. 8am Montgomery Mall. Beth.
Jean Wade 2000 Red Coupe
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The Editor’s Corner– Jon Thorn
Corvette
rAMBLINGS
It was fun to actually get a little time to work on my Corvette. Following our International Cruise to Canada it needed a bit of tender loving care and a thorough cleanup. Working on the car also gave me a
chance to think about Corvette related activities. We are really in our busy season Corvette-wise. But,
summer isn’t going to last forever and before we know it we may have snow on the ground. The club calendar is quite full now and we are even working on fitting in a few more events such as another visit to
the Flying Dog Brewery. With so much going on it is too easy to overlook planning for next year.
Next year will be the 60th anniversary of this club. That is an amazing milestone. I am sure you will be
hearing much more about this in the coming weeks and months. The club will be looking for ways to
mark this milestone and I am sure we will have many related events and activities. If you have ever considered becoming more active with the club, the coming year will be a fantastic time to join in on the fun.
As with most clubs, we have a relatively small percentage of members who are very active and help carry
the weight. A five or ten percent increase in even moderately active members would make a huge difference in what we are able to accomplish. Give it some thought and consider helping to make 2016 a very
special year for the Corvette Club of America. In the past five years or so the club has taken many steps to
raise the awareness of the CCA both regionally and nationally. Our 60th anniversary year would be a fitting time to make even more gains in this area. But we really need your help with both guidance and support. A great way to begin would be to attend a few business meetings. They are held the second Tuesday
of each month at the Golden Bull in Gaithersburg. See the meeting notice at the back of the newsletter and
I hope to see you at a future meeting.
Save the Wave!
Jon Thorn
Corvette Courier Editor
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August 2015
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Competition Chair— Stephen Catlin
Corvette
Competition
Competition Report
July 25-26 CCA Autocross School and Double Autocross
We had our second autocross school of the year on July 25. It was our most attended autocross school
to date with over 16 students in attendance. The Lincoln College shop was full to capacity with student and instructor cars.After the usual classroom instruction we split the students into two groups,
with one focusing on tech inspection while the other walked the course. After a while we switched.
Because of the large turnout the students got fewer runs than typical, but all appeared to have enjoyed
the event and most returned for Sunday’s double autocross.
In view of the increasing interest in this school I will be making some tweaks to the procedures to get
more seat time in the car and less time getting through tech. We will likely run a couple skills training
exercises on different parts of the lot at one time to get more seat time, and try to complete tech earlier
in the morning. I welcome feedback on what the newer participants of our schools would like to see
more of for training.
For Sunday’s autocross the weather was hot but otherwise perfect and it was the best-attended event at
Lincoln College in recent memory by far! We had 38 participants for our AM autocross and a few less
for our PM autocross.
Jim Wray’s beautiful new C7 Z06
Tony Kreafle’s bright C6 Z06
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Although many participants voiced some early concerns over my complicated course layout, by the
end of the day and with the help of some navigators and guidance I think all of the participants had
fun! I will take the complexity concerns into consideration for our later events and try to make our
next course fun and fast while at the same time much easier to navigate.
Something new this event was a more organized grid arrangement, with each autocrosser given a
numbered grid space 1-20. This seemed to work well and allowed the competitors to walk around
freely and avoided needless idling. Also, we sent out results by email to participants within a couple of
days of the event.
Our new grid arrangement at the edge of the lot.
Denise and Rich are all smiles…. must have been fun!
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A few of the CCA gang enjoying a cold one at Bertucci’s after our Sunday autocrosses.
August 1-2 Hooked on Driving-Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit
Yes…I know I have been promising it forever but I actually made it out to a track event with my Z!
Of course, it was a weekend when many of our CCA and Corner Cravers regulars were either out of
town or busy. However, I still managed to hang out with a great bunch of guys and had a wonderful
time.
My car…and a much cleaner twin…getting ready for their 1st track day.
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The Captains’ (Pat Sullivan) Miata, and a couple C7s getting unloaded.
Some C6 Corvettes getting unloaded.
A bunch of us arrived early Friday night so we unpacked our stuff and headed to Charles Town to a
Japanese Steakhouse for some good food and drinks. I think we had about 16 or so attend, including
Mike, John and Pete from Hooked on Driving, Matthew Y from SCCA, and Eric M, Pat S and Mike C
from Corner Cravers.
After dinner, I headed to the local Summit Point rental house I was sharing with John, Pete, and Mike
and his family from Hooked on Driving. The rental, Ruby Summit Point
(http://www.rubysummitpoint.com/), is owned by a Summit Point track regular and volunteer flagger and
his wife who were the most gracious of hosts. The house was well-appointed and stocked with fine
beer, wine, liquor, a very comfortable family room, comfortable beds, a double garage, a long driveway suitable for car haulers, a fire pit, snacks, Internet and anything else you could need for a race
weekend (and only a couple miles from the track). If you are planning to attend a track day at Summit
and looking for a perfect getaway consider getting some buddies together and rent Ruby Summit Point
as an alternative to a distant hotel.
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August 2015
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Ruby House (and garage) Rental
Saturday the weather was hot but humidity was in check. Because of a lower than usual turnout the B,
C and X (instructor) drivers shared an extended run group, giving us up to FIVE hours of track time
each day while the A group received classroom instruction, up to 2.5 hours of track time and some
group exercise time. Chris L. and his HOD gang put on a great event, and provided food for Saturday
lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday lunch (BBQ).
Saturday I broke the car in with a couple short session runs. Then my attempt at a longer mid-day run
was cut short by boiled brakes, likely because I was pushing the car much harder than in the AM.
However, with the help of a fellow Corvette enthusiast (Herb) I got my brakes bled with new ATE
Super Blue fluid and replaced the rotors and Carbotech pads from my collection acquired courtesy of
Tom Armstrong to go with the rims and Hoosier tires acquired courtesy of John Durscher. Thanks
Tommy also for the great brake caliper separator tool!
Saturday AM w/ Pilot SS tires and Decals Later w/ Hoosiers sans Static Cling decals…lost somewhere down the back straight…guess 130MPH was their limit.
The 1st day at the track in a number of years was a blast! The only real issue I had was that my
Harry’s Lap Timer couldn’t find a consistent GPS signal to save its soul so I had no taped laps all day.
After relaxing at the fire pit back at our rental and downing a couple beers I was able to get a peaceful
night of sleep. Sunday was another early rise and trip back to Summit for another day of fun. When I
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arrived Pat Sullivan already had his instructor disciples at his motorhome for the morning’s instructor
meeting.
Pat’s many disciples getting words of wisdom from the Capt’n…well they were words of something
or the other…LOL
Word of advice…if you ever attend an HPDE and want the best instruction or guidance always look
for someone named Pat. The best two I know are Pat Roney and Pat Sullivan. It is a real blessing to
have such dedicated and experienced track people willing to share their knowledge (and wit) with the
masses.
Sunday’s AM runs were getting smoother and more consistent but with a lack of traffic and without
my lap timer working properly I ran at about 90% to save the car. I switched between my Hoosiers
and my Pilot Super Sports and was surprised at how much grip the Super Sports had. Besides more
squeal, the biggest difference was that the Super Sports with full tread and high outdoor temps built up
and retained more heat. Had I run full hour sessions I know they would have greased over badly so for
both sets of tires I limited my runs to 20 minutes or so. Came in, cooled the car down, hydrated, and
sometimes got back on track near the end of the hour sessions. I love this format!
My best and most fun session was my last (2nd to last session of Sunday) when I caught up with and
ran nose to tail with Chris and his C6 Grand Sport and Mark in his C5 Z06. The three of us dogged
each other much of the session swapping leads and pushing the other two through the corners never
more than a few feet off each other’s bumpers. It was a blast! If my tank wasn’t nearing empty (again)
and my front pads gone I would have loved to run that last session. In fact I felt guilty when Chris
loaded his car up, I loaded my car up and I saw Mark freshening his up, putting on new tires and hoping for a repeat run… Maybe next time Mark!
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Thanks to HOD for putting on a great event! A couple things that stood out were: (1) the combined
groups with extended run time; (2) their beginner training including a lapping session where the A and
B drivers drove side by side around the whole track with an experienced driver and then practiced
passing; and (3) the comradery. These combined to make this a fun event for all, with much needed
practical track experience being given to lesser experienced drivers.
The B, C, X combined session worked smoothly because HOD wisely marked the B group with labels
on their rear window, allowing the C and X drivers to tell when they approached a lesser experienced
driver. During the driver’s meeting it was emphasized that B drivers needed to pass in straights only,
but C and X could pass anywhere with proper pass by. This allowed the C and X drivers to cautiously
approach them, give them some extra room passing, and improved event safety. It also allowed B
drivers more track time and to learn from more experienced drivers while running solo. By the end of
the day the B group was much more comfortable around traffic and faster cars and were much more
comfortable giving pass bys, even in the corners.
Helmet Update
Our rental helmets during our last autocross events were hardly a match for the 16 students on Saturday and 16 or so autocrossers on Sunday sharing them… On this note…if anyone has a slightly used
but currently in spec helmet (Snell 2005 or 2010 M or SA designation) they would like to donate or
loan to the club shoot me an email or drop it off at our next event. We could use several more!!
Also, if you plan on attending more than one of our events or a track day you should consider getting
your own helmet. It will fit better, you won’t have to share sweat, and you won’t have to worry about
tracking one down on race day. This brings up a couple more points to consider when purchasing a
helmet.
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First, for those that may not be aware, new Snell 2015 helmets go on sale 10/1/2015, meaning that
left over inventory Snell 2010 helmets will likely start to be drastically discounted soon. A couple
things to consider besides brand, style and purchase location…CCA rules (as well as SCCA and other
clubs) require helmets to be certified within the last two testing cycles. Currently that is a Snell 2005
or 2010 certified helmet. However, starting next year the Snell 2005 helmets (including 4 of our 6
loaners) will no longer be accepted and you must use a newer Snell 2010 or 2015 helmet (or have
proof of manufacture w/in the last 10 years).
What does this mean? You can purchase a “new” leftover Snell 2010 helmet on sale soon and use it
for at least five years or so, or purchase a higher priced “new” Snell 2015 helmet that can be used for
the next 10 years, assuming either lasts that long. The choice is yours and will depend on budget,
your usage (and wear) habits, etc. Stay tuned as CCA is looking into a discount program for our
members from a sponsor.
As far as style, both open face and full face helmets will work. If you plan on doing track days consider getting a Snell certified “Special Application” helmet (e.g., Snell SA2010 or SA2015) that is
not only designed for impact protection but is fire rated. These are slightly more expensive than a
normal “Motorcycle” helmet (e.g., Snell M2010 or M2015), but are required by certain organizations
and track events. A helmet should be comfortable and fit well, like a good pair of shoes, plus have
suitable visibility so style and fit are subject to each wearer’s personal preferences. I’d recommend
trying on a few different brands and models and see what feels best.
As far as brand, I’d stick with a reputable helmet manufacture. Each company does its own testing
and certifications so not all DOT or Snell labeled helmets are equal. Stay away from very inexpensive knock-off brands, particularly if you plan on doing HPDEs. Well-known automotive application
helmet manufacturers include Bell, Simpson, Arai, Impact, G-Force, Pyrotech, Racequip, HJC, etc.
There are many more brands that tailor more towards motorcycle applications.
As far as where to buy your helmet. There are several online vendors that offer discounts over brick
and mortar stores, including CCA sponsor Racer Parts Wholesale. For those looking at more local
sourcing a good place is OG Racing located in Sterling, Va and at Summit Point Raceway. They actively support our local racing community too and have many helmets in stock to try out. As our club
is interested in purchasing some new helmets as rentals, we are looking into a group purchase and
also looking into a discount program associated with our autocross schools for beginners looking to
get purchase a helmet. Stay tuned. Until next month…
Stephen Catlin
CCA Competition Director
[email protected]
703-220-1136
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CORVETTE CLUB OF AMERICA HPDE REPORT
by Pat Roney
CHIN MOTORSPORTS at PALMER MOTORSPORTS PARK
July 11 & 12, 2015
Chin MS always puts on a good event and Palmer MSP seems to be the track to do this year. As a matter of fact, fellow
CCA’ers Bob C, John & Diane D and I, all have Palmer MSP, also known as Whiskey Hill Race Course, at the top of our
favorites list after this event. Palmer MSP is a bit of a trip as it is about an hour west of Boston, MA.
Don’t expect a big sign letting you know you have arrived at the race track. As a matter of fact, there is no sign other than
this “AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY” sign. We actually drove by the entrance and drove down the windy mountain road for a few miles before turning around. This was no small feat for Bob and John pulling their trailers.
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The photos below give you an idea of the track elevation. A good way to get an idea of the elevation
is to check out the gray Volvo station wagon at the bottom center of this picture in comparison to the
track which is behind the white barriers shown up the mountain.
Another picture from a higher elevation.
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Here we are at our CCA camp with Bob C explaining his line around the track to John & Diane D,
Chin Chief Instructor Jim B, and Palmer MSP grid captain Al with me listening and taking the picture.
I believe that Bob had the fastest lap time of the event, at least of the people that shared their times
with me.
This was one of the very interesting sets of corners on the track. This is coming around turn 6 at about
70 mph and going to full throttle while heading down hill towards the side of the mountain drop off
and a sharp left hand turn into turn 7. This was one place where you had to make sure that you were
on line and focused on the turn, which was good as it didn’t give you any time to focus on the thought
of flying off the mountain.
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August 2015
Here is a picture of turn 8 which also shows a corner on the side of the mountain.
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There was an unfortunate incident during the first instructor session with a Porsche hitting the wall
coming out of turn 7. As is usually the case, John D, second from the left with his hand on the floor
jack getting ready to move into action, is the first to help when needed. John usually has the best
game plan for getting a damaged car into the trailer and is there until the job is finished. Much
thanks to John for all of his help and expertise.
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Bob C in his new ride. This is a fully prepped Corvette C5 Z06 race car that holds the track as well
as anything in which I have ridden. It also has more than enough horsepower to get the job done.