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Jensend · 01-29-2009, 04:07 PM

Drag raced my DD a bit in H.S. since I lived near E'town, but always wanted to go road racing. College, 2 jobs, house and family meant no budget for 25 years. Three year build on a street/strip ACVW finished three months before "terminal" cancer diagnosis. Bug never saw the strip.

During post surgery/recovery/chemo did my first road course school at Bertil Roos-Pocono North Course. Ordered a '98 Neon ACR five days later and scheduled my first HPDE event at Watkins Glen. Arrived at WGI with 750 miles on the Neon's odometer. The car already had a 4 pt. rollbar and harnesses installed.

Totally hooked on road courses by the end of my first HPDE event. Recovered from cancer against the 1 in 5 odds. Did local autox at E'town for the next two seasons with HPDE events in between. Stopped autoxing (didn't have the $$$$ to do that and HPDE too).

Gave the ACR to my oldest son as a first car and bought an '02 M6 HT no options Z-28 to get more power on track (no one warned me it went faster than it could turn or stop). I've spent the last 6 years doing gradual handling and braking upgrades on the Z. It runs steady 2:22s at WGI which puts me about mid-pack with the group I usually run OT with. The fast guys are running 2:00 flat!

The Neon ran a best lap of 2:29.4 in stock form with me at WGI. My son used it for one season of HPDE (2:34 best lap) before building a full-out turbo motor (currently 238 hp at wheels @8lbs boost) and upgrading the brakes and suspension. Had to have custom offset billet wheels made to accomodate extra wide tires and the extra HP and torque. He's currently fabricating a full fiberglass wide body set up to handle the wider track.

I have now been Open Tracking for 9 seasons. Yes, I'm a crusty old guy (61). The economy has tanked my track funds for 2009. Looking forward to the NJFBOA June event as it may end up being my entire "track season".

01-29-2009, 04:07 PM	#8
Jensend Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 113 iTrader: (1)	Drag raced my DD a bit in H.S. since I lived near E'town, but always wanted to go road racing. College, 2 jobs, house and family meant no budget for 25 years. Three year build on a street/strip ACVW finished three months before "terminal" cancer diagnosis. Bug never saw the strip. During post surgery/recovery/chemo did my first road course school at Bertil Roos-Pocono North Course. Ordered a '98 Neon ACR five days later and scheduled my first HPDE event at Watkins Glen. Arrived at WGI with 750 miles on the Neon's odometer. The car already had a 4 pt. rollbar and harnesses installed. Totally hooked on road courses by the end of my first HPDE event. Recovered from cancer against the 1 in 5 odds. Did local autox at E'town for the next two seasons with HPDE events in between. Stopped autoxing (didn't have the $$$$ to do that and HPDE too). Gave the ACR to my oldest son as a first car and bought an '02 M6 HT no options Z-28 to get more power on track (no one warned me it went faster than it could turn or stop). I've spent the last 6 years doing gradual handling and braking upgrades on the Z. It runs steady 2:22s at WGI which puts me about mid-pack with the group I usually run OT with. The fast guys are running 2:00 flat! The Neon ran a best lap of 2:29.4 in stock form with me at WGI. My son used it for one season of HPDE (2:34 best lap) before building a full-out turbo motor (currently 238 hp at wheels @8lbs boost) and upgrading the brakes and suspension. Had to have custom offset billet wheels made to accomodate extra wide tires and the extra HP and torque. He's currently fabricating a full fiberglass wide body set up to handle the wider track. I have now been Open Tracking for 9 seasons. Yes, I'm a crusty old guy (61). The economy has tanked my track funds for 2009. Looking forward to the NJFBOA June event as it may end up being my entire "track season".