50th anniversary year earrmr.pca.org/newsletters/feb_2008.pdf · in searching for an idea for my...

RR O C K YO C K Y MM O U N TO U N T A I NA I N RR E G I O NE G I O N PP O R S C H EO R S C H E CC L U BL U B O FO F AA M E R I C AM E R I C A

VVOLUMEOLUME 50 • N50 • NUMBERUMBER TTWOWO

FFEBRUARYEBRUARY 2008 2008

TTHEHE PPUBLIBCATIONUBLIBCATION FORFOR PPORSCHEORSCHE

EENTHUSIASTSNTHUSIASTS

5 05 0 T HT H AA N N I V E R S A R YN N I V E R S A R Y YY E A RE A R

2

FFROMROM TTHEHE BBOARDOARD

February 2008 RMR Porsche

Dave Speights--First Vice President

In searching for an idea for my first ever “From the Board” arti-cle I struggled, as I know past presidents must have struggledeach month for the last fifty years, to write meaningful articlesthat members would appreciate and value. Then, last night Iattended the first membership meeting I have attended in severalmonths and inspiration came to me! You see last night ourpresident, Susan Bucknam, was unable to attend as she was visit-ing her brand new granddaughter. That gave me the opportunity

to expand my experience and capabilities. One of the reasons I volunteered to join the Board was to expand myhorizons, learn new skills and press my personal boundaries. Last night I led the meeting for the first time and asI scanned the crowd I saw many old friends, some new friends and some soon to be friends. I saw other volunteers, current volunteers and soon to be volunteers it seemed like HUNDREDS!

As a microbiologist by training and an accountant by accident I am not accustomed to speaking in front of largecrowds. Having the opportunity to speak in front of a crowd of friends allowed me to expand my horizons inrelative safety. This is only one of the possible experiences you can have as a volunteer with Rocky Mountain

Porsche Club! Here are some of the other experiences you could have as a volunteer. None are difficult or terribly time consuming and there are many of your friends to help with just a phone call:

Contrary to some rumors circulating there are still some volunteer opportunities available! For our 50th year wehave a lot of events scheduled and we need volunteers to make them happen! We have tours, rallies, autocrosses,drivers’ education events and even the first ever Club Race at HPR! We have membership meetings, charity concours and parties! We need event chairs and all the volunteers those chairs need to make an event happen.Volunteering will give you the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, contribute the skills you alreadyhave and expand your horizons in a supportive environment surrounded by all your best friends! What couldpossibly be better! If you would like to volunteer in any capacity, please contact any Board member and we willconnect you to the network of support committee chairmen or the appropriate Board member.

See you at the next event!

–Aquire and transport refreshments to a driver’s education event–Organize and drive corner workers to the corners at the track–Be the official photographer at an event (or two!)–Chair an event–Become an instructor–Collect signatures at the gate for the next driving event–Work a checkpoint in the spring rally!–Be a judge at a concours

RMR RRMR RESOURCESESOURCES

BBOARDOARD OFOF DDIRECTORSIRECTORS

To see the RMR Newsletter on the Webgo to www.rmrporscheclub.com and clickon the Newsletter button.

CCONTACTONTACT UUSS

From the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Membership Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Editor’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Dinner and a Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Instructors’Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

The Rear View Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Crash and Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Rear View Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Presidents Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

High Plains Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Portrait of a Patron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

First Laps at HPR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

3

IINSIDENSIDE THISTHIS IISSUESSUE

PresidentSusan Bucknam [email protected](H) 303-237-3140(C) 303-803-5683

First Vice President David [email protected] (H) 970-225-2201

Second Vice PresidentRex [email protected](H) 303-841-8124

Treasurer Ricardo [email protected] 303-901-2367

SecretaryBruce [email protected](H) 303-772-8178

Membership John [email protected] (H) 303-665-9579

NewsletterMartha [email protected](H) 303-399-2482

Past PresidentAndy Forberg [email protected] (H) 303-399-3357

RMR Board:

Commercial Advertising Rates

Full page: Monthly placement in 12 issues $158/month B&W, $220/month color

1/2 page: Monthly placement in 12 issues $85/month B&W, $170/month color

1/4 page: Monthly placement in 12 issues$48.00/month B&W, $105/month color

Bus. Card:Monthly placement in 12 issues$25.00/month B&W, $75/month color

10% discount for annual contracts paid in advance. E-mail Martha Vail at

[email protected] for information.

Member Ads

Advertising is free for RMR/PCA members.Ads must be all text and less than 150 words.

Deadline for classified ad submission is the 10th.Ads run for two months. Send your ad to

[email protected]

These members may be contacted for informationregarding the maintenance and modification of yourPorsche. They are specialists with detailed informa-tion about specific Porsche cars.

356Tom Scott

303-819-0101

911Alan Fritze

[email protected]

&John Haley

[email protected]

912Dan Rose

[email protected]

914Dale Tuety

[email protected]

Dan Semborski 303-420-2708

928Mike Hemingway

303-979-4882mikeandgennie@

qwest.net

944Richard Winnick

303-429-5213rewinnick@

CS.com

AADVERTISINGDVERTISING IINFORMATIONNFORMATION

NNEWSLETTEREWSLETTER ONON THETHE WWEBEB

Circulation, Change of Address. andMissed Issues: John [email protected]

Editorial Content and Articles:Martha Vail [email protected]

EUROSPORTAUTOMOTIVE

PROFESSIONAL FOREIGN & DOMESTIC REPAIR

RMR/PCA MEMBER

David MarshallTelephone: (303) 423-3715Fax: 303-423-3697

5615 Lamar Street Arvada, CO 80002


MMEMBERSHIPEMBERSHIP MMESSAGESESSAGES

WWELCOMEELCOME NNEWEW MMEMBERSEMBERS

4

Want to discuss Porsches, RMR or simply something that other Porschephiles mightbe interested in? If so, you can join the RMR Yahoo! discussion group by typing inthe following URL http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/rmr_pca/ and click the "Jointhis group" button. We’ll look for you there.

RMR ORMR ONLINENLINE DDISCUSSIONISCUSSION GGROUPROUP


John Mackin, Membership Chair

Our membership renewal process is proceeding well. As I write this mid-month over 170 members have renewedtheir membership, successfully employing the new online renewal process. Recall that the primary advantage ofthe online system is that it will allow members to update their own information, making our membership infor-mation more accurate – and you will not have to fill out the renewal sheet every year.

We have a number of members who do not have e-mail addresses. If you are one of these we encourage you toget one from a source like Yahoo, Google Mail or some other provider. This will enable you to remain connect-ed to Club activities more easily.

Don’t miss out on a great season! Please renew your membership soon!

George Gregory and Alida ZwaanAvon1989 911 Targa, red

Erick and Tracy KessnerLouisville2003 Boxster, yellow

John Lush, Cheyenne, WY

Russell and Jacqueline Rowell, Erie1999 Boxster, silver

Roger and Deneen Buswell, Castle Rock1982 911SC, zinc metallic

Tom and Jill Radow Littleton 1990 944S2, rare red

Geoff LoveEvergreen1979 911SC, brown

February is President’s Month, and in that vein and to continue our year-long celebration of RMR’s 50th anniversary, we’re saluting all those great folks who have served our club over it’s history on page 13. You’ll alsowant to check out ads for upcoming events, especially Dinner and A Movie (page 6). There’s exciting newsabout our new track, High Plains Raceway, that came in just as we were going to print, as well as a first-handaccount of the first laps taken in a Porsche. This month we’re debuting a new feature: Instructors’ Insights.

I’d like to thank all those who contributed articles and pictures, especially Cecil Morris, who does a great jobfinding the best of newsletters past for the Rear View Mirror. And as a new editor, I made a couple of whoops!that need correction. First, thanks to Greg Volan for his great vintage cartoons, and to Marv Ross for the picturesof Rennsport that were mis-atributed last month. Marv’s handiwork is properly credited above!

EEDITORDITOR’’SS NNOTESOTES

5February 2008 RMR Porsche

Submission deadline10th of each month

Format for Articles Word document, attached to an e-mail is best. Contact the editor if you would like to submita .pdf or Quark file. Please use Times New Roman font, in 10 point type. Please avoid italics, bolding and under-lining.

Format for Photographs TIFF and EPS are best; JPEG is okay. Photo CD and Windows Metafile are fine.Please send your best shots, with each file having a descriptive name (for use in captions or for follow up).

Photo: Marv Ross

A special note to drivers of the female persuasion (and to their pit crews!):

Ladies Day 2008 has been rescheduled to Sunday, June 15

6 6 February 2008 RMR Porsche

DDINNERINNER ANDAND A A MOVIEMOVIE 20082008

We all remember "Dinner and A Movie" on TBS with AnnabelleGurwitch, don't we? A combination cooking show and a "B" movieto fill the extra time. Well, come and see RMR's version.

We will have a great buffet followed by a movie produced by ourown Wee Hours Production staff.

We will start with a social hour at 6:00 in the Skyline Ballroom ofthe Courtyard by Marriott on Colorado Blvd. There are great viewsof the city lights. This will be followed by dinner. While we won'tbe able to observe the chef at work, the results of his efforts willsatisfy our craving for food. Just be sure to save room for desert.

After dinner sit back, relax and enjoy a movie with highlights from all of last year's events. You will be able tosee your fellow club members at work and play. Everyone should be there to explain what really was going on.

This is a great time to reminisce about last year and an opportunity for new members to see what they have got-ten in to.

As a special feature, there will be a simulation of the new High Plains Raceway. Come and try the track beforeyou drive. We are planning a couple of DEs and the club race at HPR this year. Get one step ahead of the com-petition.

When: Social Hour - Saturday, February 16 at 6:00 PMDinner - 7:00 PMMovie - immediately after dinner

Where: The Skyline BallroomCourtyard by Marriott Denver Cherry Creek1475 S Colorado Blvd.Denver303.757.8797

Registration: Online at motorsportreg.com

Cost: $40 per person

Questons: Rex [email protected]

See this year’s exclusive “Director’s Cut”

Critics give it Two Thumbs Up!

77

2008 C2008 COMMITTEESOMMITTEES

Challenge SeriesPat [email protected]

CMC RepresentativeJerry Schouten303-777-3942 303-762-8806

Door PrizesBob [email protected]

Jerry [email protected]

EquipmentChris Sully303- [email protected]

HistorianAmy [email protected]

Instructors Alan [email protected]

SafetyJim WidrigKristie [email protected] [email protected]

Tech Inspection Dan Mayer

(303)593-1600(720)488-6870

[email protected]

TimingBob Speights970-282-3495

[email protected]

Interim Club Race LiaisonMartin Smith970-377-9220

[email protected]

WebmeisterScott Rogers970-690-8343

[email protected]

ProgramsStan Paprocki303-232-1583

[email protected]

Zone 9 Representative Dale Thero

[email protected]

CAMA RepresentativeWalt Fricke

[email protected]

EEVENTVENT CCALENDARALENDAR

Board meetings are open to club members.

For the most up to date event schedule, check out ouronline calendar at www.rmrporscheclub.com or

www.pca.org/alp

We are proud of our years of experience serving RMR/PCA

Offering Fine Service for Porsches

•Repairs •Maintenance •Tuning •Parts •Reasonable Rates•Engine & Suspension Modifications

•Pre-Purchase Inspections1475 Vine Street, Denver

(303) 333-1911 The Porsche garage that listens to our customers

20081975


February 2008Monday 2/4 Board MeetingSaturday 2/16 Dinner and a Movie

March 2008Monday 3/3 Board MeetingThursday 3/6 Membership MeetingSaturday 3/8 Tech Inspector TrainingSaturday 3/22 Swap MeetSaturday 3/29 Instructor TrainingMonday 3/31 April Board Meeting

April 2008Thursday 4/3 Membership MeetingSaturday 4/5 Autocross SchoolSunday 4/6 AutocrossMonday 4/28 May Board Meeting

May 2008Thursday 5/1 Membership Meeting


Determining Proper Tire Pressure for the DE Track EventsAlan Fritze, RMR-PCA Chief Driving Instructor

Proper care of the tires is extremely important on our Porsches, both on and offthe track. Every DE event I am asked “What tire pressure should I use?” Theanswer depends on many factors. Briefly, I will try to answer this question without going into too much technical detail.

First and foremost, the “hot” tire pressure which works best at the track for aparticular type of tire (and vehicle) needs to be determined. Conceptually, wewould like to optimize the traction or grip of the tires by obtaining the largestcontact patch while the car is being driven through a corner on the track. The“hot” tire pressure has the greatest influence on obtaining this goal.

The fastest way to find the optimum “hot” tire pressure is to use an infraredpyrometer on the tires immediately after driving enough laps to heat up the tires. Temperatures should best betaken by a member of your pit crew in the hot pit lane after coming off the track. However, I have taken the datamyself after returning to the pits after a driving session and still found the information useful.

If the temperature’s in the center of the tread are generally higher than those toward the outside of the tread, thetire is over inflated. The temperatures on the inside of the tread are usually not a good indication due to the factmost Porsches have negative camber in the suspension alignment which increases the temperature of the inside ofthe tread. After a few trials, a close approximation of the optimum “hot” tire pressure can be found. The driverwill be able to confirm the best settings. Most important, be sure to write these values down and store them forfuture reference.

In the morning, “What “cold” tire pressure should I start with before going out on the track for the first time?”The answer is simple, start with a “cold” tire pressure which allows the pressure to build up to the optimum “hot”tire pressure value during the session. If the outside air temperature is warm (i.e. 70° F), start 1-3 psi below theoptimum values. If the outside air temperature is cool (i.e. 50°F), start 4-6 psi below the optimum values.Generally, I don’t recommend starting with cold pressures any lower than the factory recommended cold tirepressures.

If you are going to run track tires at a DE event, the best decision is to look at the recommended tire pressures onthe tire specification sheet or ask a competent technical sales person from the source where you purchased thetires. Also, take into account the overall weight of the car when asking for the recommended tire pressures; thelighter the car the less tire pressure required.

Finally, (although this may not be directly related to tire pressure) use tire stem supports which the factory usedon earlier cars or metal tire stems on your wheels. Rubber tire stems bend due to centrifugal force while drivingat high speeds on the track. This causes the rubber stem to split resulting in a sudden loss of air which can leadto disastrous results. Also, use metal tire stem caps with rubber seals to prevent air loss while driving on thetrack. These can be obtained at a car parts or big box retail store (i.e. Wal-Mart or Target). Lastly, tighten the airvalves located inside the tire stems with the appropriate tool after having tires mounted and balanced. The tirechangers don’t always get them tight enough after mounting the tires causing leakage and headaches at the track.

RMR-PCA IRMR-PCA INSTRUCTORSNSTRUCTORS’ I’ INSIGHTSNSIGHTSA monthly column designed to promote a better understanding of issues relatedA monthly column designed to promote a better understanding of issues related

to driving and car preparto driving and car preparation for Drivation for Driver Education Ever Education Eventsents


March 15 and 16 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Get a jump start on the 2008 season by attending FireRescue School, organized by Rocky Mountain VintageRacing!

Both days will be at the North Washington Fire DepartmentTraining Facility (901 East 68th Avenue, Denver).

For experienced drivers, workers, and crews, it’s great forremoving the “cobwebs of winter”, having your questionsanswered and getting “hands-on” fire training and extrica-tion practice. It’s a great chance to sit down and thinkabout flag meanings, what workers do and why, etc.Professionals do all the emergency training.

SCHEDULE AND AGENDA

Saturday8:30 - 9:00 Registration9:00-12:00 Classroom Instruction:

Videos, flags, hand signals, radio use1:00-4:00 Trauma & First Aid training

Sunday8:30-9:00 Registration9:00-12:00 “Hands On” Extrication1:00-4:00 Fire TrainingThe Saturday sessions are indoors; the Sunday trainingtakes place out of doors. Weather could cause scheduleadjustments. Wear comfortable, non-flammable (no nylon),old clothes, as practice can (and probably will) be dirty.Coffee and donuts will be available in the morning andthere are lots of fast food restaurants in the area for lunch.

We are limited by space to 50 students, so get your reserva-tions in early please! Send your name, address and phonenumber to Pauline Wilson ([email protected])by March8, 2008.

2008 F2008 FIREIRE RRESCUEESCUE SSCHOOLCHOOL

AKA AKA

CCRASHRASH ANDAND BBURNURN


TTHEHE RREAREAR VVIEWIEW MMIRRORIRROR


WWEE CCANNNOTANNNOT TTELLELL A LA LIEIE

FEBRUARYFEBRUARY ISIS PRESIDENTSPRESIDENTS MONTHMONTH

Lucille Key 1958Alan Drew 1959/60Thomas Counts 1961Dorothy Russler 1962Bruce Smith 1963E.J. Hoffman 1964/65Ken Laundgren 1966/67Dick Howe 1968Edwin Adams 1969/70Norm Martin 1971/72Chuck Cooper 1973Jim McConnell 1974Chick Misura 1975/76Dan Jervis 1977/78Alan Worrell 1979Lee Sammons 1980/81

Bob Benight 1982/83 Art Witemore 1984/85Don Adis 1986Bev Early 1987/88Tom Scott 1989Dave Dean 1990Fred Schroeder 1991/92Steve Tarket 1993Andy Friedrich 1994/95Sandi Misura 1996/97Kathy Fricke 1998/99Randy Hoch 2000/01Marv Ross 2002/03Jim Everson 2004Andy Forberg 2005/06Susan Bucknam 2007/08

Thanks to Kathy Fricke for compiling this list.

Let’s salute and celebrate 50years of great leadership!

14 February 2008 RMR Porsche


TTECHECH SSESSIONESSION-J-JANUARYANUARY 1212

EEUROSPORTUROSPORT AAUTOMOTIVEUTOMOTIVE

TTHEHE IINNERNNER LLIFEIFE OFOF AA 915 T915 TRANSMISRANSMISSIONSION

PPRERE--PURCHAPURCHASESE INSPECTIONINSPECTION CHECKLISTCHECKLIST

Photos: Susan Bucknam


BREAKING NEWS: On January 22, The Arapahoe County Commissioners approved the UseBy Special Review Application for our new track!


PORTRAITPORTRAIT OFOF AA PATRONPATRONJIMJIM EVERSONEVERSON

In High School, if not before, I was infatuated withcars, mostly sports cars. We had a sports car clubusing our parents’ station wagons and went toSCCA and CanAm races in Michigan andWisconsin as fans and volunteers.

My first car was a 1967 Firebird only because the356 C Coupe my father and I test drove stoppedbecause of an electrical gremlin during the testdrive. My father determined that I should havesomething new and American made. Hello Firebird.My whole life would have been different.

Bob Brown from Storz was doing work on my Audiand made the suggestion that I should buy a usedPorsche. Made sense to me so off to Prestige I wentwith the advice to buy the newest one you canafford. Within a week I was the proud owner of anaventurine green ’95 993. I loved it.

Later in 1997 Nick Ham asked me if I was going tothe Prestige Day at the Track. I had been invitedbut hadn’t really thought about it. He talked meinto it and after my first time on the track, with Nickas my instructor, I was hooked. I asked how I coulddo this track stuff more often and was told to joinPCA.

I joined in 1997 and drivers’ education eventsbecame my passion. Kathy Fricke got me involvedin chairing events and convinced me to join theBoard as Second Vice President. I moved up theranks and was privileged to be RMR President in2004.

During my seven years on the Board I was privi-leged to serve with great people who exemplify thespirit of volunteerism and love for everythingPorsche. After serving as Immediate Past President,I have been less active but hope to be more activenext year. Thank you to the Board of RMR forselecting me for this honor. I am proud to join thegroup of RMR Porsche Patrons.


Rick Gonçalves

As I drifted around Turn 11 and started up the hill to the PrairieCorkscrew, I could only think how awesome this was! The first Porsche torun the long course at HPR! And what a course it is going to be! Two andone half miles of ups and downs and 15 turns! Just past the PrairieCorkscrew is the last uphill to the start/finish line. Today, however, I hadstarted my time just past turn 4, the hard right at the end of the longstraightaway.

It was there that I had passed the slower Chevy of Bill Howard, as he tookan off-road excursion, onto the run-off area of Turn 4. I had bided mytime, following along behind him for the first lap, as we both were learn-ing the track. But, as he left the track, kicking up a white cloud, I seizedmy opportunity to let the Porsche see what it could really do, as I had aclear track ahead of me!

I cleared turn 5, then headed down the steep grade to Danny’s Lesson, a sharp, almost 180 degree right handerwith a decreasing radius and varying camber from 2-5-1/2 %. Talk about a speed builder! That hill is as steep asthe one between turns 4 & 5 at Pueblo, only about 5 times longer! And, going downhill, I needed to remember tobrake earlier than on the flats that most of us are used to doing on the more mundane tracks that we have left todrive on. I braked safely and cranked the steering wheel hard to the right. As I squeezed on the gas, I could feelthe rear wheels slipping and drifting. “Not too much, not too much,” I told myself, but as the car straightened out,I could feel the wheels grabbing and we starting accelerating towards the long right-hand sweeper of Turn 7, theHigh Plains Drifter. Wow! Just like Turn 7 at Texas World, only a steeper and longer uphill. A 3-1/2 per cent cam-ber sweeping uphill means I don’t even have to lift! Now I’m heading back up the same hillside I came downinto Danny’s lesson. As I crest the hill, I see I have only 300 hundred feet to settle the car, then hit the brakes toslow down enough to get safely around the hairpin of Turn 8, reminiscent of Turn 7 at Pueblo, but with a slight 1-1/2% negative camber. This is the only negative camber turn on the whole track! I start to drift around this turn,but decide to power-slide it, kicking up a huge rooster tail behind me! Wheeeeeee! Are we having fun yet?

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!

“Carefully, carefully,” I tell myself, because I’m now starting down To Hell on a Bobsled, possibly the mostdeceptive and dangerous part of the track. The elevation change is huge, 70 feet, and with its length of 2100 feet,I will be able to build up a tremendous amount of speed. It’s almost a straightaway to Turn 10, but the two almosttoo-gentle turns make you think that you can just straighten them out, just like the esses at Second Creek goingbackwards. There is a maximum speed I can go through there without braking, but what is it? Or, will it be betterto go faster, and plan on left-foot braking at 9A and 9B? That one is going to take some time to work out. Justlike at Second Creek, the car will tend to be somewhat light and prone to instability, but at much higher speedshere. Then, I have brake at the bottom of the hill, going faster than anywhere else on the track except for the

FFIRSTIRST PPORSCHEORSCHE LLAPSAPS ATAT


main straightaway, downhill to boot, which increases braking distance, knowing that there is a creek waiting forme if I don’t slow down enough. Never mind that there is plenty of runoff, even if I lose my brakes-we trackdesigners have been super-conscientious about providing adequate and safe runoff everywhere on the track. But,just the thought of the creek down there adds to, as Marv Ross always used to say, the “Pucker Factor”. Shades ofMountain View, or CDR, as some of you know it!

Well, I took To Hell on a Bobsled at a conservative speed, braked at Turn 10, drifted around the turn, kicking upmore rooster tails and beginning the short run, parallel to creek, up to turn 11. Nicely banked at 3-1/2 per cent and a full 180 degrees, this is a fast turn, although much tighter than Turn 7. The trick here is to maintain speedand momentum safely, because after this turn begins the long climb back up the aptly named Ladder to Heaven tothe Prairie Corkscrew. Climbing 50 feet in 1300, this hill is going to be a speed killer, especially for the lowerpowered cars, , and good exit speed out of Turn 11 will be imperative. I don’t even have to worry about brakingat Turn 12, halfway up the hill. At this time of the year, going up this hill was especially interesting, as I waslooking right into the sun! Yuck!

But, I arrived at the Prairie Corkscrew, and, cresting the hill with only a two hundred feet before the turn, I barelyhave time to settle the car, brake, and crank the wheel hard to the left to begin going down the corkscrew, muchlike the one at Laguna Seca. With a very steep downhill, a quick right, then a quick left, and the low pointprecisely at the apex, and that first right being sacrificial, this series is going to be exciting- and is for me! I hitthe apex and launch up the hill to the start/finish straight. Actually, I launched because I hit the ditch at the lowpoint a little too fast, but anyway, I cruised down the straightaway to Turn 1, a fairly mundane turn to the leftwith a very slight camber of 1.75%, as it needs to be for an orderly and safe start to future races. There will beenough room to go through there at least three abreast, maybe four! But, I don’t need to worry about that at themoment as I gently slide around, the existing ground conditions now governing my maximum speed. Then, Ihead down a short straight, and I’m on to the 180 degree turn of Turn 2, with its 3-1/2% bank. Now, we are start-ing to build speed! I don’t have to worry now, but in the future, this is where cars will be entering the track. Likewith the runoffs, a great deal of thought was given to the location for track-on. I visualize looking to my left forcars coming on just before the turn-out point.

The next straight is a lot like the one between turns 9 and 10 at Pueblo, and Turn 3 here at HPR is, likewise, veryreminiscent of Turn 10 at Pueblo, only a hell of a lot safer, without those damn steel plates, rubber and burnoutjuice, or whatever that stuff is called, all of which creates such variable surface and makes Turn 10 at Pueblo sodangerous. This, by comparison, is a pleasure, I think to myself, as I drift around onto the main straight away.Wow, is it long! Only a hundred feet longer than Pueblo’s, it seems many times longer! I give the car as much gasas is safe, and speed down the straight and begin braking for turn 4. Because of the speed, and because 300 ftbeyond the turn the runoff becomes very steep, more time has been spent on this turn by the designers than anyother. I would expect that some our club’s Cup cars will be approaching this turn at somewhere around 160 mph.“What happens if you lose your brakes,” you ask? The turn is a ninety degree turn, which means that most of that160 mph will be scrubbed off. If you do lose your brakes, however, or do something stupid, there will be a graveltrap, and a tire wall at the end of the 300 foot runoff. Since Turn 5 is so close to Turn 4, Turn 4 will likely besomewhat of a sacrificial turn, further reducing the exit speed, and providing a safer and more controlled entryinto Turn 5. To do Turn 5 right and get maximum exit speed onto the downhill straight to Danny’s Lesson, it willcontinued on p. 24

HHIGHIGH PPLAINSLAINS RRACEWAYACEWAY


be necessary for me to take Turn 4 slow enough to allow me to get over to the right side of the track to set up forTurn 5. This I do and I drive across my original start/finish line, quickly checking my stopwatch!

Awesome!! I just set a track record for the fastest lap in a Porsche!! Five minutes and five seconds!

Alright, quit laughing! By now, some of you readers are probably wondering if I am having a weird dream, orwhat? The track isn’t built yet, is it?

No, I was driving on the “track”, which was on an old wheat field, somewhat smoothed out by the farmer drag-ging a big bar behind his tractor as he followed along the survey stakes. And I emphasize, somewhat! I really wasdriving a Porsche, my Cayenne, and I was driving the track alignment in 8 inches of snow! So maybe I was doingthe club’s first official “Snowkana”? Actually, I was driving the track to determine how it would work and todetect any flaws by driving it. The snow actually reduced the adhesion on the track to create a very similar speedto adhesion ratio as we would experience on the future paved track. What does this mean? It means that with theslipperiness of the snow and the roughness of the track, I was able to get a top speed of……….40 mph!!! And togo around corners at a whopping 10 mph!! But, it did give me a great perspective of the future track, and itsgoing to be awesome!!

Bill Howard, Charlie Thompson, Tom Raganetti and I were out there with Alan Wilson, the designer of MillerMotorsports Track, to get his final comments about the track. He loves it!!!

And so will you!! It’s a reality! The final plans are nearly complete, and the track can be built this year! But weneed everyone’s help to make it a great track, so if you haven’t contributed, now is the time. Just think of yourcontribution as the cost of a set of tires, which you will have the opportunity to wear out at a track one muchcloser than any other, and way more exciting!! And, if anyone gets bored, there will be three other configurations

of the track available for us to use, with very simple and short crossovers in two strategic spots!

So, I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at the new track and to seeing my track record being smashed to bits,which really won’t be all that hard, if you think about it.


AMR SAMR SANDAND DDUNESUNES TTOUROURMay 10-11, 2008

It's baaaaack!Due to popular demand, we are bringing back thevery popular Sand Dunes Tour in 2008! Thisevent has sold out quickly when we have run it inthe past, so you are encouraged to sign up early toavoid disappointment.

Registration will be open from March 25th toApril 10th, 2008, or until sold out (which could besooner). This tour filled up very quickly last timewe ran it, and space is limited, so sign up early toavoid disappointment.

Register online at pcaalpine.motorsportreg.com, no earlier than March 25th. Don't forget to make your lodging arrangements (see the "How Much Does It Cost?" section for details).

Saturday, May 10th - breakfast and lunch are included with your registration, along with a very scenic drive toGreat Sand Dunes. In the evening, we'll have a group dinner (dinner cost not included in registration).Sunday, May 11th - we are organizing an off-road tour in the park, followed by time to explore this spectacularpark, and/or just relax (with the river at the base of the dunes, it's like a day at the beach). Head home wheneveryou like.

How much does it cost?$80 per person. Remember this includes breakfast AND lunch on Saturday, the off-road tour on Sunday, andother goodies.

Lodging arrangements should be made directly with the Great Sand Dunes Lodge at 719-378-2900. Your reser-vations will be accepted after March 25th. Mention you're with the Porsche Club. Rate is expected to be $89.We have reserved the entire lodge, but it only has 10 rooms, so it will fill up quickly.

We also have two rooms reserved at the nearby (less than a mile) Great Sand Dunes Oasis. Rate there is alsoexpected to be $89 per room. Great for two couples who would like a "place of their own". Call Mike to reserveat 719-378-2222 (again, not before March 25th), and mention you're with the Porsche Club.

If both of these spots fill up, a very nice overflow option is the Fort Garland Motor Inn (about 20 mi from theDunes). We have not made specific plans, but contact them at 719-379-2880 if our two "preferred" locations fillup.

Questions? Send them to [email protected].

Classified ads are free to RMR PCAmembers. Ads must be for items per-sonally owned by the RMR member.No commercial ads. Ads for non-members are $10 for 1 month. Adsmust be 150 words or less. Deadlinefor classified ad submission is the10th for the next month’s issue.Unless otherwise notified, ads willrun for two issues. E-mail your ad to: [email protected]

For Sale: 1980 911 SC G Class RaceCar. This is a great car for someoneinterested in DE’s or upgrading toClub Racing! This car is VERY fastand almost always wins first inclass!! Suspension: 23 and 31 mmtorsion bars with Delrin bushings,Racers Group sway bars, front strutmono balls and rear control armmono balls, front strut tower brace,custom valved Bilstein Shocks, 16 x7 & 16 x 8 Fuchs. Engine: Stock US3 liter with headers, front mountedFluidyne Oil Cooler. Interior: Driverand Passenger Recaro racing seats,driver side seat back brace, cameramount, wired for cool suit, full weldin roll cage. $23,000 OBO. DaveStribling: 303-887-4856 or [email protected] for photos andmore information. Feb.

For Sale: 1997 911 C4-S GlacierWhite/Midnight Blue, LitronicHeadlamps, embedded radar, HeatedDrivers seat, 32,900 miles.Immaculate condition. $57,000.Call 303-526-9731 or 303-619-5053(cell) Feb.

For Sale: Bits for 1975-89 911’s.

Pair, 6x16” Fuchs, paint worn, butstraight, $300. Pair, Michelin PilotSports, 205/55 R16, 2 DE weekendsonly, now on wheels (above), $200.Pair, Boge front struts, also fits 914’s,$200 each. Pair, Elephant Racingmonoballs, like new, $175. Pair, rearbumperettes, $150 each. MikeFerguson: 303-881-2297 Jan.

For Sale: 911 project car based on1967 chassis with new floor pan, fullcage with tube framework front &rear. Fiberglass front & rearbumpers, front deck lid, front andrear fenders, rear deck lid with inte-gral wing. Lexan rear window andside windows. Five point harnesses,race seats (Both sides) and Halon firesystem. Twin front mounted oil cool-ers, Front mounted Moroso alu-minum oil sump tank, Aeroquip linesthroughout. Raced in GT5S PCAClub Racing, GT3 SCCA Racing andBig Bore Group RMVR Competition.Sold as roller or engine/transmissioncores may be available. Best reason-able offer. Alan Fritze: 303-697-8101or [email protected] Feb.

For Sale: Tires. I have 3 comp TA’staken off my 968. All have approxi-mately 50% tread left. Two are fronts(205/55x16), one is a rear(255/50x16). $25/each. Ken Provasi:303-750-1100 [email protected] Jan.

For Sale: 1974 914 Shell. Storedinside for the last 20 years. Projectnever started. Make me an offer? Forinformation and photos please contactRichard at 303-429-0981 or

[email protected] Jan.

For Sale: Steel wheels andwinter tires. I have 4 steelwheels, 5-1/2x15, for early911’s; with three CooperWeather Master S/T105/60R15 tires with 8/32sremaining tread. Charles:720-344-4705 or [email protected] Feb.

For Sale: Trailex lightweightaluminum trailer, $5,500. Ipurchased this trailer new in2003 to pull a race car behindmy 4Runner SUV. Trailexmakes the best lightweightaluminum car haulers. Thistrailer is the model CT-7541,which weighs only 900 lbs.The light weight makes itpossible to pull a car behinda smaller SUV or truck. Thistrailer currently costs over$9000 new from Trailex inOhio, delivered to Denver.This is a very easy trailer touse. The extra long light-weight aluminum ramps pullfrom under the center toallow easy loading. There aresome normal dents and dings,but the trailer is well-main-tained and in excellentmechanical condition.Aluminum is a low mainte-nance material vs. the heaviersteel trailers. Perfect for aPorsche race car such as a911, 944, or Boxster. 303-400-6666 [email protected] Jan.

MMEMBEREMBER AADSDS


2525

MMEMBEREMBER AADSDS


For Sale: Engine - 2.2 T, built in1970, 125 Horsepower, with Zenith40 tin carbs. Engine serial # is*6116544*. This engine is completeincluding exhaust, flywheel, andalternator. The only item missing isan ignition distributor. The engineruns O.K., but smokes some. Susan Bucknam: [email protected] or303-237-3140 Feb.

For Sale: Red ‘84 944. It has ablown head gasket but is otherwisein good condition. Has a new car-buretor. The odometer is brokenbut I estimate the miles at 100,000.It would be a great car for parts orto repair the head gasket if youwant to drive it. I am open tooffers. [email protected].

For Sale: 1986 911 Targa. GuardsRed and Tan leather interior. Likenew Targa Top. 5-speed; 16 inchFuchs wheels, Sport Seats, Tires ingood condition. Car runs great,looks great, no rust. 68k miles. Rearapron under rear bumper bent, carscraped on steep driveway. Garaged- driven in fair weather only. Allservice conducted at PrestigePorsche. Excellent condition!

Francisco: 303-319-3196 [email protected] Jan.

For Sale: Very nice Sparco Evotrack seat, with 5pt harness routingholes, and rails/sliders installed fora 944, 968, and should work forearly 90s 911s. Seat is black withgrey fabric covering (cover slips offand can be replaced with differentcolors at Sparco). Removable bot-tom cushions that come in handyfor taller drivers. $400 and it isyours. I also have an IOPort har-ness bar (used 2 years, and nice)available for $60. Both less thanhalf price of new! Chris: [email protected] if interested ineither/both. Feb.

For Sale: 1995 Audi S6. Beautiful,one owner car in perfect shapeexcept for left side driver seat bol-ster has a small wear hole. All stockand original. 181,000 miles, almostall highway miles. Pearl white,beige interior, 5 speed, 227 hp turboengine, power steering, powerbrakes, Bose premium sound sys-tem with CD changer, power seats-both sides, seat heaters front andrear, 16” sport wheels with brandnew tires, power sun/moon roof.

$7,500 O.B.O. Rick at 303-901-2367 or [email protected] Sale: 2003 Audi S6 Avant,blue pearl effect exterior (rarecolor) with silver grey leather inte-rior. 340 hp V8. 5 speed tiptronictransmission with steering wheelmounted shift pads. Amazingacceleration and superb handling.Automatic climate control and heat-ed seats. Sunroof/Moonroof.Heated windshield washers, mirrorsand door locks. Audi/Bose AM/FMstereo cassette with in dash 6 discCD player. Nearly all availableoptions including heated rear seats,on-star telematics hardware, Audinavigation system, rear parktronicacoustic parking system. HighPerformance Dunlop WintersportM3 winter tires and ContinentalContisport summer tires in nearlynew, excellent condition included.Ultra high performance luxury allwheel drive wagon. Great ski carwith ski pass through in waterproofski sack from rear. 45,000 miles.Complete service records. All serv-ices performed. Very clean and inexcellent condition. $33,000.David: 303-349-0400 [email protected]. Feb.

RMR PorscheMembership Chairperson2137 Night Sky LaneLafayette, CO 80026

RMR PORSCHE (ISSN1061-1746) is published monthly by the RockyMountain Region Porsche Club of America, 2137 Night Sky Lane,Lafayette, CO, 80026. Periodicals postage paid at Denver, Colorado.Postmaster: Please send address changes to RMR Porsche,Membership Chairperson, 2137 Night Sky Lane, Lafayette, CO80026. Subscriptions: Annual rate is $20.00, included in RMR region-al dues. Single copy price is $2.00.The opinions and views appearing in RMR PORSCHE are those of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of the Rocky Mountain Region Porsche Club of America (RMR/PCA), PCA National, or this magazine as an official RMR/PCA publication. Additionally, none of these organizations nor this publication assume any responsibility for the accuracy of material provided by individual writers and contributors.RMR PORSCHE entire contents copyright 2007 by Rocky MountainRegion Porsche Club of America, Inc. all rights reserved. Office of Publications, 2137 Night Sky Lane, Lafayette, CO, 80026.

Periodical PostagePAID

50th anniversary year earrmr.pca.org/newsletters/feb_2008.pdf · in searching for an idea for my...

Documents