What a great day it was this saturday! The weather was perfect, Barbers is spectacular. I mean really what more can you say! The place is immaculate! Took the Mustang out with my instructor Blake Walker. I got 4 sessions around 25 minutes each. By the end of the day I had put over 90 track miles on the car! I really have to say that Barbers is very gentle on tires! I was running a set of Khumo ASX's and I had very little wear.

What a track to run, I had an absolute blast on course. Barbers is such a natural driving track, you almost don't even have to think about where to run. The line is easy to follow, the corners are smooth and predictable. Once you learn the line and then breaking points you can slowly start pushing harder and harder. I was able to hit speeds of 90-100 in the straits. For the most part I stayed in 3rd gear throughout except for the hairpin, I had to drop to 2nd to keep the rpms up! The distance in the straights is just long enough to hit the redline in third before you have to mash the brakes and set up for the turn!

Scott I'm trying to do this write up justice, but I just can't put into words what it was truly like putting my car through the paces at Barbers! If I have the opportunity to do it again, you better believe I will be all over it!

Blake took me out in his Miata and holy crap! That was like riding in a go cart! I thought several times I was going to crack some ribs with the g's he was pulling through the turns! I now see why so many track guys love those Miatas!

Anyways, onto the pics! I'll have some video up soon!


These first pics are from the corner worker in turn 3.



A few more pictures!

 

Very, Very cool!! I'm planning on taking the Mach out to Mid-Ohio or Putnam for a session later this year. I'd love to drive Barber's, but the distance is a little much for me. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrinjester.gif[/img]

 

There was a red 99+ Cobra all the way from Kentucky there!

 

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img]

 

Sounds like it was a blast!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(J2D @ April 17, 2006, 1:07 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
There was a red 99+ Cobra all the way from Kentucky there!
[/b][/quote]

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/33.gif[/img] . . . maybe after I take my class up here I might take one at Barbers when I'm down visiting. I've driven the Mach down twice (3rd time coming this Sept.) to visit Scott, and attend the Grand-Am Cup Race so why not parlay a little vacation.

 

Sign up for the MCA show and you can get an open session on the track!

 

Yeah . . I'm headed down for the MCA show. I hadn't been sure about getting on the track at Barbers, until I had some seat time up here, but it may be possible to due both. Thanks for the reminder . . . [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img]

 

Greta pics Matt. I wish I still had a ride to do something like that in and i would have been all over it. Thats cool you got to have Blake as your instructer. He knows his stuff and yeah, that lil turbo miata is awesome!

Btw, Blake Walker is also our dyno sponsor of PSH [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

 

Actually the miata was turboless, he had to take it off because in the fuel management system was giving him fits with the g's he was pulling in the turns. Caused the motor sputter and would upset the car!

 

How about some video?

http://www.stickypod.com/videos/showphoto....500/ppuser/1074

 

Awesome video Matt. I love how a full weight SN95 can hang with all those lil miata's out there and walk right past the Audi. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img]

 

Just so you know, that Yellow miata I did end up chasing down! But the battery in my camera died before I did it!

 

Found some more pics, thanks to Magic Mini on the ALSCCA.org message board!

 

Was taht Blakes white Miata in front of you in the 3rd pic? Were you able to hang with him?

Also meant to ask, how'd you like the pedals?

 

Great Video!!

 

Scott, no that was some other miata.


the pedals worked just fine. However at one point I did get my shoe stuck on one because I tried to slide it over and the raised edges don't allow that! Otherwise no problems. I didn't have a chance to raise the gas pedal yet so no heel toe action!

Thanks Evil!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(J2D @ April 17, 2006, 11:55 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Blake took me out in his Miata and holy crap! That was like riding in a go cart! [/b][/quote]

Hey now.... [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrinjester.gif[/img]

See, turning corners is a lot more fun isn't it! Just wait till you get a ride around Barber in something like a Catterham or Radical, then you'll really be in for it.

I have to wait for the stickypod download when I get home. The connection here at work sucks.

 

I've always been a corner person! Toss'n the car threw some twisties is much more fun than just flooring it in a straight line!