CMC Driver-to-be [Archive] - Texas American Iron & Camaro Mustang Challenge

Hood

01-15-2009, 03:56 PM

Just taking this opportunity to say hello to the group. I hope to be campaigning a CMC Firebird this year as a Rookie. I'll be out at MSR at the first event regardless (I entered HPDE1) in a rental if I have to. I hope to learn a lot from you guys and make this an enjoyable season. That being said... I'm looking for tires (anything that will fit the 16x8) that I can run for HPDE.

Fbody383

01-15-2009, 04:44 PM

From one CMC F-body rookie to another, welcome. Be sure and park near the CMC crowd and don't eat lunch on Saturday. The last time this group was together, the Saturday night BBQ got a little, shall we say... interesting.

Welcome AIX/AI/CMC2/CMC Texas... best bunch of racers (track and bench) around.

David

P.S. - rent a Camry.

Alien

01-15-2009, 05:44 PM

I'll be out at MSR at the first event regardless (I entered HPDE1) in a rental if I have to.

What, no GTO? :wink:

michaelmosty

01-15-2009, 05:49 PM

don't eat lunch on Saturday. The last time this group was together, the Saturday night BBQ got a little, shall we say... interesting.

Bryan must not have had lunch b/c those Bud Lights sure had an effect on him at ECR.

Welcome to the group Gary, look forward to meeting you at Houston. I'll bring ya a Keystone Light to the track as a welcome present. 8)

mitchntx

01-15-2009, 06:21 PM

I hope to be campaigning a CMC Firebird this year as a Rookie.

Ah, the upper echelon of automobiles.

Welcome to teh group. Make sure you make yourself obvious at the track ... not obvious like Matt or Todd, but obvious nice like me!

Wirtz

01-15-2009, 06:45 PM

Gary is an old racing buddy of mine from school. He will fit right into the group. Welcome Gary!

Michael - this is the guy I was telling you about with a few Q's about the comp license process.

Gary - Michael (Mostly) is the dude I told you about with the answers to your Q's about the comp license process.

There! My work here is finished ;)

michaelmosty

01-15-2009, 07:18 PM

Gary - Michael (Mostly) is the dude I told you about with the answers to your Q's about the comp license process.

There! My work here is finished ;)
You have it "Mostly" right. :wink:

mitchntx

01-15-2009, 07:24 PM

Todd Covini

01-15-2009, 08:38 PM

Welcome Gary!
Firebird, huh? We won't hold that against you...just as long as it's not white because white firebirds seem to be magnetically attracted to the rear of Mustangs.

In all seriousness, like Mitch said, introduce yourself to the group and make yourself obvious to everyone at the track. Too many times a weekend goes by and only on Monday someone says "I was the guy in the red car having a Natural Light on Saturday nite."

See you there!

-=- Todd
Team Varvini

Jeremy Gunter

01-15-2009, 08:56 PM

Gary - Michael (Mostly) is the dude I told you about with the answers to your Q's about the comp license process.

There! My work here is finished ;)
You have it "Mostly" right. :wink:

Gotta love that Dell plug-in (virus) that auto-corrects spelling errors.

I spell worse then Glenn, but due to a firefox add-on, I type like I graduated highschool...

Gary, if you know JW, I'm worried about all of our ROTY chances... Welcome!

Todd Covini

01-15-2009, 08:58 PM

Jeremy is a part of Mosty Brothers Racing?
Did I miss the Team Announcement?
What gives?

BTW...I agree...anyone who is a friend of Wirtz automatically relinquishes their rookie status.

Alien

01-15-2009, 10:07 PM

Gary is an old racing buddy of mine from school. He will fit right into the group. Welcome Gary!

...

Gary - Michael (Mostly) is the dude I told you about with the answers to your Q's about the comp license process.

There! My work here is finished ;)

Gary Hood is the reason I started to sign my name Gary R. (from back in the A&M SCC listserve days).

Now there will be two Gary's, two Robertson's... I'm an individual damnit!

Hood

01-16-2009, 02:26 AM

I appreciate the warm welcome! I think I'm gonna enjoy being back in Texas! All it takes is a short stint on the left coast to make you appreciate the comraderie of the South. Don't get me wrong, I hung out with a lot of great people at the races in Cali, but it's always nice to come 'home'. I've been racing solo II for a long time and have always wanted to go door-to-door racing. Now that I have a chance to do it (read that... making enough $ to facilitate the illusion that I can afford to go racing) I'm glad to be around the people that I 'grew up' with in the sport. Wirtz, remember the heated BSP battle at A&M? (where I kicked your a$$) :wink:

We're gonna have a good time!

Hood

01-16-2009, 02:35 AM

What, no GTO? :wink:

The GTO is still in California...but so is the CMC Firebird. Ironically, the Firebird is in the town from which I just moved. It is Julie Bergman's old CMC #20 car. BTW, does anybody here know the history of this car? I heard some stuff, good and bad and would like some more info.

Al Fernandez

01-16-2009, 08:35 AM

Welcome Gary. Now, let me get this straight, you kicked Jeff's ass cone dodging? Oh yeah, the CMC rookies are in deep deep trouble! :lol:

Jeff, nice handoff...classic

Julie's 3rd gen...I used to race with her in that back in the day. A lot of work on that car was done by Alan Blaine (fabulous) and by her sponsor/mechanic (meh...). Solid car, no big accidents that I know of. One pretty spectacular failure where the rear axle broke at the flange. If I remember right it has a detroit locker? If so keep that in mind as setup and driving style will be different than other 3rd gens.

AllZWay

01-16-2009, 09:17 AM

Welcome back to Texas Gary.

Hood

01-16-2009, 09:28 AM

Now, let me get this straight, you kicked Jeff's ass cone dodging? Oh yeah, the CMC rookies are in deep deep trouble! :lol:

"Kicked his ass" may have been a LITTLE harsh. We swapped wins the whole season and I won the championship by only a few points, but the smack was thrown down nevertheless. :wink: The last time I autocrossed in a really competitive car was at the National Tour in Arkansas (Won FS in a 3rd gen Camaro) in '06. I've since been puttering around with the San Diego crowd in the wife's heavy-ass Bimmer 325 convertible on street tires (best finish was 4th out of 15 in their crazy classification system, racing against STS prepped 3 series).

On another note... I signed up for HPDE1 hoping to get into the CMC races by the 2nd or 3rd race weekend. Is this too high a bar to set? Would it be more reasonable to hope to enter CMC next year and just stay in HPDE all this season? Also, for the medical, would a Class III flight medical certificate suffice for NASA?

ShadowBolt

01-16-2009, 09:38 AM

Now, let me get this straight, you kicked Jeff's ass cone dodging? Oh yeah, the CMC rookies are in deep deep trouble! :lol:

Also, for the medical, would a Class III flight medical certificate suffice for NASA?

I wish!

JJ

michaelmosty

01-16-2009, 10:21 AM

Gary, get w/ me at Houston and we will discuss your progression through the HPDE and Comp. Licensing programs. I'll be the guy in the red / silver Fox (in front of Wirtz). 8)

GlennCMC70

01-16-2009, 10:30 AM

Comp Licensing Medical requirements are dictated by NASA National and NASA TX has no involvement in this as you send your medical info directly to NASA National. Dave Ho (nasadaveho@yahoo.com) is the Naional Director of Comp Licensing and is the best person to contact regarding that issue. i'm sure Michael Mosty will take careof you.
this page has alot of good info too.
http://www.nasaproracing.com/proracing/license.html

Fbody383

01-16-2009, 12:48 PM

On another note... I signed up for HPDE1 hoping to get into the CMC races by the 2nd or 3rd race weekend. Is this too high a bar to set? Would it be more reasonable to hope to enter CMC next year and just stay in HPDE all this season? Also, for the medical, would a Class III flight medical certificate suffice for NASA?

Yeah, that sound like a lofty expectation; you should aim lower. Not necessarily Fox low, but say, Camry low. You shoud probably spend several events in HPDE1 trying out various rent cars. Somewhere around ECR you'll be ready for a manual transmission.

Gary, get w/ me at Houston and we will discuss your progression through the HPDE and Comp. Licensing programs. I'll be the guy in the red / silver Fox (somewhere behind Wirtz).

Psssstttt.... Michael, I haven't talked to Jeremiah or Jeremy yet, but is there some.... call it "inducement" that could be arranged? We dont want the 2009 ROTY to get all out of hand do we?

Hood

01-16-2009, 01:25 PM

Yeah, that sound like a lofty expectation; you should aim lower. Not necessarily Fox low, but say, Camry low. You shoud probably spend several events in HPDE1 trying out various rent cars. Somewhere around ECR you'll be ready for a manual transmission.

Manual trans is no problem...hell I've been lapping since 1985 (no age comments allowed here), at TWS on the OLD 3 mile road course as well as the new courses (Porsche club, Corvette Club, Ferrari Club). The last time I was at TWS I drove a Ferrari 550 Barchetta (GATED shifter) with the Ferrari Club. I used to teach heal-toe downshifting along with most other driving techniques at Texas A&M (Offensive Driving 101 and 102). I was just trying to figure out the best way to transition into CMC and make the most of the relatively few races.

GlennCMC70

01-16-2009, 02:03 PM

Hood - these guys are busting your balls. w/ your background, i see a couple to 3 weekends at most before your racing w/ us.

michaelmosty

01-16-2009, 02:15 PM

Did you teach Wirtz his heel / toe skills like we saw on his Datsun video from TWS? Those were some impressive skillz, and some hairy legs. :P

jeffburch

01-16-2009, 02:16 PM

Gary, welcome.
I know some who DE'd (with nasa) one event and gridded at the back of the cmc pack their second event.
It can be done.
Good luck,
jb

Hood

01-16-2009, 02:37 PM

Did you teach Wirtz his heel / toe skills like we saw on his Datsun video from TWS? Those were some impressive skillz, and some hairy legs. :P

I didn't teach Wirtz anything. (except how to come in 2nd in BSP...DOH! :shock: ) I learned a lot from him though. He was racing w/SCCA before he even came to A&M if I remember correctly.

Wirtz

01-16-2009, 03:08 PM

Hood is faster than me, plus he is in a self driving auto-winning 3rd gen. Best bet is keep him in HPDE....

Fbody383

01-16-2009, 04:10 PM

Best bet is keep him in HPDE....

My point exactly.

Adam Ginsberg

01-16-2009, 04:35 PM

Also, for the medical, would a Class III flight medical certificate suffice for NASA?

This year, I asked Jerry why NASA doesn't accept other medicals (flight, marine, etc).

He explained the key to the NASA medical form is this little box at the bottom:

http://www.shrackracing.com/med.jpg

That's why NASA requires their form to be filled out and signed.

AI#97

01-16-2009, 08:34 PM

Didn't Varner used to do this kind of thing like downplaying his skills then go out and whip everyone's butt?!!!

I have a sneaky suspicion that this guy is going to do pretty well in here!

Welcome...and if you were an Aggie...you got my cool vote! 8)

Todd Covini

01-16-2009, 08:46 PM

Ditto on the Aggie vote.

Hood

01-18-2009, 12:36 PM

I was at A&M far longer than I care to admit. However, the auto-x scene was one of the best in the state, at least while I was going to school there and a few years after. We started a tradition (at A&M, anything done more than one time becomes a tradition) of the Offensive Driving 101 and 102 performance driving training classes. It is still going on to this day (as a matter of fact, I think they are having the 102 session the weekend after MSR) and incorporates a full FREE practice day. AND!!!! This year they have re-acquired the 4-10 split that incorporates the old police driving course. Hopefully they will use this at the practice. We would routinely see over 80mph in a couple of sections of this course. I plan on going to this event with the Firebird to do some tweaking and get more seat time in the car.

I'm getting antsy about having the car here. The transport has yet to pick the car up and will be cutting it close to get here in time for the event.

I'll repost here that I am still looking for 16" r-compounds (any brand and size) for the event.

Hood

01-26-2009, 06:39 PM

Ok, it's official... I'm screwed for getting the car by this weekend. I really was looking forward to lapping that car. Anybody know where I can rent a Corvette or Pontiac G8?

mitchntx

01-26-2009, 08:13 PM

Pontiac G8?

Glenn and Steve both have a G8s ...

AI#97

01-26-2009, 08:21 PM

Rent a V6 Mustang. They take the abuse and do surprisingly well on track. Turn the OD off and you get double the gas mileage. It shall be your penance for choosing a chevy racecar!

RagingAardvark

01-26-2009, 08:59 PM

Rent a V6 Mustang. They take the abuse and do surprisingly well on track. Turn the OD off and you get double the gas mileage. It shall be your penance for choosing a chevy racecar!

Indeed, we had a lot of fun thrashing them at Hallett (and also Miller) last year :)

Just make sure to try and scrub off the melted tire before you return it ;)

Hood

01-27-2009, 02:42 AM

Coincidentally I happen to have a set of wheels with brand new Goodyear Gatorbacks that fit SN95 and up Mustang from an ex-Bondurant school car.

Remind me again to NEVER buy a used rental car.

Al Fernandez

01-27-2009, 09:02 AM

Really sucks Gary. Go with a rental mustang and take out all your frustrations on it! 8)

David Love AI27

01-27-2009, 10:13 AM

LiiR announces their efforts to bring on newbie and racer wanna be Gary Hood to pilot the LiiR #27 car in the NASATX HPDE Driving Series... Gary plans to meet at LiiR racing headquarters to litteraly size up the cockpit and an see if the ol' heap is worth driving...

Fbody383

01-27-2009, 01:59 PM

Really sucks Gary. Go with a rental CAMRY and take out all your frustrations on it! 8)

Now we're talking track machine.

michaelmosty

01-27-2009, 05:04 PM

Fbody383

01-27-2009, 05:24 PM

Really sucks Gary. Go with a rental CAMRY and take out all your frustrations on it! 8)

Now we're talking track machine.
Wooh there Dave!!! Gary hasn't even met most of us and you are already suggesting he try and tame the Camry! :shock:

You are truely the only one who can battle such a wild beast.

Just look at his resume... dood got skillz! If he can make Wirtz work for the top spot cone chasin', he'll be alright.

Psst... Gary, I am skill challenged - don't listen to these guys. Just a rookie trying to find a crumb or two. Ask Liebbe, I don't know the difference between gas and diesel :shock:

David Love AI27

01-27-2009, 06:37 PM

its a done deal... GH will be in the 27 car for HPDE...

he is a little cramped in the seat, but I reminded him that it would only be 25 min at a time...

Alien

01-27-2009, 08:54 PM

Ah, GH, not GH, gotcha now.

Had just read this other thread and had me all comfoosed.
http://www.aicmctexas.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=30913#30913

Rob Liebbe

01-27-2009, 09:16 PM

[quote="Fbody383} Ask Liebbe, I don't know the difference between gas and diesel :shock:[/quote]

I don't car what he says, but Dave Francis will be called Vin Diesel or simply Vin all weekend. If you can't find him, just follow the black smoke.

Hood

01-28-2009, 12:10 PM

Let me tell you something guys...

David Love is all about making this sport a success. Anybody that offers up their racecar for a weekend of punishment from another driver has GOT to love this stuff. He's even going to see about altering the seat a bit to accomodate my wide ass. I'll still be driving in go cart mode (knees around my ears) but it sure beats the hell out of a rental Camry :wink: Mosty... think you'll be able to keep up? Hehehe

Hood

02-02-2009, 04:19 PM

David Love AI27

02-02-2009, 07:29 PM

GOOD NEWS!!!

The Firebird is on it way! It was picked up around 6pm Pacific on Sunday. WOOHOO! Should be here around Thursday or Friday.

On another note... anyone replacing your RA1's give me shout. I'm looking for tires.

936-520-6856 mobile

pick an evening next week, bring your rims and I'll have Jason mount a set for you... I'm thinking @ $80 for a set of "JB thin to wins" including the mounting and bal. They will be good for 1 event then you will need to go to the 888s anyway. Also, you and I might need to get together for a "group" purchase at Cresson since I run a CMC setup...

Hood

02-04-2009, 08:15 AM

"Group purchase"... meaning ... for new tires? I'm all for that!

David Love AI27

02-04-2009, 06:36 PM

Dude, no more pity rides for you... in the final session you were only 1 sec of my fast lap... get your own damn car... jk

Hood

02-05-2009, 12:12 AM

What's bad is that they didn't get my last session. I did the 152.66 on the greasy rains. I was a bit more consistent on the race depth tires. My car should be here tomorrow night!

BTW, where is the best place to get the dyno sheet done?

Hood

02-06-2009, 08:33 AM

THE CAR HAS ARRIVED!!!

It pulled into my driveway at 11:08 last night. The transport driver called me to let me know that he couldn't come down into my subdivision because of all the trees overhanging the street (he has freshly painted cars on the top row). I drive out to meet him and escort him back to the house, providing him a set of tail lights to follow. So now the real work begins...this thing is filthy from the drive.

I forgot that the car came with two spare doors (very heavy, non-gutted), two fenders and four sets of front brake rotors.

jeffburch

02-06-2009, 09:01 AM

Pics MAN pics!

jb

michaelmosty

02-06-2009, 10:40 AM

Congrats Gary, it'll be great to see you out there. You going to run "1" or "2"?

Fbody383

02-06-2009, 12:06 PM

Congrats Gary, it'll be great to see you out there. You going to run "1" or "2"?

Run 1.

Or you're a pansy.

Hood

02-06-2009, 12:36 PM

Not wanting to be a pansy... :)

I'll be running CMC1.

I'll post some pics later. I didn't have my camera charged last night when the car was delivered (I wanted some pics of the car on the transport).

David Love AI27

02-06-2009, 01:36 PM

Congrats Gary, it'll be great to see you out there. You going to run "1" or "2"?

Run 1.

Or you're a pansy.

I wouldn't call out Mr. Hood too quickly... he laid down 1:52s in my POS for his first weekend on the track... I'm willing to bet if his car is prepared like either of the Jeff's cars he would easily be sub 1:50s...