lemans karting in Fremont, kim gets a driving fix |
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lemans karting in Fremont, kim gets a driving fix |
krk |
Feb 19 2003, 03:34 AM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 997 Joined: 27-December 02 From: San Jose Member No.: 22 |
Folks,
Not a lot of P content here. Well, I drove a P-car to the facility -- and got to show off a new engine to a buddy who hasn't been in the car. He was speaking incomplete sentences at one point. :-) But I digress... I went karting tonight. I've not done this before, but what a gas. It was indoors, at a fairly new facility in Fremont (bay area). (website: http://www.lemanskarting.com) The evening was set up by a buddy of mine who is friends with the owner. We were the last group, and we ran until we were tired. They supply everything you need -- helmets, suits/gloves, etc. Their rates seem pretty reasonable to me. As a driver, I sucked pretty badly at first -- less badly as we worked through it. (tho I don't think I really got out of the "sucky" end of the measuring gauge) Did three sessions. After the first warmup session, we had a leader lead us around the track slowly through the lines, picking up speed with each lap. Huge difference. I sucked considerably less. It is definitely the case that momentum is everything in those critters. With something like 9hp on tap, if you rub up against things, or scrub off too much by sliding around, it just takes too much time to buy it back. I would often get one sequence of corners to line up (it is *so* cool when it works!) only to rub something in the next sequence. I never did get a complete lap that was rub free. I'm told it's a "practice" thing. Hate that. Anyway, Brian & Brad (most racing dudes are apparently named "brad" -- prolly makes conversation easier. lol) who run the place were awesome. The corner workers seemed well trained, and they ran a good show. We watched a couple of practice and race sessions as we got there a bit early. Well run -- cheezy drivers get pulled over for a discussion -- the rest race on. An excellent couple of hours. I'll be doing it again. Things that did drive me nuts -- no mirrors, and it's hard to see what's happening behind you. Man, you gotta watch your corner workers. I now return you to your evening program. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) kim. |
Tony C |
Feb 19 2003, 10:21 AM
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#2
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Master of Fire and Metal Group: Members Posts: 273 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Bay Area, CA, USA, Earth Member No.: 25 |
Hey Kim, Lemans Karting is a lot of fun! I have known Brad Rumpleberg and Brain Vigil for a few years now. We all me at the "other" indoor karting place in the southbay. You will get used to the traffic, it will just take some time. We should set up a 914club hour there. I know I have seen Terrence there before, I am sure others on the board have been there too.
-Tony |
krk |
Feb 19 2003, 12:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 997 Joined: 27-December 02 From: San Jose Member No.: 22 |
Tony,
I'll definitely be doing it again. It was a blast. I'm sure any kind of gathering there would be fun! kim. |
Feb 19 2003, 01:24 PM
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#4
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Group: Posts: 0 Joined: -- Member No.: 0 |
yeah, I went with some people I knew from HS. Couldn't get 1, I mean 1! clean lap in. hahaha. I wanted to run with you (Tony C) guys in the group after the one I was in. definately faster than speedring for sure. I'm actually going to Speedring this friday afternoon to do the 3 for $30 special thing with some friends. anyone want to join (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)
In related news, I went to RacePlace Motorsports last saturday. Fast karts. not very organized people, and yes, they did spend about a 1/4 million dollars too much on making the place look cool. In the good news, I set fastest time of day at 11pm. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) Race Place really did try too hard to make it look nice. What a waste of money. I give it about 6 months before they go down the drain. |
SirAndy |
Feb 19 2003, 01:49 PM
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#5
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,815 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
my first time on a kart track was a few weeks ago in boston (F1).
lots of fun! about 1 1/2 seconds behind the track record. which doesn't sound much but the track was pretty short, soooo, guess i have to go back and kick some more ass (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) btw. i'm the guy in the middle ... |
EdwardBlume |
Feb 19 2003, 08:51 PM
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#6
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 12,338 Joined: 2-January 03 From: SLO Member No.: 81 Region Association: Central California |
Sounds like a really cool experience when you know somebody at the track!!!
I've done the speedring in Santa Clara where my work rented the place out for a couple races. I got DQed for being too aggressive but had some really hot laps. The suggestion of having a 914 tour there would be great but we probably have to prepay to reserve a time slot especially if on the weekend. The first GGR autocross is coming up at Candlestick on Mar 1. I'm working the LPR autocross the following Sun Mar 9 in Marina. All you need is to be a PCA member, drive a Porsche, and bring a helmet (or one may be provided). Take it easy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) |
krk |
Feb 19 2003, 10:24 PM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 997 Joined: 27-December 02 From: San Jose Member No.: 22 |
SirAndy: You're right on the track times. I was running something like mid 25 sec on my best -- the smooth folks were hitting 23's. Current track record is 22 something. But a second on that short a track is a loooonnnnngggg time. Driving behind a smooth guy was humbling -- there was no frikk'n way to catch up! Needed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)
cavwpguy: So you're what that "black flag" thing is for!! :-) It's definitely cool when you're on track with your buds. Tracks will usually set up a group event. You usually have to guarantee some $$ up front and so forth. Track manners "took me some learnin", but I eventually got most of it. We'll see how much of it sticks. kim. |
Brad Roberts |
Feb 19 2003, 11:33 PM
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#8
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 19,148 Joined: 23-December 02 Member No.: 8 Region Association: None |
Tony,
Where should we hold a 914club "track day" ?? I wouldnt mind holding a club event with 20 or so people. B |
Tony C |
Feb 19 2003, 11:36 PM
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#9
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Master of Fire and Metal Group: Members Posts: 273 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Bay Area, CA, USA, Earth Member No.: 25 |
I would vote for Lemans as I have been asked to not come back to the "other" place. If we get 20 people we will need to do heats and then a final sprint race for the top 10. Now when??? I have time in January 2004 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif).
-tony |
Brad Roberts |
Feb 19 2003, 11:38 PM
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#10
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 19,148 Joined: 23-December 02 Member No.: 8 Region Association: None |
Dude,
I was just asking you where.. NO WAY in hell I would "invite" you. LOL When did Peter ask you "not" to come back ? That is funny. The key is: count 20 people and 10 will arrive..we will be golden. B |
Tony C |
Feb 19 2003, 11:45 PM
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#11
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Master of Fire and Metal Group: Members Posts: 273 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Bay Area, CA, USA, Earth Member No.: 25 |
Peter didn't, his new "manager" did after I went through 5(yes FIVE) karts during their last promotion day. Two had complete wheel failures, one flat tire, one that had a miss, one that broke a drive belt, and one that would only turn left... I left, went straight to Lemans Karting and set the track record I was so pissed!
-Tony |
Brad Roberts |
Feb 19 2003, 11:52 PM
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#12
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 19,148 Joined: 23-December 02 Member No.: 8 Region Association: None |
Interesting. I hadnt spent much time there..but I thought the last guy was doing "OK" Paul ??
Like it was your fault they now have shitty carts. B |
Tony C |
Feb 19 2003, 11:55 PM
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#13
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Master of Fire and Metal Group: Members Posts: 273 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Bay Area, CA, USA, Earth Member No.: 25 |
Paul wasn't there. This new guy replaces James from the UK who finally go tired of Peter's crap and left. BTW James designed the Leman's Karting track and is over here for a little bit consulting for them.
-Tony |
krk |
Feb 20 2003, 12:07 AM
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#14
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 997 Joined: 27-December 02 From: San Jose Member No.: 22 |
Guys,
I'm sure we can support the entry enough to make a play if it's at lemans. I'm embarassed to say how many were on the track for my "sporting event". I came third. That's all I'll say. :-) Anyway, I'm happy to help set it all up if there's enough interest to go around! kim. |
Mueller |
Feb 20 2003, 12:09 AM
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#15
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 17,150 Joined: 4-January 03 From: Antioch, CA Member No.: 87 Region Association: None |
can i bring my wife to embarrass a few of the guys??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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Brad Roberts |
Feb 20 2003, 12:14 AM
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#16
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 19,148 Joined: 23-December 02 Member No.: 8 Region Association: None |
Kim,
make it so. Start a new thread and pick a weekend. I'll "pin it up" as a 914club event. We will need a head count. B |
krk |
Feb 20 2003, 12:14 AM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 997 Joined: 27-December 02 From: San Jose Member No.: 22 |
Mike,
Absolutely! First, it was my first time at this stuff. She can do it. In addition, I swear, karting has some equalisations in it. You all get "the same kart". Do you all weigh the same? (take your time....) one of the races we watched had a tiny gal driving. Her cart had a noticably different acceleration and handling curve! (she also hit a barrier with more color than any other, but that's another story) kim. |
krk |
Feb 20 2003, 12:18 AM
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#18
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 997 Joined: 27-December 02 From: San Jose Member No.: 22 |
Brad,
DAMN!!! Cornerd! Where's the damn flagman -- I should have been pitted by now... Oh well... I'll look at getting something set up. :-) Dates and numbers will be the gig, as you already know..... kim. |
Mueller |
Feb 20 2003, 12:20 AM
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#19
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 17,150 Joined: 4-January 03 From: Antioch, CA Member No.: 87 Region Association: None |
I went karting with my wife and little sister a few months ago...I had a heck up a time catching back up with the wife after a spin...of course I easily have 80+ pound on her (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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Tony C |
Feb 20 2003, 12:21 AM
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#20
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Master of Fire and Metal Group: Members Posts: 273 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Bay Area, CA, USA, Earth Member No.: 25 |
Kim, as you will find out soon enough, nothing is equal! I used to race in a "spec" series, lets just say you could get a good car or a bad car and you knew it.
-Tony |
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