NR's 300C Devastates Competition at the Track - Almost!

[Northern Rider]

(please click on the links for more info and photos)

A month or so back, my buddy John decides to buy a 2003 Porsche 911 Cabriolet C4.



As we clean and apply Zaino to the lovely curves and lines of the 911, I suggest to John that a day at driving school wouldn’t be a bad idea, now that he owns one of the best performing cars around. John was hesitant, as he had never been out on a road track.



So, I say, “John, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a road course. I would like to brush up my skills and see how my 300C will do under track conditions. I’ll go with you”



A couple of days later, we are signed up into a one day course designed for drivers of performance cars, at the Jim Russell Driving School . Our track date is set for June 7th.



The drive up to Le Circuit at Mount Tremblant takes about 90 minutes from Ottawa, if you keep your foot into it. John and I meet at a Tim Horton’s at 6:30 am yesterday before we take the bridge to Quebec. Over coffee, we discuss the day with excited anticipation. The day is beautiful and temperature expected to be in the low 80’s. Track elevation is about 600 above sea level.



Cruising along Quebec Auto route 50, before the climb up into the Laurentian Hills, my excitement starts to turn into trepidation and self-doubt. Why am I taking a 4 door family sedan to an on-track event with performance cars? . . . the Continental tires will be terrible on the track . . . I’ve kept my hand in rallying, but haven’t been on a track in years . . . am I getting too old for this . . . will the reflexes be there still . . . I just turned 61 on May 20th . . .



Then it’s off the expressway and into the twisty bits. I follow John so I can observe his driving. The self-doubt melts away as I settle the C into the rhythm of the road. John is driving tentatively, over-braking, over working gears and gas. I can tell he is nervous.



As we come in to St. Jovite, we head for a gas station to top up and put our tire pressures up 10 lbs., as instructed by the school. We come into the back entrance to the paddock area and line up with the other competitors. There are 8 other cars lined up. At the front - a new C6 Vette Coupe, fitted out with headers, competition exhaust, cold air intake; 18 lb 3 pce forged wheels; performance tires – and a very experienced driver, who instructs with the BMW club. Gulp! Next to him is a new 05 Viper, ragtop in black, lettered up with CASCAR decals. Yikes! A black Fiero GT – looking track prepped. A Porsche Boxster, A new Honda S2000, a red Miata with some track prep and a yellow Miata looking mean - brought in on a trailer, John’s very fast 911 (he put the removable hardtop on).



Then there is me. Blacked out grille; smoked taillights with spider lite LED’s; tinted windows; chrome rocker panels; walnut dash; chrome valve caps; self seal tires; Nokya fogs – and let’s not forget the BA sound; nav system and tilt wheel – oh yeah, baby -let’s go racin’. Cleverly hidden from the rest of the unsuspecting competitors are my aluminum Ultimate Pedals, my Hemi Orange engine cover with trailer trash flames, and – TaDah!!! – My Volant Cold Air Induction System. He,he.



This track has never seen a 300C on it before. My Brilliant Black Baby is polished to perfection and is receiving long, sideways glances from the other drivers and a couple of the instructors. There faces belie not admiration but a range of expression from disbelief to mild distain.



I am not deterred.



After a 45 minute classroom session and some last-minute track side instruction, we follow a minivan down to the south section of Le Circuit. We lap a closed twisty loop 3 times and then are brought together.



They send us out 15 seconds apart and we are to follow the classroom technique for corner approach, braking zone, transit to the apex and exit. So far, so good. Except for one thing – I keep catching up to the cars in front and am waved down to wait and keep lots of distance. At first, I chalk it up to Hemi acceleration by me and hesitant jitters by the others. I go slowly on the straights then tackle the corners. The Continentals squeal like a stuck pig but the car goes where I want it to. Same result – I bunch up on the car ahead. The realization hits me – I am getting through the corners quickly!



Next, it’s on to a slalom run on pylons. They look tight and everyone else has a short wheelbase. No way is a 120” wheelbase going through. I’m screwed! I follow the instructor’s teachings – steady speed, stay off brakes, and don’t slide. My first two runs are painfully slow. Next run, I go for rally style – right foot on gas – left foot modulating the brake – drift out the rear – snap left to right – contis set up their banshee howl – NR gets a good time through the slalom.



Back to the pits for a break. Have a look at some of the school open wheel cars. Our final session before lunch, is fast lapping on the north loop – cars well spaced out, no passing allowed.



This is what I have been waiting for. I position my start so I am ahead of the Miatas (the Fiero is already toast – overheated), and behind the Boxster. At the end of the pit straight is a sweeping, wide right hand corner. It looks fast – but – it plunges downhill and soon goes off camber. At the bottom of the hill the radius tightens up to a 40 mph corner followed immediately by another 40 mph sharp left. If you carry too much speed into the top part then try to brake, the off-camber and braking will create massive understeer that wants to pull you off the left side of the track. Most drivers were getting caught up in that and losing gobs of speed.



I tried moderate braking at the end of the straight followed by a sharp right transition (again breaking the rules) to set the rear wheels into a mild 15 degree drift to the left. By keeping a small amount of throttle on, the snout of the big C stayed pointed towards the apex. It worked! Only the ‘vette was carrying more speed through this section.

Just as I was really getting the transitions really hook up for each corner, they flagged us in.



Lunch.



John was having a blast. He was starting to push his Porsche and was grinning ear to ear. We took his car – found a little French restaurant in the village. 4 more of the class joined us. We ate talked cars. Everyone was really enjoying themselves.



After lunch, we lined up to go back out on the track.



Then the real fun began.



. . . to be continued. NR


EDIT: Scroll to post #18. The full story is there, spread over 3 posts.

[Loyal-one]

Don't stop I am ready to hear about a big ass four door car making a porsche boxster look like a fiero or a miata, both of which are great cars for a daughter in college.Fiero for the 80's and 90's, Miata for the new millenium.

[frank29]

That sounds great so far...I can't wait to read more.

I don't want to put a emphasis on a very trivial part of your posting; but, I have to share this: I actually laughed out loud when I came to the trailer trash part.

[XCITsNU]

Damn NR, where did you goooooo!!!!!! I was just into this completely, forgot all about the sandwhich half eaten sitting in my hand and then, ... "please stay turned, we are experiencing technical difficulties..." Static....

I NEED MORE!!!

[Kridifur`]

I am also eagerly awaiting your conclusion.

Racing at a track is something that everyone should try at least once in their life.
Last time I was on a track was 3 years ago in Nordschleife, and I still remember every turn like it just happened yesterday. That was 130 Euros well spent.
And while formal instruction is expensive, it is definitely well worth it.
(German instructors have no problem with putting you in your place)
Can't wait to hear the rest of the story NR.

[Northern Rider]

I'll have it up for everyone . . .

oops that didn't sound right!!!

- i mean the post, before 9 am Eastern tomorrow. Had a busy day at work after playing hooky and just coming down off the adrenalin high from yesterday . . . NR

[lennoxavesosa]

NR....as promised, thanks for the writeup! Kind of makes me wish I was there. Anyways, it sounds like you had a blast, and thats all that really matters.
I too laughed outloud when you mentioned your 'trailor trash' flames (lil inside joke around here for those of you that dont know).

Great stuff. You had to leave us in suspense with the too be continued.....

Same bat time, same bat C, same bat forum? I cant wait for the conclusion, lol.

(just curious why you posted this in pics? The pics in your gallery are great but I think general discussion would be more appriopriate, and more people would probably read about your great experience!)

[eudaman]

the suspense is killing me...

[BIGTUNA]

Need more..NR...hurry post the ending.

[HEMEEE]

NR... are we there yet??