[kahmann]

"Nor Cal SAAC with Green Flag Driving Association presents the Fall Classic 2009 Open Track at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, California is a 2-day driving event for ALL makes and models of cars except open-wheel cars. Nor Cal SAAC members and non-members are welcome. Join us for a FUN weekend of track driving and social activities."

http://www.norcal-sa...news/0910th.htm

[kahmann]

Anyone going?

[AstroDan]

kahmann, on Oct 15 2009, 02:15 AM, said:

Anyone going?

Ken:
I have a poker tourney Sat evening, but plan on being there Sunday. Do you think I'll be able to get my car on the track? All I have is a motorcycle helmet...

Dan

[kahmann]

AstroDan, on Oct 15 2009, 06:27 PM, said:

Ken:
I have a poker tourney Sat evening, but plan on being there Sunday. Do you think I'll be able to get my car on the track? All I have is a motorcycle helmet...

Dan

Hey Dan that's awesome, I'm glad to hear you're going to try to make it up man. As for your helmet, I hate to say that they will definitely not allow you on the track with it.
However, you can rent an approved helmet right at the track and they're really not expensive at all. That's what I did my first time up to the Hill and it worked out great.
I may only be there be Sunday as well, so we should definitely meet up if you can make it.

Ken

[Dans07SGT]

I'm going to try and make Sunday also. I haven't registered, will I be able to on Sunday?

[kahmann]

Dans07SGT, on Oct 15 2009, 11:38 PM, said:

I'm going to try and make Sunday also. I haven't registered, will I be able to on Sunday?

Yes sirree, you can register at the track. We should cruise up!

[AstroDan]

kahmann, on Oct 16 2009, 02:43 AM, said:

Yes sirree, you can register at the track. We should cruise up!

I'm game for that. I'll bring a pocket full of money and my son (Air Force just back from Iraq) will be with me!

Post a time and place, and we'll be there Sunday morning...

This's gonna be fun!

[Dans07SGT]

kahmann, on Oct 15 2009, 11:43 PM, said:

Yes sirree, you can register at the track. We should cruise up!

Hey Ken, what time and where do you want to meet up for the cruise to Thunderhill in the morning?

I ordered some gloves earlier this week but they haven't arrived yet. Do you have a suggestion on some inexpensive ones I might find locally that would do the trick for the time being?

[kahmann]

Dans07SGT, on Oct 17 2009, 01:18 PM, said:

Hey Ken, what time and where do you want to meet up for the cruise to Thunderhill in the morning?

I ordered some gloves earlier this week but they haven't arrived yet. Do you have a suggestion on some inexpensive ones I might find locally that would do the trick for the time being?

Hey man we can meet up off the 5 downtown Sac if you'd like. I live in midtown, so whatever works. As for time, I'm not sure. I'll give you a call in a bit to figure that out.
As for gloves, I use my 'Mechanix' gloves to be honest. They work great. Although a sweet pair of Sparco's would be an awfully nice xmas gift from my wife this year!

Ken

[AstroDan]

kahmann, on Oct 17 2009, 06:00 PM, said:

Hey man we can meet up off the 5 downtown Sac if you'd like. I live in midtown, so whatever works. As for time, I'm not sure. I'll give you a call in a bit to figure that out.
As for gloves, I use my 'Mechanix' gloves to be honest. They work great. Although a sweet pair of Sparco's would be an awfully nice xmas gift from my wife this year!

Ken

Ken:

Give me a call too, I'll fire off a PM... I'd like to convey.

This post has been edited by AstroDan: 17 October 2009 - 03:54 PM

[kahmann]

AstroDan, on Oct 17 2009, 04:53 PM, said:

Ken:

Give me a call too, I'll fire off a PM... I'd like to convey.

See ya in the morning man. Good luck at the poker tourney!

Ken

[kahmann]

Dan and I had an awesome time today. He met me early in Sac this morning and we made the 1 1/2 hour trek to Thunderhill just in time to get through tech, registration, and the mandatory driver's meeting. We met up with Carl (bigcarl1), who has become my regular track buddy. Carl and I really like to push each other out there. He makes me a better driver, so he's not a bad buddy to have! AstroDan couldn't make it, but hopefully he can get up there with us soon.

Dan did an awesome job for his first time out. By the 2nd or 3rd heat, he was getting the lines of the track down very consistently and is already making some great passes! Carl and I were both really surprised by how well he did on his first time out.

It was cloudy and muggy all day but we avoided any rainfall. There was one huge wreck that Carl saw right in front of him. It was a bone stock 09 Mustang that was RENTED (not from the track but from a normal car rental agency). It was a husband and wife in the car and apparently the guy didn't know the limits of the poorly equipped Mustang, because somehow he managed to roll the rental car a couple of times off track at turn 8. The car was completely destroyed, the roof was collapsed, the woman's helmet flew off during the roll, and they were both life flighted to the nearest city hospital. The track shut down for nearly 2 hours because of it and caused quite a somber vibe. However, word quickly spread that somehow they were both totally OK and actually made their way back to the track by the end of the day. I certainly wouldn't want to be the guy explaining to the rental agency WTH happened to their Mustang though.

Anyway, after all that mess, we were able to get back to driving. Here are a bunch of photos I took in the paddock. I've got a good amount of video to edit but will get it posted up as a compilation asap.

Ken

[kahmann]

[kahmann]

[Dans07SGT]

Ken those are some great pictures.

I had a great time and I can't wait until the next track day. I am hooked for sure. Thanks for showing me the ropes and all the pointers in car. Your help was invaluable and I know it accelerated my learning curve.

It was great to meet Carl also. He's a great guy and his car is one of the sickest SGT's I've ever seen.

I didn't get nearly as many pictures as you did but I'll post them up shortly.

[Dans07SGT]

My pictures...

[Dans07SGT]

The rest...

[kahmann]

Sweet pics Dan!! There isn't much in this world I wouldn't trade for that Boss.

Ken

[Dans07SGT]

kahmann, on Oct 18 2009, 08:23 PM, said:

Sweet pics Dan!! There isn't much in this world I wouldn't trade for that Boss.

Ken

Me and you both man!!

[Torch40]

kahmann, on Oct 18 2009, 08:23 PM, said:

Sweet pics Dan!! There isn't much in this world I wouldn't trade for that Boss.

Ken

How about that GT350 if it's a real one? That's a very scary crash, how does her helmut come off?

Sounds like you guys had a great time.