Anyone going to Winterfest?

[mxk116]

Can't wait to leave for Sunshine Beemers event at Sebring Raceway, January 23-26, 2003. We have an auto-transporter picking up the Z06, my wife's Boxster S, and our friends Viper, Die-Line C4 and 911S2 on Thursday of this week.

4 days of driving, racing, sun and fun. Staying at the Chateau Elan on the track. Our friends are instructors at the event (this is the 3rd year they have done this) and invited us to attend. While I have spent a good deal of time on Mid-Ohio, Gingerman, Putnam Park, Nelson Ledges and Breaver Run, there are 2 tracks I wanted to drive; Sebring and Watkins Glen. I took my son to a Skip Barber School at Sebring for his 18th birthday but we did not spend much time on the track (focus was on autocross, skid pad and car control, etc.). There were several CART teams testing there (CART was racing Homestead the following week). All of the tracks I have driven are no bigger than ~2 miles/lap. Sebring is 3.7 miles just beckoning to the Z06. Now that Sebring will be experienced at the end of January, Watkins Glen is next. I will do my best to attend a school in April at the Glen. A friend with an '03 QSZ06 has driven there and said what a wonderful track it is (particularly for the Z06).

We are bringing a digital video camera to record the Sebring event. If we have some good video of laps and racing we will submit it to the website.

Hope to see other Z06s at Winterfest. Adios-

[Z06-Nomad]

I will be going to the "Safety school".

I did Sebring last month. It was GREAT. You will love it. Make SURE you prep your brakes to the max, you will use all you bring and more.

I would of signed up for the track days, but I have done 3 events in 2 months or so, and it's a bit more often than my addiction requires. One event every 3 months is just about right for me in the sense of desire to go/expense/wear and tear/pleasure I get out of it etc.

I'm doing the Safety school mostly because I have not had a chance to drive my car on a wet skid pad. I am a great believer in them. Nothing else can teach you car control like doing 360 degree turns to the left with your wheels locked all the way to the right!

See you.

[mxk116]

We will be under the awning (when not on the track) of the Auto Assets trailer. They are the transporter service we used and will provide the "pit crew" for the event! I have never used this sort of service before, I am told it is not unlike the NASCAR or CART facilities. We shall see.

Your comments regarding Sebring only heighten our anticipation. My only experience at Sebring was attending a Skip Barber Car Control School with my son. The skid pad was fun and exceptionally instructive. As you said, nothing can prepare you for controlling a skid more than skidding.

Thanks for the heads up on the brakes. I installed StopTech SS brakes-lines and flushed the fluid (including ABS) prior to shipping the Z06. We also brought an extra set of Performance Friction 01 compound pads and a new set of factory rotors just in case (I also bring a spare serpentine belt to these events). Don't want to be broken down without parts if I can help it.

We head out tomorrow am. It's 10 degrees here and we have had snow every day since January 5th! I am told the temps in Sebring are below normal but right now 40 degrees would be a heat wave.

Adios and see you at Winterfest.

[Z06-Nomad]

Wow! Sounds like you are loaded for Bear with regard to the brake issue. Good move. You are going to have a great time.

See ya