Gingerman July 24-25

[Dave99GT]

There is an open track event coming up July 24-25 at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven Michigan. I was thinking about signing up for this, because they allow convertibles to run without roll bars. It is sponsored by the SE Michigan SVTOA.
When I mentioned this to my wife last night she was pretty much against it, so I probably won't be going (at leat not this year ;) ).
But if you are interested, here is a link to some info, the rules from last year (they will be the same this year) and the sign up form:

GOOD INFO ON GINGERMAN AT SVTOA-HOI WEB SITE (http://www.svtoa-hoi.com/)

RULES (http://www.svtoa-semi.com/Forms/Gingerman_Rules.pdf)

REGISTRATION FORM (http://www.svtoa-semi.com/Forms/gingerman_registration04.pdf)

I got an e-mail from one of the organizers of this at SE MI SVTOA (Mark Wilson) who said if you are interested in going, you should sign up soon, as they have sold out the last two years. His e-mail also said everyone is welcome! Cost is $270.

[BlueOvalBolt]

Good info Dave, thanks. :shft

This is a great event and I highly recommend attending, especially if you do not have a lot of experience as they will have instructors available.

[Dave99GT]

Yup on the instructors. His e-mail to me stated that an instructor would be present in the car with me for my laps. That would be pretty :cool:

[ac427cobra]

Ok, who's all going to Gingerman? I'm all signed up already. This will be my first trip to Gingerman so be prepared for some "entertainment"!

:beer: :bna:

[BlueOvalBolt]

Woo Hoo! I just sent my registration in. I've been there with the Cobra but bringing the L this time. It should be a blast. If you are thinking about it, act fast, not many spots left. :)

[priority#2]

My husband is taking Arlene for two days, along with Mike and his Cobra. :D

[BlueOvalBolt]

Where is everyone staying? Anyone made reservations at a motel yet?

Are you coming Merv? I'm sure Arlene won't mind. :thumbs:

[ac427cobra]

Chris:

I'm staying in my motorhome in the paddock. $20.00 a night with electrical hook-ups! :bna:

[priority#2]

Are you coming Merv? I'm sure Arlene won't mind. :thumbs: [/B][/QUOTE]

I'll be in Lansing that weekend. Arlene will have Terry's full attention and be able to get really physical with him. :D

[DOHC 281]

Arlene is not a "him". I repeat...not a him, but a

"HER" :mad:

[I like the physical part, though.] :sexy:

[DOHC 281]

This was a great track event. Everyone got 8 -- 20 minute driving sessions, at speed. Instruction was available for anyone who wanted it.

Bruce ran strong, with many Cobra R friends. Something like 7 R-model Mustangs were there, plus countless full race-prepared Mustangs. Also, two very fast Porsches. There were so many of these guys, that they had their own track group (5th group).

Chris did his usual excellent driving job. I know that he was lapping the track far faster than any other Lightning.

Mike's Cobra showed huge improvements in driving this challenging track. By the end of the second day, he was running very strong, with good, hard late-braking. Unfortunately, this wore the pads down to each of the four backing plates. On the plus side, my old "spare" pads were enough to get us back home.

I tutored two students. Both did an excellent job. I learned from them, too. After all, I spent over 180 miles on this track in two days.:wow:

The catered food was excellent. The SVT people are great. The 05 Mustang GT is beautiful. Oh yea, did I tell you that there was a Ford GT on the track with us? :thumbs:

[ac427cobra]

Yes Terry, it was a great event!! Mark Wilson and his gang should be commended for the great job they did.

There were so many Cobra "R's" Mark had a special run group for us. There were a total of eight 2000 "R's" seven of which participated in the run group. There were about the same number (or more?) of the 1995 Cobra "R's" including Tom Sheppard's Zippo (former 1995 "R" racecar) car and I think a clone or two? And of course Mark Wilson in his 1993 "R" mopping up the entire field on a set of worn out Toyo (American Iron spec. tire) tires!!:allhail: :allhail:



:beer: :cool:

[ac427cobra]

Here is a photo of the GT on track

[ac427cobra]

2000 "R" group shot

[ac427cobra]

All "R's" group shot.

(well, all that made it to the photo shoot!)

[ac427cobra]

Yours truly hitching a ride in the most awesome Ford vehicle built to date!! :bna:

[BlueOvalBolt]

Yes, it was a great time. Couldn't ask for better weather and the event was very well run with no major incidents. There were a number of first timers which was good to see. One of Terry's students, who was a track rookie, even came out in an older model V6 Mercury Cougar and she did very well.

I didn't quite have the Lightning field covered as Cliff (SVT_KY on the L boards) from Kentucky came with Hoosiers, Brembo brakes and a lowering kit I think was lapping faster than I was but the L held its own pretty well otherwise.

I was slightly handicapped by a soft brake pedal all weekend which has now been diagnosed as a bad master cylinder. This made for some interesting driving but, on the upside, it made me learn how to drive fast without using the brakes as much.

I have some pictures of the 05 Mustang GT and of the Ford GT that I will get posted as soon as I can.

[BlueOvalBolt]

OK, here are some pics of the Mustang Gt and the Ford GT at the event.

The Big Dog arrives:

[BlueOvalBolt]

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[BlueOvalBolt]

Let's hope we don't have to use the tow hook today boys.

[BlueOvalBolt]

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[BlueOvalBolt]

Hey, this guy was in my run group and has a video of running with me. I remember this run in the morning on Sunday.

As you will see he moves up passing two cars and catches me when we slow for another car. I think if it wasn't for the car slowing us down at this particular point, I would have held him off for another lap but, as I mentioned, my brakes were not up for serious running so I waved him by in the rear straightaway. Oh well, at least none of the cars that he passed caught me. It was one of my best runs of the weekend.

(Be patient as this takes awhile to load even with high speed connection)
http://nitro.vapornet.net/gingerman-cobra-lightning.mov

[BlueOvalBolt]

Here is a great collection of photos from the weekend by ShelbyGuy.

http://nitro.vapornet.net/2004-SVTOA-Gingerman/

Here is a good video of lap at GingerMan by ShelbyGuy:

http://nitro.vapornet.net/lap-around-gingerman.mov

[46 Cobra]

I have been following the posts and note that no one has mentioned Mark Hasenberg another member of WI SVTOA who participated in the event. Mark brought his father Mark along who has a long record of participation in Motor Sports and shared some of his history with us. In total we had 5 members from our chapter particiapte. Total attendance was 94 on Saturday and 87 on Sunday which is exceptional considering the size of the track. We had vehicles participating from as far away as Texas, Florida and we even had someone drive a 2000 Cobra R from New England! SVT was impressed enough that they are going to support the event next year with the SVT trailer as well as a few Engineers. We also had representation from every chapter within the Great Lakes Region and quite a few people from outside our Region as well. The track said our group was one of the best they have ever had and they have already given us the July 24-25th dates for 2005 (so mark your calendars!).

Those of you that weren't able to attend really missed the Ford GT in attendance on Sunday. The Ford people who brought the car allowed us to take a ride! What was it like? Ask Bruce the next time you see him. We also had a 2005 Mustang GT onsite Saturday and people were surrounding the vehicles both days. It's things like this that really can set SVTOA events apart from other events.

We are looking at 3 events next year that will be run by the Region and local clubs and the region is trying to have another 2-3 events that will have member discounts at events run by other groups. Stay tuned and involved if you think you might like to participate.

Lastly, the Indianapolis Race Park On-Track enrollment will be opening shortly. This event is in it's 4th year and if previous years participation is any indication the event will sell out.

[BlueOvalBolt]

:knock: Sorry Mark, it was great having you and your dad there.

[BlueOvalBolt]

Here is another clip of my truck shot by a fellow L driver at the event, SVT_KY who I owe a big thanks for trying to help me with my brake problem (and to Mark H. who had the bleeder wrench!).

http://home.insightbb.com/~roadcourse/P1040108.MOV