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Porsche Club of America
The Northeast Region

By Bruce Hauben, Bruce993@PorscheNet.com
NOR'EASTER Online - July 2002

This has certainly been an interesting spring weather season. While we had 60 degree days in January and our usual last frost is mid-May, this year we had frost in June here in Stow. And while April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, our rains didn't arrive until June.

For the most part, we've had a beautiful late winter and spring - summer doesn't officially begin for several more days as of this writing - here in New England. Unfortunately those lovely days have not occurred during my track events. Beginning with Sebring in early February, race Sunday found the two fastest run groups driving in torrential rains. It's a wonder there was not more carnage than there was, the winners were the survivors, truly defining the word.

April found Joyce and me at VIR driving in 40-degree weather (when the norms are usually in the 60-70 range). It took layering all the shirts I'd brought with me to keep moderately warm. Of course the tires never really fully heated to good running temps. The end of April found us at NHIS for the first NER event of the year. Most of you already know that the event was ended several hours early due to snow. While it wasn't sticking to the track, the combination of a cold, wet track and very poor visibility made it prudent to end the day for safety reasons.

In mid-May NER had our second DE event at LCMT. While the first day was very windy and chilly everyone had a fine day at the track. Day two was rain all day, occasionally mixed with sleet and the Track Committee (TC) decreed the use of treaded tires only. Day three was filled with rain and sleet again in the morning to the extent that the TC delayed track driving until the weather cleared and then, by combining run groups, everyone who had stuck it out had two hours of track time on a great track in warm, sunny weather.

Finally, we were at a DE event at Watkins Glen last week in which the first day was filled with rain and the afternoon driving was cancelled due to fog. I've done a lot of ocean sailing and have never seen fog as thick as that afternoon. Standing at one end of the garages, the other end was not visible. The first day and a half of the Club Race was run in constant rain and depending upon your run group the qualifying session may have been run in the rain as were parts of the sprint race. The enduro was also "blessed" with some rain during parts of various races. It made for five days of indecision regarding wet or dry tires and constantly changing back and forth...sometimes being caught with the wrong tires on one’s car.

This is all leading me to a question some NER DE drivers have raised this season. "Why don't we get a refund of our DE application fee when bad whether inhibits or prevents our using the track?" The short answer is, "You pay your fee and take your chances." Basically though, unless the track itself cancels an event, we - the NER region - do not get a refund of the many thousands of dollars we've paid for the use of the track. We're all in the same boat, figuratively and literally.

While no one can guarantee good weather, our luck has to change and I urge you to join us at our first ever NER Watkins Glen DE event July 30-August 1. As of this writing we're filling up fast but should have space in all run groups when you receive this July issue of the NOR’EASTER. If you don't want to fill out the application for naught, contact our registrar, Mark Keefe, first to ensure that there is still space in your run group.

Those of you who have driven Watkins Glen know what a great track it is. For the rest of you, it's a wonderful 3.4 mile world class track with eleven turns plus an "inner loop' or chicane...or "bus stop" as it's more commonly known. Turns 2,3, and 4 make up the esses which are driven with your right foot on the floor - a great rhythm part of the track - leading into the back straight where you may "max out" if you drive it well. There's a tricky off camber left followed by a "no brake" sweeper that's loads of fun. All in all, it's the closest major big track to where we live...and should not be missed.

The village of Watkins Glen is filled with history, including makers along the public streets where the original races were run before the track was built. At one time or another most every top name in international motorsports has driven at The Glen including Clark, Hill, Stewart, Fittipaldi, Lauda, Hunt, Bell, and Holbert to name only a few. Your non-driving family members can visit vineyards, wineries, and hike to the Watkins Glen gorge. Come on out and join us and don't hesitate to contact me with any questions. See you at the track.

The Lighter Side of Zen

Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
On the other hand...you have different fingers.
99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
He who laughs last...thinks slowest.
The early bird may get the worm...but the second mouse gets the cheese.
A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory.
OK, so what's the speed of dark?
When everything is coming your way...you're in the wrong lane.
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7 of your week.

Porsche Club of America The Northeast Region

Porsche Club of America
The Northeast Region