For the second day of the Grand Prix, Matt and I were both there to give Andy a run for his money. They kept the basic layout but reversed the course from the first day, making it a faster course, but one that felt more on-the-edge than the day before. It was also a warmer day, and as I write this the backs of my legs are visible from the moon in the infrared spectrum. Every run I fell more confident on my V700s, indeed every run I made was an improvement over the one before for the entire week, which is always a nice feeling. Hopefully I'll be able to spank Matt at least once before he leaves for Florida, for old time's sake :).

My first run today was in a Subaru WRX wagon! It was an automatic, unfortunately (apparently 30 over-eager test-drivers had given the 5-speed a little too much of a workout), but since you just left it in 1st it didn't really matter. It was my first turbo car, and it was a very interesting experience...for a stock car, it handled very well, lots of grip, a little understeer (could be negated with practice on how to drive the AWD and turbo, i'm sure), and not much body roll. It felt heavier than my Type R, which indeed it is. Turbo was very entertaining...in the auto, hitting the gas from a stop was PAINFULLY slow...absolutely no power below 3000 RPM. But, once things got spooled up, that little sucker takes off with an impressive amount of thrust. I spent a little too much time off boost, but put in a decent time, considering it was street-tired and a totally new experience. It's a fantastic car, and would be alot of fun...but it lacks the high-revving race-car feel that I am addicted to in the Type R...when the STi comes out, I'll have to try one...a great car, and one with gobs of potential for anyone looking to mod, i'm sure. Since the Type R isn't available anymore, put the WRX on your list when looking for your next import rocket.

Back to the race, Andy, Matt and I started off pretty close...Andy improved the most, taking first for the weekend, Matt got me by about half a second, good thing he didn't run both days, and with my 3rd place finish I ended up with a 2nd-place trophy for the PVGP. Hooray! Hopefully i'll be up to speed on the Kumhos soon, again, gotta beat Matt before he leaves, or start telling him I'm letting him win so he feels good about going. Or something. Here comes the pitchers!

Results are available in Excel Spreadsheet format Here.

This car ended up being co-driven when a saturn driver broke a wheel stud...aah, the comraderie of the AutoX scene!

---

Another Callaway shows up, but does not run...c'mon guys, get these suckers out there!

---

---

---

The sea of cones rears its ugly head (it was very easy to follow, acutally)

---

---

---

---

He was doing well...

---

...until he spun. He ran a good 1/3 of the course in reverse! High points for style!

---

Dennis and Mike had their sites set on Kent Rafferty, Mr. FTD

---

---

I'm sure that worker is running after someone else's cone, Dennis

---

---

---

The brand new Subaru WRX looks alot like an Acura Integra Type R to me :)

---

---

The WRX i got to bang around the cones.

---

---

---

---

---

that side-pipe exhaust on Rick's car was scraping now and again...easily the loudest car in attendance.

---

This SCCA club racing Ford was pretty sweet...but according to the random dad, all the kid wanted to see was the big Subaru balloon

---

---

---

My favorite porsche color

---

---

after this weekend, i'm going to be fine without the sun for a while.

---

This is one of the coolest cars i've ever seen, an old Volvo 1800 wagon...my old 240DL was never this sweet!

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Wow, a very full couple of weeks of racing in July, I'm finally caught up on the page...I gotta stop taking so many pics! Good night, see you all on the 29th!

---

Come here from somewhere else? Click HERE for the rest of S&M Racing!