new here/introducing myself

[Stack]

Originally Posted by kbrew8991

wondering how I missed this thread the first time, heh

its a shame Spec3 and SpecE36 won't be the same to encourgage crossover, but I can also see why you guys went the direction you did

Even I'm man enough to admit that NASA did it right this time by (as far as I know) sticking with a tried and true formula, as opposed to trying to create something different like BMW did with SpecE36.

But Ken, I'm still confused by your post... isn't Jon on your team? Isn't Jon's direction the same as SpecE30? Or are you applauding that they didn't just copy SpecE36 from BMW? That makes more sense I guess.

[getfast]

By "you guys" I think he means the Mid-Atlantic NASA boys, since that's the region claiming responsibility for Spec3.

BMWCCA Spec E36 owners are still welcome to come play in GTS and/or PT as always. We saw at least two I know if in '07. It is an excellent idea and we would all love to see it succeed. Their ruleset just doesn't make sense by NASA's concept of a "spec" class. Safe, fun, competitive racing is the goal... at the lowest cost possible.

Jon

[kbrew8991]

Originally Posted by Stack

Even I'm man enough to admit that NASA did it right this time by (as far as I know) sticking with a tried and true formula, as opposed to trying to create something different like BMW did with SpecE36.

But Ken, I'm still confused by your post... isn't Jon on your team? Isn't Jon's direction the same as SpecE30? Or are you applauding that they didn't just copy SpecE36 from BMW? That makes more sense I guess.

Stack - Jon is the regional TT guy for Mid-Atlantic, I am one of the SE TT guys... though we do attend each others events here & there. So we kind-of are on the same team, but not quite

There isn't a good way to slow the E36 328s down to run similar times to the E30 325s (that I can think of and would still be fun.) So thats out. That leaves copying BMWCCA's SpecE36 class, or creating your own... and I fully understand why they didn't go the copying route. If all goes well, they should end up as the dominant class for that type of car and maybe BMWCCA will copy them

I hear ya about the GTS/PT thing Jon

[Stack]

Originally Posted by kbrew8991

Stack - Jon is the regional TT guy for Mid-Atlantic, I am one of the SE TT guys... though we do attend each others events here & there. So we kind-of are on the same team, but not quite

Like I said, I knew you guys were both NASA (albeit different regions), which is why at first I was confused because your post seemed to indicate they should have copied SpecE36.

Semantics I know, I just enjoy our little arguments

[getfast]

Originally Posted by getfast

Just re-reading this thread... 13 months later, not a whole lot has changed for me. I haven't bought or built a racecar only because I haven't been able to afford it (long story, hahaha.) Meanwhile the M3 has gotten plenty of maintenance/upgrades and continues to run great at 97k miles:

http://www.get-fast.net/m3

I retired it from track duty a few months ago after receiving news from my agent that State Farm would no longer cover HPDE incidents. It continues to be a great occasional driver and autocross toy though!

Meanwhile I have been involved with development of the upcoming "Spec3" (aka NASA's version of Spec E36) racing class. For those interested, the rules are very similar to Spec E30 and should be public very soon.

The prototype is built and has been extensively tested/adjusted at VIR and Summit by a variety of drivers including myself. Spec3 #2 (well actually #242) is being caged right now and will be on track this spring as the official racecar of Get Fast LLC, piloted by its owner James Packer... details will be here:

http://www.get-fast.net/e36/

In related news, my '08 schedule looks bigger and busier than ever. I'll be working (and hopefully also driving) at every single one of these events plus more TBA:

http://www.get-fast.net/calendar.html

Wow... can't sleep, just dug this up.

Still got the E36 M3/4, just turned 119k miles, still running like a freight train. It has required nothing but fresh Star Specs and oil changes and other little stuff.

Spec3 continues to grow, there are now 5+ logbooked ones regionally, our #242 car has been dead nuts reliable since June '08 (until the last event, clutch problem) and has been on the podium a whole bunch thanks mostly to its skilled driver Mr. James Packer. Some recent pics are linked from http://www.get-fast.net/325is.html

Still too broke to race, but that's not stopping me. Comp school finally, Fri Oct 9 @ VIR, in Cobetto's championship winning Spec E30. After that, renting a buddy's GTI for the rest of the weekend. Beyond then, who knows. Enduros are most appealing to me.

Also still busy working plenty of events, the economy slowed things down compared to 2008 but not too bad, see http://www.get-fast.net/calendar.html

Haven't been around here much, but I'll try to change that!

[getfast]

Trying to continue my "coming back here more often" trend, I thought I'd update the group on my October adventure. WHAT A FRIGGIN BLAST!!! Comp school Friday in the aforementioned Spec E30, then two days of double/triple racing in a stockish '95 Mustang GT. I doubled up and ran it in CMC and PTD... four sprint races on Saturday and two 1hr races on Sunday. No issues, learned a ton, didn't go off track or have any contact, didn't lose too many positions and lap times dropped steadily. Car held up fine except for a minor window net problem and occasionally dumping gas... anyway, pics:








Not sure what I'm doing in 2010, but I'm sure it will involve some racecar rentals, and hopefully some enduros. Plus at least one LeMons.

Can't wait,

Jon

[Stack]

"Not Cobetto" nice!

[kbrew8991]

good stuff

[getfast]

Originally Posted by getfast

Trying to continue my "coming back here more often" trend, I thought I'd update the group

Back again, only 3.5 years later.

Driving wise I have been renting Spec E30s from DriveGear and racing some at VIR with NASA Mid Atlantic. The DG cars are great and highly recommended. One of my vids, driving cautiously (generally out of practice) but still having a blast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhp6IB7DduE

I've also done a few "crapcan" races since my last visit including Lemons at CMP and the first 24hr Chump race at VIR. 2:33's in the dark in a $500 Jetta with 80+ other people on full course was an experience Also have HPDE'd and TT'd and autoX'd a bunch of stuff, and done a bunch of arrive & drive karting. Sample vid, some of my 2012 fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLtzBZHyHOQ

Car wise I sold the green M3/4 seen earlier in this thread about three years ago (and sadly it was totalled recently on the street), bought a '10 Golf TDI and a '95 325i. Sold both those in favor of a silver M3/4 and a '12 GTI. Then also got a blue '95 M3 last fall. Currently I am using the silver M3/4 as the around town car, the GTI as the highway car (although predictably I plan to sell it this year), and the blue M3 as the track/autoX project. Its maiden voyage was last month. With working ABS and better tires and a better driver it would've gone much faster. At least it sounds good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI4IsmfWhEs

Work wise, I guess the biggest news is that I took over NASA's Florida region in fall '11. Been handling those events ever since and growing the region and having a blast. Lotsa trips to Homestead-Miami and my new favorite track, Sebring. Although I still work all the NASA MA, NASA MA autoX, and TrackDaze events that fit my schedule. In 2012 I spent ~130 days on the road including ~95 event days and 32 total days just at VIR. In 2013 it's looking a bit more relaxed by choice... http://www.getfastevents.com/?page_id=6

Anyway, that's all. See ya back here in a few more years

[JimLill]

welcome back