As I prepared to write this article, I find that I am also having to prepare for my first track day of 2021. I've just finished up a remote drivers meeting in preparation for our track event at Laguna Seca Raceway which is just a couple days from now. I couldn't ask for a better way to start off the year, and of course, it's always good to get a little seat time in before an event just to make sure everything is running right. So last weekend it was time for a little test and tune canyon run.
The way it normally goes for our group is to see how many can go and to agree on which canyon road we want to drive, lucky for us here in SoCal there are plenty to pick from with each canyon having it's own special attributes. This time out we decided on Azusa and got ourselves out early (0430am) so that we could be up and down before the canyon got busy and of course so we can get some cool sunrise pics
Our goal today was to get to the top before the sun came up. It's always a fun, spirited, but safe drive. The canyons are very unforgiving, as we saw on this morning, when we came across an unlucky Subaru driver that had put his car into the mountain pass, requiring a tow truck to get him out.
The rest of the way up was uneventful and with as cold as it was outside it made getting heat into the tires a little tough. But without any drama we were able to get to the top and with plenty of time to spare before the sun came up
Being part of a group has it's advantage, on today's drive we had multiple cameras. It was fun to watch everyone's shooting style. We were able to set the cars up a couple different ways and take a few group photos. A couple of which will end up on a garage wall, or two.
Once the sun came up we took our group photos and then decided to hit up a couple other spots for some more photos. It was fun to just be out with friends and since it was so early we had almost the entire area to ourselves for photo's.
After we hit a couple more photo spots it was time to head back down. It's interesting, each person in our crew has a different driving style and of course a different way that they modify their car. So each car like it's driver has it's own personality.
I'll get into each person's car at a later time as our plan this year is to try and hit a track day each month and to start off the year a couple of us will be attending a track event hosted by Turn 8 at the world renowned Weathertech Raceway - Laguna Seca.
Along with the other guys in the group there is going to be a heavy focus on track events for 2021. We all have big plans for our cars and of course we all want to have our "friendly" track battles.
For Project 71-109, I'm going to lighten, strengthen and of course add some much needed downforce. My ultimate plan is by the end of the 2021 season I want to start competing in Time Attack events. It's time for me to get serious. So stay tuned it's going to be a fun 2021.
Everything Else. Enjoy!!
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