How'd That Track Weekend Go?

NMS #386 Nissan 350Z

The track weekend at Carolina Motorsports Park went GREAT! Right up until it did NOT go great! Brian was serving as an instructor for a student in a racing Ford Ranger truck, as well as driving his 350Z in Drivers Ed group 4 sessions. Robert was driving the Cayman in Drivers Ed 3 sessions. 

Kyle Ray Smith's #89 Nissan 350Z

We had great weather, not too hot, and not too cold! That's always a good thing when you're camping at the track. In this case, "camping" means sleeping on cots in Brian's car trailer! CMP has bathrooms and some showers, there's a food place, and the fine NASA folks have FREE DINNER on Saturday night! 

NMS #4 Porsche Cayman

Saturday's running on track went well, with both NMS cars running smoothly with recent upgrades and maintenance. Brian kept firmly onto the "fastest NMS car" title, while Robert in the Cayman was near his best times at CMP. 

Racecar in the garage
You can pay extra and park under cover with electricity

Sunday was more of the same, with the Cayman going just a bit faster than on Saturday. BUT, then, in the last session of the day, Robert pushed it too hard into the kink (small right hand bend around 100mph) and went off track towards the tire wall. OK, I hit the tire wall, and went right through the tire wall. 

You can pay nothing extra and park outside too!

Needless to say, the Cayman has sustained damage to the front, and down both sides. Our assessment so far indicates that we need a new bumper cover, new passenger fender, passenger headlight, and passenger mirror. The NMS pit crew mechanics have performed an initial tear down and are in the process of ordering replacements. Oh, the driver is fine, and was checked out by the EMT crew at the track. 

Radical racecar

While it's hard to admit to making a mistake like this, I'd like to thank all the responders at CMP, who were on the crash site immediately, checking on the driver, and taking care of business. They brought the cavalry, with track personnel, fire truck, medical ambulance, and a tow truck really quick. Luckily the car drove off track, and Brian and I were able to tow it home the next day. 

It was Halloween weekend

Garages at CMP

Special thanks also to Brian for being on site and assisting, and my great wife Julie for understanding. Believe it or not, since this was the last session and was almost over, when the accident happened Brian was watching and was on the phone with Julie chatting about how things were going and what time we'd be home. Amazing. 

Ginetta racecar

So, don't push it too much on that last session of the weekend trying to be a hero, which really is a part of the safety briefing at every event I've attended. Wear those seat belts, keep your helmet on, and stay safe folks!

You can drive your racecar to the track, tow it behind your truck, or tow it in a big hauler like this rig!

Look for more updates in fixing the Cayman soon, in what we now refer to as "PROJECT K-MAN!"