Agincourt Autohaus Mosport Grand Prix Challenge Update

[Rob McAuley]

Folks,

Amazingly, we still have a few spots open for the AAMGPC Mosport Big Track School.

Fax the application forms in to me, and I'll get you on the list.

People that have already registered will be getting an email confirmation later this week.

Here's what the event looks like:

Saturday
Registration at Mosport: 7am (coffee provided)
Drivers meeting: 8am
1/2 hour lapping sessions, with 1 hour off for lunch
Day wraps up at 5pm
Dinner provided
Provisional times and run groups posted

Sunday
Drivers Meeting: 8am (coffee again provided)
Final lapping sessions: 9am
Lunch: 11am
Timed laps: Noon

The timed laps will consist of 1 warm-up lap, 3 hot laps, 1 cool-down lap. We expect to get through the order 2 times.

We will be using professional marshals from Motorsport Marshaling Services, so marshaling duties will be minimized.

If you wish to sign up, do so quickly by filling out the application form. (http://www.soloontario.com/solograndprixchallengeflyer.pdf)

[Nabs]

Hummm, i may be interested. I could use some teaching at mosport! :)

Who are the instructors? It does'nt say that there will be classroom instruction, is there any? How much is it for each day? How many people are registered?

[Taylor]

Where's the instructor (instructor requirement) list? Was this not on the agenda for last weeks meeting?

[DavidW]

I very much want to come out for this, but can't commit until I pick up my car from the States.

[Rob McAuley]

Who are the instructors? It does'nt say that there will be classroom instruction, is there any? How much is it for each day? How many people are registered?

Lots of questions!

The instructors are people with Big Track experience - either racers or BMW/Porsche/Ferarri club instructors. You'll recognize a few of them as regular Solo 1 competitors.

There will be classroom sessions, led by Prof. David Pratte and Peter Jackson. We hope to have an exercise area set up as well.

Cost is $395 for the weekend. This is a 2 day school, so no single day rate is available. Remember, coffee & dinner is included!

We have 48 people registered out of a maximum of 60. And I just received 3 faxes this morning.

[RedRabbit Racer]

Rob - email sent to you

[Dave]

Nabs, I think you should be signing up as an instructor, not a student!

[John P]

Nabs, I agree with Dave. By instructing you will have to think about your lines to explain them to the students or explain to the student reasons for their bad lines and you may even learn new lines to improve your driving. By the way, many of the students don't have any time on the track, so you will be able to contribute by instructing. Talk to Rob McAuley because we need more instructors. We are trying to have only 2 students per instructor so Rob should be able to match you up with students that haven't been on the track.

[CobraStang]

What material will be covered in the classroom sessions? I hope its not a regurgitation of the Solo 1 school stuff. At least not for those with more experience.

Will there be Novice and Advanced classes?

[Dave]

Russ, the classroom stuff will definitely not be a regurgitation of the Solo 1 handbook stuff. We will do a bit of 'refresher' stuff emphasizing safety due to the increased risks at Mosport, but after that it'll all be specific discussions related to the big track (ie. we'll watch some in-car video showing the dry line and I'm going to see if I can find a video wtih a good wet line too just in case we have rain), we'll discuss specific braking points for a few of the trickier corners, etc.

Now, if we get a classroom group that includes a lot of novices who want me to spend more time on the basics, we can do that, but otherwise I think most of us would prefer to discuss how to get around the big track safely and quickly (in that order).

[Nabs]

Originally posted by John P
Nabs, I agree with Dave. By instructing you will have to think about your lines to explain them to the students or explain to the student reasons for their bad lines and you may even learn new lines to improve your driving. By the way, many of the students don't have any time on the track, so you will be able to contribute by instructing. Talk to Rob McAuley because we need more instructors. We are trying to have only 2 students per instructor so Rob should be able to match you up with students that haven't been on the track.

Humm, let me think about it John. I've never done any type of instructing before so it may be fun to try it. Do instructors get any type of 'free lapping'?

[Dave]

Nabs, yes the instructors run for free all weekend. Drop Rob McAuley an e-mail at rmcauley@ca.ibm.com for more details.

[RacerRick]

I will be there, and even though the Mullet will be running, I don't want to take an unsorted car on a track like Mosport. I still don't have my turbo.

I am just going to watch and take pictures....doh.

[alfaholic]

Hi. I work for Agincourt Autohaus and I'll be attending the event next week. Really looking forward to it but also somewhat apprehensive as it's been quite some time since I've been on a track....especially so using some else's car.

I guess my question for the group is this: Which car should I bring? If I can score an Audi for the weekend, it will be the 2004 S4 [4.3L V8 340hp quattro] with 6spd manual. If it's a VW, It'll either be the 2004 Jetta GLI [18" Wheels, 1.8L turbo - 180hp; 6spd manual]; or my personal car [ok, its a demo] 2004 Jetta TDI [yes, it's a diesel] with [Factory] eibach suspension and 16" alloy wheels.

The diesel has plenty of bottom end grunt [177lbs ft torque vs. GLI 166lbs ft at same rpm] but no passing power.

I'm coming out to have some fun; sharpen my driving skills and meet the people I've talked to in the last few weeks. The last thing I want to happen is auger my employers car in the guard rail.

What's your opinion?

Walter Cianciusi
04 Jetta PD-TDI
57 Alfa Romeo Spider

[Admin]

Hi Walter,

First, thanks for jumping in with the event sponsorship! There are a few very fast VW's out there - including the car driven by last year's Novice Champion.

People have a few goals for the weekend. Typically, learn to drive fast better, have fun bombing around the track, and not cracking up their car.

While most of us would love to have the opportunity to drive the cars you've got access to, we really need to step back and see how they meet your goals.

The S4 would definitely be the most fun. You could do quick laps, but you'd be relying on the car to get you around - not driver skill. Better would be something that would work well in the corners, and not be too intimidating when going full throttle between turns 4 and 5, or going in to turn 8 at the end of the straightaway.

Of course, I'd want something that I could use the throttle appropriately to balance the car, and help in the corners. That would be tougher to do in the diesel.

Which leaves the Jetta. It's a GLI, turbo, big wheels. Sounds like a nice balance between power and handling. Okay - It doesn't have a V8, but this isn't a drag race.

Of course, if you bring the S4, could you give me a ride?

[alfaholic]

I have too many choices of cars to bring..... I'd like to bring the S4 so I can really experience the power this car has on the straight away's.

I'd like to experience the GLI [18's & 6spd] or the GLS 1.8T Jetta [17's & 5spd] as it's more in-tune with what I can afford, and lastly I'd also like to bring the diesel [yes, the diesel] because it has more low end torque than either of the Jetta's but no real accelaration to pin you in your seat.

I may also have an M3 and a previous generation S4 to play with......

I've run Solo II in the past as well as 2 stroke karts and shifter karts and I like the technical aspect of Solo. Why the car behaves this way and not that way. All out speed would be great in the S4 & the M3 would be balls out fun... heh heh.

I didn't think it was going to be so difficult to choose a car.......

[ScotcH]

Bring the M3 ... if you don't like it, I'll drive it for you :)

Originally posted by alfaholic

I may also have an M3 and a previous generation S4 to play with......

[alfaholic]

That's ok....... photo's speak volume's ;)

[ScotcH]

Originally posted by alfaholic
That's ok....... photo's speak volume's ;)

lol

[John P]

Walter

Bring the S4 or M3. You will look good, be able to drive a your experience limits and still look fast.

If you bring the diesel, you will be slow no matter how good your driving is.

John

[alfaholic]

You've made a good point. I'll reserve the S4 for next weekend.

No matter if I suck at driving or I actually surprise myself and drive well, at least I'll look good blasting around the corners.

Regarding head gear, what's acceptable for running? I'm hearing conflicting stories. D.O.T is ok for motorcycles, but not ok for racing? Is Snell 2000 ok for racing ? Do I buy a full face or open face?

Since this will probably be my only event that I will run this year, [although Im starting to look around for a suitable vehicle for next year], I'm reluctant to drop a large amount of dough on a helmet which will not be valid for next years racing.

Can someone enlighten me on what is acceptable and what is not with respect to helmets.

Thanks

[ScotcH]

Originally posted by alfaholic

Regarding head gear, what's acceptable for running? I'm hearing conflicting stories. D.O.T is ok for motorcycles, but not ok for racing? Is Snell 2000 ok for racing ? Do I buy a full face or open face?



Snell 2000 is fine (in fact, so is 95 until next year). Open or closed is your choice.

On a related note, will there be helmets available to borrow for the weekend? Since mine was used as a barrier between my head and the roof once already, I no longer have one. I will buy one for next year, but I don't want to make quick decision, so I'll need to borrow one for this weekend.

[DECH_92]

Originally posted by ScotcH

On a related note, will there be helmets available to borrow for the weekend? Since mine was used as a barrier between my head and the roof once already, I no longer have one. I will buy one for next year, but I don't want to make quick decision, so I'll need to borrow one for this weekend. [/B]

I can bring an open face snell95 XL you can use if needed.

[ScotcH]

Originally posted by DECH_92
I can bring an open face snell95 XL you can use if needed.

I usually wear medium, so the XL might be a bit of a fish bowl ...

[alfaholic]

I'm in the same position as I no longer have a helmet.

I'm hoping that someone has a spare [M] helmet that I can use.....I'll even let you take the S4 for a rip.

Should I be concerned with chunking tires for this event? I'd have a little bit of a problem with mgmnt if I were to return the car with hunks of rubber missing on this car.

[ScotcH]

Originally posted by alfaholic

I'm hoping that someone has a spare [M] helmet that I can use.....I'll even let you take the S4 for a rip.



In that case, I'll buy one for you to borrow ;)

[haniforama]

I have a couple of open face M95 helmets I should be able to bring.

They're sitting with the HADA SOLO2 stuff, but i'll make the effort to grab them if you guys aren't able to track any down.

One of them is a medium, open face M95, the other is a large Motorcross style M95 (with the chin guard :) ).

Let me know,

Hanif

[John P]

Walter

The helmet I was going to borrow for you is small, so maybe you should take advantage of Hanif's offer.

If you do decide to buy a M2000 or SA2000 helmet it should be good for 5 or six more years. If you can borrow for now and can wait until early 2006 you should be able to buy a 2005 standard helmet which should be good for 10 years (provided you don't give it any big hits). Either open or closed face helmet is ok in a enclosed car. If you decide to get a formula car in the future get a closed face SA helmet. If you decide to put in a roll bar or roll cage into some future car an SA rated helmet is required. If you are considering Regional Road racing in a race car you will need an SA rated helmet.

John

[alfaholic]

John,

Thanks for clearing that up.

I needed to have a backup plan in place in the [now likely] event that your helmet was going to be too small.

I don't think a formula car is in my future, but Im having serious thoughts about selling the spider and getting a GTV or a Giulia Berlina so I can run with varac as well as this club. The Giulietta is just too nice to start installing a rollbar and other safety devices.

There's a couple of other cars that I would consider. Is there a set of guidelines on the web or on this site where I can obtain more info?

Walter

[haniforama]

Ok,

I'll have four spare helmets with me at Mosport:

1 X Medium Open Face M95
1 X Large Open Face M95
1 X XL Open Face M95
1 X Large Motorcross style M95

Looks so far like Walter will be using the large, and Arek the medium...

Hanif

[Rob McAuley]

I also have a spare M95 Medium that I will bring.

[ScotcH]

Originally posted by haniforama

Looks so far like Walter will be using the large, and Arek the medium...

Hanif

That's great, Hanif! Thanks!

[alfaholic]

Hanif,

Thanks for your email yesterday morning. Very much appreciated. I wear [at last try] a medium, but since driving this 2005 Audi S4, feels like my head grew a couple of inches just checking blind spots for lane changes.

I'll also bring an official Agincourt Autohaus banner. It's about 14ft. long. Wondering if there will be a spot to put this.

Walter

[John P]

Hi Walter,

I would suggest that you tie it to the fence on the left side just when you enter the Mosport track gate(this is way before the Bridge under the track). By putting it at the entry gate everyone entering will see it. It will confirm to them that this is the right gate and the right event (Agincourt Autohaus Mosport Grand Prix Challenge). At the gate there should be a Mosport employee requesting your signature of the track waiver.

John

[alfaholic]

Im assuming this is the main gate where I have entered in the past, where you keep driving through a tunnel, with the track overhead...

W

[Reyps]

What time is the track entrance open until. I need to get a trailer into the paddock area.

[Rob McAuley]

The track will go hot at 9am, so if people need to bring in trailers, they have to be in well before.

The track will be closed for an hour at lunch each day, and will close for the day at 5pm.

While the track is hot, you have to use the tunnel. Otherwise, you can drive across the track.

I'm not sure that the gate will close. Someone will be there, getting people to sign in from 6:30am to 5pm both days.

Hope that helps!

[Reyps]

What about Friday night?

[John P]

Walter, You have the right gate.

John

[JGraves]

Can someone comfirm the gate will be open overnight? I intend to arrive between 1 and 2 am.

Thanks,

[Rob McAuley]

Confirmed. Just heard from Myles. The gates will be open all night.

I love the combination of lack of sleep and extreme adrenaline rush.