This past weekend HookedonDriving hosted their end of summer (or beginning of fall, depending on who you ask) event, “Lightning Strikes Twice, at New Jersey Motorsports Park.” (Photos from this event are available in our Vault)
Despite the weather predictions prior to Saturday, registrations were quite high and A group (beginner, instructed) was completely sold out. Given the year we have had with inconsistent and at times treacherous track conditions, people were just itching to get out there one last time before the cold hits. Well, unfortunately for all of us, the weather predictions were right for a change and the weather was downright miserable. It was colder thanks to the winds and the rain would not let up except for a brief 30-45 minute stint on Saturday afternoon. To say the track conditions were less than optimal would be a huge understatement. There were rivers running across the track, to the point that a waverunner would have made for a better track toy than even a FWD Mini Cooper. Nevertheless, as none of us are quitters, people decided to tempt fate and try their luck. The largest run groups were the A and B groups, for some strange reason the more advanced drivers and instructors didn’t want to go out, maybe they knew better?
Track conditions sucked, people were sliding all over the place, the fastest speeds of the day were highway speeds at best and by the end of the weekend Turns 1 and 7 (and even the “isn’t straight” before 7) claimed 3 cars and put them into the wall. Going out on track was a risky proposition.
For many of us, if we didn’t have students we probably wouldn’t have stuck around, but you know how GTM does… We turned a washed out crappy track weekend into a party! Brad N brought the tunes and Ken E graciously allowed us to build our tent village in his parking space. We were determined to not let a little (or a metric ton of) rain bring us down. Some of you may not know this, but Mike C will be leaving us for a few months at the end of September for a work trip. This event was likely the last time many of us will see him before 2019. We wish him luck and hope he makes the most of his time overseas #Bathurstorbust #FrodoCrutchfield #sevensheeptoeveryman
Some things you might have missed…
- Brad N, the “If I fits I sits” guy, crammed himself into Ken E’s NC Miata and took it around the track.
- Brad N activated “Drift Mode” in his Tundra tow vehicle during orientation laps
- Steve F managed to crack his skull open by walking into Mike A and Mona A’s RV. Let this be a lesson kids, don’t text and walk. #sueeveryone #itstheamericanway #classaction
- Harry B took his wife’s Mini Cooper out for his first go in a FWD car on track. It was while they were entering “the lightbulb” (banked turn) that Brad N asked him to be a groomsman in his wedding next fall. #hesaidyes
- Ken E’s son Kevin came out and drove both his dad’s NC Miata and his VW CC during his A group run sessions, with Mike B as his coach. I believe only the Miata spun.
- HOD brought the good stuff for lunch/dinner, thanks to members Harry B and John C who prepped and cooked.
- Mountain Man Dan S brought his “Jettadiah” – VW MK4 Jetta out for some fun on Sunday, fresh off his ST7 class victory at the EMRA event at Pocono Raceway on Saturday.
- Mountain Man Dan S then went on to put Jettadiah, and his instructor Mike B, into the wall after hydroplaning on the “isn’t straight” just before turn 7. #itllbuffout #thedonorprovides
- Mike C taught classroom again, further solidifying his role as an HPDE educator. There wasn’t a negative word to be said by anyone who attended. Great job Mikey!
- Harry B, Brad N, and Dan S made a pit stop at Larry’s Restaurant and Bar on their way to Harry’s Beach House. To quote Harry B, “It’s like walking into a strip club that doesn’t have any strippers”
- John C and Logan E prepared a special breakfast for the select GTM and HOD people that were there. You could smell the bacon and eggs all the way back to the main gate #baconallthethings
