FF50th @ Road America: Rookie Orientation

[steve_beeler]

Based on pre-registrations, a third of the drivers at the FF50th will be experiencing Road America for the first time. Road America can be learned in one weekend but it is fast and the walls are close.

We are thinking about “rookie” orientation. We have a great team of Formula Ford aces lined up to serve on the driver’s committee: Jim Harrell, Bruce MacInnes, Tim Evans, and Tony Kester. In some way, we’ll have driver coaching available: chalk talks, van rides, etc.

Another idea is to offer a “rookie” only track session on Thursday morning. If you would like a few reconnaissance laps before everyone starts rushing around, please ping me. If there is enough interest, this low-pressure session will be built into the Thursday morning schedule. There would be a small fee for this extra session.

In the meantime, please feel welcome to watch my YouTube lap of Road America with track notes. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeL0wcGpLYg

Steve Beeler – de facto FF50th Chairman
Lola T-540 HU44

steve@stevebeeler.com
https://www.stevebeeler.com/

(734)560-6031

[DanW]

Yes please.

Best regards,

Dan Wise

[BorkRacing]

I'm with Dan. Yes, please.

Robby

[sevenselans]

Definitely yes

chris

[Bernard Bradpiece]

Count me in.
BB

[BTennessen]

Assuming my car is together in time, I would be very interested

Blake Tennessen

[AVR_Shane]

Absolutely interested!

[TimH]

Yes.

[jgaither]

Me too! Much appreciated.

[DK540]

Geez... they're fast enough already!!

[scott fairchild]

Me too! Thanks

[Hawke]

I'm in. I'd also like to get a lesson on rolling starts. Never done one, not used here.

[TimH]

I'm in. I'd also like to get a lesson on rolling starts. Never done one, not used here.

Heck of a lot easier (and probably safer) than standing starts. Just keep a constant distance with the car ahead of you, stay in the lowest gear possible, don't forget to shift. You'll be fine.

[Hawke]

Heck of a lot easier (and probably safer) than standing starts. Just keep a constant distance with the car ahead of you, stay in the lowest gear possible, don't forget to shift. You'll be fine.

Tim, thanks for that. I just just recall something from a Carol Smith book, where he said that a rolling start just got you to the first corner a lot faster. I look forward to it.

I can assure you that a standing start sure gets the heart pumping. When is that last guy going to grid up? is that first or 3rd gear, I can't see the bloody lights in this sun, gee now my glasses are fogging up, is that the flag? when did last check the clutch? lights on, 6000 revs, lights off, drop the clutch, ******** in front stalls, WTF, gee I'm slow off the line, 3rd gear OMG, at least I wont get caught in the 1st corner mess.

[rick little]

We are thinking about “rookie” orientation. We have a great team of Formula Ford aces lined up to serve on the driver’s committee: Jim Harrell, Bruce MacInnes, Tim Evans, and Tony Kester. In some way, we’ll have driver coaching available: chalk talks, van rides, etc.

Another idea is to offer a “rookie” only track session on Thursday morning. If you would like a few reconnaissance laps before everyone starts rushing around, please ping me. If there is enough interest, this low-pressure session will be built into the Thursday morning schedule. There would be a small fee for this extra session.


Yes please include me also

Rick Little
69 Macon MR 7

[DanW]

Tim, thanks for that. I just just recall something from a Carol Smith book, where he said that a rolling start just got you to the first corner a lot faster. I look forward to it.

I can assure you that a standing start sure gets the heart pumping. When is that last guy going to grid up? is that first or 3rd gear, I can't see the bloody lights in this sun, gee now my glasses are fogging up, is that the flag? when did last check the clutch? lights on, 6000 revs, lights off, drop the clutch, ******** in front stalls, WTF, gee I'm slow off the line, 3rd gear OMG, at least I wont get caught in the 1st corner mess.

We tried standing starts at Thunderhill last year. I actually preferred it. Fewer clusters in T1 that way.

[Jayeff]

Count me in, especially on the chalk talks and van rides. The list so far would be the top of the grid at VIR on any given race weekend.
As far as rolling starts, a lot depends on Dave W's technique as he takes the green since most of us might not see it until some seconds after it's waved.

[EVT]

Add my name to the list! EVT

[rvrrat]

Yes please.

[Bernard Bradpiece]

Guys,
All those "yes pleases" omit your names requiring Steve to look you up in the Apexspeed directory. It would be simpler if you said "yes please" and signed your names. Let's give the guy a break, he is all out organizing this.

Bernard Bradpiece

[billtebbutt]

Thx Steve,

Bill Tebbutt

[Tom Fraelich]

Steve: Please include me in your "rookie orientation" program. Thank you.

Thomas Fraelich
Crossle 32F #10

[Speedy_Farmer]

"rookie orientation" program. Thank you.

Seth Letterly
Jared Letterly
Allen Letterly

[jgaither]

Guys,
All those "yes pleases" omit your names requiring Steve to look you up in the Apexspeed directory. It would be simpler if you said "yes please" and signed your names. Let's give the guy a break, he is all out organizing this.

Bernard Bradpiece

John Gaither
Arden, NC
zinkracer@gmail.com
PRS CF #51

[sevenselans]

Yes, name now supplied

chris Tchorznicki

[rvrrat]

Yes - please add me as well

Eric Inkrott

[EVT]

Sorry, I thought it was only a probe looking for interest. Definitely add my name. Ed VanTassel

[Keith Robinson]

Great idea, I'm in, thank you.


RF82
West Coast.

[PRS56]

Steve:
Please include me in the orientation.
Thank you
Greg Kokolus
PRS #30

[alangbaker]

Steve,

Assuming I do make the event, I'd like to be included too!

Alan

[Keith Robinson]

Steve,

Assuming I do make the event, I'd like to be included too!

Alan

Just save up your deposit, my rental awaits you

[Gary Godula]

I am in the same boat as Alan....assuming I get in on the next round of registration, I would like to be included. Thank you.

[mseiler]

Yes, please.

Mark Seiler
Bessemer City, NC
seilerbc@bellsouth.net
Crossle' 32f 92

[bassracer]

Count me in as well if I can get registrered

[tstrong]

I’m in please. Todd Strong

[Roland V. Johnson]

Ringer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rvrrat]

Agree with you Roland. We need to find ways to slow Todd down - not make him faster.

[sbodrug]

Thanks,

Steve Bodrug
RF93

[Kim291]

I am defiantly in on this.

Kim Madrid

[fshort]

James Russell

CFF Tiga FFA-77