[Shotimes] Track weekend results

[Donald Mallinson]

Just got back from three days of track time with the SVT group at the 
brand new Autobahn track in Joliet.

Almost within sight of Route 66 Raceway and the NASCAR track, this 3.2 
mile facility is usually cut into 2 and 1.2 mile tracks (approx.) so 
they can rent out one, and their members can always have use of the 
other side.

We had nearly 100 drivers plus another 30 or so people from the 
V8SupercarSeries doing their own practice and races.

Got four sessions per day, and took the '96 SHO since the '89 just got 
back together with the new cams and isn't dialed in yet.

The '96 behaved well, but I was getting signs of bad pad glazing.  I 
usually run stock Ford pads, and they usually do the trick, but the 
bigger "half" of the Autobahn track is REALLY hard on pads and by the 
end of the second day I was getting worried about making the turn at the 
end of the big straight.

Luckily I had some good used Carbotech pads and Ken (he took  his '95) 
helped me put them on this morning. 

So for the last two sessions Sunday (we took off at noon due to time 
conflicts) I had REAL brakes and lap times went from about 2:20 to about 
2:05.  Ken ripped off a 1:55 on his last session.  I might have been 
able to come close if I had been able to practice late braking the day 
before!

Ken used a full set of Akebono pads that I wanted him to try. they kept 
the rims looking pretty clean over three days, plus they never faded.  
He was running off-the-shelf HD fluid from Prestone I think.  I was 
running Ford HD as I usually do.

The SVT group was fun, we were slated to run the next to fastest group 
based on experience, but quickly found  that that group had the same 
experience we did and at least 100 more HP in most their cars.  Since 
Ken and I don't relish being rolling chicanes we dropped to #2 class. 
one above novice and still found we were getting passed on a regular 
basis, but we were passing a few cars too, and it felt good.

Other than a couple SVT Contours and a few SVT Focus's it was pretty 
much all Mustang with the next biggest group being the Lightning trucks, 
and they were very fast, good in the turns and fun to watch and listen 
to on the straights.

SVT brought a new GT 40 and was giving three lap rides at speed for $40 
for charity.

The SHO's did OK, but I enjoy our SHO specific events more. since the 
cars are more closely matched.

Don Mallinson