44 replies to this topic

[rpr]

Cool, I'll check out the site. I know where Prokart is now, I drove right by it on Tuesday!

Just working on some data acquisition... Works pretty good!

And the site is here.

[Preet]

The karting thing is something we do over the winter to keep sane.  It's relatively inexpensive, and tonnes of fun.  The only thing that after three years has taught us, is that driver skill has very little to do with how you perform over the year.  Yes, inexperienced drivers will score lower, but asides from that, there is so much difference in the performance of the karts that 2nd place could be lapped by the winner twice in one race.  In fact, what kart you get will almost dictate where you'll finish in the race.  Weight plays a big factor.  But it still is so much fun.

The only bad thing is that tempers tend to flare after "racing incidents" and it ALWAYS happens when people take indoor karting so seriously.  The first two years it was a problem, but now that everyone understands that the karting standings really don't reflect their driving abilities, it's alot more enjoyable as people are there simply for the stories to be related the next day.  I remember once I was in third during a race and 1st and 2nd were eons ahead, and 4th was eons behind.  So I slowed down on the last lap to a complete stop right before the finish line, waiting for 4th place to come.  I was planning on hitting the gas just as he was about to pass me, so that I could beat him by the slimmest of margins, unfortunately I mis-timed it and he beat me by a few thousandths.  Lots of fun though!  This other time, I was in a ringer kart, blowing by everyone, so on the last lap I tried to do a 360 in turn one (a 360 in the OPPOSITE direction of the turn) and keep going, unfortunately there wasn't enough power to keep the back end coming around and I ended up doing a 270, and face to face with 7 karts blasting by me at (what seemed like) mach 10!  Yup, karting is kool!

Rob:  Remember how you wondered where Dick Barbour got all his money?  Well, I don't know.  But on a related note, the chassis that he's using for LMP900, as you know, is made by Panoz, and I do know where HE got all his money.

It's actually Dr. Don Panoz.  He's a chemist by trade.  He made his billions on the nicotine patch.  Yup, he's the guy who invented the patch.  (Ironically, he himself smokes two packs a day.)  And if he wasn't making enough from that, he also has the patent on time-release medication.  This is basically a pill that is covered with sugar (glucose) enough so that it disolves at a certain rate and the medicine is delivered over time, not all at once.  Then after all that, I think his son turned him on to racing.

Preet

[rpr]

You're a veritable fountain of information!

So, the registration for HADA is for 'the' calendar year, or 'a' calendar year? Should I wait until Jan 1, or is it from when I register? Let me know, since I will be signing up ASAP! I need something to get me out of the house during the winter, and this sounds like just the ticket! Plus it's not too far a drive to the meetings, so that's a big plus. Unfortunately, I don't have any racing stories, but one time, at band camp...

[Philippe Ferri]

Hello guys!!! Sorry off interupting your discusion but I Just wanted to know if you guys race in SoloII.

[Preet]

Membership is for THE calendar year, but occasionally we have people sign up late in the year, like November, December.  We don't see the point in charging someone $65 for two months, so we take the money, give 'em discounts but they still get the Jan - Dec.31 as well.  So, if you signed up now today, you'd be fine until Dec.31 2002.  I remember we used to prorate the membership, so that if someone signed up in June it'd be half price or something.  I forget how exactly it's done, but rest assured, it's not a money making thing.  You get a t-shirt or cap with your membership, access to the message board, big discounts on track fees for HADA organized activities,  a portion of the fee goes to CASC-OR for your license eligibility, etc.

I think you'll find a very diverse membership.  What you'll notice is that HADA is probably the closest knit CASC affiliated club in Ontario.  Some of our members are cardiac surgeons, some are anthropologists, some are IT guys, some are salesmen, some are engineers.  Some are 65, some are 19.  But everyone seems to get along with everyone.  It's a small club compared to others, maybe 35 members.  But once again, very close knit.  Some members compete in one Solo II a year, some compete in 15, and all 14 Solo I's, and lapping days, and more.  In addition, the ladies are very much a part of HADA as well.  Many wives and girlfriends of the members are active in the club as well, sometimes organizing their own thing while the guys compete.  Some have even started competing with the guys.  

Yes, HADA has been bery bery good to me.

I would suggest waiting till later in the new year to join.  The only benefits you would get out of it now (karting) are booked so you wouldn't find a seat open.  Best to wait until the season starts.  Or actually, wait till I get back, I'll introduce you to everyone.  We have many "tech nights" which involve installing new parts on given members' cars (basically anyone who has new parts and either doesn't know how to install them, or needs help, or just wants company) and usually include pizza and beer and LOTS of bench racing.  Those are good nights to meet all the guys.

Anyways, if you want to join up now anyways, let me know and I'll get the VP to email you with info, forms, etc.

Preet

[rpr]

I've got the form from the website, I'll wait until the new year to sign up. I see I just missed the December meeting (19th) so if I sign up first week of January, I should be good to go. It sounds like a good group, can't wait to meet all of you guys (and gals). My wife couldn't be bothered. If the van gets her from home to work and back, she's happy, other than that, no interest in motorsports. She rolls her eyes quite loudly (if you picture that!) when I put WRC, or F1 on the TV. Well, anytime I hit Speedvision, actually, even if it's just scrolling through the guide

My only concern is that Thursday's and Friday's are no good for me, do you guys do anything regularly on those nights?

And Philippe, no worries, if we wanted it to be private, we'd take it to e-mail! And no, I have never raced Solo II (actually, I've never raced at all, except for go-karts a couple of times).

[RETROCRX]

actually, I've never raced at all

We'll change that this coming summer Tommy boy!!  

Rob

[Preet]

Nothing is scheduled for thursday or fridays.  Occasionally, we've hosted evening lapping at Shannonville (before a Solo I weekend), which goes from 5pm-8pm.  Our 2000 video year in review has great footage of one our type r's on the end of the fabi straight with glowing rotors going through turn 1, very neat stuff.

But that happens maybe once or twice a year.  Other than that it's mostly social gatherings that happen impromptu, like going out for someone's stag, you don't want to miss a HADA stag!

Preet

[rpr]

That soudns good. Man, all the fun topics are coming up way too early...global warming can't come soon enough for me...

And Rob, do I look even remotely like Chris Farley?

[RETROCRX]

do I look even remotely like Chris Farley?

Well....do you want an honest answer????  

[rpr]

Do you still want good deals on parts?

[RETROCRX]

You wouldn't turn away your best customer would you?

[rpr]

I thought it was 'bestest'?  

[RETROCRX]

I knew you were gonna say that!!

[rpr]

heh heh...