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Crazy Hawaiian Races his GT 350 at Tracks all over the Continental US !!!!!!!!!!!

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@Kona Bob welcome to TMO! What a great story and I hope the rest of your adventure goes smoothly.
 
Hello Everyone,
I forgot to say thank you to everyone on this site for all the kind words and encouragement and support. Road Course passion is our common thread that unites us in our enjoyment of the cars and friendships we have and will find. I look forward to meeting anyone who shares the same especially the Mustang TMO Gang!! Contact me if you get to Kona or need help with travel ideas on our Island.
Coz, thank you for the suggestions.
Aloha
 
1,040
1,088
Monaca Pa
I second Pittsburgh International Race Complex as a go to track. I am biased because it’s 20 min from my house. Mid Ohio was my favorite but since Pit’s new owners added 1.2 miles to original track and repaved its fantastic. Mid Ohio is about 2 hours from Pittsburgh
 
100
109
Utah
I can also confirm all that has been said about Kona bob as was noted by others as well as Rods197 when Konabob was in Utah in March 2019 for the UMC track (Miller Motorsports) NASA track event. As an extra bonus, Bob and I had a great conversation about our owneship of Saleen Mustangs! Bob has a Saleen Extreme!
 
Aloha all,
I just finished a great event at Circuit of the Americas last weekend with Edge Addicts (EdgeAddicts.com). Karen Julian, her husband, Jim and their son Trevor operate the event at a high level. What a great venue!! The The event is made up of all non-race (not that no one isn't racing??) run groups with 6 levels of competence. Many exotics, 2 or 3 Mclaren Sennas!!! GT 2, 3 and 4 Porches, Ferraries, Lamborginies, BMW's, Lexuses, Radicals, 18+ Mustangs of all vintages and configurations with about 6 GT350's as well as Corvettes and Camaros and Miatas. There were about 150 cars total. We ran 5 times per day for 20-25 minutes per session. I ran in the Intermediate Group and was comfortable there. Passing in the 1st three levels requires a point by. I rode in one upper group and found the level of driving to be very good for all drivers with good racing etiquette.
Of course COTA was as usual, driving Nirvana! That was my 3rd event at COTA so I am now comfortable and working on improving my lines. It was interesting running with the other 3 GT350's in my group to see how evenly they perform. It does boil down to driving talent.
I just arrived in New Orleans to run in the NASA event this Saturday and Sunday at NOLA Motorsports Park. Looking forward to that with anticipated good weather and a fun weekend being Memorial Day weekend and all. Lot's of things going on around town.
In summary I suggest trying an event with Edge Addicts if you want to just drive, street car or race prepped car. It is a great social event with good people with the passion. Lot's of very cool cars. Edge Addicts run at COTA and Motorsport Ranch Cresson each 3 or 4 times a year.
My next stop is Barber Motorsports Park next weekend (June 1-2) and then the NCM track in Bowling Green, Ky. the weekend after that. I will let you know what I find out. Until then, Drive fast and be safe.
Please let me know if I can help with any questions.
Aloha,
Bob
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
8,422
8,346
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Blair, Nebraska
Nirvana ------------heck , running at all the tracks you are going to over the next few weeks would be Complete Nirvana for the majority of us!!! You are our new hero and we expect to get reports from each track you visit. Thanks for the info on Edge Addicts as I need to make it down to COTA sometime the future? There was a NASA race there earlier , but just could not get everything handled to make it , so hopefully can run next year with them or possibly Edge Addicts?
 
Last edited:
741
1,075
TX
Aloha all,
I just finished a great event at Circuit of the Americas last weekend with Edge Addicts (EdgeAddicts.com). Karen Julian, her husband, Jim and their son Trevor operate the event at a high level. What a great venue!! The The event is made up of all non-race (not that no one isn't racing??) run groups with 6 levels of competence. Many exotics, 2 or 3 Mclaren Sennas!!! GT 2, 3 and 4 Porches, Ferraries, Lamborginies, BMW's, Lexuses, Radicals, 18+ Mustangs of all vintages and configurations with about 6 GT350's as well as Corvettes and Camaros and Miatas. There were about 150 cars total. We ran 5 times per day for 20-25 minutes per session. I ran in the Intermediate Group and was comfortable there. Passing in the 1st three levels requires a point by. I rode in one upper group and found the level of driving to be very good for all drivers with good racing etiquette.
Of course COTA was as usual, driving Nirvana! That was my 3rd event at COTA so I am now comfortable and working on improving my lines. It was interesting running with the other 3 GT350's in my group to see how evenly they perform. It does boil down to driving talent.
I just arrived in New Orleans to run in the NASA event this Saturday and Sunday at NOLA Motorsports Park. Looking forward to that with anticipated good weather and a fun weekend being Memorial Day weekend and all. Lot's of things going on around town.
In summary I suggest trying an event with Edge Addicts if you want to just drive, street car or race prepped car. It is a great social event with good people with the passion. Lot's of very cool cars. Edge Addicts run at COTA and Motorsport Ranch Cresson each 3 or 4 times a year.
My next stop is Barber Motorsports Park next weekend (June 1-2) and then the NCM track in Bowling Green, Ky. the weekend after that. I will let you know what I find out. Until then, Drive fast and be safe.
Please let me know if I can help with any questions.
Aloha,
Bob

I was there on Saturday. Bummed I didn't catch that you were in town. Would've loved to meet you! Good to hear you had a successful event!
 

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Aloha track addicts,
Sorry everyone, I have gotten a little behind here. The weekend of May 25th and 26th I participated in an event at the New Orleans Motorsports Park sponsored by NASA. As usual the NASA group was awesome. The weather was clear and hot with Saturday reaching 95 degrees and Sunday 96 degrees. The track was warm, clean and sticky, tires were shredded!!! The pavement at that track has lot's of grip so working hard in the corners is very predictable. The track is 2.75 miles long and has two fast straight sections. There are some tight turns at both ends of the track which gives something for everyone. The double 180 on front side of the track makes it interesting. They have an ample supply of garages available but they are away from the paddock and grid areas. An air conditioned meeting area and gathering area is new and very nice and keeping with NASA tradition we were treated to a fantastic dinner, desert and an ample supply of liquid refreshments for all persuasions on Saturday night. My thanks to Jim Slane and David Shall for helping me while I was there. Be sure to stop by David's mobile home/tent paddock for ridiculously great lunches if you run with NASA. In summary NOLA is a great fast track with something for everyone.
Another highlight was meeting and hanging out with Bart Waquespack and his absolutely fantastic red 67 Fastback Mustang that he has meticulously restored and upgraded to run with the newer mustangs. He is quick and a joy to drive behind.
I finally needed new tires so I had new Nitto NT05's 305/35 19's shipped in by Discount Tire Direct. Spent time on the phone with Anthony the tire tech at Nitto and he determined that because I will be traveling in rainy weather on unknown roads he wanted me to stay with NT05's instead of the NT01's. I have been very happy with the NT05's.
I will put together another post about Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama where I just finished running for Saturday and Sunday. The track is like going the Disney Land!! I wanted to catch up with this post but am headed out to dinner with friends. I will put together a summary of Barber which is an absolute must do on your list.
Regards,
Bob
 
Aloha Fellow track addicts,
I have finally got a some time for an update on my last weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. As I mentioned before it was like going to Disneyland as nice as the facility is. I ran with JustTrackIt. This is a company run by a team consisting of Nabil Abushar, Brian Stetson and their family members. They also have return enthusiasts that Instruct in all levels by arrangement. The event was run very efficiently with all run groups leaving the grid on time or very close both days. The camaraderie amongst all the drivers as a large group with one purpose was very good. There was the full compliment of car types, Porches, Mustangs, Corvettes, Camaros, Miatas, BMW's, Radicals, and some prototype cars as well. Nabil told me there was about 150 cars in all. In most instances the drivers in the upper groups were very good with quick point bys when approached.
The track is a MUST run. The grounds are landscaped and maintained like a golf course. The pavement is very good with plenty of grip. Be sure to rotate your tires from side to side if you run for two days driver's side left wears twice as fast as the right side. Turn 9 is a real experience, dropping about 75+ feet (estimated) in a corkscrew in a very short distance. There is a kink halfway down that upsets the car but also helps the car load up at the bottom of a 90 degree right turn. It puts a smile on your face every time. I had two different cars loop it at the bottom so be careful. Turn 9 is an uphill blind right hander that tempts you to keep up your speed while being loaded on drivers side left. Throttle steer it.
I graduated High School in Birmingham in 1971 and left shortly after and had not returned. I contacted some of the old gang before I arrived and before I knew it they had a get together at a local watering hole for "Thirsty Thursday" for me with about 20 people. I had a support group of about 9 people at the track and ended up giving 4 of them 25 minute rides to people who had never been on the track. Turn 9 definitely got them excited!! Played golf 3 times and had some great dinners. Fun was had by all. Weather was slight overcast and about 93 degrees.
While you are there be sure to visit the Barber Motorsports Museum which is on the way into the track. There are over 900 motorcycles (largest motorcycle collection in the world) of every make and configuration displaying the history of the Motorcycle and all the companies who came and went and are still with us. There are also some very unique track cars from all classes. Set aside about 3 hours for the self tour.
I have just arrived tonight in Bowling Green, Kentucky and will be running the National Corvette Museum Track Saturday and Sunday with Chin Motorsports. I hear they run a very good program. I will let you know.
Good luck to everyone this weekend.
Keep it on the track.
Regards,
Bob
 
Hi, I made a typo when summarizing the Barber track. Turn 13 is a high speed uphill right hander that can launch you off track. Turn 4 is also a tricky right blind uphill. All in all a great challenging fun track.
 
Hello Addicts,
I want to get up to date here. Last weekend I ran at the NCM track in Bowling Green, Kentucky. That is the National Corvette Museum track. It was a very rainy weekend and got rained out completely once each day and did run several times on a very wet track with little rain. We had two sessions on each day that were good so we did get to run hard at those sessions. The event was held by Chin Track Days. They are a great group and run a good Program. Passing is with point bys in the first three levels and recommended in the advanced level. We ran the Grand Full course, 3.2 miles with 23 turns. The track is fast with some demanding sections. There is good run off in most locations if you cook a corner. There are nice garages available for $70.00 per day. Fuel and food is very close by. make sure you visit the Corvette Museum. There is a Hampton Inn very close by. The track was a challenge but quite wide for honing your lines.
The pavement is almost perfect.

I ran Tail of the Dragon (hwy 129)on my way down from Kentucky to Road Atlanta. Everyone should do that once.

I am at Road Atlanta running with NASA this weekend This is a very big track with lots of speed. I played golf twice at Chateau Elan Golf Course here in Braselton. The course is beautiful and very close to the track. Highly recommended if you like golf. I am staying at the Baymont Inn, A Wyndham property, close to the golf and the track.
I will be back with an update on Barber.
Are there any TMO members at this event???
Happy Father's Day and enjoy a safe fun weekend.
Bob
 

TymeSlayer

Tramps like us, Baby we were born to run...
3,787
2,740
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
Brighton, Colorado
Bob,

Glad you got to throw in the Tail of the Dragon. I hope to run it some day in the near future. Sounds like your having funon your trip across the US. Keep these updates coming.
 
Hello Addicts,
Well I have finally gotten a few minutes to catch up.
Road Atlanta:
Two weekends ago I ran with NASA at Road Atlanta. What a fantastic must do track!! Big, fast with more elevation changes than anywhere else I have been so far, you get a workout on every lap. The hill between 11 and 12 is a pucker factor every time. You are accelerating and shifting right at the top, line up on the bridge markers and hold on to your @#^% while you drop off the top of about a 100+ ft drop(estimated, maybe more) accelerating on the way down!! There are 3 spots on that track that put a smile on my face every lap. We had some carnage, 10-12 crashes requiring flat beds, 3 or 4 fires and 2 rollovers!! mostly in the Race Groups. No serious injuries I am happy to report. That track pushes you and you want to attack it.
The car is still running great. I am glad I picked it as the platform for my adventure.
Sebring:
I just got done with Sebring today. I ran with NASA again. The Florida Region does a great job. Jim and Luis run a great program. you run 4 25 minute sessions both days. We had a fantastic dinner Saturday night, included in your entry fee, with Prime Rib, fish and all the trimmings. It was hot 95+ degrees. I ran with my brother who rented a 2019 GT Premium and it ran good. The only place to stay Is the Seven Hotel, right at the track. It looks out over the top of the Iconic turn 7. Turn 7 is a hard 90 degree corner with a double kink after the 90. You brake from about 125+ and end up on the gators almost everytime. Turn 1 and 17 are high speed nail biters on uneven bumpy surfaces which keep it interesting. The garages are great. The grill is great, get in line early for lunch.
This is a must do track also. The history is everywhere, you feel it especially at the Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel at turn 7. Rooms are nice and the food is very good.
Well this will be my last post for a while. I am meeting my family in St Petersburg, Fla tomorrow for my Mother's 90th Birthday next weekend then back to Kona for fishing and golf for a month. My next event will be Pittsburg Raceway Park with Hooked on Driving Aug 10th and 11th then VIR Aug 17th and 18th with NASA , Mid Ohio Aug 23rd - 25th with NASA and then Watkins Glen with Chin on Sept 2nd and 3rd. I am trying for two more but have not decided yet what they will be.
I hope everyone had a great safe, fast weekend and enjoying the summer fun.
Embrace the track passion.
Aloha
Bob
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
8,422
8,346
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Blair, Nebraska
Good idea Bob, as Canada is close to 75 cents to our dollar , so things do go a very long way. Plus you are supporting our fellow North Americans and Molson is really cheap up there, ha!?
 

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