Summer Cobra Adventure : Seattle to LA and Back - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

CobraDVM · 02-04-2011, 03:57 PM

I've posted this in the NW forum, but I wanted to post it here as well. There's a group of us that are heading down to LA from Seattle, stopping at Napa for a day, as well as two days scheduled at a couple of tracks - Buttonwillow and Thunderhill. The track days are listed below. If you are up for any/all of this, feel free to join us for the CA part of the journey or just for the track days or whatever. We're meeting SJDave in Napa, and he's going to join us for the trip down to LA and back up to Thunderhill. Here's a few more details, and let me know if you have any other questions.

I think it's time to post up a few details of a trip a few of us in the Seattle area are planning. There are at least 4 of us that are planning a 2 week trip departing Seattle on Saturday or Sunday July 2nd or 3rd. From there we head down I5 to Portland, and then head over to the coast.
Then it's down Highway 101 all the way to Napa Valley. We're planning on staying in Napa for a day or so for wine tasting and eating at fine restaurants!
After Napa we cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head on down the coast passing through Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, and San Lius Obispo. Eventually we'll arrive in LA and hook up with the LA crowd for dinner hopefully.
Then next morning we're planning on doing Mulholland Drive, and then we're driving up to Button Willow to do a track day the next day (Saturday July 10th).
After that we head up Highway 395 through Sequoia and Yosemite to Reno and then across to Thunderhill where we have a second track day scheduled on Thursday July 14th.
The next couple of days we basically hoof it back up to Portland and Seattle via I5 arriving back home on Saturday July 16th or thereabouts.

We've been in touch with SJDave, and if we can get 15 cobras at Thunderhiill on the 14th, there's a good chance we could have a dedicated cobra run group. So even if you can't join us for the trip, if you can make it for the track day, that would be awesome.

So far the intrepid travellers include..
Howard Robinson (ie me - CobraDVM)
Arch Fonken (Arch F)
Nate Hines (Nate)
Joe Caropepe (caropepe).
Dave (SJDave) - joining us from Napa to Thunderhill

If you would like to join us, just post to this thread, or shoot me a PM. Feel free to join us for a day or for the whole 14 days or somewhere in between. I have a mailing group setup and I can add people who are interested. I have a spreadsheet started and I forward that out as things get updated.

Also feel free to add suggestions etc - nothing is really set in stone other than the track days.

I can't wait - yeah - there's risks of bad weather, and breakdowns etc, but we're basically going to prepare as best we can, and then just go for it.

djfong · 02-04-2011, 08:29 PM

I may meet you guys for the day in Napa. I'll see if I can round up others to go for the day. Nothing like hanging out in Napa. Maybe follow you guy's down to Monterey too.

Be great to put faces to names I always see here.

My wife will be in Japan during that time for pleasure, so it'll be a good opportunity to take off and play.

Look forward to more info as it gets closer.

Danny

MVM · 02-11-2011, 11:54 PM

"I can't wait - yeah - there's risks of bad weather......"

Howard, this isn't Seattle. Other than the coast having fog and that burning off by noon, you will have good weather. It probably rains once between May and October; every day is sunny. If anything it might be too hot for you.

Let us know when your trip is getting closer and we can give you some good winery recommendations.

Mike

SJDave · 02-13-2011, 04:36 PM

Hey Mike,

We're thinking about staying at El Bonita in ST Helena, we plan to be at Neal Winery up in Anquin at 11:30, my brother in law is the Winemaker. We will have a BBQ lunch there for all that join us.

We should have time for one or two stops before heading up to Anquin (Silver Oak & Plumpjack?), I was thinking after lunch we would hit Duckhorn and Chateau Montalena, good photo ops at the second...wind through Calistoga and maybe hit a couple more (Tinchero & Beringer) before cleaning up for dinner.

Any personal favorites or better choices you can suggest?

Pass the word on Thunderhill on the 14th, be great if we could get our own run group, need 20 cars. Can sign up on line at "Hooked on Driving" for the "A" beginner group. Car inspection is your responsibility and you will sign a waiver. Tires show sufficient tread left for all sessions (5 total), brakes should be bled before going and suggest using a high temp brake fluid like ATE GOLD. They rent helmets for the day, you will needed racing rated sunglasses or eye protection. That's about it. We may get a discount if enough guys sign up and our own run group.

Dave (SJDave)

Dave

SJDave · 02-16-2011, 04:12 PM

We have arranged for some good discounts with XtremeSpeed at Buttonwillow for July 10th and Hooked on Driving for July 14th Track Days, if you have time to join us. The Hooked on Driving day is for Sports and Exotics so there will be some pretty cool cars there to watch and get a ride alongs, also lower group sizes and lots of track time.

If you are interested in joining us for either of the track days, which both organizations have OK'd our cars.... if they have a suitable Roll Bar ( like the FFR one) and seat belts (like the FFR supplied ones) and eye protection (Full face helmet, Racing goggles, or racing sunglasses). You must complete a safety inspection yourself and submit the day of the event, or have a shop do it if you do not feel you are qualified.

PM me if you are interested in going to either event, and I will give you the "CODE" to get the discounts when registering on line.

Hope you can join us,
Dave

vaporeyz · 03-16-2011, 06:17 PM

Wow sounds like a really great road trip.
If I can get my rebuild done by then I will definitely meet up with you guys as you make your way south through Sacramento, and down to Napa. There may be a few of us from Sac that would join in for part of the trip, I make some calls.
Brian

289FIA_Cobra · 03-16-2011, 08:22 PM

Dave, I'm very close to finishing the motor (again); just waiting on a clutch.

If I get enough miles on the rebuild and feel confident it's sealed well, then I may just meet you up on Napa, and then again, in Button Willow but I can't promise the later.

Oh, thanks again for the Lizard Skin. I have to laugh at my first attempt; the cardboard test went fine, HOWEVER, I forgot how confined I was AND forgot to dial back my compressor to 60psi (it was at 90!). Spooged the first set of shots as I was only inches away due to sitting in the engine bay. I finally figured out I was at 90psi and dialed it back down. It's looking good now.

Ok, sorry for the hijack.....

SJDave · 03-17-2011, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaporeyz

Wow sounds like a really great road trip.
If I can get my rebuild done by then I will definitely meet up with you guys as you make your way south through Sacramento, and down to Napa. There may be a few of us from Sac that would join in for part of the trip, I make some calls.
Brian

Hey Brian,

Send me you regular Email address and I will send you the itinerary and instructions for registering for Thunderhill on the 14th with Hooked on Driving. Be nice to get a larger group for Thunderhill..only the 5 of us so far and maybe Glenn Evans who plan to meet us in Reno for the drive down to Thunderhill. You can always come out to Thunderhill for the day to spectate also, should be alot of great cars there that day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 289FIA_Cobra

Dave, I'm very close to finishing the motor (again); just waiting on a clutch.

If I get enough miles on the rebuild and feel confident it's sealed well, then I may just meet you up on Napa, and then again, in Button Willow but I can't promise the later.

The Track Days are limited space and usually sell out about 3 weeks before the date, so keep that in mind if you want to do the Track Day.

Oh, thanks again for the Lizard Skin. I have to laugh at my first attempt; the cardboard test went fine, HOWEVER, I forgot how confined I was AND forgot to dial back my compressor to 60psi (it was at 90!). Spooged the first set of shots as I was only inches away due to sitting in the engine bay. I finally figured out I was at 90psi and dialed it back down. It's looking good now.

Ok, sorry for the hijack.....

Dop...should have mentioned the sensitivity to the compressor setting, sorry...glad to hear it turned out OK.

Got my new clutch and TRanny yesterday from Mike Forte, old system is ready to pull out tomorrow, hope to have the new stuff in by Friday night. Doing Thunderhill on Saturday, so probably mid week before she is running again.

SJDave · 04-24-2011, 04:32 PM

Things start to fill up for these track days in 3 or 4 weeks, time to decide if you are interested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJDave

We have arranged for some good discounts with XtremeSpeed at Buttonwillow for July 10th and Hooked on Driving for July 14th Track Days, if you have time to join us. The Hooked on Driving day is for Sports and Exotics so there will be some pretty cool cars there to watch and get a ride alongs, also lower group sizes and lots of track time.

If you are interested in joining us for either of the track days, which both organizations have OK'd our cars.... if they have a suitable Roll Bar ( like the FFR one) and seat belts (like the FFR supplied ones) and eye protection (Full face helmet, Racing goggles, or racing sunglasses). You must complete a safety inspection yourself and submit the day of the event, or have a shop do it if you do not feel you are qualified.

PM me if you are interested in going to either event, and I will give you the "CODE" to get the discounts when registering on line.

Hope you can join us,
Dave

Arch F · 04-27-2011, 01:28 AM

I'm in. This should be a fun trip and great track days.
Arch

SJDave · 06-10-2011, 05:59 AM

Slots still available for both July 10th and 14th..PM me for sign up info, love to have you join us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJDave

We have arranged for some good discounts with XtremeSpeed at Buttonwillow for July 10th and Hooked on Driving for July 14th Track Days, if you have time to join us. The Hooked on Driving day is for Sports and Exotics so there will be some pretty cool cars there to watch and get a ride alongs, also lower group sizes and lots of track time.

If you are interested in joining us for either of the track days, which both organizations have OK'd our cars.... if they have a suitable Roll Bar ( like the FFR one) and seat belts (like the FFR supplied ones) and eye protection (Full face helmet, Racing goggles, or racing sunglasses). You must complete a safety inspection yourself and submit the day of the event, or have a shop do it if you do not feel you are qualified.

PM me if you are interested in going to either event, and I will give you the "CODE" to get the discounts when registering on line.

Hope you can join us,
Dave

vaporeyz · 06-15-2011, 11:36 PM

Hey guys I have had a few medical setbacks recently. I havent done jack sh!t on the car.
Have a blast, and please post photos.
I will have to catch you guys next year if you do this again.
Brian

SJDave · 06-16-2011, 04:29 AM

Sorry to hear of your issues, life sucks when you don't feel good enough to work on your car. I've been struggling to get my engine back in after a thrust bearing failure...still iffy if I will have it ready in time. I have a back up car to take but it ain't a Cobra.....( stock BMW M3) ...but it is sure fun on the track! Can't wait to compare the Cobra on the track.

Good luck Brian!

vaporeyz · 06-16-2011, 05:03 AM

Hey Dave thanks,
I hope you guys have a blast. Gee only an M3 for the track???!!! ;-)
You will have fun no matter.
Brian

CobraDVM · 06-16-2011, 05:10 AM

Hey Brian - sorry to hear you can't make it - hope you are on the road to feeling better soon.

vaporeyz · 06-17-2011, 05:16 AM

Hey Howard, thanks again, Im just really bummed im not able to get on the road and meet up with you guys. I plan on getting on the road by late august -september, but you know how that goes.... Please post some pics after the trip :-)
Great motivation
Brian

Arch F · 06-17-2011, 04:53 PM

Brian,
We will be comming through Sacramento on our way down form Reno. Maybe we can stop by or get lunch with you. You are of course welcome to come up for the track day and be part of the pit crew. I know I could use the support

Sorry to hear that your car won't be ready but there is always next year,
Arch

vaporeyz · 06-21-2011, 06:26 AM

You know lunch sounds good. I can't remember which day you pass through. I don't think I can make the track days. I have alot going on those days. I just need more time to heal and start feeling better.
You guys are going to have a blast!
Brian

SJDave · 06-27-2011, 08:53 PM

BUMP - Still space available if you have time to join the Seattle 3 for some track time. Hope to see you there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJDave

We have arranged for some good discounts with XtremeSpeed at Buttonwillow for July 10th and Hooked on Driving for July 14th Track Days, if you have time to join us. The Hooked on Driving day is for Sports and Exotics so there will be some pretty cool cars there to watch and get a ride alongs, also lower group sizes and lots of track time.

If you are interested in joining us for either of the track days, which both organizations have OK'd our cars.... if they have a suitable Roll Bar ( like the FFR one) and seat belts (like the FFR supplied ones) and eye protection (Full face helmet, Racing goggles, or racing sunglasses). You must complete a safety inspection yourself and submit the day of the event, or have a shop do it if you do not feel you are qualified.

PM me if you are interested in going to either event, and I will give you the "CODE" to get the discounts when registering on line.

Hope you can join us,
Dave

Arch F · 06-27-2011, 10:08 PM

Dave,
I'm glad this has all come together and want to thank you for putting your part together.

Do you have any sense of what time we will be done on the 14th? I have no idea how late HOD goes.

Looking forward to seeing you in a few days,
Arch

SJDave · 06-27-2011, 11:00 PM

Thanks Arch, just wish my car were ready....looks like July 12th to get the engine back now.

Sessions start at 8:30 in the morning, you are paying for (5) 25 minute sessions....last session for "A" group typically starts around 4:30. Obviously you can call it quits anytime or skip sessions during the day, totally up to you.