Boston Driver

...I only went for the social part of the event the night before and the 1st day. I wanted to be home this AM to see Jr. Driver off to Kindergarten!!!

The journey started Sunday, meeting CP from the NE forum on the Mass Turnpike to cruise together to Watkins Glen. We had a fairly smooth journey, a few speed traps that both CP's V1 and my Passport picked up early enough to slow down. One "instant-on" event, but luckily the trooper popped the van in front of us so we knew to slow down...

As we were getting closer to the Glen, we spotted a small chain of fine German cars in line, doing a bit of bob and weave to get past some slower moving cars...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/cruise1.jpg">

...including this nice C4 S6...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/cruise2.jpg">

...and this B5 A4/S4 (?)...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/cruise3.jpg">

We arrived safely at the Seneca Lodge, and parted our ways. I proceeded to meet up with the folks from Chicago, who left their homes AFTER CP and I left ours, and arrived BEFORE we did...the benefits of flying vs. driving I guess. After a few cold ones in the parking lot while observing the tech inspections, we went down the hill to dinner at the Lodge. We spotted this nice Bentley parked in front, and the Chi-town folks had to display their "official" salute...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/dinner1.jpg">

Our host for the evening (daveykid looking like he is going to do something inappropriate with his hands), and his wife, the infamous Janice of Team Janica Racing...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/dinner2.jpg">

Press and Fritz looking at the dessert menu wondering why there is nothing that is made with beer...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/dinner3.jpg">

...and Eric's birthday to celebrate!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/dinner4.jpg">

So, back up the hill for a few more cold ones, and to sleep after a long day on the road.

In the AM, we went to the track at 6AM to unload the truck full of the Chicago gang's rides. We arrived to see Press' car already out of the trailer... One mirror out, and one in...is the car flipping us the bird too???
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading1.jpg">

Big rig...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading2.jpg">

...crammed with goodies (Bill's S4 and Shon's Elise)...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading3.jpg">

...daveykid's TRAKSLT coming out...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading4.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading5.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading6.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading7.jpg">

...cars still packed tight!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading8.jpg">

daveykid going up the lift to help Shon get the Elise out...I think she was the only one in the group that could fit in that thing...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading9.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading10.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading11.jpg">

...phew! Safe on the ground at last!!! (BTW, she did not give me the Chicago salute!)
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/unloading12.jpg">

daveykid climbing into his TRAKSLT...and exercise in yoga...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG1.jpg">

oops! I think he heard me say that!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG2.jpg">

Just outside the Team Janica Racing Team garage was the 2Bennett gang from CA.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG3.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG4.jpg">

Can you believe that all this cr@p was from Press' trunk???
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG5.jpg">

..and this was ON his trunk...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG8.jpg">

More pics from the garage...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG6.jpg">
...virtually empty...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG7.jpg">
...getting full now...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG9.jpg">

...putting on the Team "colors" on Shon's car, which covered 50% of her windshield (I think)...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG10.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG11.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG12.jpg">

Doc Hudson???
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG15.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG16.jpg">

One of many RS4s in attendance...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG17.jpg">
...another pair of RS4s...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG18.jpg">
...and another RS4...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG25.jpg">

...a nice S8 (but I did not see numbers on it for the track)...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG20.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG21.jpg">

...but the Bentley had numbers, as did the S-class...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG30.jpg">

...this looked interesting...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG26.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG27.jpg">

"Uncle Bill" making some announcements...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG24.jpg">

...4driver4 listening VERY carefully to Uncle Bill...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG29.jpg">

...while Press was outside trying to NOT really listen to the instructor announcement session...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG28.jpg">

...NoahD getting his Mini ready for the track...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG32.jpg">
...and off he goes...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG34.jpg">

Janica's VERY new tires...I bet the labels were worn off before she made her 1st turn on the track, I think someone thought they were putting TJR stickers on the tires now...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG33.jpg">

Ummm, this guy is going to track the Hudson???
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG35.jpg">

Press and student getting ready to head out...I feared for that student...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG36.jpg">
...the salute!!!
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG37.jpg">

Team colors hanging proudly...hmmm....nobody around and keys are here...hmmm...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG38.jpg">

Overall, it was a fun visit. I did get a ride from Press for a few laps around the track. Interesting to see what the big girl can do out there. For contrast, I rode a few laps with Noah, who has the advantage of more local knowledge of the track and a car that is a bit more agile. Luckily, I was able to watch the speeds on the speedometer in Noah's Mini since it is mounted in the center of the dash...WOW!!! Yes, my palms got a bit sweaty...

Big thanks to Press and Noah for the laps on the track, daveykid for hosting, and the Chicago gang for letting me hang out with them...even though the Red Sox just finished the sweep of the Red/White sox series!!!

Kudos to the NEQ for running a good event, seemed very organized and everyone had a smile on their face! I am looking forward to some time on the track soon...

Oh, and BD was here...
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG39.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG40.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG41.jpg">

pierreb

nice, how long did it take you to get there?

Boston Driver

...and 6 1/2 hours to come back (including a few rest stops and one of these stops...oops!

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/Watkins_Glen/WG42.jpg">

I was going 80 in a 65 to pass a trailer hauling an oversized fabricated house. Route 88 is two-lanes, so I had to punch it to pass...exactly at the wrong time.

I actually had the cruise set to 67+/- because the nav said I'd still get home in time to give Jr. Driver his bath and put him to bed. Oh well. 1st ticket, and my insurance agent confirmed that the points are waived for the 1st offense. I don't think I am going to contest it because I did speed up to pass the truck, and it is a 3.5 hour ride back if I wanted a court appearance.

Oh well...it just means the cruise to Hartford for me will be setting the cruise control at 65.

Boston Driver

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/IMGP2422.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/IMGP2423.jpg">

alms_TT_ny

Nice pics! Looks like a fun time.

mirth

...not even as a freebie.

not that I've ever gotten a ticket in new york, of course :-)

S4andTLS

What state did you get the tkt?

GDawgA4

just says points assessed: 0 but still listed.

S4andTLS

None of my out of state tkts have ever appeared on my driving record.

GDawgA4

It all depends on the state and if they report back to your home state.