[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by Checkmate1

After reading the entire journal and also as a ZLE owner who will be going to VIR later this year, I have to ask, considering your experience and misfortune on track - what items (parts/spares etc.) would you suggest I bring to the track (to prevent a panic stricken hustle to get home)?

Like you - I have no trailer. I live in MD and have to drive down to VIR and back.

Sorry for the delay -- I wasn't checking the forum much over the winter.

I do carry some spare parts with me to the track -- not much. I do bring a lot of tools with me just in case -- awl & hammer to pop out the caliper pins for pad change, floor jack, jack stands, chocks, ratchet & sockets, ratcheting wrenches, battery-powered impact gun, battery-powered tire inflator, tire pressure gauge, TPMS relearn tool.

• Extra set of brake pads
• Spare spark plugs
• Mobil 1 15W-50
• Castrol SRF
• Spare belt
• Spare ignition coil

[RamAir02]

Had my first event of the season at VIR this past weekend with PCA Potomac. While I was driving in the Black run group with other PCA chapters last year, Potamac put me in the Blue run group -- they're quite strict and don't honor promotions or driving history from other chapters. Honestly, it was fine -- I put my pride aside and tried to get as much as I could out of having an instructor. While it was technically my second time at VIR, I barely got any time on track last year with my belt letting loose and having food poisoning. Thus, I was basically starting from scratch in learning the track and it's helpful to have an instructor in that circumstance.

It was a great weekend overall. Super windy which you could feel on various parts of the track, especially in the turn 1 braking zone and going over the hump on the long back straight.

Lots of good progress -- Friday was SLOW (like 2:12 slow!) and was all about learning. By Sunday, my best lap time was 2:05.38. I know the car has a several more seconds in her, but I was satisfied and I'm sure I'll get quicker with additional seat time. Focus was on SMOOTH.

I also picked up a trailer from a buddy over the winter, as well as an Escalade for tow duty. This was my first time towing. Had to get a 6 inch drop hitch to level out the trailer -- the Escalade sits high. I'm shit at reversing the trailer, but it was a smooth experience. 8 hours down on Thursday, 8 hours back on Sunday after my last session. Got home about 1:30 AM.

[Checkmate1]

Ah! A trailer changes things! I live in a classic militant HOA community where that's a no go sadly.