Check out the GTS Challenge, hosted by NASA.
First event of the season is Double Sprints at VIR/Long Course on Feb. 18/19. The 17th is a test & tune day. Register at nasaracing.net/VIR_Feb_06/event.htm

Our full GTS schedule is posted at gtschallenge.com/schedule.htm
You'll find something for everyone from the Southeast, Mid Atlantic, Ohio/Indiana regions. New this year are regions in Southern & Northern California as well as the addition of Rocky Mountains. Give us a try if you haven't done so already!

Olivier Raoust
GTS Challenge Director | Mid Atlantic Region
#711 GTS3 BMW
olivier@raoust.com

What kind of snow tires are you using? ;)Is VIR usually driveable by mid feb?

I'm down for this one...hope to make the test day too.

I went last year and it was cold as balls but the event went off without a hitch. An enclosed trailer is a HUGE bonus with temps/wind like this...time to buy a space heater or two.

Home Depot had a sale on those Propane "heat throwers," thatd be key in this situation. Same ones they use at football games for the players.

http://www.air-n-water.com/photos/2259-b.jpg

But they stink like hell...electric would be less efficient but less smelly too.

What kind of snow tires are you using? ;)Is VIR usually driveable by mid feb?

i was at vir twice in feb this year and the first weekend it was very mild (decently "warm" and no wind)...the following weekend (NASA), it was cold as hell and windy...i spent a lot of time sitting in the trailer next to the heater...

its hit or miss at vir in feb, i think an event or two got snowed out in feb of '04...

What's a little cold amongst friends? Besides, the engines run a lot cooler and make more power!.. as do the drivers, I might add. Statistics show that there are far fewer mishaps and accidents that time of year on the track than in the heat of the season (no pun intended). You know the old saying... cooler heads do prevail.

Olivier Raoust
GTS Challenge Director | Mid Atlantic Region
#711 GTS3 BMW
olivier@raoust.com

Statistics show that there are far fewer mishaps and accidents that time of year on the track than in the heat of the season (no pun intended).

Now that you've said that, carnage is guaranteed. I'm just hoping there's no hot 'avus on avus' action if you know what I mean.

What's a little cold amongst friends? Besides, the engines run a lot cooler and make more power!.. as do the drivers, I might add. Statistics show that there are far fewer mishaps and accidents that time of year on the track than in the heat of the season (no pun intended). You know the old saying... cooler heads do prevail.

Olivier Raoust
GTS Challenge Director | Mid Atlantic Region
#711 GTS3 BMW
olivier@raoust.com

The VIR event that I just came back from proved otherwise.

Mind you this was a Chin Motorsports event but a car crashed every 20-25 minutes on the first day in the solo run group. The track was very cold and apparently nobody seemed to believe it, lots of the incidents were on the warm up lap. We didn't see the checkered flag until the end of the day, most sessions ended with a black flag.

-Carlos.

I'm just hoping there's no hot 'avus on avus' action if you know what I mean.

you mean between you and j. weaver? ;)

Where has he been by the way....if things go horribly wrong we can get an Avus menage a trois going.

Where has he been by the way....if things go horribly wrong we can get an Avus menage a trois going.

i talked to him a few weeks back...he's always pretty busy

hopefully i wont be involved with you guys...i figure you'll be back there holding off the gts2 cars so you might have some good racing with him :redspot ;)

The VIR event that I just came back from proved otherwise.

Mind you this was a Chin Motorsports event but a car crashed every 20-25 minutes on the first day in the solo run group. The track was very cold and apparently nobody seemed to believe it, lots of the incidents were on the warm up lap. We didn't see the checkered flag until the end of the day, most sessions ended with a black flag.

Carlos, i'd remind you that an HPDE isn't the same as a race group. Moreover, this being the first race weekend of the season, no one's out to total their equpiment first time out... hence my earlier comment. That isn't a guarantee for the 'stupid move of the weekend' award not to be awarded, however.

Olivier Raoust

now i just need NASA's official dyno shop list...

Look for the DynoJet locations in the Mid Atlantic Dynojets thread on the GTS Challenge Forum > nasaforums.com/viewforum.php?f=44
There are other regions/threads listed there as well.

You'll need to have the Dynamometer certification form filled out which you can get from the GTS Challenge website on the Rules page > gtschallenge.com/rules.htm

Dyno certification is mandatory for ALL racers (current GTS and newbies) starting in 06 with your first event - in this case VIR. The top 3 finishers in all GTS classes will also be impounded and subject to random dyno checks.

Feel free to contact me at olivier@raoust.com with your questions and comments.

Olivier Raoust
GTS Challenge Director | Mid Atlantic Region
#711 GTS3 BMW

Its the tires i'd be worried about in the cold. If you have slicks outside while its below freezing...say goodbye to them :)