Another Fun Day At Road Atlanta

[RussMcB]

Whenever I take my car to the track, I think of (and thank) the people who made these cars track worthy - Jim Minneker, John Heinricy, Kim Baker, ... These cars can take it!

[tf95ZR1]

Cool pics!
So tell us about your adventure(s).
Listening to tunes while on the track?
Your antenna's up :-)

[RussMcB]

Originally Posted by tf95ZR1

Listening to tunes while on the track?
Your antenna's up :-)

Ha, yea, noticed that in the pictures. Didn't even think about it during the track day. It just came up when I started the car. Always had a helmet on, with an intercom radio.

Can't think of anything too exciting to say about the track day. It was with a great club called "Jzilla". They put on a fun, safe, laid back event with plenty of track time. I was an instructor. My student for the day had a nice, track-prepped Miata. There was a forecast of isolated showers but we had good weather. It was overcast much of the day, which helped, but it was still hot (and I still got a bit sunburned).

One of the positives to come from the event was I found out my ZR-1 fit inside my new-to-me 18' enclosed trailer. The tape measure said it would fit, but not much room for anything else. The left side door made it much easier. It would have been a real challenge without it.

[ZR1North]

Fantastic pics, Russ. I thought the same thing as Ted when I saw the first pic with the antenna up. The 2nd pic made me think you had an "Australian Zee" until I took a closer look and saw the steering wheel on the left side. What are you pulling your trailer with? I am contemplating buying a Tahoe since I don't have must use for a pickup - any experience towing with a large SUV?

[RussMcB]

Originally Posted by ZR1North

What are you pulling your trailer with? I am contemplating buying a Tahoe since I don't have must use for a pickup - any experience towing with a large SUV?

There are many variables to consider, but there's a good chance a Tahoe would be good. Size and weight of the trailer, truck's towing capacity, hills or flat, hot or cool weather, etc. My current tow vehicle is a Chevy Avalanche 2500. My last was an ambulance. They all have pros and cons. I'd strive for safety/stability first, reliability next, then whatever fits your requirements. Trailer brakes are pretty much a requirement.

[conesare2seconds]

You'll want to look for a 3/4 ton tow vehicle with your enclosed trailer. The longer roof of an SUV is a little help with Aero compared to a pickup with an open bed. I went with a 2500 Suburban with the (now discontinued) 8.1L. The 6.0 is more common and pulls well, it's not a penalty choice. The biggest advantage of 3/4 ton over half ton is the transmission, some half tons don't like to tow in overdrive or can tow in overdrive but should be shifted to 3rd when stopping.

I previously had a 7.3 Powerstroke in an extended cab F250 Superduty and it was a great truck but the later Ford diesels can be problematic. Gas v. Diesel is a raging debate and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Because I only towed occasionally the bottom line for me was a gas was cheaper to maintain and cheaper to buy and was the better choice when I bought the Suburban.

One other small note about an SUV compared to a truck: consider turning radius if you'll be using it for any kind of errand running. Your trailer isn't a 5th wheel so you don't need a long wheelbase truck. Comparing the GM pickups to the Suburban the SUV has a shorter wheelbase and is therefore way easier to park than even a short-box pickup. The Excursion is a good SUV and the wheelbase is only slightly longer than the Suburban but still much shorter than Ford's trucks.

[ZR1North]

Thanks, gents - quite helpful!

[ZWILD1]

Road Atlanta is awesome. I was lucky to watch Paul Newman race and win there driving his Bob Sharp 280 Z back in 1980. But what really got my attention was watching all the C2 and C3 Corvettes racing there. I will share some of my pics from back then. But so cool to see a C4 racing around Road Atlanta.

[ZWILD1]

A few more pics from Road Atlanta