Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

[David G.]

Our fearless "Corvette Restorer" spent some time on the road course at the Poconos
raceway last weekend. He put his sticky tires back on his Z07 and took some
serious driving lessons. He spent the first day with an instructor and was signed off
to run solo for the second day.
It may take a while to wipe the smile from his face. Check him out in Boston
to see if the smile has subsided yet.

Dave Gray

[Mark L.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

Vinnie is an inspiration to us all! I could see the smile over the phone when we talked on Monday.

[Mark D.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

Vineyard, hanging it out!!!

Excellent pic...thanks for posting.

[Bill H.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

Disclaimer: This can be just as addictive as doing a restoration. We had a 2 day event last weekend, I did 8 sessions in the right seat and 2 in my C4. It's Wednesday morning and I'm already thinking about the next event.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

As Bill said above, can be just as addictive as restoration...and I'm now hooked and can't wait to go back again. The learning experience, between the classroom and actual in car driving with the instructor is a sure way to improve your driving ability, not just on the track, but making you a better everyday driver also. I was very fortunate that my instructor had a 2012 Corvette Z06 with the exact same performance options (Z07) package as my car...my first runs were about 40-45 seconds slower per lap than he was doing in his car as I rode along. However, by the end of the day I was running about 12-15 seconds slower than his lap times and I was extremely pleased with my times at that point. I improved almost 30 seconds from my first few runs to the end of the day, which I thought was pretty good for someone who had never driven on a track, nor did I ever have the good fortune to have professional instruction on a track in my car. I can honestly say those Michelin Pilot Sport Cup sticky tires saved my sorry butt a few times over the weekend!!! And I'm still grinning ear to ear!

[Dick W.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

Vinnie had trouble talking yesterday, his grin was getting in the way.

[Roy S.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

I can honestly say those Michelin Pilot Sport Cup sticky tires saved my sorry butt a few times over the weekend!!!

So you actually think it was the tires? I think you need to reevaluate that comment their worthless without the brake and suspension package in the car they are attached to Glad you had a good time.

[Bill H.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

That's an excellent improvement in lap times for your first event Vinnie. That puts you in the top 15% of first time drivers. I know this because I've been instructing foe 16 years and I train new instructors for SCCA. Sounds like you got a good instructor. Yep, it will make you a better everyday driver. Your second event will be even better because you're going to be way more comfortable in the car and, if you go back to Pocono, you'll already be familiar with the track. BTW, I raced that track on 2 wheels a very long time ago when I lived in Pa.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

So you actually think it was the tires? I think you need to reevaluate that comment their worthless without the brake and suspension package in the car they are attached to Glad you had a good time.

I stand corrected...and yes you did say/advise me of that the other day when we were talking...my bad...crs setting in

[Roy S.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

I stand corrected...and yes you did say/advise me of that the other day when we were talking...my bad...crs setting in

Man you don't need to apologize to me, remember my text when you were in the staging lane for your solo run, "Hammer down, You've got BIG brakes and a great suspension" I left the performance driving schools I attended, thinking - what a car!

[Michael J.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

I was very fortunate that my instructor had a 2012 Corvette Z06 with the exact same performance options (Z07) package as my car...my first runs were about 40-45 seconds slower per lap than he was doing in his car as I rode along. However, by the end of the day I was running about 12-15 seconds slower than his lap times and I was extremely pleased with my times at that point. I improved almost 30 seconds from my first few runs to the end of the day, which I thought was pretty good for someone who had never driven on a track, nor did I ever have the good fortune to have professional instruction on a track in my car. I can honestly say those Michelin Pilot Sport Cup sticky tires saved my sorry butt a few times over the weekend!!! And I'm still grinning ear to ear!

I'd be willing to bet your car would have done better Vinnie, after all, the engine in your car is far superior to this assembly line thing.
And is that blue painter's tape standard equipment on Z06's these days, how stylish!

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Our "Restorer" Editor running at the POCONOS

And is that blue painter's tape standard equipment on Z06's these days, how stylish!

The added wind resistance from the tape probably slowed me down a few seconds a lap too.