A Day at Bristol Motor Speedway
Day 2 of our Corvette Caravan trip left us with a good day of fun at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennesee. I was scheduled for 2 rounds on the track (each was 10 laps!) and two trips down the drag strip. This was a great experience - hitting the same road where Nascar events are held. Although I'm not a Nascar fan, flying on a track was very cool. I definately enjoyed the track over the drag strip.
Our mini-carvan at Bristol.
Like the lions entering the Roman coliseum, our Corvettes entered the ring...some of us with the mighty roar of the sidepipes (actually, only me). The Bristol crew brought 50 cars into the oval track per session and proceeded to line us up in the oval's center in groups of 10. AACC members happened to be in row # 5, so we anxiously awaited our turn while watching other Vettes on the track.
I was car # 2 for the first round, behind the Pace Car & a black C5. We were told the pace would be around 70 MPH unless we pushed the pace car - so I did. I tailgated the C5 in front of me for encouragement. After all groups took their respective turn, those few that signed up for 2 rounds did it again. I was the only club member to go twice - and I am sure glad I did. Although I was car # 10 in round 2, I managed to tailgate the C5 in front of me - just as I did in round 1. Of the 50 cars in this session, I was the only non C4/C5 car...and my pipes let everyone know it. Thanks to Don & Dan for providing this very cool pic.
That's me on the track:
The pace car allowed us to reach about 80 MPH.
You had to grip the wheel with both hands! The road was pitched at an angle (I think 35 degrees).
Well, at least I heard the roar of the fans in my head...
Waiting for Round 2!
Above: Don & Dan provided me with another cool shot of the track. It's a great view of the 35 degree angle. Cars in order for Round 1 (left to right): Bristol Pace car (a new Monte Carlo), unknown black C5, my orange '72, Al's C5, Louise & Joe's red '87, another unknown C5, Rich's pewter '00 and, of course, Don & Dan.
Well the drag strip was also very cool - but too short! Here's a great view from above: I'm on the left, Don & Dan on the right. This is among the best pics of the entire trip!
On the drag strip at Bristol:
Well, I'll be honest - I did about 17 secs on round 1 of the 1/4 mile - I was a bit slow off the lights (hey, this was my first time). I also didn't want to beat the car up...afterall, I still had over 1,000 miles to go on the trip!
That's me on the right, and Don & his son, Dan, on the left. We danced twice with funny results: Dan jumped the light once & my car nearly stalled - but it was all in great fun. Don's car is a very pretty, low mileage 1994 with a rare copper color. Our cars are similar in color making the caravan a bit more colorful. If I had to buy a C4 - this would be the color I'd get!
My best time for the day, achieved on round 2 (when I almost stalled at the line!).