TOP GUN in Helena, MT 8-13/14-2016

[Mkelder]

I'm registered for the update coming event at Helena, MT. I know a few of our members have been to this event in the past and they all recommend it. There are fewer than 20 spots remaining in this last week of registration so if anyone is on the fence now is the time to decide and get locked in.

Looks like the event will hit the cap of 125 for this 30th year annual event.

I will probably be camping on site for free, hot showers and toilets on site, food vendor ect.

Can I convince anyone else to come? Looked like I was the only SASC member so far cruising the list.

[MurrayPeterson]

I really wanted to make it this year, but we are on the wrong side of the continent.  We will also miss the event at YYC

[Mkelder]

9 spots remaining...

[Wayne Dyck]

I'm registered for the update coming event at Helena, MT. I know a few of our members have been to this event in the past and they all recommend it. There are fewer than 20 spots remaining in this last week of registration so if anyone is on the fence now is the time to decide and get locked in.

Matt, this is a great event that I've attended in previous years. Great venue, great competition.
Unfortunately this year I'll miss TOP GUN.
I'm committed to the VCMC Summer Blitz event preparing for Lincoln with Ryan.
Enjoy and say Hi to James, Jonathan, the Mikes brothers, really the whole crew down there for me.

[Mkelder]

Looks like fun, might have to try and have to add vcmc to my radar for next year.

[Mkelder]

Well, made it into Helena this evening. Opted not to camp on site, in a cozy hotel!

Got a course walk in just before dark, up early to make sure I get a few looks at it in the light. Not a confusing course to figure out but not without the tricky elements to get yourself into trouble with if your not well planned out. Not to mention the road course section which just begs you to "go flat out" and end up in the dirt!

If I'm near wifi after tomorrows runs ill post day ones vid up. I heard chatter that they want to get six runs in for everyone per day.

[MurrayPeterson]

Say hi to everyone from Jo and me.  Tell Jonathan (FRS in STX) and logr (blue S2000 in BS) that I am sorry to have missed another chance to battle them.

[Terry Johns]

Good luck Matt

[Mkelder]

Almost a terrible day at Helena! I got going a little later than planned and arrive at venue with 1 hour left for tech. As I pull into parking area I see a little puff of smoke from the engine bay and that terribly sweet smell of anti freeze!

I hardly had time to unload and set my tires for racing and now this? I thought for sure my day was done before it had even started. Quick inspection found my upper rad hose rubbed a pulley and a little pin hole popped.

I went to tech and talked to some friendly officals and they said do what you can do and well let you race if it doesn't take too long. I used a rubber patch kit I had and some gorilla tape and sealed that sucker up and went to the nearest autozone get the the hose (in stock and everything!).

I get back and go strait to tech. They clear me for the day of racing and I say great, now to go do this hose replacement. Tech guy says nope, get into grid your running right now!!!

So no course walk this morning, nervous as heck about my patch job on hose and now it is time to race.

Off I go, remembering the start of the course just fine and hit the turn around of the road course and spin a 180 but keeping in on the road just barely! Finish the run a little shaky to be honest and proceed to cone 3 on the next run and 1 on last run but got the course down now and we get three more runs to get it right as it is 6 runs first day with fastest ones of each day!

Afternoon I replace that patched hose, no time for lunch but get the course right in the second half, get a little braver on road course and get a good run in the books. Me in the 255 71R's vs the 315 A7's of the 1st places me behind on time but right in there for any compensation that can be made for tire differences. I believe I was 2nd out of 6 at this point so I cant complain.

Murray and Jo are missed by the regulars here, and I'm the only Canadian I believe!

https://youtu.be/_NEYmZ60Tc4

[Canuck]

Way to go Matt - nice job on to repair.  BTDT, not a lot of fun!

[Reijo]

Ooo....well done, dude!  Good luck tomorrow!

R

[MurrayPeterson]

Well done!  Good luck tomorrow; you are the only one to hld up the Canadian "side"
 

[Terry Johns]

Well done Matt

[Mkelder]

Some might say it is typical of me at times but I really had to earn this one.....


Also managed a better reward

[Terry Johns]

You just gotta hate them cones.

Well done Matt, thanks for including us in your weekend

As long as you keep hitting them cones I might have a chance of beating you