kgorman

<center><img src="http://www.thetwoofus.com/albums/bw/DSCN0070.jpg"></center><p>I went ahead and went to the Buttonwillow day with Speed Ventures. Here are some hightlights/lowlights:

- overall kick *** time, Buttonwillow is really fun with the S4. Track was dry, sun was out, and for the most part not too much traffic.

- Speed Ventures is very loose compared to an ACNA event. You pick your level, you fill out your own tech sheet, you drive alone if you want, etc. I like ACNA more to be honest. Most everyone was very professional about driving and safe. I would go to another event from Speed Ventures. I would not recommend it for your first time, or first time at any given track. For me, I had been to Buttonwillow before so I went to intermediate. I think it was a perfect level for me.

- MUD: The infield was muddy, and this caused big time problems, mainly because how Speed Ventures lets you pick your level/category. I picked intermediate, but some people who where really intermediate or beginner but had fast cars picked advanced. I am guessing its because they thought since they had fast cars they should do that. Long story short, there were about 8-10 cars off track. Vettes, Carreras, etc. All fast cars. Sure people go off, but sheez, that many? It caused us to only get 3 sessions vs 4. L A M E.

- Timing: Speed Ventures offered transponders for timing.. Timing was cool, but I got to admit, there is really no need for it at my skill level. It just adds to the 'red mist' of driving. I could also see how it might make one more aggressive to pass.

- Passing: Passing allowed on any straight with a point by for my group (intermediate). Wow, it was aggresive at points, but I was lucky to pass many people and get some clear track after a few laps.

- 04 S4 is heavy. Not that anyone here didnt know that, but I am starting to see where the weight starts to show. I was following an Lotus Elise for some laps. I could pass on the straits (lost hills) and the long corners (club-corner,truck-stop,riverside) but the tight ones he got me back (star mazda). I noticed that if I got a good run on him post esses pre sunrise, then I had a really easy time on the straight.

- 04 S4 with Dunlop SSR's is a really nice combo. I put some serious wear on the rubber, but they are just awesome and wear fairly even (well, compared to stock Contis). However, I am thinking about getting something more street/track compatible. Lots of guys running the Falken Azenis (sp?). Those seem nice.

- Cars: I was the only Audi there. Lots of VW, Vette, Porsche, zillion EVOS and STI's, Spec Miatas, RX7, and 8's, and even a Lotus Esprit. Most people dont seem to know about the S4 or Audi's in general. Too bad, they are missing out.

- Driving Alone: So this was my first time sans instructor. I was a little nervous. I made mental notes to make sure I kept track of flags, spaced properly with other cars, and worked on the line. I believe that I can safely pilot the car now w/o instructor, but it might have been nice to have some input at some points (I think I am apexing too early on 3 and star mazda). I also started shifting less to 3rd and noticed that I am much faster trough bus stop and grapevine because of it. I chatted with my father in law (who went too) about the line, and we lead-followed some and that was nice too. He is pretty seasoned and it helps me to learn from him.

- Radical. Man, those things are just un-f-ing-believable. There was an SR3 there running 'test laps'. loss for words other than that.

- Bugs. Now I have to remove about 20lbs of central-valley bug goo from the car. Next event I might tow. ;-).

MachtigAvant (v3.0)

Car can really handle on the road course. It's amazing how a 2-ton machine, with an entire engine and 6" of tranny in FRONT of the front axle can handle so well.

The push/understeer and lack of camber is what really gets me. The understeer is inherent in our quattro AWD, but all the weight forward doesn't help either.

Perhaps with some stiffer springs and some decent neg. camber the car will rotate a bit more.

Glad you had fun!

ddg=shinebox racing

Buttonwillow being my 1st. with ACNA, sreets of Willow next Friday...
Fontana is pretty intimidating (they're running the "roval"!), especialy in my car!!!
I think I should stay in the beginer class!!

kgorman

thx

pointby

I'm looking to do that event also.

NoS4

Agree w/ you in that I too found myself apexing early @ star mazda and pushed it further around which paid off nicely as you can get on the throttle sooner and not worry about hanging a wheel off the rumble strip. It also gives you a nice run through the esses so as to set people up for the front straight. SV is run a lot like racer factory where it's just short of a free for all. I like the freedom and flexibility but also dislike the delays cause of all the off track excursions.

Pat-SoCal

The facility is very nice and the track is unlike any other in California. Running on the oval can be a little intimidating at first, but it's a great confidence builder.

KKelly

A few years back in my early days at Buttonwillow a more experienced friend made me leave it in 4th from just before Magic Mountain all the way to Lost Hills running counterclockwise. I was going much faster than when I was at high rpm in 3rd--and this in a car that doesn't pull too hard below 4k rpm. I think it just allows you to concentrate on driving and the car is a bit more settled as well.

My two ton old car doesn't do too bad either, except I do have 50/50 weight distribution.