An invitation from the Taxi Cabs

[LeadSSled]

The Impala guys have had great fun at the many 411 autocross events hosted by the SVT Cobra Mustang Club. We truly appreciate you opening these events to us and would like a chance to return the favor. How does hot laps around a 3/8-mile asphalt oval sound? The event is held at Lanier Speedway, directly across the street from Road Atlanta. It is held the same day that Road Atlanta holds their big "Petite LeMans" race. Many walk across the street to catch the end of the race after running Lanier that day.

Here is a video link to some in-car action on this track: http://www.flaming-martini.net/thelazydestroyer/closecall.wmv

Mark Sulimirski is the organizer of the annual Impala Laps at Lanier. Those of you that participate in the 411 autcross events know him as the Impala guy with the T56 6-speed conversion and 383 stroker motor. Mark doesn't frequent this forum, so he asked that I post the following invitation to you:

GASSIT, an Atlanta based B-Body club (Impala SS club) is organizing HOT LAPS at LANIER on October 1st from 12-5pm. If you've never driven around a 3/8ths banked paved oval, this is your chance. Average speeds hit over 75mph. Doesn't sound that fast?...just don't look at the cement wall! The track manager has suggested that lead follow sessions will also be permitted for great video opportunities.

The 2-Ton 94-96 Impala's are well suited for this track and have shamed Vettes, F-Bodies and Rustangs. Think you can run with Taxi cabs, c'mon out and have a fun filled day. Cost is $40 but space is limited to 25 cars. Please email me at faSSt94impala@bellsouth.net (faSSt94impala@bellsouth.net) to reserve a spot. Hope to see some of you out there.

Mark


More info the track can be found at: http://www.lanierspeedway.com/ (http://www.lanierspeedway.com/)

Please e-mail Mark directly if you would like to participate.

[Jason]

What's the date and do verts need rollbars? :bounce:

[fasst94impala]

Date is October 1st.

Convertibles: From the track manager...."If they are planning to roll over than I would say yes. .... Track Rule ...all cars must not turn over..."

So roll bars not mandatory per track management

[Jason]

Email sent. :bounce:

[cobrabitn]

This will probably be of some interest to our GA members. I'll post this in my weekly update. Thanks for the invite guys! :thumbsup:

[CathDoc]

I JUST got back from Road Atlanta 5 min ago! Will have to bear this one in mind tho! :D

[LeadSSled]

I JUST got back from Road Atlanta 5 min ago! Will have to bear this one in mind tho! :D
Jeez, can the C5 egos handle finishing behind the taxis in ANOTHER venue? :D

C'mon Val, this will be fun. Jason already signed up. We'll even drink beer with you afterwards.

[Jason]

Jeez, can the C5 egos handle finishing behind the taxis in ANOTHER venue? :D Ahem, I believe there were 2 C5s in front of the taxi cabs this time. :D

[LeadSSled]

Ahem, I believe there were 2 C5s in front of the taxi cabs this time. :DYou are correct. Two C5s beat my 4200 lb 4-door by a whopping half a second (But Val didn't, and the post was directed to him). Congratulations!

But I was talking about Lanier. You won't finish in front of the taxis there. No cones at Lanier - the nimbleness of the C5's sophisticated suspension will not come into play. Prepare to be humbled (again). :eek:

By the way - If you spin into the infield like you usually do at 411, you will hit concrete. Got rollback?

Are any Cobras/Mustangs gonna come out and play?

[Jason]

But I was talking about Lanier. You won't finish in front of the taxis there. No cones at Lanier - the nimbleness of the C5's sophisticated suspension will not come into play. Prepare to be humbled (again). :eek:Is that a challenge I hear? A possible 12pk wager? :D

[LeadSSled]

Is that a challenge I hear? A possible 12pk wager? :D12 pack? You lightweight. :D

But, you're on. The fastest Impala vs. the fastest C5, loser buys.

[TonyBolton]

12 pack? You lightweight. :D

But, you're on. The fastest Impala vs. the fastest C5, loser buys.What about the one Mustang that beats'em all? Whats he get? :cool:

[LeadSSled]

What about the one Mustang that beats'em all? Whats he get? :cool:
He won't win here, so we don't have to worry about that. Besides, he has to show up first. ;)

[TonyBolton]

He won't win here, so we don't have to worry about that. Besides, he has to show up first. ;)Always expect the unexpected. Especially if the unsuspected drives a 241whp Mustang. :p

[kilroy]

This will probably be of some interest to our GA members. I'll post this in my weekly update. Thanks for the invite guys! :thumbsup: +1 on the invite, thanks.

I'll be close but unable to make it... I'll be right across the street! :D

[LeadSSled]

+1 on the invite, thanks.

I'll be close but unable to make it... I'll be right across the street! :D
Kilroy - The Lanier event only runs from 12-5/ You wanna take a break from the action at RA and come make a couple of hours of laps before watching the finish, that's kosher too.:thumbsup:

[Jason]

So how's the day usually run?

[LeadSSled]

So how's the day usually run?
A typical day at Lanier: after normal introductions and greetings, the cars run 2 laps at a time, one car on the track at a time, The Impalas win, the Vettes go home mad. :D

Seriously, there is a general greeting and safety talk. Then the track manager will do some "follow the leader" laps at 7/10s or so, in a group of nose-to-tail cars to show everyone the typical racing line. The we just take turns running 2 laps at a time until eveyone has enough or time runs out. This year the track manager is suggesting 2 cars nose to tail (no passing) for excellent video ops for those that are interested.

It's pretty simple - a very loose atmosphere. The track will be staffed and the staff will record our lap times. So the participants do not have to work the course like at an autocross.

[Jason]

I think I might have 2 drivers. :eek:

[budjrfan]

Kilroy - The Lanier event only runs from 12-5/ You wanna take a break from the action at RA and come make a couple of hours of laps before watching the finish, that's kosher too.:thumbsup:
and those fireworks you see on speed every year after the race are shot off from the lanier backstretch. so we get a front row seat if we stick around. :D

[budjrfan]

A typical day at Lanier:.... The Impalas win, the Vettes go home mad. :D :rotf:



:shtowned:

[fasst94impala]

I think I might have 2 drivers. :eek:
No problem. Plenty of track time and you'll be able to switch drivers after each run. A run consists of 3/4 warm up lap, 2 full HOT LAPS, 1/2 cool down. Entry fee is $40 per car so they won't cost you anything extra. Drivers meeting 12 noon. See you there.

Looking forward to it. We also have a couple F-Bodys that are going to try and keep up with the crazy cabbies, but no confirmed blue ovals yet.

Kilroy - c'mon over to Lanier during the Petit and I'll give you a thrill ride in a cab. Won't take long and costs zero. Nothing like a view from the inside! Just no sticking your elbow out the window...the cement walls get close!

Mark

[LeadSSled]

So far no Fords want to come play at Lanier. :(

[Jason]

So far no Fords want to come play at Lanier. :(They're askeered. ;)

[Big Daddy]

They're askeered. ;)

Of an oval course with walls....YES! Of the taxicabs NO! ;) :D :rotf: :rotf:

[LeadSSled]

Of an oval course with walls....YES! Of the taxicabs NO! ;) :D :rotf: :rotf:
Oh c'mon. It's even fun when you run it at 9/10ths. :thumbsup:

We've never had a car hit the wall yet. But, then again "spin cycle" 03RagTop hasn't run there yet. ;)

[Big Daddy]

Oh c'mon. It's even fun when you run it at 9/10ths. :thumbsup:

We've never had a car hit the wall yet. But, then again "spin cycle" 03RagTop hasn't run there yet. ;)

OR ME EITHER! I have hit one wall at RAtlanta and I don't care to try it again! :( ;)

[cobrabitn]

You know what really sucks about this hobby??? Too many track events and not enough time. :( Wish I was independently wealthy.. :rotf:

[Jason]

You know what really sucks about this hobby??? Too many track events and not enough time. :( Wish I was independently wealthy.. :rotf:This is a great problem to have.:thumbsup: I'd go crazy if I lived somewhere where I only got to run a couple times a year. :crazy:

[CathDoc]

Jeez, can the C5 egos handle finishing behind the taxis in ANOTHER venue? :D

C'mon Val, this will be fun. Jason already signed up. We'll even drink beer with you afterwards.I can't go, gotta keep Vetteman9368 out of jail in Ktown that weekend. As for 411, I MIGHT have a little sumpin-sumpin for you next time, at the very least there will be better choices of tire pressures. There's always room for more in the Hooters Bet-The-Beerstakes!
:D

[fasst94impala]

You guys missed a great time. I'm sure Terry will chronical the event. But until then here's a little something. Running close to the cement walls aint that bad...so why not just add another 2 tons of moving metal next to you. Check it out. :woot:

http://www.shadoelord.com/Album/Vehicles/LanierRacing_2005/100_0030.AVI

[LeadSSled]

Well, y'all sure missed a great time. Talk about track time - you literally could run as many laps as you could handle. There were only 12 of us running. Here are the final results:

Mark Sulimirski (Impala SS): 16.849
Jason Ireland (C5 Vette): 16.910
Terry Kehne (Impala SS): 17.553
Bob Fandetti (Impala SS): 17.834
Shawn Drake (Impala SS): 17.960
Maike Cassino (Impala SS): 18.191
Trey Jenkins (Impala SS): 18.275
Stan ???? (Impala SS): 18.899
John McDole (Impala SS): 19.185
Astolf Witte (Caprice 9C1) 19.5??
Paul Troup (Cadillac SRV): 19.554
Tom Pierce (Impala SS): 19.654

For a reference point on these lap times - the 900 lb. Legends cars that run on this track run low 16-second laps. Shawn Drake won the "Acrobat Award" for the most energetic spin, but Jason in the Vette had the spin that ended the closest to the concrete wall - about 4 inches.


Terry

[fasst94impala]

Hey T,

Troy = John Mcdole. Silver wreck with the black hood ;). Doug has enjoyed way too many drugs.

[LeadSSled]

Troy = John Mcdole. Silver wreck with the black hood ;). Doug has enjoyed way too many drugs.
OK. I'll fix it. I wondered who the f*ck that was. Thanks!

Thanks again for the hospitality last weekend.

[Jason]

And don't forget Katie Montgomery with a 17.7 :eek:

I'm going to have to start learning to drive or she's going to be beating me with my own car before long. :rotf:

[Jason]

Jason in the Vette had the spin that ended the closest to the concrete wall - about 4 inches.I have found God, and he is in Turn 2 at Lanier Speedway. :eek: :rotf:

[LeadSSled]

I have found God, and he is in Turn 2 at Lanier Speedway. :eek: :rotf:
Jason - Now, I warned you about that wall. :D Do you think that discoloration will come out in the laundry?

And Katie did a GREAT job! She was certainly not just out for a joy ride.;) I'm sure glad that you two made the trip down from Nashville and I hope you had a good enough time to come back next year.

[fasst94impala]

I'm sure glad that you two made the trip down from Nashville and I hope you had a good enough time to come back next year.
Ditto. And thanks for the stiff competition. That was intense especially with the added pressure Terry's mouth/keypad put on us taxi drivers;) Still amazed that we got into the 16s. That's just crazy!!! Great driving for the first time out on an oval. Hope to see you out again next year.

[budjrfan]

Still amazed that we got into the 16s. That's just crazy!!!
from talking with the guys at the dragway a couple of years ago i believe that's not to far off from what the late models run at that track (mid-low 15's).
with a street car to get anywhere close to that is just plain NUTS!!! :eek:

congrats to mark and jason for setting the bar totally out of reach for us humans for years to come. :doubt:

sorry i missed it for the first time in 5 years...but will not miss the next one. :thumbsup: