MBCA Star Tech

[sheward]

I arrived home safely to a good backlog of work so this is my first chance to post. This event was very well done and good fun. Thanks, Gerry and Trae for your good company. I had to leave early so i missed the tech sessions (including Johnathans) and I'm dissapointed I couldn't add one more 500E to the high speed sprints. Very glad the weekend didn't cost you more in the form of a citation, Gerry! Trae, thanks again for all your planning and getting us to the events on time! Here are some pictures from Saturday and Sunday. My cameras memory card was full when our members were on track but i did get a shot of a couple from Conyers Georgia with a very nice E500. Thats them enjoying lunch with us.

drew

 

[sheward]

More pics

drew

 

[sheward]

...and a few more

drew

 

[Trae]

This website is a testament to the fact that even a novice, who has never done anything except fluids and filters, CAN do other important maintenance jobs.
Thank you Gerry, Dave, Jelmer, Drew, Bing, Johnathan, and others for providing step by step directions on many jobs. I, for one, would not be able to afford these cars if it were not for all of you guiding me through these "mostly" fun projects!
Startech was fun and packed with information, however, I would argue that this site has even more information than one could ever learn from attending an event like this. For me, it was a wonderful time getting to know the faces behind the names on this site.
Looking forward to the next get together/event.

 

[KarlC]

Heading back home early in the AM Tuesday for the 11-hour ride home. Lots of photos and tales to tell. I know that Trae spent some quality time all afternoon sitting around an outdoor table with Jono and others breaking bread, I also met Tom Hanson today too. Had some interesting convo about parts.com, some new info to share regarding them.

Full trip report in the next day or two....

Cheers,
Gerry

Looking forward to more details on this and the full trip report !

 

[KarlC]

This website is a testament to the fact that even a novice, who has never done anything except fluids and filters, CAN do other important maintenance jobs.
Thank you Gerry, Dave, Jelmer, Drew, Bing, Johnathan, and others for providing step by step directions on many jobs. I, for one, would not be able to afford these cars if it were not for all of you guiding me through these "mostly" fun projects!
Startech was fun and packed with information, however, I would argue that this site has even more information than one could ever learn from attending an event like this. For me, it was a wonderful time getting to know the faces behind the names on this site.
Looking forward to the next get together/event.

+100 !!!

 

[gerryvz]

I just received this great photo from an MBCA member, taken at the track last weekend.

 

[bing]

Nice! Have u since framed it and now hanging on your office wall ??

 

[jhodg5ck]

Go fast @ Barber you say? I'll likely be signing up for a w/e there this fall..just haven't decided which organization I'll go w/...BMWCCA/Audi/Chin..IDK, we'll see...

Some shots from years ago in my SOHC 6.0L SEC.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103132848478250783847/SECAtBarber?noredirect=1



Jono

 

[gsxr]

Sweeeeet. How many laps did you get at Barber? And were you allowed to push as hard as you wanted, or were you warned to just cruise around?

 

[DerFuror]

I just received this great photo from an MBCA member...

That's a very nice picture...Indeed, it beckons to be made into a nice poster for your office/garage/man-cave.

 

[szvook]

I just received this great photo from an MBCA member, taken at the track last weekend. View attachment 17877

Sweet picture, always great to see a picture of the 036 on a track. Btw, (maybe it's just me) but does the rear of the car seems a tad high?

 

[gsxr]

Sweet picture, always great to see a picture of the 036 on a track. Btw, (maybe it's just me) but does the rear of the car seems a tad high?

He's probably trail braking and pushing the front, so the rear is lifting a bit.

Right, Unca Gerry?

 

[jhodg5ck]

If I hadn't "ridden the gap" I never would have gotten over 40mph.. Leaving myself some room I think I managed 80 a few times. utterly frustrating.

I still liken it to having a gorgeous woman naked in the room with you and just Sitting there...drive you Insane.

If all goes well I'll be back to Barber this fall w/ a little extra Oomph under the hood....;-)

 

[gerryvz]

Adjusting the rear is on my bucket list....

 

[bing]

Sweet picture, always great to see a picture of the 036 on a track. Btw, (maybe it's just me) but does the rear of the car seems a tad high?

He's probably trail braking and pushing the front, so the rear is lifting a bit.

Right, Unca Gerry?

Gerry braking on a track ? Isn't that a waste of pads and rotors , especially only getting around 80mph? Look, it only warrants a baseball cap not a helmet...Lol ! Slap me! It does say "parade", guys.

 

[JordiC]

He's probably trail braking and pushing the front, so the rear is lifting a bit.

Right, Unca Gerry?

His NOS bottle and spare tire are filled with helium.

Gerry braking on a track ? Isn't that a waste of pads and rotors , especially only getting around 80mph? Look, it only warrants a baseball cap not a helmet...Lol ! Slap me! It does say "parade", guys.

 

[gerryvz]

They were very specific on the track activity -- it was strictly limited to "parade laps" and thus we weren't able to go fast. I had my E500 in 2nd and 3rd gears for the entire time (switching back and forth) after the first lap, when I got the feel of the track. A few times I was able to drop back a bit from the car in front of me and make some very brief high-speed runs through the twisties, which was quite fun, particularly having sticky new rubber and a well-aligned car which made things a treat.

The Barber folks monitored things out on the track through the camera network and we were explicitly warned not to try any "funny business" so I didn't push the envelope.

This was a really fun event and I will post a complete GVZ Trip Report soon. I would do it again although they hold these events all over the country so it's difficult to drive if it's too far away.

On another note ... countdown has begun to GVZ Euro Tour 2013....This will be #13. Less than 3 weeks until I hit the pavement in London. Bing, hopefully you're available to get together either the evening of Monday June 17th or Tuesday June 18th.... I'll be fresh off a business trip to Vegas the entire preceding week.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[bing]

Bing, hopefully you're available to get together either the evening of Monday June 17th or Tuesday June 18th.... I'll be fresh off a business trip to Vegas the entire preceding week.

I'll do my best to make you crawl on one of those nights, taking advantage of your heavy session in Vegas and Jetlag

 

[gerryvz]

If we meet at the Victoria Pub again, then it's just a short stumble of a few blocks back to my hotel. Should be fun, I haven't drank a drop of alcohol since September of last year and I won't be drinking in Vegas.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[tomhanson]

Star Tech was fantastic. Nice tour of the assembly line. Nice meeting Jerry and others in person too! Now, who's going to the June Jamboree at our Home Office in New Jersey this weekend?