Pocono Double May 7-8

[AlanVDW]

Anybody else going to the Pocono Double Regional May 7-8?

[Hail Mary Racing]

Im am pushing to be ready and be there. Quite a bit of work left to do to be ready. If no snags I should make it.

Jim
Hail Mary Racing
RF80 CF

[Halifax]

Hoping to be there as well / FV.

[AlanVDW]

Need more open wheel cars to run with.

No late-entry fee if anyone wants to show up!

Pro IT will be there too!

[Matt Clark]

I plan on being there. Only 2 FVs signed up as of right now? Kinda surprising.

[Halifax]

Hi Matt,

I'm the other Vee driver signed up so far. I'm still fairly new to racing and FV and I've never raced at Pocono before. Do you know if there is a test day before the weekend event?

Looking forward to meeting you at the track.

Thanks,
Harry

[Matt Clark]

Hey Harry.

I'm fairly new to the Club Racing part, and haven't raced at Pocono yet, either. Should be fun.

It does not appear that there is a test day. The Supps only show tech & registration on Friday, and I could not find any 3rd parties running anything, either. Definitely look for me once we're there. I will have the dark red #49.

[AlanVDW]

No test day, just a double regional with a Pro IT race. The test day is usually for the national in August. I'm surprised that there's no F500's entered.

[Halifax]

Still only two Vees, what's up with that?

At least the long-range forecast is improving!

[Supersmile]

At least the long-range forecast is improving!

At Pocono,especially in May, the weather forecast means nothing.

Expect rain, prepare for rain, embrace the rain, and then maybe we'll be surprised and it will be dry.

[Halifax]

Thanks for the reality check. Just stuffed the Carhartt rain bibs and the Muck boots into the closet of the camper.

Anyone have any hints to share on driving the Pocono course, dry or wet, for a Pocono newbie? Tough to get first tracks during qualifying.

[AlanVDW]

Turn one will be kinda like turn one at the old Sebring. Apex, um, where ever. Brake hard, turn in, and back on the throttle. Whatever results in the best exit speed for the chute between the rise and the left-hander. All turns are pretty much a late apex. The chicane is hokey. A late and slower entrance than you think. Better to have a fast exit speed to maximize speed out of the bowl to the looooong run to start finish. Great for drafting.

IF it rains there will be a big puddle at the entrance to turn one.

Oh yeah, the most important thing, DON'T go off! The infield is the NASCAR campground. Full of holes, rocks, and fencepost sleeves.

I just heard that there is still construction on 80 in PA.

Alan.

[Matt Clark]

I've been spending a bunch of time running there on iRacing. There's no FV to run, but the course is the same!

[Halifax]

Same here, Matt. Running the MX5 at Pocono on iRacing. Too bad we can't get in there together. Some odd turns esp near the rise and onto the back stretch!

[Matt Clark]

Yea, it'll be nice to finally get racing there. I've been running the Skip Barber car and the Spec Racer Ford to get the lightweight, low HP feel. Not too bad, it's really just getting the flow of the track.

Might be cool to get a bunch of real SCCA'ers try to setup a "SCCA Regional" on iRacing once I get free time again. Do a mixed class race somewhere like Pocono or another actual SCCA track besides the major ones (Glen, Mid-Ohio, etc). Just for something different.

Side note- we're up to a massive 3 FVs signed up, and 7 in Group 6 total!

[AlanVDW]

Go to YouTube and search Pocono SCCA for in car video.

[Halifax]

I watched a video from Rob this evening and it really helped to visualize the approaches to Turn 1 and the chicane. Definitely late apexes, as you say, Alan.
Looking forward to the weekend.
Thanks again,
Harry

[Halifax]

Matt ...Are you out? Saw your name off reg...

Regards

[Matt Clark]

Yea, I had some problems during final prep I couldn't get ironed out in time. I was working on it for several weeks and didn't get a chance to do a road test. When I did finally get to, some problems popped up that I couldn't justify testing at speed around Pocono. I really did not want to scratch, but I pulled the plug on the weekend around 5pm Friday. Sorry I couldn't make it. It completely screws my years plan.

[Halifax]

Hi Matt,
We definitely missed you but there's always next time. You're right, full out in a race is no place to test out the car. Maybe we'll see you at NJMP or The Glen this year? Do you venture up to New England for races?
Best,
Harry

[Matt Clark]

I'm not sure about Jersey, but I plan on making all the Glen races since I live just over an hour away. I have to hit something by the end of the month for my Novice requirements, so that will most likely be the double at Nelson Ledges. We'll see what I do as far as New England stuff, but I do want to try Louden.

I wanted to get my National license by the Glen Nationals, which would've been easy to do with so many double regionals this month, but I don't see that now. Looks like I'm gonna run this year just regionally.