NASA Mid-Atlantic wrapped up the 2017 season last weekend at VIR, with their annual “Oktoberfast” event – always a favorite. Three of us piled into my newly-acquired 2010 Range Rover, hooked the trailer to the hitch, and set off south down I-95 on Friday afternoon.
NASA Mid-Atlantic “Full Auto” at Summit Point
Track weekends in the fall are some of my favorite – the weather tends to be ideal for a weekend outside, which means drivers and engines alike are a bit more perky. This past weekend at Summit Point was no exception, with crisp 50* mornings and highs in the mid-70s both days.
It’s always fun wondering which of your track friends you’ll run into on the journey out of town – this time, I shared the Dulles Greenway and Route 7 with Navin, Will, and Jon at various points. We all made it to the track around 6:30 PM and unloading was quick.
“If You Need a Straight, Make a Straight” – Unkefer Memorial at VIR
The late Chief of Instruction, Dan Unkefer, had a saying he’d frequently utter to his HPDE students in the classroom. “If you need a straight, make a straight.” We lost Dan a few years ago, but our August event at VIR is named in his memory.
All of us who have ended up with racing licenses started off in Dan’s HPDE program and taken that phrase to heart over and over.
My trip to VIR started on a good note, though traffic quickly became unbearable. College move-ins, beach travelers and the upcoming solar eclipse meant everyone felt the need to be on I-95 on Friday afternoon. Thankfully, things eased up once I got past Richmond.
Remembering Henry, One Year Later
“Jake, I will be attending but will not be able to bring the Mercedes because the plates have expired. Please give me a call. Thank you very much for organizing this and inviting me. Best, Rob”
The email came on Thursday evening after I invited my old roommate Henry’s father, Rob, to Katie’s Cars & Coffee a few days prior. Naturally, I picked up the phone.
Before I get into the past few days, let’s go back to this time last year.
Remembering Henry, One Year Later
“Jake, I will be attending but will not be able to bring the Mercedes because the plates have expired. Please give me a call. Thank you very much for organizing this and inviting me. Best, Rob”
The email came on Thursday evening after I invited my old roommate Henry’s father, Rob, to Katie’s Cars & Coffee a few days prior. Naturally, I picked up the phone.
Before I get into the past few days, let’s go back to this time last year.
Remembering Henry, One Year Later
“Jake, I will be attending but will not be able to bring the Mercedes because the plates have expired. Please give me a call. Thank you very much for organizing this and inviting me. Best, Rob”
The email came on Thursday evening after I invited my old roommate Henry’s father, Rob, to Katie’s Cars & Coffee a few days prior. Naturally, I picked up the phone.
Before I get into the past few days, let’s go back to this time last year.
Remembering Henry, One Year Later
“Jake, I will be attending but will not be able to bring the Mercedes because the plates have expired. Please give me a call. Thank you very much for organizing this and inviting me. Best, Rob”
The email came on Thursday evening after I invited my old roommate Henry’s father, Rob, to Katie’s Cars & Coffee a few days prior. Naturally, I picked up the phone.
Before I get into the past few days, let’s go back to this time last year.
Guest Video: Chasing Down a Mustang and a Porsche at NCCAR
We always love seeing what others are doing with their weekends in motorsport! Jake’s friend Aaron spent a few days turning money into noise and horsepower at the North Carolina Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR). Aaron is a member of the Greater Washington Section of the Mercedes Benz Club of America, and a sister region invited the GWS group down for a weekend of HPDE.
Aaron has progressed through the ranks and now consistently drives in the Advanced group in a variety of Mercedes.
Red White and Blue Golf R – 4th of July Autocross
Towards the end of the last autocross event my friend Alex mentioned to me that he had the itch to try out a RWD car on-course. Alex is a Volkswagen guy having had his share of GTI’s, and currently owning a Scirocco and Golf R. He’s been autocrossing a bit longer than I have, but never in something powered by the rear wheels. It didn’t take much convincing on either of our parts when we decided to swap cars for an event. So this time at Bader Field, Alex would be driving my red E36 while I drive his blue Golf R, in the most German tribute to the 4th of July Bader Field has probably ever seen.
Planes, Trains, and Acuras: Four Days in Arizona
While motorsports often occupy our weekends, there’s something to be said for getting out of town and enjoying seat time in a notable street car or six. And last weekend, I did just that. Thursday morning saw me employ a Metro train and two planes with the ultimate destination of Tyson Hugie’s home in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tyson and I have been both “internet friends” and actual friends for a few years after we connected over his 500,000 mile Acura Legend coupe online. Somehow I decided that the end of June was just the best time to visit Phoenix (spoiler: it was a bit warm). Nonetheless, it was a nice change of pace to get out of town and see some friends – with the bonus of seeing a few family members.