Chuck Anderson reports from Portland International Raceway October 28, 2001

Hi Dan,

Thought I'd drop you a special note to say thanks for your support and all the fine CJ performance parts that proved their worth recently at Portland International Raceway. Shocks, springs, torsion bars, solid rack mounts, suspension bushings, Wilwood brakes, and much more.

The final Track Day, sponsored by the Alfa Romeo Owner of Oregon (AROO), was held at Portland International Raceway last Sunday, Oct 28th. The weather here in the Northwest has turned decidedly "Wet & Cold" and as Friday and Saturday rolled around, it didn't bode well for a dry track. However, late Saturday afternoon saw the rains abate along with a late report that Sunday should be partially sunny. So, with fingers crossed, Lindsy and myself packed an overnight bag, fired up the Jag and headed off to PIR, 140 miles to the South.

Sunday morning, 7am sign-up and a drivers meeting at 9am. There were about 40 cars of various make and models; Alfas (of course), Corvettes, BMW's, 240Z's, Ferrari's, 911's and more... I had the only E-Type there and needless to say drew an immediate crowd. Soft top cars required roll bars...hardtops did not. There were three classes; Experienced, Intermediate and Novice. I was placed in novice class, having never driven PIR before. Each group had four 15 minute sessions...passing only on the straights....no wheel-to-wheel racing through the turns.

It had been over 40 years since I was last on a road course, having raced a AH100-4 back in the 50's in Southern Calif. To say that I had a stomach full of butterflys is an understatement! As novice at PIR, they required an experienced driver to ride along during the first session, essentially to assist in pointing out the line and the braking points on the course. But also to give a "thumbs up....or down" for continuance. They assigned me the SCCA Spec-Car Regional Champion as my mentor and judge and jury!!! Oh Boy....

The time finally came and I found myself at the starting line, staring down the long pit straight and suddenly, the flag is waving...the clutch is out...the pedal is down and I'm pushed back in the seat the little red road rocket is away!!! Up through the gears...2nd, 3rd, shifting around 5200rpm...(WHAT A SONG SHE SINGS) ...into 4th  then the braking markers flash by... onto the brakes and down to 3rd...hard right then hard back to the left....stay in 3rd through the esses....drifting left...then right...back left..then right and onto the back straight and stand on it!!!

5200rpm...shift to 4th,,, peddle down, back in the seat 100, 105, 112...on the brakes...tap the pedal..shift down to 3rd 5000rpm hold the drift through turn 9...see the open line to the front straight...punch it!!! Then do it all over again!!! I can't believe how fast it all came back, after all these years...

The short wheel based cars were a handful through the esses but, as soon as we got to the straights, it was "asta la vista baby"! My lap times gradually improved as I became more accustomed to the course and my confidence grew. Slowest lap was around 1:59...My fastest lap was around 1:51.

All in all, this was the culminating experience resulting from 3 1/2 years of effort bringing my 64 FHC up to race worthiness. Will I be back at PIR next Spring??? Yee Haw!!!

Oh, buy the way...about my driving coach.... how'd I do?   He shook my hand and said "welcome back, smooth drive...I enjoyed your E-Type it was like riding in a bit of racing history".

Cheers,

Chuck Anderson
64 FHC
890250