Doc1647545523

I'll be at Meijer at 7:30 a.m.

Hmmmm. Cobalts, you say? All clean and parked in rows .... Perhaps it's time for the Lotus's revenge http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/250px-PaintBallMarker.jpg

Thanks for inviting us, Brian. I had not seen the whole dyno process before, and I found it pretty interesting. I wish even more of the CR folks could have turned out to meet the rest of us (including one member who had just joined today) and enjoy the cars, food and fun.

You'd prolly fall asleep if I did the driving. Maybe you can drive the Lettuce ... um, I mean the Lotus. It needs the carbon blown out of it. (Many thanks for the help today) +1 rep

Welcome Branden. +1 rep

Ha! Well, the Lotus is fun, I admit, but no, I'm not taking it Sunday. I'm taking a Mercedes to the drag strip. I've never even seen drag racing, so I imagine my first feeble attempts will provide some comic relief for the rest of the attendees.

I know a few of the guys would be interested if they can get time off. I'm in, provided the weather cooperates.

Good looking car. Welcome.

BTW, that's THIS weekend, as in the day after tomorrow. You're welcome to ride with me if you're still interested in going but short on gas money.

Don't count on that! It's my first time at the track and I've got a car that won't entirely disengage its traction control, so it brakes any wheel that begins to lose grip ...... you figure I'll have a fast run down the track? I'm in Delaware too, so if you change your mind and want to drive down Sunday, PM me and we'll meet up.

Even pics of a dirty car will work ..... photochop it clean if need be

Well, for starters, he stops taking his OCD meds ....

Hmmm. How about I just look for you instead?

Well, if nothing else, I may provide some comic relief. The car is not here right now, so I don't have the owner's manual in hand, but if memory serves, the button is ESP (electronic stability program) and it has only two settings: on and off. I remember reading in the (400+ page) owner's manual that even turning the setting off does not stop the system from braking a spinning tire, not necessarily in response to yaw. I obviously need to learn more about this .... I'll check the MB racing forum, there are actually a few guys who drag these beasts.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. There won't be any shortage of coaches around if I do decide to try it. Right now the dilemma is what to do with the traction control. Even when it's put into de-activated mode, it still will apply brakes to any slipping wheel. When it's on, it also uses a throttle cut-off. It would also have been good to have had some dyno work done before the weekend, but I figure at least as it is it will give me a benchmark I can try to improve on in the future.....

Was that me saying that? Oh my. It must have been that basket of wings I ate doin' the talkin' ....... Oh, and one of my muffler bearings is going out, so I don't think it would be a fair race .

I'd like to join the convoy, if one's leaving from the north or west part of Columbus. I'm registered with the car, but may decide not to run and then would take the motorcycle instead.

Signed up, unprepared car, unprepared driver, but I'll be there Sunday at least to observe.

thanks for the compliments, Mark & Ryan. I've only had it a month and have really enjoyed it. I think of it as high performance for the mechanically-challenged.

Next time, come over and join us in the awkward group ....... we usually meet around the silver Benz. Glad you could come out, and sorry we didn't get to talk.

yes, very cool of you to offer the help. I enjoyed meeting you and your daughter at Advance Saturday night. She's so polite and well-behaved! I hope to see you at the meets again soon.

I agree with all the above recommendations. But in my book, the best steak and the best value are at The Top on Main Street, east of Bexley. It isn't trying to re-create a 1960's, Rat Pack atmosphere ..... it literally hasn't changed since the 1960's. Dark paneling, piano bar, stiff martinis, large portions, delicious filets--and no words like "balsamic" sprinkled in the menu.

going up around 5:30 with the Benz. does anyone know if there's a BP carwash up in that area?

You're welcome. It was good seeing folks and I enjoyed meeting a few who were new to me.

great shots and processing ..... someone's really got the knack