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PRODID:-//SHENANDOAH REGION - ECPv6.11.2.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for SHENANDOAH REGION
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DTSTART:20180101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20180518T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240518T170000
DTSTAMP:20260422T124055
CREATED:20160918T115120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240527T115942Z
UID:6076-1526630400-1716051600@shn.pca.org
SUMMARY:The IMSA/WeatherTech Races and Porscheplatz at VIR
DESCRIPTION:By Jim Condon \nThe IMSA/Weathertech races were the big events at VIR this year\, on Saturday\, August 27 and Sunday\, August 28. Click here to see the photo gallery that goes along with this article. \nPCA Zone 2 sponsored the Porscheplatz tent on the hill overlooking Turn 4 and the adjacent Porsche Corral. This location provides a good track view and was perfect for watching the practice session on Saturday morning. See the photos of the Porsche GT3 cup winners Jesse Lazare (the winner in #21)\, Lucas Catania (second place in #26)\, and Jeff Mosing (Platinum Masters winner in car #01) practicing. The Platinum Masters class is for drivers age 45 and older. Factory-supported GTLM (the “pro” GT class) cars like the Porsche #912 often climb the very bumpy gators in Turn 4 in order to straighten and shorten the track. They probably replace a lot suspension parts after each race. Factory drivers also push the limits so hard that they frequently go off—see the Audi mowing grass coming out of the Hog Pen turn. \nThe Porscheplatz offered tours of the Alex Job Racing transporter and workshop to PCA members who signed up early on Saturday morning. We got to see them preparing their GTD-class GT3 RSR for Sunday afternoon’s enduro race and to ask questions about strategy. Most Porsche teams (even the sponsor Weathertech) skipped the GTD race because they were unhappy with the “balance of performance” handicap imposed on Porsches\, which is intended to keep any one manufacturer from dominating the race series. The whole paddock was full of fast cars with spectacular paint jobs on full view of anyone who was willing to walk around. \nSaturday afternoon was dominatd by the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (CTSC) 2.5-hour endurance race. The qualifying cars were lined up in the hot pits for viewing by spectactors just prior to the race. The #33 Cayman GT4 clubsport driven by Danny Burkett & Marc Miller won the race\, which started out in sunshine\, had several restarts following incidents\, and was hit by a monsoon in the middle. After a number of cars went off due to low visibility and high water on the track\, the race was interrupted for almost an hour. See the photo of a mechanic waterskiing on a piece of plywood while being pulled through the paddock by a golf cart. \nSunday morning started with the Mazda MX-5 race. This “entry level” race was quite competitive and fun to watch. It was followed by the agressively driven Supertrofeo (SuperCup) race for angry-looking Lamborghinis. One unfortunate driver spun in NASCAR bend\, overcorrected\, and shot across the track into the Armco on the inside of the bend. The final event of the morning was the Porsche GT3 Cup race\, which was won by Jesse Lazare. Many of us couldn’t watch the whole GT3 Cup race because we had to line up for the Porsche parade laps immediately following. During the noon break\, Sherry Westfall got to ride in a new GT3 for one of the “hot laps” with a PCNA pro driver. These “hot laps” are fairly fast\, but not quite as fast as Sherry driving her Cayman S in a DE. \nThe main event of the weekend was the GTLM (GT Le Mans for factory pro drivers) and GTD (GT Daytona for others) enduro race in the afternoon. In GTLM\, the #3 Corvette won\, followed by the #66 Ford GT and the #912 Porsche driven by Earl Bamber and Frederick Makowieski. Somehow the “Eco Boost” label on the side of the Ford GT doesn’t seem appropriate for a 600+ horsepower twin-turbo racer. The #911 Porsche was slowed down by several off-track excursions at South Bend. See the resulting grass-covered radiator grill\, which must have caused an overheating problem until it was cleared. The only Porsche racing in GTD was the #23 GT3 RSR driven by Mario Farnbacher and Alex Riberas for Alex Job racing; it came in 5th in class. These annual races and the Porschplatz at VIR are quite an experience for Porsche fans and amateur racers\, who get to see what the best teams and drivers can offer. Just be sure to bring your hearing protectors—it can get painfully loud!
URL:https://shn.pca.org/calendar/the-imsa-weathertech-races-and-porscheplatz-at-vir/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Shenandoah Region PCA
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ORGANIZER;CN="Shenandoah Region PCA":MAILTO:sr.pca.prez@gmail.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20190521T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20190521T170000
DTSTAMP:20260422T124055
CREATED:20240522T101711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240522T101752Z
UID:5707-1558425600-1558458000@shn.pca.org
SUMMARY:Tech Session at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
DESCRIPTION:On the last day of April\, Shenandoah Region members were provided an opportunity that is not available to the public. We were able to schedule a visit to IIHS for a crash test. After five months of trying to gain entrance through conventional avenues which included the front door\, the back door\, or any unlocked entrance door\, we finally found an avenue to gain entry. Fellow member Ron Perry provided a list of sponsoring insurance agencies. Erie Insurance was on the list. Mike Little of Virginia Insurance Services\, an Erie Insurance Agent\, was contacted and agreed to request a crash test visit through Erie Insurance. \nWe had 19 members\, four guests\, and Mike Little join us for an experience none of us will forget. Upon arrival\, we surveyed the crashed vehicles on display in the lobby of IIHS. The most amazing crash test was a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The purpose of this test was to determine if the older\, larger\, and heavier car of the 1950’s would provide better occupant protection. The impact was a frontal collision at 37 mph. The results were astonishing! The occupant compartment of the Malibu did not deform. The Bel Air occupants would likely not have survived. To see the photo gallery from this event\, click here \n. \nThe group was bused to a covered test area where we were able to take the wheel of several different crossover vehicles and test the automatic braking systems. The cars were driven at speeds up to 25 mph into a foam display depicting the rear end of a vehicle. The car’s distance and collision avoidance systems would automatically apply the brakes and stop inches from the foam display. The systems all functioned properly. \nWe again boarded the bus to be transported to what we all came to see\, the crash test. We entered the building and the IIHS technicians were making final checks on the sensors and cameras in preparation for the test on a beautiful new Toyota Camry. It seemed a shame to destroy a brand new vehicle. We were positioned on an elevated landing which provided an outstanding view of the Camry. The countdown began as the hydraulic drive system for the crash sled completed pressurizing. The sled is a four wheeled weighted assembly that replicates an SUV. The crash sled could be heard traveling down the long 3/8 mile corridor toward the impact zone. The crash sled passed directly under the elevated landing on which we were positioned. \nWe were all focused on the Camry awaiting impact. The crash sled made contact into the driver side front and rear doors. The side window glass shattered and flew 30 feet. The Camry was pushed 35 feet from its original position. We were all amazed at what damage 37 mph can do. The result of this test showed that the crash dummy occupants all survived this crash with no injuries other than being severely shaken. To download Jim Condon’s movie of the crash\, click here (91 Megabytes). \nIIHS purchases the vehicles they test from retail dealers to insure they receive a standard production vehicle with no special modifications that may improve a car’s crash test results. \nAt the completion of the photo session beside the totaled Camry\, we received an extremely informative tour of IIHS’s testing methods and procedures. We viewed displays of vehicles in a wide variety of different impact points. IIHS has done a tremendous service for the motoring public by driving manufacturers to improve the safety of their vehicles. Most popular vehicles have been crash tested by IIHS. All tested vehicles are rated and the ratings can be viewed on their website. \nA very special thank you goes out to Mike Little for providing the Shenandoah Region access to this outstanding facility\, an experience we will not forget. \nMike Little’s contact info: \nMike Little\nVirginia Insurance Services\nErie Insurance\n804-744-3345
URL:https://shn.pca.org/calendar/tech-session-at-the-insurance-institute-for-highway-safety-iihs/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Shenandoah Region PCA
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://shn.pca.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IIHS2019icon.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Shenandoah Region PCA":MAILTO:sr.pca.prez@gmail.com
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