NASA at Road Atlanta Aug. 2 & 3 - Track Report

[JustDoItMikey]

What a great time we had at Road Atlanta this past weekend. As usual the NASA-SE crew are some of the greatest people you could have the privilege of hanging out with and to top it off the rain never came so we had nothing but dry track both days!

This was my first time at Road Atlanta in the FR-S and all I can say is wow. I knew the 86 platform was stable and easy to control but I have never driven a more composed car or one that was easier to take to the limit and bring back. For anyone considering tracking their 86 I say jump right in, don't worry about any mods for the first few track days as you likely will not be able to push the car hard enough to need the mods.

Having a two man / two FR-S team we generated a ton of attention. The biggest comment was "How are you liking those tires" which was directed to me with my stock Prius tires (surprisingly they held up well even if they were not super grippy). All in all a great weekend, I invite anyone to come out and see us at the NASA-SE events and say hi.

On to a few pics!

[DaDr00]

Sweet! We had a bunch of NASA-MS 944 Spec racers up there! Glad you had a good time, that track is great ... although hard on brakes!

[JustDoItMikey]

Originally Posted by DaDr00

Sweet! We had a bunch of NASA-MS 944 Spec racers up there! Glad you had a good time, that track is great ... although hard on brakes!

There were a lot more 944's than usual. Guess that explains it.

[phastafrican]

You guys were great out there. Looking forward to having you as regulars with us.

[JustDoItMikey]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

You guys were great out there. Looking forward to having you as regulars with us.

Fancy meeting you here! If things go smoothly you will be seeing a lot more of us, for better or worse. I dont know that we are making Daytona this year but should be back at Road Atlanta in December. Cant wait to get back out there!

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by JustDoItMikey

Fancy meeting you here! If things go smoothly you will be seeing a lot more of us, for better or worse. I dont know that we are making Daytona this year but should be back at Road Atlanta in December. Cant wait to get back out there!

Slowly but surely...
See you in December. Let me know if you need help with anything.

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

Slowly but surely...
See you in December. Let me know if you need help with anything.

I haven't done a NASA event in a while, no reason other than I have been running with PCA for many years now.

Do you know if NASA has revised their rules about DOT legal 4 point harnesses? IIRC their rule book said absolutely no 4 points may be used at their HPDE's, period.

I have street legal Schroth Profi II ASM FE 4 point harnesses and a chassis mounted harness bar that I use in conjunction with a HANS device and the stock seat. Legal and passes tech in all five clubs I currently drive and instruct with. The Anti-submarining technology that Schroth has come along with is passing sled tests with flying colors and are approved for use with HANS devices and stock seats.

Last I checked, NASA has no provisions for these new and improved 4 point harnesses.

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

I haven't done a NASA event in a while, no reason other than I have been running with PCA for many years now.

Do you know if NASA has revised their rules about DOT legal 4 point harnesses? IIRC their rule book said absolutely no 4 points may be used at their HPDE's, period.

I have street legal Schroth Profi II ASM FE 4 point harnesses and a chassis mounted harness bar that I use in conjunction with a HANS device and the stock seat. Legal and passes tech in all five clubs I currently drive and instruct with. The Anti-submarining technology that Schroth has come along with is passing sled tests with flying colors and are approved for use with HANS devices and stock seats.

Last I checked, NASA has no provisions for these new and improved 4 point harnesses.

no, you can use 4 point harnesses but the rules are somewhat vague and outdated IMO but here's an excerpt from the rules booklet

The driver and any passenger must utilize modern style stock seatbelts in very good condition, or a DOT
approved restraint system, while operating a vehicle on the track. Lap belts used without any shoulder
restraints are not permitted. Restraint system requirements are listed in Section #11.4.8. The only
four-point belt systems that are allowed for use in HPDE / TT are 1) those that carry an “FIA B-xxx.T/98
certification, or 2) those that carry a label from the belt manufacturer stating that the belts meet Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 209 AND that the belts were designated for the specific vehicle
(e.g. “For use only in BMW E36 models”). Such label must be easily visible to the NASA inspector.
Note- four-point belt sets that have a DOT-only certification are not allowed.

and the source
http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/ccr.pdf

this topic has been recently discussed in one of the threads I created

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69445

Like I said I had no problem with using my Schroth ASM Rallye 3 harnesses at NASA event and mentioned that it's DOT approved it has the label on it (patch) but it's a 3 point so it doesn't require a harness bar or roll bar ..

[glamcem]

@ATL BRZ, can't you simply sell your harness bar (weight savings, yo! ) and 4 point and get a 3 point and attach it to the C pillar like I did?

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by glamcem

no, you can use 4 point harnesses but the rules are somewhat vague and outdated IMO but here's an excerpt from the rules booklet



and the source
http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/ccr.pdf

this topic has been recently discussed in one of the threads I created

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69445

Like I said I had no problem with using my Schroth ASM Rallye 3 harnesses at NASA event and mentioned that it's DOT approved it has the label on it (patch) but it's a 3 point so it doesn't require a harness bar or roll bar ..

Thanks for clarifying. I don't think I should have an issue running my safety gear with NASA reading those rules.

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

Thanks for clarifying. I don't think I should have an issue running my safety gear with NASA reading those rules.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

Thanks for clarifying. I don't think I should have an issue running my safety gear with NASA reading those rules.

Yup. Section 11.3 of the CCR should make it clear what can and can't be used. You gonna join us in December?

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

You gonna join us in December?

Definitely considering it. I'm not usually a big fan of club race/ HPDE combination events because the races can screw up the HPDE schedules pretty badly as racing incidents occur. I'll get in touch with the Chief Driving Instructor in NASA SE and inquire about it as I'm not on their list of instructors yet.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

Definitely considering it. I'm not usually a big fan of club race/ HPDE combination events because the races can screw up the HPDE schedules pretty badly as racing incidents occur. I'll get in touch with the Chief Driving Instructor in NASA SE and inquire about it as I'm not on their list of instructors yet.

Understandable. Hopefully you can make it. It'd be great to have 5+ cars out there.