The Racing Geek

Hit 36,000 miles yesterday.

Chris Harris review the new Supercharged Lotus Elise - me wants to upgrade

Harris is one of the best automotive reporters out there - he strikes an excellent balance between the humour of Jeremy Clarkson and the driving ability of Tiff Needell. If you liked that review I highly recommend the Chris on Camera series where he reviews a different car every week.

Since my car just turned two years old I figured it was time to write a follow-up to the original year in pictures post.

30 Dec 06: Another trip to LA down Highway 1. Tons of pics here.

17 Feb 07: Visited the Tesla factory and saw the latest roadster to be built at Hethel.

24 Feb 07: Start the track season at Thunderhill with TEAM

1 Apr 07: East Bay Etalk Brunch

24 Apr 07: Met Crudson and JnC on their cross country trip

12 May 07: Had a 95 mph spin at Reno-Fernley Raceway

15 June 07: A photo of my car (post spin) is used by the SCCA for an ad in Sportscar magazine

16-27 June 07: 2500 mile roadtrip to Vancouver

12 Aug 07: Broke down on Highway 1 with no cell service. Had to hitch a ride to town to call the tow truck.

18 Aug 07: Saw a bunch of classic Lotus at the Monterey Historics.

1 Sept 07: Elisetalk photoshoot in Alameda

22 Sept 07: Finally convince Nithya to drive in the GGLC autocross - was in the GTI rather than the Elise but she still had fun

Nithya @ the GGLC AutoX from rnair on Vimeo.

20-12 Oct 07: 24 Hours of Lemons with Team SFF1. More details here.

2 Dec 07: 2 years and 33,500 miles later my luck finally runs out and I get rear ended

Got rear ended at a red light today. No injuries though it looks like the rear clam will have to be replaced. The other drivers insurance has already accepted liability, now I just have to hope I am not without the car for too long.

Some in-car video from yesterdays GGLC autocross in Marina.

The first video is my fast lap for the day. I don’t slow enough after the slalom and understeer into a cone. I still end up doing a 40.1 (+1).

Fast lap from rnair on Vimeo.

The second video is from my last run of the day where I am sideways on at least 3 occasions. It was a slow run (41.6), but great fun nonetheless

A very sideways lap from rnair on Vimeo.

The last video is Nithyas best run (46.5) of the day in the GTI. For someone who almost backed out of her first event, she is becoming very good at this. If you have never tried autocrossing you should come down to one of the GGLC events next season and give it a try - it is safe, fun and the best way to learn car control.

Nithya Fast Lap from rnair on Vimeo.