This past week has been a real busy one for me. I didn't want to spill the beans until I new for sure what was going to happen. Last week Gordon asked if I would like the car used in a magazine shoot in conjuction with a story about Bob and his school. Well needless to say I said YOU BET ! Well Gordon took my GT and massaged the alignment and set the suspension up for a trail run on the Bonburant track. On
Wednesday Gordon took the GT over to the track. I was not there as I was out of town . Well, I guess Bob loved the car and the way it handled. He gave Gordon some helpfull critisizm. On Friday the GT was brought back again to the track for another go and a photo shoot for the magazine. Well I was pretty exited and I was going to be there by then. I showed up at the track and Gordon was there with the GT on a trailer. As they were unloading it he was telling me about what was going to happen. It seemed the Bob Bondurant was called out of town but that Mike McGovern, the head instructor for Bondurant, would be taking Bobs place. Gordon also mentioned that there was two magazine people there to get the story. WOW! Gordon introduced me to all concerned and off they went snapping pictures and moving the GT to get the light just right. They were taking the photos right in front of the Bonurant building.
After a short interview we proceeded to the track. We were going to be using the small intruction track just behind the school. I'm not sure how long this track is but I'm sure it's over a mile.
Mike McGovern went first with the Kit car editor, Mike Blake. The first couple laps were obviously deliberate so he could feel out the GT. After that, Mike really let her fly. Man Oh Man!! What a sound as he really poured it on. Every lap got quicker and quicker. One of the other instructors hopped in one of the school mustangs and got in behind the GT. every lap the GT was 3 car lenghs further ahead. It was obvious the the Mustang just couldn't keep up the pace. Mike soon pulled in and he was giving Gordon a report as to how the GT did. As far
as I can gather Mike was very impressed with the handling and the quickness. He did however state that he personally would like a quicker steering ratio and a little firmer brake pedal. Other than that he thought the car was a blast to drive.
Then it was my turn to go. I let Tim Sharp of Grass Roots Motorsports magazine drive and I climbed in the passenger seat. Now
this guy can flat out drive. Even though he was not familiar with my car he was really zoomin" after a few testing laps. Basically, Tim thought the GT was a pleasure to drive. He thought that each driver would want the car setup a little different because they all have their peticular feel. Tim was very complimentary and thought the car was fantastic.
I really didn't hear a lot of what Tim was saying because I was still waiting to release the pucker factor that was built up.
After we did our eighth lap the engine went
silent and we coasted into the pits. Only to find that we had a broken or faulty rotor. Gees! just when we were having fun.
Now that was a really cool day. Gordon took the GT back to his shop and he is changing a few things on the setup and replacing the rotor. He is also putting on new brake pads that are more suited for the track and street. I was told that it would be August or September before the articles would run in the magazines. Possibly Gordon can comment further on Bob Bondurants comments on the GT. Not being there wouldn't want to comment.
Sorry guys, I don't have any pictures. I went off and left my camera in the garage. I felt pretty stupid when I got there with no camera. However I was assured that Mike or Tim would send me some as soon as they could.
Hersh
Wednesday Gordon took the GT over to the track. I was not there as I was out of town . Well, I guess Bob loved the car and the way it handled. He gave Gordon some helpfull critisizm. On Friday the GT was brought back again to the track for another go and a photo shoot for the magazine. Well I was pretty exited and I was going to be there by then. I showed up at the track and Gordon was there with the GT on a trailer. As they were unloading it he was telling me about what was going to happen. It seemed the Bob Bondurant was called out of town but that Mike McGovern, the head instructor for Bondurant, would be taking Bobs place. Gordon also mentioned that there was two magazine people there to get the story. WOW! Gordon introduced me to all concerned and off they went snapping pictures and moving the GT to get the light just right. They were taking the photos right in front of the Bonurant building.
After a short interview we proceeded to the track. We were going to be using the small intruction track just behind the school. I'm not sure how long this track is but I'm sure it's over a mile.
Mike McGovern went first with the Kit car editor, Mike Blake. The first couple laps were obviously deliberate so he could feel out the GT. After that, Mike really let her fly. Man Oh Man!! What a sound as he really poured it on. Every lap got quicker and quicker. One of the other instructors hopped in one of the school mustangs and got in behind the GT. every lap the GT was 3 car lenghs further ahead. It was obvious the the Mustang just couldn't keep up the pace. Mike soon pulled in and he was giving Gordon a report as to how the GT did. As far
as I can gather Mike was very impressed with the handling and the quickness. He did however state that he personally would like a quicker steering ratio and a little firmer brake pedal. Other than that he thought the car was a blast to drive.
Then it was my turn to go. I let Tim Sharp of Grass Roots Motorsports magazine drive and I climbed in the passenger seat. Now
this guy can flat out drive. Even though he was not familiar with my car he was really zoomin" after a few testing laps. Basically, Tim thought the GT was a pleasure to drive. He thought that each driver would want the car setup a little different because they all have their peticular feel. Tim was very complimentary and thought the car was fantastic.
I really didn't hear a lot of what Tim was saying because I was still waiting to release the pucker factor that was built up.
After we did our eighth lap the engine went
silent and we coasted into the pits. Only to find that we had a broken or faulty rotor. Gees! just when we were having fun.
Now that was a really cool day. Gordon took the GT back to his shop and he is changing a few things on the setup and replacing the rotor. He is also putting on new brake pads that are more suited for the track and street. I was told that it would be August or September before the articles would run in the magazines. Possibly Gordon can comment further on Bob Bondurants comments on the GT. Not being there wouldn't want to comment.
Sorry guys, I don't have any pictures. I went off and left my camera in the garage. I felt pretty stupid when I got there with no camera. However I was assured that Mike or Tim would send me some as soon as they could.
Hersh
