Road tripping from Maryland to Florida ...

[bimmerboy73]

... In the coupe on Sunday Nov 2. Picked it up today and heading down tomorrow likely with a stop in Virgina and possible overnight stay somewhere in the Carolinas. In almost 20 years of ownership the coupe has never once let me down. Fuel pump, plug wires, distributor, alternator are all pretty much new, tires are good and hoses are solid. Also went ahead and replaced my 9 year old battery as a precaution. I've driven it to Canada a few times, to the Pittsburg vintage 3 times ,the Vintage in Asheville a few times all with zero issues.

I have always just hopped in the car, started it up and gone. But this go-round comes on the heals of being in heated storage for the majority of the last 4 years. The car still started right up, albeit with a bit more smoke than I have seen in the past (likely dried seals). All the fluids are tipped up and good.Just wanted to give notice this time in the event something breaks on the way and there are members along the 95 corridor that might be able and available to lend a hand or recommend a reliable shop if need be.

Headed out around 1pm.

 

[m73]

Nice write-up …. Good luck with the drive

 

[Minivansomeren]

… whose RB F1 car is that…?

 

[bimmerboy73]

… whose RB F1 car is that…?

That belongs to the owner of the Collectors Car Coral in Owings Mills, MD. I think it's the RB 19 or RB 20.

It's insane how big the cars have become. When I started watching in the early 80s, they were basically supervised go-karts. Love the sport, but there's far too much tech in the cars these days. It dilutes the competition.

 

[ScottAndrews]

Love the sport, but there's far too much tech in the cars these days. It dilutes the competition.

I'm not sure I agree. Yes, the cars are larger, and MUCH more high tech, but this just changes the driving skills, it doesn't diminish them. I was at the recent USGP in Austin, sitting in the Turn 15 stands. This is an area where a lot of passing takes place. The skill of late braking at the end of a long fast straight, and positioning the car to pass in a very twisty section, especially as tires begin to fade and the cars get squarely, even with all that tech, requires skill and strategy, and at much higher speeds than in the past. Clearly the racing is different, but I found it just as interesting.

 

[bimmerboy73]

I'm not sure I agree. Yes, the cars are larger, and MUCH more high tech, but this just changes the driving skills, it doesn't diminish them. I was at the recent USGP in Austin, sitting in the Turn 15 stands. This is an area where a lot of passing takes place. The skill of late braking at the end of a long fast straight, and positioning the car to pass in a very twisty section, especially as tires begin to fade and the cars get squarely, even with all that tech, requires skill and strategy, and at much higher speeds than in the past. Clearly the racing is different, but I found it just as interesting.

I think you'd be in the minority then, no offense. I attend quite a few of the European circuit events annually and have for a while. The sport has had an issue for quite a while now as most races are nothing more than a race to turn 1 for the top 6 spaces. That makes the highlight of the weekend for many events Saturday qualifying. I forget the statistics, but an absurd number of race finishes end fairly close to the order established in the first lap or two of races for the top 5 or 6 spots. The cars are too big for the vast majority of tracks anymore. Austin does allow for passing as do a few others, but they are the minority . The most action occurs in the last 10 spots.

The tech is such that the top 5 spots are separated by a few 10ths if that much.

Most drivers have sided on less tech and more of an emphasis on driver skill. Fortunately F1 is listening and the cars are going to be smaller again next year to make tracks more competitive. No more DRS. But there will be a manual battery boost mode for overtaking (very videogames...) but we will see what that does.

Love the sport but it's not near what it was even 10 years ago.

 

[Minivansomeren]

I think you'd be in the minority then, no offense. I attend quite a few of the European circuit events annually and have for a while. The sport has had an issue for quite a while now as most races are nothing more than a race to turn 1 for the top 6 spaces. That makes the highlight of the weekend for many events Saturday qualifying. I forget the statistics, but an absurd number of race finishes end fairly close to the order established in the first lap or two of races for the top 5 or 6 spots. The cars are too big for the vast majority of tracks anymore. Austin does allow for passing as do a few others, but they are the minority . The most action occurs in the last 10 spots.

The tech is such that the top 5 spots are separated by a few 10ths if that much.

Most drivers have sided on less tech and more of an emphasis on driver skill. Fortunately F1 is listening and the cars are going to be smaller again next year to make tracks more competitive. No more DRS. But there will be a manual battery boost mode for overtaking (very videogames...) but we will see what that does.

Love the sport but it's not near what it was even 10 years ago.

I’ll chime in since I started this discussion by asking about the Red Bull…

I hear you on the tech. But as far as competitiveness, the cost cap has done a fantastic job. The last two seasons have regularly broken records for the closest fields (qualifying time) in recent memory. Also we have 7 out of 10 teams with a podium - that would have been unthinkable during the Ferrari, Red Bull, or Mercedes dominant era.

At least that’s my 2c

 

[BimRLuvR]

I love F1 but find IndyCar far more interesting racing...spec chassis with two engine manufactures makes the set up and driver combo far more influential in the unpredictable results race after race. IMHO.

 

[eriknetherlands]

@bimmerboy73 ; Hope you have safe travels and that the coupe again performs well. Enjoy the ride. If you do break down, shout out here.

 

[bimmerboy73]

I love F1 but find IndyCar far more interesting racing...spec chassis with two engine manufactures makes the set up and driver combo far more influential in the unpredictable results race after race. IMHO.

I completely understand why Indycar did what they did - although I just can't get as invested in it as I am F1. But yeah. The 'conpetition' might be closer than it's ever been on paper, but the reality is most Sunday 's come down to qualy and who he gets the lead in turn 1. Thereafter, it's a waiting 20 laps or so to see if anyone can gain ground via pit strategy.

@Minivansomeren - I agree things are tighter throughout the grid than in the Vettel / Schumi days, but I was talking more about the pre senna / williams era when the cars were quite simple and a talent like Senna could actually dominate a race on a rain soaked day when raw talent was able to really show itself or even 'out-place' his car on technical tracks where his ability was able to shine well above what others with better cars could.

I mean. How good is a guy like Hadgar in today's F1? He shows incredible flashes but the more computers are controlling yaw and vector steering, variable ride heights, etc, the less we can actually know the truth of some of these drivers. Would love to see the drivers all turn laps in an identical car to see how they stack up. Max would still probably dominate, but would the likes of Hadgar and Hulkenburg or Alonso be as far behind guys like Russell?

 

[bimmerboy73]

Loaded up and ready to roll on Sunday afternoon.

Safe at home, 1000 miles or so later in Florida. No problems really, but a slightly stuck thermostat that kept temps a bit lower than normal. Was a shame though because it really wanted to run out above 65 miles per hour. The straight 6 and triple webers make such sweet music when you get on it at around 3500 rpm and drop down to 4th.

Did get about 5 straight hours of rain though but I was more concerned with not hitting a deer than I was the tin worm. Headed out now to dry whatever water might be left.