Overdue report (longish)

[GordonHyde@domain.elided]

Hey Gang - 
I promised Joe Cantrell that I would write a ditty about the fun time I had 
at the AROO PIR track day last Sunday, and I let a full week get by without 
writing a thing.  
I rode while Greg Miller drove his Spider over some nice Washington back 
roads to Portland last Saturday afternoon prior to an evening at our the 
house of our host (national boardmember) Doug Zaitz.  
We pulled up to Doug's house only to find him looking for the bilge pump on 
his new boattail race car.  He and Dan Sommers are the new co-owners of Keith 
Martin's Spider.  Doug towed the car in a downpour from its garage in 
downtown Portland and the seats and interior were pretty "damp."
We spent Saturday night eating, drinking fine wine and Oregon whiskey (that's 
right, single malt scotch distilled in Portland), talking Alfas, and reading 
the copious amount of Alfa literature that adorns Doug's den.  
Sunday morning found us up a "oh-dark-thirty" for the Alfa convoy to 
breakfast near the track.  Doug wanted me to drive his Milano on the off 
chance that we had nice weather, in which case he "might" drive the Jr. Z 
during the "fast tours."  The Jr. (with a 2-litre motor, it's really a Sr. Z) 
has not been on a track as long as Doug owned it.
After the morning fog burned off, the weather turned gorgeous, so Doug and I 
took off to pick up the Jr.  I was happily surprised when Doug asked if I 
would like to drive it back to PIR.  "Would I, Would I?"  The response to the 
old joke was "Hare Lip, Hare Lip."  But judgement prevailed, and instead of a 
flip remark, I jumped at the opportunity.  How could I pass up the chance to 
drive such a nice example of my dream Alfa and one of only 37 in the US.  WOW 
was that fun!!  Once at the track, Doug remarked about my Cheshire cat grin 
and my frequent use of rpms in first and second gear.  (Sorry Doug, I 
couldn't help myself)!!  
We got settled in to a great day of driving.  About 65 cars registered to 
enjoy late October sunshine in a wonderful venue.  The AROO group has lots of 
experience getting people in, registered, teched and onto the track.  They do 
a thorough job of getting the different sessions on track, on time, and back 
to the pits safely.  
I had driven PIR previously a couple of years ago in Novice sessions, but 
this time I drove in the "fast touring" group in Greg's car.  It brought back 
pleasant memories, but not as pleasant as the memories that are forming from 
the opportunity to ride with my buddy Joe Cantrell in his prepared street 
Spider.  
Besides his excellent camera work, Joe's passion is his Spider, and it shows. 
 With recently acquired Kuhmo Ecsta 712s mounted on Mustang rims, Rugh 
springs, and polyurethane bushings (Thanks Alfa Bill) the car is TIGHT.  Joe 
claims he can drive over a quarter and tell you if it is heads or tails.  The 
2000cc's coupled to a dynamite-sounding exhaust completes the setting.  I 
asked Joe (at speed) what kind of exhaust system he was running, but I could 
not hear the reply (insert BIG grin).  Oh, I forgot to mention the newly 
installed Miata bucket seats.  Minor welding was required, but the fit is 
great, and the seat is very comfortable.  They provide a different level of 
support than the stock seats, but definitely to my liking.  
It was cool to drive and ride at speed at a track that is negotiated 
clockwise, different from the counter-clockwise travel at SIR (now Pacific 
Raceways) and Bremerton, the two tracks I am most used to driving.  Now I 
have made a promise to myself to return in the Spring in the Hondarati 
Sportwagon.  Besides, this will allow me to wear out my tires on the left 
side of the car. 
And hey, to you Joe, thanks again for taking me for a very enjoyable ride.

Gordy Hyde
on the edge of Seattle 
(or the north edge of Portland, depending on your perspective)

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