Vaughn Gittin Jr's Backyard

A backyard to aspire to. I still have plans for a backyard kart track, but I don't think it will ever compare to this (ie...I don't have a rock quarry on my yard)....enjoy.

Video Link

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2-Post Lift Install

On the trailer

Unloaded in the shop

1st post up 

And there's the 2nd one

Top bar on - now to run hydraulics and the equalizer cables

Arms going on, now for the wiring

It works

A bit higher than my jack stands....

Shakin' the Camaro Down with Equipe Rapide

Koni enjoyed her first autocross

I ran my first autocross of the season this past Sunday with Equipe Rapide at Lone Star Park in Dallas, TX. LSP's main lot is huge (length of Mineral wells, but about half the width) and the course took advantage of it. There was also some elevation change that played into the course which is a bit unique. As usual with Equipe Rapide, we got 8 runs split into 2 heats so I had ample runs to feel out the car, give Ali  a few rides, and make a setup change. Mainly this was a shakedown before the National SCCA Solo series starts up. I have not run the car since Solo Nationals last year so I was certainly relieved when the car ran well. I played with rear spring rate to check the direction I had gone last year which confirmed I liked the base setup I ran at Solo Nats.

Changing rear springs between heats

Ali with a big helmet

I ran in the indexed Expert class and was able to start off 2014 with a win. I also had the Top PAX time of the day with my 7th run at a 62.934s. Full results and in-car video of my 2nd quickest run (63.3, didn't get my fast run on video):

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Full results here: www.autocross.com/er/equiperapide/modules/content/index.php?id=130

Class Results

PAX Top 20

Bobsledding at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Track in Park City

I need to do this one day....

Or this....

I need to bring my own brakeman for the latter one. Any volunteers to hold on while I learn to drive a bobsled? Don't worry, I watched the Olympics....I know what I'm doing!

See the Park City Bobsled and Skeleton options here: http://utaholympiclegacy.com/sports/bobsledskeleton

360º View of 2014 Mercedes F1 W05

Looks to be from one of the team's filming days at Silverstone. It's a very cool look at the new 2014 F1 cars. I'm guessing it's an expensive camera setup too!

See the video here: http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/car/f1-w05-360-video/

The 2013 Season in Pictures

February - Autocross season started off with suspension testing in Mineral Wells

March - Close Battle in ESP at the College Station Tour, 3rd in PAX overall

April - First ProSolo event ever, Mineral Wells Pro in ESP

May - First Championship Tour win in the ESP, quick time in ESP on Day 2 in the wet

May - Won  SCCA's Video of the Month for my winning wet run at SpringNationals

June - Got to drive an STS CRX that has won many National Championships

July - Spent two days driving with my Dad at the Nurburgring Nordschleife


July - Drove a Rent4Ring Stage 2 BRZ for a full Touristenfahrten day at the 'Ring


July - Drove a Rent4Ring Stage 2 VW Scirocco for an evening Touristenfahrten session at the 'Ring

July - Hit 100mph on the Autobahn

July - Visited the BMW Welt and BMW Museum with Ali and my Dad

July - Gave GT Academy a try, finished around 540th at our 25,000 Americans


September - Finished 3rd in ESP ProSolo points after the Pro Finale in Lincoln


September - Came home in 4th in ESP at the 2013 SCCA Solo Nationals in


September - Ali ran her first autocross at the Solo Nationals and did great


September - Added this Shiba Inu, Koni , to the family


October - Back to Bondo for a bit of training


November - Our view from Turn 7 for the Formula 1 race at COTA

December - 2-post lift arrived for the shop

A Stroll Through Barrett Jackson

I got a chance to visit the Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ two weeks ago. First off, the auction itself has a massive footprint....the indoor spaces for the auction and all of the auction cars are HUGE. If you include the outdoor tents and vendor areas then it is quite a bit to take in a few hours. Overall, it was a very very impressive collection of cars. Clearly, there are two ways to go the auction - as a car guy going to a car show or someone going to buy/bid on a car. I was in the former camp. As a car show, it is fantastic and being by the stage hearing and seeing the auction that I have watched many times on TV was pretty cool. I took a few photos as I strolled through. Here are the highlights:

The Facility:

Automobilia Auction on Stage

Cool $70K simulator that I got to run

Bondurant Demonstration for C7 Vettes

Outdoor tent with huge collection of cars to auction

Another BA simulator setup

The queue outside for the auction block

Car Auction in Action

Filming piece on the Salon collection cars

The Cars:

Simon Cowell's Veyron

Gas Monkey Garage F40

L88 Corvette Racecar

Cool Warren Johnson Drag Car

Engine Goodness

Two Vintages of Batmobile

Mosler

Snake and Mongoose Drag Cars + Haulers

Vintage Midget with restored over-cab hauler

Crazy Hot Wheels BMW Isetta

Historic Fiat Racecar

FIA 289 Cobra

Viper GTS-R

Hot Rod Jeep with Gunner Seat!

These two cars are never far apart........

Miami Vice Boat with a cool engine shot