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132--California: Racing Porsches @ CherieSpotting     Jun 09 2003 - 19:10 PST cherie writes: Here is the FCT (Famous Cherie Test) to see if you are a race-car driver: 1. If you put nitrogen in your tires (instead of air) you may be a race-car driver. 2. If your driver’s window is mesh (instead of glass) you may be a race-car driver. 3. If your gas is blue (instead of gas-colored) you may be a race-car driver. 4. If your car expenses are more than your home expenses, you may be a race-car driver. 5. If you can change all four tires and fill up with gas in nine seconds, you may be a race-car driver. 6. If you wear out your tires in an hour (instead of three years) you may be a race-car driver. 7. If you are harnessed into your car by five belts (instead of one) you may be a race-car driver. 8. If you feel more comfortable in a liquid-cooled suit than a pair of jeans, you may be a race-car driver. 9. If your car’s garage has wheels on it, you may be a race-car driver. Tom invited Greg and me to join him with the San Diego Porsche Club at the California Speedway on June 7, 2003. Thousands of people were there racing (and cheering) the fastest automobiles around. Tom got us passes that allowed us access to everywhere on the track—even inside the pits! Greg and I met many racers, including Tom’s friends Phil, Steve and David who showed us their cars and answered all my silly questions between their races. The highlight of the day was when Tom took me for ride in his Porsche on the official race track and we zoomed around in speeds in excess of 100 mph! The Porsche Club even allowed Greg to take his 300ZX on the track and test his driving ability. Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 7877    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   Cherie looks like a natural in the driver's seat. Her quick reaction time and comfort behind the wheel impress everyone. Thumbs up and Steve is ready to roll! Tom can race around the track on his bike ALMOST as fast as the Porsches. This guy puts out the fires. The Porsches get on the track. Greg and Tom are practically the first ones there! Cherie getting down to the nuts and bolts. It's not about strength, it's about precision. Phil races by in his #68. Phil is so fast I can barely catch him on camera! This was the first car I saw "on fire!" The crows starts to gather. This tire has been used eight times, it is about to be "retired." Escargot? The American Way--red, white and blue. A woman's job is never done. This car gets a "face-lift" right on the track. Even the golf carts are hot-rods. Greg examines the engine of his 400 HP Nissan 300ZX. Greg's Nissan stands out in a sea of Porsches. Filling up the gas in 8 seconds. Someone should hire me! Prime color racing. Men are so funny. They use duct-tape for everything--even to fix their cars! The Porsche is all taped up and ready to go! The inside of a race-car. People often mistake me for a race-car driver. Cherie buckled-in (strapped-in?) and ready to race. Cherie and Greg. Greg's Nissan is a little outnumbered by Porsches. I've never seen an unhappy Porsche owner. I guess this is the adult version of the baby-seat (buckled-in five times.) I took this picture from the passenger's seat in Tom's car while we were on the race track. There's Tom and me going over 100 mph. Tom racing around the track. Cherie, a little windblown, after 10 laps in excess of 100 mph in Tom's Porsche. Racing around the bend. Notice the "race-car" in Tom's rear-view mirror. Safety first. The race course. Greg's Nissan 300ZX in Tom's rear-view mirror. A typical race-car driver can run through thousands of dollars in tires in a day. The ice-chest that Jerry is holding doesn't chill the drinks, it cools the driver. David in his racing-suit. The frigid water pumps through the blue tubes in his suit to keep him cool. Tires get changed multiple times during a racing day. A tire blowing-out, can mean death. Greg gets into the action. Working or playing? Cherie and Tom on the radio. Steve getting ready to race. #58 looks ready to break some records. David beats his fastest time by over 4 seconds. Greg listens to the "splits." Steve posts an incredible time, too! Standing-room only. Now #68 is the car to catch. Phil is gleaming after a great race. Phil and Cherie. All the people were in the "other" stands. The lap counter. Where's the tire girl when you need her? A Nissan in the race? Greg stands by another Nissan. #58 in action. Do all officers wish they drove a Porsche? Pit stop. Changing drivers and tires in less than 12 seconds. Speed...re-defined. These guys are ready to either put out a fire, or rob you. The race-track's version of a fire-man. Even though one man drives the car, racing is definately a team sport. Tom's Boxster. To help "cool down" after the race!