Thinking about the Civic and driving on track...

Fueling up the Civic

Usually, when we are deep into winter, I start really missing driving the Civic and wishing the track season was underway. In a way, it's worse this year, because I haven't driven the Civic since June when the engine broke. I have been watching a lot of track videos and playing Assetto Corsa (where I have downloaded a couple of Civics to drive) and I don't know if this makes things better or worse...

I was looking at my data from my sessions at ICAR. Strangely, my best lap ever at ICAR (1:46.85) did not come in 2021, but rather in my last session of 2020 (See story here). This is weird, because I managed to head to ICAR five times in 2021 before the car broke. 

1) On April 20th 2021, I was having issues with the vtec cutting out and managed a 1:48.08.

2) On April 27th, I had a clutch failure and on my only clean lap of my 2nd session, I managed a 1:47.27.

3) On May 18th, my exhaust came unbolted in my first session. I fixed it and headed out again, and managed a 1:47.34.

4) On May 25th, nothing broke. The weather was hot, and I managed a 1:47.68.

5) On June 1st, I only got out for one session before it rained, and I was dealing with traffic in the intermediate group. As a result, I only managed only a 1:48.54. 

I couldn't know at the time that this would be my last session at ICAR in 2021 (my engine failure at Calabogie happened on June 18th). You always think you will have more time to do stuff, and then time runs out! 

Watching videos of other people's cars (and even my own videos), I am not envious of the cars they have... I really am satisfied driving my Civic, and I don't wish it was an M3 or GT3. I'm just envious that they are on track and I am not. My car is in pieces now, but I really hope Choo will be able to put everything back together in time for the track season this year. 

Looking at the data from ICAR in 2021, I can see that I am not 100% consistent yet from lap to lap or session to session, but I can still see some improvement. I really, really hope I will get to attend a whole bunch of evening sessions this year...

First road trip in the 535i

There are not a ton of normal activities that we are allowed to do during this phase of the pandemic. Luckily, we have a comfortable car and we can drive... and drive. We decided to take a short trip to Gaspésie right after Christmas and it was a real pleasure making the trip in a luxury cruiser like the 535i. The holidays have been weird, because we hardly saw any friends or family. I've had time to watch quite a few cool car videos and have been playing Assetto Corsa a lot. I am focusing on learning the Nordschleife so that when I one day travel there, I will at least know what the next corner (sort of) looks like, and also on driving as many virtual laps as possible at Tremblant, Mosport and Calabogie. It's nowhere near as fun as actual track driving and it's really making me miss my Civic and summer!

Pit stop in Murdochville

Jules with a moose

Cool Van

Enjoying the hot tub at the hotel

One of many, many visits to the pool

The Fiat 500 is so much smaller than a current 3-series

I found this old photo in my archives of the only era when I had 2 race cars (2002-2003)

Still some cool cars on the road

...including this 370Z

I've seen a bunch of these Audi's, but was never able to get a photo!

... memories of the track in 2021

... and of summer in general

Can't wait to drive the Civic again...

... and of course the M3