This past week was ridiculous. Jason Ahmad was in town from New York, and it's always a party with that guy. I was up until 3am every night of the week, and literally slept for 24 hours this weekend to make up for it.
Highlights:
MotorcycleJason rented a motorcycle for a couple days. I got a ride on it from SF to Walnut Creek. That thing was incredible! So fast. I definitely want to learn to ride now, and eventually pick up a used motorcycle! When he accelerated, I almost fell off the back! Awesome!
Top of the MarkOn Wednesday night we had our weekly SF Wednesday event at Top of the Mark. We had a great turnout of 15 people! It was also close to Avi's birthday so we got him a cake.
Pictures of the SF Wednesdays eventsUsing the e-brake in the MiataOn Thursday I let Jason drive my Miata around. He definitely pushed it hard including several hard launches where he peeled out. He showed me how to use the ebrake to lockup the rear wheels and make uturns, all James Bond style. The hard part is keeping your revs up so you can immediately launch forward after you straighten out.
Thunderhill!Jason rented a Mustang Coupe from the airport and we went to Thunderhill for a day at the track!
I had my best track day ever by far. I improved a lot through the day, ran the intermediate group, and by the afternoon sessions I passed WRX STis and even a Ferrari! For the first time I feel like I have perfect car control of my BMW. I can slide all over the place and I never feel like I've lost control. I can drift through turns, and throttle steer to get the BMW to go exactly where I want. Many realizations:
1. The BMW and Miata are identical. Front engine, rear wheel drive, 50/50 weight, perfect feedback and control. The reason why the Miata is more fun to drive is because I do with it at 30mph what the BMW does at 80. I also mastered the Miata faster because I drive around Cupertino sliding and drifting and learn the car. The BMW requires a track environment to hit its limit and learn anything.
2. So long Audi!? Wow. Based on this experience at the track, and conversations with Jason, I have lost my love for Audi. Yes, they are beautiful cars with great fit and finish. But they don't match BMW design and performance. BMW is taking a risk with their latest designs, and they are creating unique cars.
One interesting detail about Audis is their steering is very hard. I loved this about my Audi because I thought that meant it had more feedback. When I got the BMW, the steering felt to soft. Now I realize the Audi steering is actually artificially hardened. The BMW is softer when driving around the streets, but on the track when you are pushing the car, it has the perfect amount of feedback (the Miata is the same). By artificially making the steering harder, Audi kills the feedback. It's just always hard!
Jason absolutely beat the crap out of the Mustang. NEVER NEVER NEVER BUY A RENTAL CAR. Lots of people at the track took it out for a few laps. I think the verdict was that it was somewhat well balanced and controllable on the track, but overall a big heavy piece of crap. The best quote was "I can't believe much of America considers this a sports car."
Pictures from ThunderhillTaqueria Cancun and Al's partyFriday night I got back from the track, totally exhausted. Jason had a craving for Taqueria Cancun, since he doesn't get that in NY. I hadn't been there in about 6 months since I watch what I eat now. But we went and it sure was delicious!
After that I headed to Al's party where I had a few drinks. Lots of fun.
Pictures from several of Al's partiesOtherSaturday I slept until 4 and then went to the Stanford football game. Although we lost to UC Davis, it was lots of fun. I saw a bunch of Phi Psis there, and after the game Becca and Emily were talking a lot of smack to the Davis fans.
Sunday we celebrated Avi's birthday at House of Prime Rib. The food was definitely very good (a bit cold), but I'm not sure if it was worth the price. Still, it was a place I wanted to go at some point.
It was a great weekend. It makes me wonder if I'll be able to leave the Bay Area, my friends, and the track!