Team Shum (including Jacob from our “Junior Team”) were out in full force at the 2012 US Formula 1 Grand Prix. This was the the first USGP held since 2008, and the inaugural race held at Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas. Kenny and Cindy got to Austin a week early for their sightseeing and culinary tour, while Jon, Jacob met up at the … Continue reading 2012 Austin US Grand Prix
At Toby and Mary’s wedding, Mary arranged her good friend (and professional pastry chef) Kate to custom make a groom’s cake. This is not just any 911… Mary even spec’ced “Type 964” correctly and Kate did a great job with all the details, down to a rear license plate that is our wedding date. And of course the cake was delicious! Toby was very moved … Continue reading Toby’s 911 Turned into a Groom’s Cake!
Toby was at VIR for my first race with the Porsche Club last weekend. Special thanks to Kenny who built “Dirty Molly” from a street car to a race car; Geoff at ASG for prepping my car, which ran flawlessly; Bob Mulligan for being my rookie mentor; SkankyFrank for bringing my spare set of fresh BFGs; and the friendly and supportive fellow racers and stewards. … Continue reading Toby’s PCA rookie race at VIR
Toby and his friends Pat and Ram entered the 24 hours of LeMons (not LeMans) race at the Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit. 24 Hours of LeMons is an endurance race series for cars (lemons) that “cost” less than $500. The team decided to enter a 1987 BMW 535i. The rule allowed selling parts to get the cost down to $500, excluding safety equipment and consumables. … Continue reading 24 Hours of Lemons
Team Shum made the pilgrimage to the Montreal Grand Prix again. We again got seats at Turn 2, which provided a great view of the tough “Senna S” complex. We also got to see great side by side racing at race start and pit stop action. It was a McLaren 1-2, with Lewis Hamilton leading Jenson Button at the checkered flag. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso finished … Continue reading 2010 Montreal Grand Prix
To prepare for Club Racing, Toby studied the rule book for modifications so Dirty Molly’s could be more competitive. Toby found a rare factory Aerokit II rear decklid and rear wing. The fiberglass decklid was much lighter than the stock steel one. The wing was the only allowed substitute to the stock pop-up spoiler. In addition to looking menacing, it reduced drag and improved straight … Continue reading Final Race Prep
On Betty and Gary Church’s recommendation, Kenny and Toby visited Palmaz Vineyard in Napa. They toured the vineyard’s state of the art gravity flow wine making facility and cellar, had an excellent tasting and brought back quite a few (Kenny and Toby looked a little tipsy?) and of course, saw the Porsche collection. Highly recommend it if you are visiting Napa. http://www.palmazvineyards.com/ Continue reading Palmaz Porsche Collection
In preparation to the 2009 season, Toby and Kenny completed an audacious project (lucky fools!) to remove shocks and sent back to JRZ for service and replaced shock mount monoballs that were worn out. Molly was on jack stands in Toby’s garage spot and his neighbors and the building’s watchmen were amused by the sight. Kenny completed his PhD program and got great news of … Continue reading 2009 Track Days Recap
To make Dirty Molly safer and to prepare for the eventual Club Race, Toby decided to give her a roll cage. Toby and Kenny first put Molly on a weight loss diet. All things “comfort” were removed (carpets, plastic molding, stereo and air conditioning). The doors were reduced to a bare skin, with no interior door panel, armrest, power window or power lock mechanism and … Continue reading Dirty Molly Got “Caged”
2008 was another great season. Toby and Kenny did 22 track days at Summit Point, VIR, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen. Highlight of the year included: 1) Kenny and Toby were certified to be instructors with PCA and NASA It was good to be able to “give back” to the track day community. It also provided Toby and Kenny with the rare opportunities to be on track … Continue reading 2008 Track Days Recap
