I admit I had waited anxiously for this weekend for a quite a while. Back a few years ago I had taken my M3 BMW through Driving Concept’s High Performance Driving School which was performed back then at Buttonwillow Raceway near Bakersfield. It was an incredible experience. I had remembered as I drove home from that weekend a quote from Socrates; “All I know, is that I know nothing”. What I thought I was capable of, and what I thought my car was capable of, was turned upside down in one single 110-degree day on a race track near Bakersfield. I was excited, and exhausted. Every time I had tried to describe what happened that day to others I wasn’t able to convey the experience I had gone through. It was because unless you’ve done it yourself, you have no frame of reference from which to appreciate it.

Fast forward to February 20th 2009. I’m the proud owner of a new Dodge Challenger. I left my house a little before noon to meet up with Dan in Orange. It was a great day to drive to Pahrump, sunny and 70 degrees. After meeting Dan we both headed up to San Dimas to meet Dave at his friend’s home. We chatted for a few and then got in our cars to make the 250-mile trek to Pahrump, Nevada. We received our usual Challenger treatment on the way there. We were waved at, photographed, and given multiple thumbs up’s. A silver Challenger SE caught up with us and waved at each one of us before speeding off towards Vegas. After a gas/munchie/restroom stop in Baker we headed out on the 127 Highway for an 80-mile drive through fantastic and desolate scenery. I had never been on that two lane highway. It was spectacular. Upon arriving in Pahrump we found our way to our hotel, the Pahrump Nugget.

After unpacking I arranged a dinner with some of the instructors that were going to be teaching us how to drive the right way. It was interesting to watch Dan and Dave go through what I did those couple of years ago. The questions you want answers to. The feeling of not knowing what tomorrow was going to bring. I remembered it well. I didn’t ask Dan or Dave how they felt after that dinner, I just remembered Buttonwillow and how my stomach was in knots the night before.

Saturday morning we had to be at the track at 7:30 am. After breakfast, we went out to our cars and found something very unusual on them, ice. It had gotten below freezing at some point during the night and the condensation on the cars had frozen. Being California guys, it was something we didn’t expect to see. We arrived at the track and met up with Bryan, a Challenger owner from Vegas, and Eddie, our SoCal Challenger brother who offered to take photos and videotape of us while we were out on the track. We taped up our cars and headed inside. The facility was incredible. Newly built, it had state-of-the-art lockers, showers, wi-fi, and even an on-facility massage therapist. Members had their own garages on-site. Definitely first class. We had our introduction meeting where we introduced ourselves and then were introduced to our instructors. Included were past and present champion racers. It was an impressive panel of talent that we had access to. Tony Adamowicz was on the panel. He was referred to as “God” by the other instructors. I knew Tony’s background and had been around him before. We were in for a special weekend.

After you get put into your groups, either A or B, you get assigned an instructor for the day. I had “Middle finger” Bill Noonan. What happens first is that the instructor drives the first three or four laps in your car. You get to see the track from the passenger seat where you can concentrate on learning every curve and dip. You also get to see what lines your instructor takes around those curves and dips. Then comes the first ego deflator. You get to drive the course. You then realize you can’t do what the instructor did so easily with your car just moments before. You’re all over the place, your lines are crap, and you’re going at grandma speed or Parnelli speed when you shouldn’t be. It’s usually about then that your instructor tells you that he was only going at four or five tenths of what he could have done with your car when he was driving it. Ouch. You realize you have a lot to learn. It almost seems like you’ll never get it because you’re so far away from what they can do at four or five tenths effort. Something happens to you though over the course of the day. You listen to your instructor, you keep going out there, and you get better every time. By the end of that first day, you are measurably better at everything. I could see the guys improvement. It was great to see. I was proud of them and got to see the smiles on their faces. That made my day. Saturday night we all had dinner together with the instructors and had a great time picking their brains, listening to stories, and looking forward to seeing how much we would improve tomorrow.

Sunday was more of the same: repetition, repetition, repetition. I remember watching Dan go down the front straight while I stood there talking with one of the instructors in the afternoon. He was smoking down that straight away. He wasn’t doing that just one day earlier. Again, I was really proud of how much everyone improved. We left a little early to get back and beat the traffic. I knew from doing the class some years ago that the lives of Dan, Dave, and Bryan would be different. It’s that heavy of an experience. If it’s not that for you, you have no pulse. Take up knitting.

I’d like to thank Driving Concepts for imparting their knowledge to us. It is invaluable. We can’t thank you enough. Thank you to Eddie for sitting on his butt all day in a three-story observation tower all the while documenting our experience for us to enjoy forever. We can’t wait to do the same for you when you get your butt out on the track. And finally thanks to Bryan and my fellow SoCal Challenger members Dan and Dave, for sharing an incredible experience with me that we can talk about forever.

I was looking at our new SCC webpage and was reading the story of our Track day event in Pahrump, Nevada. It made me smile as I recalled the overwhelming fun that we had on that weekend. I only wish that more of you guys had been able to join us.

It caused me to start thinking about our last meet and greet. The day was Sunday the 8th and it was a tricky morning. Father-time played the annual, “spring forward” time change. I was a victim of this and was a full hour late. I received a call from Jeff Lowe, “Hey, are you gonna make it”.

Miss Dyno day at Stack Performance, “No Way”. I was running an hour late, so when I turned the corner I nailed it hard. I needed to make my dyno day presence known. It was great to pull up and be welcomed by all the on-timers. Challeys were parked all about. It was in the 70’s with cotton ball clouds scattered about. Ryan sure knows how to do a car throw down. Tent, BBQ, dyno, Vipers, Chargers, Darts, 300’s, it was very Hemi place.

For those that were on site for the first visit to Stack Performance, it must have been like heaven. Very clean and modern with a vision that is very clear. We do things right here!
The entry door to the office area looks like most, but the big “SP” logo over the door hints and asks you to be ready. Marble tiled floors, Brembo, Corsa, Hotchkis displays. Stack, exclusive parts to look at, leather sit downs, big screen TV. You then realize, I’m in the right place with all the right people. I hope all of you made it inside to check it out.

I say that knowing how much cool factor was outside. Challengers parked around the drive way lead you into the garage area. From the street to the garages you could see powerful rides everywhere. Why have a dyno if you’re not going to use it. Since I was an hour late I missed a few earlier runs on the dyno. It was not long after that when Ryan’s guys rolled out a few more Challengers. Once on the dyno, they torqued all of the rear lugs and started them up. Each car, whether R/T or SRT had their own unique sound. I had never stood so close to a car doing over 100 MPH. Everyone would have to agree that it is a special treat to hear your car under a heavy foot and being able to stand right there and listen to the power. Several decisions were made that day after being able to listen and compare the intake and exhaust combination from each car on the dyno. Very high on the kewl factor!!

After a few more Hemi’s were allowed to rip and roar we all lined up for some SP dogs and burgers. The gear heads know how to flip burgers too. The lunch was perfect and I bet all would agree that we were treated very well. The chatter was everywhere and we were all having a good day. After several more cars were run on the dyno, we gathered around for the tent for the awards. As a ploy to get me to do this write up I was temporarily awarded first place. That honor has been transferred to the proper Silver SRT8 winner, Chuck R. Please share with Chuck a pat on the back for being the true high pull of the day.

Second place went to Juan Carlos in his Hemi Orange RT. It was a real treat for everyone to listen and compare the intake and exhaust combination from each car on the dyno. A third place trophy was given for the furthest traveler, which went to Chris(SparkChicken). After the awards were handed out, we had our first official group meeting. Everyone agreed that this day was very big success for our 4th SCC meet.

The day was not finished until we had all 19 Challengers lined up in front of Stack Performance for a new record photo shoot. On behalf of all the SCC members, I would like to offer a great big thank you to Ryan and all the guys and gals of Stack Performance that made this such a successful event!