Grip News: The Grip Syndicate Blog

The Grip Syndicate Blog

Alright, so I'm kinda new to this whole "blogging" thing, but I'll give it a try. I would like this section of the Syndicate's website to be THE place for news and info on whats going on in the club currently. The big news right now is our trip to V.I.R. with NASA and get-fast.net coming up on July 25th. For those that don't know, NASA puts on what they call a "circuitcross" 3 times a year at Virginia International Raceway in Danville, VA. Its run much like an autocross in the fact that only one car is out on course at a time, except now your driving on an actual track, and speeds are much higher. They put on a driving clinic the morning of the event and although its mandatory for first timers and novice racers, I personally reccommend that anyone competing take the class. If nothing else it gives you a chance to get a feel for the track and your car on that particular day in a non-competitive environment. Look for a special "VIR" album coming soon in the "Photos" section to see us in action on the track
.

(pic taken at out last circuitcross. The front section of the "Patriot Course")

Other news right now is the constant upgrading and modification to our Team Drivers cars. As of right now I know a couple that are being tweaked and tuned and one that has started fresh with a completely different car altogether. Jon Williams has picked up a "slightly" wrecked Volvo S60 T5 to transform into a dedicated track/autocross beast. Already he's started repairing (read: upgrading ) the suspension and will soon start on the cosmetic side of things. We wish him the best with that car and can't wait to see it out on track. Brad Anderson has currently changed his setup to include some nice coilovers on the BMW, and is our current "Grip Cup" holder. If he was fast before, just wait til he gets to try the new setup, looks like competition is going be tough. Thats the advantage to being in a group such as this, not only do you get to compete and drive with some great people, but to learn and help with projects you may never have had a hand in otherwise.

Things have been quiet on the cruising side of things as of late. Unfortunately things come up and people have plans, so its hard to coordinate schedules to get one in right now, but hopefully that will change very soon. Going out for some fun on the twisting turning backroads is one of the best things about performance car ownership. The scenery is great, the weather is (usually) beautiful, and its fun to find some road path you havn't been down before and drive just for the joy of it. Add to all that, doing it with a group of 5 or 6 like minded people in equally fun cars and you have a great time on your hands. Search Grip Syndicate on www.nationofgo.com and you can see our routes and pics from along the way. Our cruises usually can last over 100 miles, and we try to make them end in a car friendly place with some food and refreshment. Look for a cruise dedicted entry coming soon, as we are always compiling new pics and suggestions of great drives. Anyway, thats it for now, be sure to check back regularly as new content is always being added somewhere in the Grip Syndicate.