Well, my photographer friend Terry and I limped the GTB back with the brake pedal 1" off the floorboard most of the way without hitting anything.
The brakes got a little better with every few miles of freeway air. Then the radiator overheated, so we had to drive with windows down (fun when neither of us can hear worth a darn to begin with ;- ) and the heater on full blast in 100-degree weather.
I dropped the car at a Firestone shop near my home vs. at WhoDeanie's (then trying to find a ride home on a Sunday evening). F-stone flushed and checked the lines for leaks, checked the master cylinder, connections, rotors, pads, etc. and everything is fine.
Just wanted to be cautious, and as expected, I had just boiled the fluid, and the radiator was just tired of the running the hills then hauling a couple of blubber-butts home in near 100-degree heat.
So, I'm ready for WhoDeanie's open house this coming Saturday, and the Caffeine & Octane (new location) this Sunday.
Even being forced to bail and limp home before the end of the trial run, this trip has added to my growing "learning experiences" with this particular Fiero:
1. After burning up the shifter cables during my first run at the Road Atlanta open-track day last year, when WhoDeanie said I drive the car too hard, he meant it. I see an upgraded brakes kit in my future.
2. Take a kitcar 240 lbs heavier than the stock Fiero SE V6, add almost 500 lbs of two middle-aged guys = overheated brakes, radiator, etc.
3. When FieroFool says "I'll take it slow so that no-one is pressured to keep up," it translates roughly to, "These revenue adjustments are not 'taxes.'
When my GPS says "Estimated Time of Arrival", I hear "Time to Beat."
Similarly, every time I saw FieroFool's tail-lights disappearing around the next set of curves, those errant Y chromosomes just took over, so any logical thoughts of easing up on the brakes, tires, clutch, radio, whatever just went out the window. FieroFool Can Drive!
4. When a woman (oh, let's call her... say... Duchess... ) starts acting all demure and whispers, "Oh, who, little ole ME...? He-he, well, I do declare, I'll be the weak link, and could just NEVER keep up with you big, strong men... tee-hee" ...
... be prepared to watch her fly through the curves like a scalded ape and flash you a Cheshire grin as she burns the paint off your doors going by. Cherchez la femme!
5. All-said, the Fiero is still the most fun I think I can have with my shoes still on. ;- )
Thanks, Charlie and Everyone!
Terry showed me his photos today. There is one image in particular (for the T-shirts) that I believe I can Photoshop to close up a gap between the first two cars, so I will try to work on them tomorrow night and get them posted.
Best,
Fiero GTB
