Registration links just came out - I know its early but wanted to share
http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/...-racing-268379
Printable View
Registration links just came out - I know its early but wanted to share
http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/...-racing-268379
It's like WAY early, but I'm out.
You are right Bill. Register for RA BUT Mid Ohio is a big deal. Big plans, the perfect event.
I know everyone is all getting ready for the "Fun One" this weekend but dont forget, when you get back to register for RA.
So far there are 4 of us?!
Brian at least a few people are waiting until after WGI. I'll probably know by Sunday.
Taking a softer approach to this, 4 days left before registration closes so far we have:
88 Dave Dawon
11 Butch Deer
17 Brian Finegan
2 Jim Nash
Anyone else, just wanted to make sure no one forgets.
With a light group going, I was hopeful that we could paddock in the same general area.
The total event has only 73 entries at this point, so it is unknown what paddock space Chicago Region has rented access to. I know Bruce (LMI) will want to be on the pavement and likely Butch will as well.
Will try to find out what's available and post.
Would be great to be close.
We'll look for you guys. I am just now getting the D. Carr rebuilt engine in the car. It looks great but they always do.
Jim
Looks like Mr. Rob Clark will be joining the group at Road America
Total entry for the event is now up to 86
I'm still not free of worry in family matters, therefore RA is the first series weekend that I can’t attend in 6 years. (Not counting of course the American Airlines induced fiasco at the Milwaukee Mile last year). So guys carry on and I’ll be watching you on Race Monitor. Also tell the Chicago Region we can use an end of July or end of August Race next year.
Looks like racing in the summertime at least for Saturday.
Good luck guys------- wish I was there
Looks like Jim Nash running his new Autowerks motor grabbed the morning pole.
the podium looked like
1) Rob Clark 2.40.7
2) Jim Nash 2.41.3
3) Brian Finnegan 2.45.4
hoping someone will give us more info?
Pics?
Quick race report...with chance of showers the track was dry, but light rain did fall during the race. With a small FST field complimented by 1 FV and with a split start it was a mad dash to turn 1, Nash took off from pole while Deer, Finegan and Clark ran 3 wide. Clark on the inside held the corner and got a great run on Nash to pass into 2. Coming round the first lap Nash got great tow to reclaim the lead which Clark reclaimed into 5, he then built a small gap into a 6 second lead, which he held to the end with Nash home second. Meanwhile Deer Finegan and Dawson had a great race long battle. Finegan held on to claim the last spot on the podium from Dawson and then Deer.
Sunday’s podium
Again these are unofficial results
1) Rob Clark 2.40.0
2) Jim Nash 2.41.0
3) Dave Dawson 2.46.7
Looks like the rain held off and the track was quick
Sunday was a repeat of Saturday with unpredictable weather and strong winds. Just before qualifying a heavy shower soaked the track, but Dawson, Nash and Fingean bravely changed onto wets and went out, while Clark and Deer cowered in their warm trailers.
It was a tough session but Nash made the best of it for pole, with Dawson second and Fingean 3rd.
Sunday's race was a similar story to Saturday, the track was dry, but light showers persisted through the race and a strong headwind blowing up from turn 5 meant fast times were a challenge. At the start Nash grabbed the lead with Clark jumping from 5th to be on his gearbox at turn 1.
Clark passed going into Turn 2, but Nash countered out of the tow into Turn 5 and led the first lap. Crossing the line Clark took advantage of the tow and passed to take the lead into Turn 1 and then as happened on Saturday opened up a gap and built it into a handy lead, taking the win by 9 seconds from Nash in 2nd. Meanwhile Fingean, Deer and Dawson had another great battle, this time Dawson leading the group home for the last spot on the podium.
What a long week, 1803 miles, two race weekends, and an engine change with lots of great racing thrown in for good measure.
Saturday started off wet with spotty showers at just the wrong time. I just rode around some to find out where the puddles were since that would prove useful at a later point. Then I get the meatball, the oil cooler cracked and was spraying on the exhaust. A lot of cleanup and a new cooler (thanks Jim) and the car is ready to go.
Meanwhile the sun has come out and the track is nice and dry. Starting last we all took off with a scrum for position in turn 1. I quickly realized that I was down on HP and concentrated on keeping up with Butch and Brian. It was a 3 way tussle for a few laps and then I got a small gap of about 4-5 seconds which I promptly lost by running wide in turn 5 and 8 on the same lap and Brian is now firmly stuck on my tailpipe. 3 to go and Brian goes by up the hill into 1. I try the same move a lap later and can't get by. I knew my only chance was to pass as soon as possible and try and pull a gap. I got around into 5 but couldn't get away and Brian pulls even going up the hill and nips me by a half car length (.06). Well played sir!
Sunday, wetter than ever and Jim, Brian and I are fool enough to go out and try to earn a point for pole. It all nearly ended in tears sliding along the inside wall at the carousel coming to rest about 8 inches from bare concrete(whew!), having had a good scare I settled for 3rd starting position.
The race starts with another scrum in turn 1 and I manage to hang onto 3rd with Butch and Brian right on my tail. Rob and Jim take off and leave us in the dust and we settle into the same back and forth for a couple of laps with Butch and I trading spots. I keep watching for Brian to pop up and take a turn at us and notice that he has faded somewhat. I put in some really tidy laps and pulled a gap from Butch which allowed me to cruise home in 3rd.
All in all it was a good race meeting.
Sounds like you guys had a ball and congratulations to all for going as fast as you did. You three must have felt you were in the bottom reading group for going out to practice. If you all stayed indoors they maybe would have gridded you alphabetically!
And as Carl used to say about those oil coolers they either work or they don’t. This time they worked in New York and failed in Wisconsin. Don’t know how to think about it now.
Great job hanging in there.
Seems like Rob, Dave and Robert have done an excellent job of reporting what was a really great event. So, I'll just add a bunch of photos.
More Photos
Saturday - Just like Rob and Dave had said, it was a slick one out there on Saturday morning. Being group 2 did not help, a group of Miata's (Group !) tried to dry lines for us from the rain the previous night. Track was slick and some peoples confidence grew faster than others. Qualifying 3rd was a great self accomplishment, considering who else I was running with. Knowing that Rob was behind me, I knew it would get interesting. Flag waves and we are off, I see Dave next to me and then I see Rob gaining steam on my right, feeling like the filler of a samich, I had visions of F1 races going through my head, just don't pinch Rob. My only thought was to keep with all of them and don't loose the pace. Rob and Jim checked out and left Dave, Butch and I to sort out the rest. A few laps of going back and forth with Butch, Dave and I started to pull away trading 3rd and 4th at different spots. As the one lap signal was given, (a whisper a la Field of Dreams - if your draft it you can pass it) all I thought about is what Bonow had said for years at Road America, be behind in the last set of corners...you can draft. I just thought to myself don't let Dave go, just before the hill started I was gaining and I pulled out hoping that this would stick, and it did. I was very happy to be able to finally duke it out with you guys and not get lost in the shuffle (more on that later) Dave it was a blast. (and yes I now go through the carousel flat)
Sunday - Track was wet for qualifying, decided to run some rain tire laps to get ready just in case more rain was on the way. Saw life in slow motion on the first qualifying lap as I spun going into 14, thank you Jim for missing me. All in all, I was actually outside pole (shame on you Rob) Dave was 3rd. But that was the extent of the highlights. With it being cold, at the first sight of the green, hit the gas and the motor stuttered for a moment trying compose itself, Jim, Rob and Dave pull ahead, Butch pulled next to me, first turn light brake, gas...one more stutter and 4 FSTs pulled away in slow motion like I released a parachute. Not sure if it did it again in the race since frustration had set in. Jim and Rob were out of sight, I watched "from a distance" (queue Bette Midler) as Dave and Butch went back and forth and then after a few laps Dave pulled away, I kept a watchful eye over Butch to ensure he didn't get to far away. I began closing the gap a little but well, that's racing.
Had a blast and can't wait until next time.
Brian
Das Roach
Should be the last of them