Who will FF @ Runoffs - Vegas Line 2008

[Drivers Services]

Thanks for the E-mails, As requested, How I would handicap the Runoffs FF race.

Some of the things considered.

Track, Car, Equipment, Luck, Runoffs luck, Experience,Team,Engineer, Budget, Racecraft, Attitude and Aptitude.

Some random notes.


Only 1 class will feature a 30 plus car field this year, in several just showing up will guarantee you a top 10 finish. With most classes #'ing in the teens.
Road America next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The announcement was met with immediate HPT Hotel cancellations.
Please, please, please ladder the schedule, No one should have to go out cold for a Sunday race, having not been on a track since Thursday. (OK, I'm dreaming and getting off topic). Back to the FF race

Coast to Coast and North to South battle, Serious contenders from all parts of the country, many haven't raced each other yet.

The West Coast has Alex Schutte and Chris Keller (by way of NJ)both in DB-6's both with wins over fast guys. Keller has a Porter car with a Chrysler blue lump, a very successful RO FF combination. And Alex has beaten Chris heads up which has to be enough to make you a favorite.
The 2 boys from VA that seem to print national championships will both be there. Steven Oseth will be attempting the double again (FV in case you've been under a rock). Steve suffered last year trying too late to make the little tires work. Tom Schwietz almost showed up mid week last year, both should be better prepared this year. They both bring different strengths, If I had to pick one driver in the field to be in second place with 5 laps left it would probably be Steve. Now, if I needed a driver to pass 6 guys in one lap.... Well...there really is only one choice. Prepare to be "Schwietzed".
Jeremey Treadway, driving the ex D'Addario DB-6, will be trying for the triple crown. There are some concerns about his lump (and his spare) but they should be able to be rectified by raceday. Ironically the best motor in his "camp" may be bolted in the back of his engineer's car. With a proper tire program and driving in competitive races all year to sharpen his game he should be ready.
Anthony Coello and John Robinson really were the class of the field last year, with no one else to race with they took turns trying to give each other the race. Anthony will be back although he should be careful because Treadway now also occasionaly features a "Blue Towel". (Personally I keep one over my right foot). John Robinson has had something of a fractured season. Kautz, Stokkers, Treadway all went out of there way to race him but his schedule didn't always allow him to be there. That being said he still has the ability to roll the car out of the trailer 10 minutes before final Q and put it on the pole. Next year the pole won't mean diddly, at HPT it's everything.
Speaking of Tim Kautz ,who in my opinion had the drive of the race last year, watch out. Tim really has put a good program together this year, new set-up, driving to find competition, he's ready. If he gets thru turns 1 and 5 on the first lap in the top 3 watch out.
Gerald Barrett played gate keeper last year. 1.Can drive the wheels off of a car 2.Is probably the fastest 1 man team in FF. 3.He drives the wheels off his car 4. Is excellent at starts/restarts and on cold tires. 5. Needs an engineer/crew (see #'s 2 + 3)
Cliff Johnson and Arthur Foster both can beat the big guns they just have to believe they can.
There has been a late driver change and it is bad news if you're entered in this race. The big yellow Vestal 09 will now be driven by Tonis Kasamets. A deep race just got deeper. I had Tonis under the track record this weekend on my watch, I didn't see Monday's race but Sun he started last overall and ran everybody but Chris Keller down.
Should be fun........

OK Ok enough. The odds in no particular order.

3 to 1

Who ever is on the front row (yes, it's that important)

4 to 1

Tony Coello
Chris Keller
Jeremey Treadway
Tonis Kasamets
Tim Kautz

5 to 1

John Robinson II
Tom Schwietz
Alex Schutte

6 to 1

Steven Oseth

8 to 1

Gerald Barrett

9 to 1

Art Foster

12 to 1

Cliff Johnson

Rest of the field at 15 to 1 or better

Best of luck to all
Yours for the Sport,
Jim

[stonebridge20]

Jim,

I think your spot on with the picks. With the "line" now out, I would expect the same race coverage from you as last year. As you know, I'll be there engineering Jeremy but I'm still looking foward to reports from your perspective. Make sure to stop by and you MAY even get an interview.

BTW: The towel is White, not blue and it's already been cleaned and pressed!

[Drivers Services]

Mike,

Yeah I'm really looking foward to the FF race. You could call me up after this race and tell me any one of a dozen guys had won and I wouldn't be suprised at all. I just hope the field is this deep next year when there's not such a premium on qualifying.

Jim

[thunderracing91]

There will be a pile up by turn 3 if not at least by 4. Somebody will get anxious and take out a few mentioned...................Just my guess

Andrew

[teamwisconsin]

i'd put a couple bucks down on schutte... the kid is really fast...

[Tom Valet]

Jim,

Sportscar Magazine says you have it all wrong. They are really going out on a limb and are picking JR, Tony C and Tom Schweitz. Those guys will of course be at the front, but I think you're right Jim, there are at least a half dozen other drivers who will contend for the win.

Should be a great race. Good luck to everyone, but especially Art, JT and the other NE drivers!

Take care.

Tom

PS: Andrew, you might be right based on past years, but dont jinx them by predicting a turn1 pile-up! Everyone play nice and get through clean and then start going at each other, it's a long race.

[stonebridge20]

[quote=Tom Valet;185102]Jim,

Sportscar Magazine says you have it all wrong. They are really going out on a limb and are picking JR, Tony C and Tom Schweitz. Those guys will of course be at the front, but I think you're right Jim, there are at least a half dozen other drivers who will contend for the win.

Should be a great race. Good luck to everyone, but especially Art, JT and the other NE drivers!

Take care.

Tom

Tom, You don't actually open that rag and read it do you?

Just remember that there's only one guy that has beaten all those mentioned above on all their own home tracks this year!

[rick payne_75]

I was in topeka last week, and in my humble opinion. Kasemets was doing all kinds of testing and very little racing. Look out for him, hes way faster than anyone realizes.

[Frank C]

Note that Kasemets started from the back both days, I believe. He also seemed to be nice! He was lapping me on about the last lap and I think he tried not to interfere with my futile attempts to pass a F500.
- Frank C

[Brad Ellingson]

No mention of Kautz here? Ya gotta at least have him in the top 5. What about Rubenzer? My personal dark-horse, feel good pick is my buddy Bill Ehrlinger though.

[Bill Bonow]

Brad,

Both Kautz and Rubenzer are not on the entry list. http://ams.scca.com/netforum/eweb/dy...7E52D&class=FF
No premo parking spots for them at RA next year. eh?

[John Robinson II]

Just remember that there's only one guy that has beaten all those mentioned above on all their own home tracks this year![/quote]

And remember there was only 1 person to beat him, not once but twice. Even after getting gearing and other info about the track. At the top levels the only home track advantage is knowing where the good parking spots are.

[Drivers Services]

Guys are stirring it up, gotta love it.

Actually JRII wasn't the only guy to beat Jeremy AND Jeremy lost on his home track as well.
Arthur Foster beat JT straight up at Limerock.

Jim (in reporter mode)

[stonebridge20]

I'm not gona touch either of those two. but I will say both of those issues are rectified.

[stonebridge20]

At the top levels the only home track advantage is knowing where the good parking spots are.

And where to get AvGas


BTW: Jim, You gota get on your "reporting" duty a little bit better. When I find out that one of your 5-1 guys is a no show for the Runoffs before you do, there's a problem. We could hand this off to Mr. Mitchell but he's even less informed than you are!

[Drivers Services]

Who said I didn't know? I was asked to keep it quiet, so I did. You know, kinda like the camp Treadway inside info a certain engineer has fed me.

Jim

[stonebridge20]

Who said I didn't know? I was asked to keep it quiet, so I did. You know, kinda like the camp Treadway inside info a certain engineer has fed me.

Jim

Ok,..Ok,.....My info was to try and bump the odd's on Treadway down to 3-1 .

The "news flash" I guess we both know, was to shake things up a bit as you reporter types say. It's all in fun and I truly hope everything is Ok with the "no show". He will be missed at the Runoffs. The Runoffs are all about racing the best of the best and with him not there, that won't be the deal.

[Garey Guzman]

Ok,..Ok,.....My info was to try and bump the odd's on Treadway down to 3-1 .

OK, so I don't know much about betting (why bet, I have race cars to throw money at!), but it appears that Mike isn't betting on his own guy! If he was, he'd be trying to get the odds worse to increase the return, right?

"My guy is blind in one eye and can't see much out of the other"

Stirring the pot more....

[stonebridge20]

Garey, I'm closing my shop down for two weeks to go out and engineer for JT. Isn't that enough of a bet?

I'm just trying to look out for "Jim the bookie". He and I are friends from WAY back and I don't want him to loose his shirt when he has to make the payout's

[Garey Guzman]

I'm just trying to look out for "Jim the bookie". He and I are friends from WAY back and I don't want him to loose his shirt when he has to make the payout's

Then why wouldn't you make your bets with "Larry the bookie" - I heard he was kind of a jerk!

[Drivers Services]

I've been asked if the odds would be different if the RO's were at Road America this year.
Absolutely!

The early line for 2009 would have to have Steve Oseth as the favorite. He's spent years in (and winning) drafting battles in FV. Next year will be a whole new ball game.
Big motors, Aero, High speed cornering prowess, Drafting skills - Can't wait

Jim

[flycoop]

Jim and Brad,

Thanks for the kind words and support. Unfortunately, I will not be at the runoffs this year. Instead, I will funnel the funds and effort into some new goodies for the Piper in preparation for next year. I would enjoy the opportunity to compete and learn from the depth of talent this year, but regrettably it is not to be.

I look forward to the big races at the big track in 09!!

Best of luck to all!!

Tim
FF88

[johnd]

Tim:

You realize that you had more than a passing chance at doing quite well.

Sorry you won't be there.


Good luck to all! We'll be watching from remote. Naturally our wish will be for our old car to do well.

JT drive like you stole it.

Best,


John D.

[Drivers Services]

Hello again from Topeka. Not very much to report

Deja vu all over again. Rolled in Monday strong winds most of the day meant setting up a canopy could be a life threatening endeavour. Just like last year.

Monday Test day less than half subscribed. Mr Kasamets being the only FF. Strong tail wind on the front straight - Huge headwind out back.

Tuesday Test day about half subscribed. 3 FF's on track - 3 guys who should be in the top 10. Tonis, Tom Schwietz and Arthur Foster. Wind was better, times better as well. Tonis is playing things close to his chest but let a 36.1 slip out when someone happened to be timing him from the back straight. Tom has brought in Eric Langbien to help find a set-up. Art and Tom are both looking for time with Tonis currently showing the way.

Maybe they're just not set up yet but there seems to be a lot less manufacturer support. Only 2 smaller tents set up. They've moved the vendors up top, HPT personnel are really trying but it feels like a ship taking on water out here. Garages are unrented, test days poorly subscribed. Hope things get better come race week.

Jim

[Drivers Services]

Still not much going on out here, Tue and Wed were good days to test, open session all day, go out whenever you feel like. Not to many cars, No yellow flags and the guys that are out there really know what they're doing and have excellent track awareness. Tommorow seperate grouping starts. Anyone waiting for Sat and Sun to test might be in trouble with rain in the forecast and a horrible FF grouping (everything from FV to FA/CSR together)

Cliff Johnson and Stan Townes joined Tom S and Tonis on track in FF's. There were about 5 or 6 FE's as well. FF and FE combined were about half the field. Mr Swan looked good in his FA. Gib Gibson is out here working with Brian Belardi in his FC, His car looked like he could put it anywhere he wanted, looking especially fast thru the rear chicane - I don't follow FC much but I know a good handling one when I see it. Impressive.

Cliff has picked up the pace from his Sept National times and Tom is slowing inching closer to the 36's. Tonis is in another world - I had him at 35.8 while tip toeing thru the rear chicane.

Steven Oseth is here and will be testing Thur and Fri, He's concentrating on FF this year - no FV. Harry Treadway was rolling in just as we were leaving this evening, I believe Jeremey will be testing Fri and Sat. Don't know when the CA boys are arriving and I haven't seen Gerald Barret or T.C. yet but we already have a pretty fast FF paddock. I'll be flying out tomm morning and won't be back until late monday as the C isn't on track until Tue - Try to talk to you then

Jim

[johnd]

Jimmy:

Are all times / classes faster than last year, or have you only seen this in FF so far?




John D.

[se7en]

The Pacific Northwest contingent should be arriving tonite, and on track Friday, 10/3.
Go Mark and Les!
Ken

[Drivers Services]

John,

Very few people have tested so far so that would be tough to say - I believe I saw 2 FC's, 2 FA's, 3 FV's total. FE is definitely the best represented class of all, not just F classes, right now and it's really not that strong a showing.

I believe last years FF pole was 36 something. JR2 probably remembers as he had it. The big yellow banana is the only car I've had below 37. So the FF times aren't necessarily faster just the Bill Kepharts/Dan Campbel creation Vestal 09 which is being piloted by former indycar driver Tonis Kasemets. That being said come final Q I wouldn't be surprised if there were other cars in the 35's.
Thing is, by the time they get there Tonis may be in the 34's
Many classes are lightly subscribed this year. I would say FF is one of very few that got deeper.
It is amazing how few cars are testing, Very few tin tops at all, although there is 1 Blue Lotus that seems to be trying to break the record for most test laps - he's been out there all day - every day - Seems like he only stops to refuel.

Jim

[KevinFirlein]

last year was JR2 36.886 TC 36.993 from last years results archive

[Gerald Barrett]

I won't be there guys. I dropped out on the last day to get a full refund. Need to
focus on work for a few years. Currently land / building shopping. Will have my car and stacker trailer for sale soon. Must admit, dropping out was depressing.
Thanks for the comments Driver Services.
Gerald Barrett.

[Joefisherff]

Any pics of the cars? Trick items? FF diffusers????

[mblanc]

Joe, You know that diffusers aren't allowed, nor ground effects either.

Gerald, Too bad you're not coming, You'll be missed at the annual FF get together at Baby Dolls. And besides, I already threw in the spare body panels, in case you needed them again. Hope all goes well in your time off, but I'm sure you'll be back by June and August at Road America. The 40th wouldn't be the same with out you there.

[Joefisherff]

Good luck Marc - bring home the Gold! I know that Andy Engine has a big win in it!

[Wes Allen]

Good Luck Marc!
Keep us updated!

[Drivers Services]

Gerald,

Sorry to hear that, Good luck with the sale I'm sure someone will snap up your 6. Perhaps unfortunately for FF, but good for you, this just maybe market top for DB-6's. We'll miss having you out here.

Jim Little


First Tim, then JR and now Gerald. We've now lost 7 of last years top 9 finishers leaving only your 2nd and 3rd place finishers T.C and Steven Oseth. Luckily we've added Chris, Jeremey, Tonis, Tom, Alex and Art all who should be battling for a trip to impound.

Jim Little

[Art Smith]

http://scca.org/documents/resultfile...%20Session.pdf

Art
artesmith@earthlink.net

[Westroc]

Saw Jeremy @ Watkins and guys he was gone! Floating valves and all. Then it rained a deluge and he was in another state. If it rains it's over. Way faster.

[Drivers Services]

Q1

Stayed dry till about 1:45pm. Unfortunately FF wasn't scheduled to go out till 3:30, The skys opened up and the schedule went out the window. When FF finally did line up there was no rain falling but it was definitely a session for wets, didn't matter anyway, started to drizzle right as the session started. About 12 or 13 guys went out. Jeremey Treadway and Tonis Kasemets were fastest on the front half of the track where I was watching from. Bill Johnson and Rick Payne also looked good here. JT was doing his batmobile impersonation throwing flames out the tailpipe when lifting, even with the motor out of tune he was still quickest on the splits watch. TK ran in traffic most of the session having started near the back. It really affected his times as witnessed by the fact that when he finally got a traffic free split he set his quickest split , a split that included a Danny Sullivanesque Spin and Go exiting the bowl. Chris Keller went missing very early on - other than that it really wasn't much of a session.

Testing notes. Everybody's still chasing Tonis, I wasn't here for Fri,Sat, Sun but word is Chris Keller and Tom Schwietz were in the 37's and JT turned a 36.7. JT's fast lap was turned with his primary engine, an engine that no longer exists. He's had to go to his back-up. Hopefully we'll get a dry session wed, everybody will go out and we'll finally get to see where everyone stands. Talk to you then.

Jim Little

[johnd]

Jimmy:

Regarding that motor that no longer exists, I had heard that there were a few engines that expired unexpectedly over the weekend. Do you have any information about this, the cause etc???


John D.

[Drivers Services]

Ok got some sleep, Yesterday was rough, I'll try to catch you guys up.

John,

Here's what I know about engines Tom S took his out as a precaution because of something they saw on the data trace. It is believed JT's was caused by a problem with the cranks flywheel ends face and another motor was lost due to the attempted use of one of those 0 wieght super oils.

Other stuff

With no session scheduled for tuesday several competitors had decided to skip mondays session ahead of time and return home after testing, coming back for wed and thurs sessions. The rain may have made it the right play.

Chris Keller tried dries yesterday, which is why he only did one lap.

The big yellow banana spent an extensive amount of time in tech as the chief steward determined its wheels were illegal, Tonis's times were taken away. Team Kephart filed a protest against the chief steward and the appeals court ruled in their favor determining they are in compliance with GCR. All is well again in banana land.

Tonis and JT are both quick in the wet. Tonis looks like Hans Stuck in a Group 44 car while JT looks like he's out for a Sunday drive. I don't think anyone else has anything for them in the wet.

Tonis's driving style in the dry is quite different than most, he uses a tremendous amount of engine braking.

More in a minute.

Jim Little