CoTA-official thread

[Mike B]

Even though I couldn't be there, I'll be trying to provide updates as the weekend unfolds. The quickest way will be via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Formula1000
If anyone has news, post it up!

[Brett Lane]

Any non Suzuki cars? If so, what kind of power are they using?

[Mike B]

Rod Rice is there with a Stohr/Kawasaki (2012). The Philly will be there with a Honda.

From the first two sessions:
Lawrence Loshak-2:15s
James Michael- 2:29s
Rod Rice- 2:30s

[Mike B]

After day 1, Loshak is fastest with a 2:11.23.

[RussMcB]

Thanks, Mike. I enjoyed getting Twitter updates today.

[Tiago Santos]

2:11 is only about 1 or 2 seconds off the fastest Grand-am GT cars

[starkejt]

How fast are FA and xSR going?

[Wren]

Rumors say Tonis and one of the grants did 3's

[starkejt]

Is Tonis entered or just testing for hire?

[Wren]

No idea. I got here after cars were done and I only heard from someone running a stopwatch. I haven't seen him and I don't know what shop is running him.

[mikey]

Rumors say Tonis and one of the grants did 3's

good grief that's moving! if F1 would just adopt a 120% rule, that would *almost* qualify! Vettel's record is 1:39

[dwornik]

Last weekend, the pole time for the Pro Mazda was 2' 3.124
Given enough track time and open track (probably neither will happen) the F1000 should be just as fast...the FM has more power but weighs 1335 and has very dirty aerodynamics.

[Jeff Read]

Don't forget the Pro Mazdas now have to run Cooper tires not the Good Years anymore.

[Blair Robertshaw]

and the coopers are rocks!

[JScarallo]

And the Pro Mazdas went as fast as 2.02.6 in practice

Sounds like based upon the twitter feed the fastest time was a 2:14 in opening session today by Ott. Any word on Osborne in the Citation? I know he was scheduled to go out.

Thanks for all the updates so far Mike for all of us anxious to know.

[Mike B]

I'm told that times are hard to get because crews are not allowed on pit wall. I'm still trying to get more info, though. It REALLY sucks not being there.

[Marshall Mauney]

I'm told that times are hard to get because crews are not allowed on pit wall.

True. Also, the first session had two red-flag periods, and the second had one red-flag and an early checker. Not many laps yet......

[Tiago Santos]

Seems like T1 is kicking everyone's arse! How many cars on track per test session on average?

Hopefully everyone will have it figured out before the weekend

[Mike B]

Rumor has it that Jake Latham was fastest on day 2 with a lap in the 2:11s. Anyone have any more accurate info?

Also, several pics of the Astra are uploaded here: Astra

and some general pics of the second test day here: COTA Test day 2

I think everyone should be able to view them.

[starkejt]

What makes you think people want to see pictures of Wren?

[Bob Wheless]

OK guys tell us about what you think of the track , the test days , inquiring minds want to know, and are jealous.........

[Wren]

What makes you think people want to see pictures of Wren?

Common sense? Where is that report post button?

Ted is kind of in my personal space in that picture.

[starkejt]

Go ahead and report me. If you think I won't ad hominem the **** out of you right in front of everyone, you're sorely mistaken.

[Wren]

In the real news category...

Weather was nice. Jeans and short sleeves were perfect.

We are in the back paddock and it is a long, long way to grid.

I'm hearing enthusiastic feedback about the track from several drivers in multiple classes.

It was a mess out there but no one should be surprised by that. I didn't see any cars that managed to find a wall. They were black flagging the sessions whenever a car spun and couldn't continue. That may change tomorrow when the SCCA takes over.

As a crew guy, there are issues. We cannot stand on the pit wall or go out to the outer wall even though it is protected by a catch fence. That makes it almost impossible to time cars or look for issues with a car.

[rohartman]

I was there last wked for the Grand-Am race, car chief for the 197 Honda we also run a S2 SCCA, not sure why they won't let you stand out by the pit wall it's very well protected. Maybe SCCA will when they take over today.

[Mike B]

Live timing will be here:
http://www.sccahost.com/sccalive/

but it isn't working yet.

[Tiago Santos]

Live timing is crapping out.. Not SCCA's fault it seems, as race monitor on the iPhone has the same problem.

Did it rain out there or something? Race Monitor is saying the fastest FF's did 2:24's, and there are a TON of FAs, FBs and DSRs going slower than that. Or is just the madness of 50 odd cars on track?

edit: Just read the twitter update, it was wet!

[kea]

Well, the track is east of I-35.
They do get rain in Texas and in that section, the interstate seems to be the dividing line between the wet and the dry side.

[Wren]

It was damp but the line was dry. It started misting more at the very end.

[Steve Bamford]

Rain here is slowing things down. The first session, for FF's, started out wet but dry lines had appeared by the end of the session. As the day has progressed we have had more on & off rain. Cars are run wets now mainly but FA & FB still had some dry lines when they went out...all gone at this point.

Trying to see a print out of the times. Have race monitor but are missing times after the session.

[Wren]

We just stopped by and showed Greg how to pull up your old times on race monitor. You are third overall. Second FF.

[Steve Bamford]

Thanks Wren...I am back in the garage if you are around stop by again. Was off at the drivers meeting.

Thanks,

Steve

[Tom Valet]

I am sad. We are not there.

Best of luck to everyone, have a great, and safe, race.

[Mike Devins]

from the SCCA live feed - is there a way to see the results from Group 5?

Fastest in GP 5: Ringle (FA), Alexander (CSR), Osborne (FB), Bootz (DSR)

[Richard Dziak]

Weather Forecast.......COTA

Sat Mar 9 ...... 77° .....57° .......Scattered T-Storms.....Chance of rain: 50%

Sun Mar 10......61°..... 43°....... AM Showers.............. Chance of rain: 40%

[Jnovak]

why is SCCA live timing so very pitifull? Nothing shown and cannot see anything,

Thanks ... Jay Novak

[Richard Dziak]

It appears that once practice, qualifying, or racing is completed, there is nothing available on the website. Currently it is shutdown due to no drivers on the track.

Let's hope that changes tomorrow for the events.

From their website tonight: sccalive That wraps up practice. Tomorrow is race day! Green flag scheduled to fly at 8am CST for qualifying.

Also try his link tomorow: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/scca-super-tour

[Northwind]

I found this from the practice session:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfGpBF6B0ls

[Tiago Santos]

Is it just me or was he about to turn into the bypass after the esses?

Here's another one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJSIy7Wph0Y

[billwald]

Nice videos, love the track. Good luck in Q and in the races to all!! Checking monitor this weekend when able. Wish we were there!!