June Sprints

[jjstecher]

So registrations are being accepted and I see 6 of us out there already. Who else is planning on coming and playing? Looks like attendance for all classes is going to be excellent and if you haven't ever been to the sprints its just as much fun to watch as it is to race.

Looking forward to seeing you all there and having some fun.

List so far

1 Robert Schader Red2007SpeadsRM-07A
2 Kyle Oberndorf Orange2008StohrF1000
17 Jean-Luc Liverato Black/Orange2007StohrF1000
25 Mike Beauchamp White1993Van DiemenRF93
55 Michael Rock Red2007SpeadsRM 07
07 John Stecher Black2008StohrF1000

[Keith Carter]

It sucks that you guys are in our race group! I wanted to watch this one!

[Nicholas Belling]

Nicholas Belling will be running his Stohr F1000 Car. I just have not registered as of yet..


Hopefully we can get Nicholas Woodman and Dave Palmer to come to the sprints along with other FB west coasters..

[jjstecher]

It sucks that you guys are in our race group! I wanted to watch this one!

Dont worry buddy I am sure we'll get some where this year where we arent in the same race group.

Nicholas glad to hear your coming out with Kyle and company. I am putting money on FA-FC being the largest group at the sprints so it should be a blast. Only thing I keep kicking around with Keith is the idea of a split start as all of us up the front straight at RA will make for a great picture but more than likely a few broken wings too.

Look forward to seeing everyone out there!

Keith we need to get to work on our JATO packs stat.

[Keith Carter]

Keith we need to get to work on our JATO packs stat.

I'm thinking we start with this concept, but instead of water we use beer...

[Jon Jeffords]

Be advised: the dielectric constant of the rocket beer will be randomly tested after each session. The meter will be zeroed using Miller Genuine Draft (purchased from Siebkens) as the reference sample.

[jjstecher]

The meter will be zeroed using Miller Genuine Draft (purchased from Siebkens) as the reference sample.

lol awesome. Of course you gotta baseline it on Milwaukee's finest...but my question is what is the test port requirements? :P

This year is going to be a blast.

[carnut169]

Russ & I have been discussing a trip to the Sprints... the only thing holding us back at the moment are the current gas prices! 1800 miles, 10 mpg, 180g at $4 per... over $700 in fuel alone!

Still, maybe...

[glenn cooper]

Wink, wink.
I want in on the shared expense route. Maybe we can all get togethere with a rig headin' that way.
GC

[Nicholas Belling]

Wink, wink.
I want in on the shared expense route. Maybe we can all get togethere with a rig headin' that way.
GC

Glenn, will you have your production novak kit done by then and have run a test day / Event prior to the sprints.. where will be your first outing with the new setup..

Defintiely grab a tow with some people to the sprints..

[996kyle]

Sean
Our tow is longer than that, 2300 miles each way.
Please get together with Russ and make the journey, i would like to meet you both and the more of us that attend the more fun we will all have, not to mention it gets us that much closer to Runoffs in 2009.
See you soon,...
Kyle

[RussMcB]

I wish it was that easy. The only way I could do it would be if lots of unexpected money suddenly appeared in my checking account, or someone provides nearly free transport. I'm not holding my breath for either. :-).

[jjstecher]

Main reason I bought a two car trailer is cause someone is always looking for a ride and I am happy to discount. Of course me being in Minnesota doesn't help you any Russ. Keep probing and I bet you just might be surprised that you'll be able to land something.

[P. Howarth]

[SIZE=2]The US treasury just sent me a check that would cover your gas and maybe your hotel.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]It was part or the US racing stimulus plan [/SIZE]

[Mike B]

Online entry deadline is tomorrow at midnight. With Coops pending entry, we're at 8 FBs, well short of the ARRC, but enough to make it fun. If this event is even a vague notion in the back of your head, load the trailer and come up. I'll buy you a brat.

FB 7 drivers
Class List
8Justin Pritchard RED2008SievenpiperDFB Sponsored by: HOOSIER TIRES
17Jean-Luc Liverato Black/Orange2007StohrF1000 Sponsored by: The Motorsports Group/8-Ball Racing/Hoosier
22Kyle Oberndorf Orange2008StohrF1000 Sponsored by: PCMW / Curvetech / Stohr Cars
25Mike Beauchamp White1993Van DiemenRF93 Sponsored by: Slick Eyewear/Gyrodynamics
55Michael Rock Red2007SpeadsRM 07 Sponsored by: TL2 / Rill Tech Racing
77Robert Schader Red2007SpeadsRM-07A Sponsored by: Hoosier/Red Line Oil/Rill Tech
07John Stecher Black2008StohrF1000 Sponsored by: Trackpedia.com


Sorry for the formatting.

[jjstecher]

Yeah like Mike said saddle up guys its just diesel fuel...you cant take it with you. I'll buy you a beer to go with your Brat from Mike.

[996kyle]

I will bring BEER from Canada, for FB drivers.
Nicholas Belling will not be attending.

Cheers
Kyle

[Mike Devins]

We will be having a get together at Jean-Lucs trailer on Saturday night.

Take a look at this thread on the Sports racer forum for details

http://dsrforum.yuku.com/topic/5394/...ts.html?page=1

[Mike Devins]

FYI - we have had several people ask why not Friday night instead so that the people who will be leaving after their race on Saturday could still attend.

So party is moved to Friday - see you there!

[Mike B]

Here are a few pics from the Thursday test. Everyone took to the track except me. In today's practice, Justin Pritchard was fastest followed by Coop. About half of the session was black flagged for incidents on track. I got a half lap before my clutch started slipping. I made it back to pit lane where we decided to open it up to look at it. It was pretty burned up. It's now been replaced (thanks to Dave Knaack) and should be ready to go for Q1 tomorrow.
Hope to have more pics and info tomorrow.

[Sean Maisey]

Wish I could be there...

[VehDyn]

Great pictures. Good luck!

[Lincspeed]

Hey Coop - is that your girlfriend trying to flash you? The stealth engine cover looks slick!

Clark

[Matt Conrad]

Clark,

I thought maybe I was the only demented one that saw that too....

By the way....what chassis is hiding under the #97 car???

Matt Conrad
Phoenix Race Works, LLC

[Mike B]

Don't know much about Dick Colburn's car but I understand that Jay Novak is involved. Cub reporter, I ain't.
Anna (Coop's girlfriend) was playing human umbrella with impeccable timing.
As promised here are a couple pics of the prototype wings we installed on my car. Alas, they are untested so far. Hope to get some data tomorrow. They are a much longer chord than has been the trend lately, but this allows a more agressive profile and a much lower angle of attack which translates to more DF and less drag. We think we can produce them cheaply, too.
I sure I have some good news to report tomorrow night.

\

[Lee Stohr]

Glenn Cooper won with Kyle Oberndorf second and John Strecher third. Justin pulled off with a problem.

[RussMcB]

A big win for a conversion!

Congratulations, Glenn & Jay!

[Matt Conrad]

Hopefully Mike B. is busily typing a full report......?

Matt Conrad
Phoenix Race Works, LLC

[Jnovak]

What a GIANT thrill for all of us involved with the conversion kit. I want to thank Glenn for the GREAT job he did with fitting the conversion kit to his Van Diemen. I spent about an hour looking the car over & the installation, wireing, cooling etc was really well executed. Coop also had a couple of ideas that we will be incorporating in future kits.

Now to the DRIVING, what a job Coop!!!! to not only stay with the purpose built F1000 cars but to beat them in a very tough field at one of the greatest of American Road Races! Congrats Coop, you have earned a great win. This really shows that low cost racing is STILL ALIVE & WELL.

Thanks a ton Coop!!!! Jay Novak

[thewarehouse]

A very nice show by all of the FB guys. Those cars really sounded sweet. Attached are a few pics taken at corner 12.

Mike B. will give you the full report. Great weekend guys!

[Jon Jeffords]

Holy Conversion, Batman. Coop's conversion car was absolutely flying. With a little paint on that engine cover, it will no doubt be even faster! There is a very Italian driver's name on the side of his car; was Glenn breaking it in for the owner?

Mike B came in with more problems during the race, as did Jean-Luc.

[Sean Maisey]

Coop, way to go man! Awesome job in only your second outing!

Sean

[Mike B]

We solved the clutch problem in time for the Sunday morning Q2, only to discover the next problem. After a couple laps, the oil temp went through the roof, like 300 degrees. I parked and we went to work rerouting the oil cooler in front of the left radiator and adding some ducting to force more air through it. At the start of the race, I got by one of the Speads and could see John Stecher a few cars ahead but the oil temps went crazy again. A full-course caution came out which allowed the temps to get back to a more reasonable 240 but by then the clutch was slipping badly enough that I was just getting in everyone's way. I waved everyone that I had already passed by during the FCY and hit the pits when the green came out. I think that gives me a grand total of 7 laps over 4 days.
Having said all that, I consider the weekend a huge success. I saw a glimmer of the future potential of this car and when we get the gremlins sorted I think it will represent what we originally had in mind for this class. We now know which development items are the highest priority and we helped out the national numbers. I could've done the regional two weeks earlier to sort out these problems but a DNF at a regional would be a huge waste of time & money with nothing to show for it. The entry fee is not much more, the travel is the same, the hotel bill is the same, the track time is roughly the same, so why not help the numbers and develop the car?
Speaking of which, a huge to all the guys that came from so far away to participate. It was great to see Kyle have success after such a long tow, and Coop's win was very heartwarming. If he ever tells you that he just came to shake down his car, don't believe him...
It was also nice to see John Stecher get on the podium after several problematic weekends with his Stohr.
Apparently Jean-Luc had a severe vibration and pitted for two new front tires. That didn't solve the problem and I'm pretty sure he parked it.
Haven't heard what happened to Justin Pritchard but he exited the track at T5. Don S. and Justin graciously let me sit in the Piper last night. It's a very tight fit but a guy could get used to it. Very comfortable. That car is well put together with a simple, clean, but well-thought out design to every system and component.
I can't comment much more on the race because I didn't get to see any of it except the last lap or two. I'm sure some other participants will add their perspective and I'm really looking forward the Coop Chronicles!

[Mike B]

A few more pics, including photographic evidence that I did indeed take to the track this weekend!

[jjstecher]

Mike great write up. First and foremost I gotta thank my friends and family for busting their asses all weekend with me chasing the car all over Wisconsin trying to get it close to working the way I wanted it too (finally figured out something by the race and actually had grip!) and all the FB guys I talked to for being awesome and helpful as all hell and most importantly coming out. A HUGE thanks to Jeff Dinges for helping me sort and work through issues with my car that I was battling all weekend dealing with temps in my car following the same path as Mike B's as well as figuring out how to get the car balanced aero wise as it was tricky for a newbie and his team. Overall as i was heading to impound I was thinking "damn the weekend after the race felt not to shabby for the sixth race of the career and whopping second in the car." Whole weekend was a fricking blast and really what racing is all about.

But the bad news is that both Kyle and I got bumped down to 5th and 6th respectively (behind all running cars at the end of the race) for having our rear wings be 4mm to wide. Yep thats right 4mm to wide. 95.4cm versus 95cm per the GCR. It was a kick in the nuts to end a hard weekend that had turned around massively and finally during the race. We had to sit in impound for fricking 2 hours waiting for a decision and that sort of drove the thorn deeper into my side as most of us had long tows home and needed to get on the road. After two hours we got informed we could pay a nice 100 dollars to appeal the decision (how the f can I possibly want to pay 100 bucks to argue with the fact that 95.4 > 95) and then go on to the SOM and appeal a crap ton of more times. What pisses me off most is that according to my crew they measured the wings after quali one and didn't say a fricking word to us about it. It sure as **** didn't change size in the time between then and the race for btoh Kyle and I. In the end both Kyle and I just accepted it and moved on. Hopefully karma returns the favor to us.

Thanks guys for all coming out and making the sprints a lot of fun. I know we all didnt have much time for hanging out and BSing but next year when we all have our cars sorted and are whipping up on the Atlantics like Coop and Kyle were we'll look back and laugh.

[rickb99]

Too wide by 157 thousandth's???? Geez

Is that measured from the inside of the wing end plates or the the outside? What's the 'rule'? Width of the WING or width of the wing 'assembly'??

Were ALL of the Stohr's measured??

[jjstecher]

Not sure on the rule as I don't have the GCR in front of my but it was end plate to end plate with a variety of tools. They had a huge micrometer and a tape measure they measured it all with.

The thing that pissed both Kyle and I off the most about (besides sitting for 2 hours plus) was that none of the cars that took our spots had to be impounded or looked at so lord only knows if something equal awful and performance enhancing as our extra 4mm could be found. But rules are rules and you have to play by them I guess.

I myself don't feel like I was robbed as Jean Luc if his car kept running would have been in front of me BUT Kyle drove the wheels off the car and got the shaft.

Only Kyle and my car were measured.

[Mike Devins]

Holy Conversion, Batman. Coop's conversion car was absolutely flying. With a little paint on that engine cover, it will no doubt be even faster! There is a very Italian driver's name on the side of his car; was Glenn breaking it in for the owner?

Coop told me that Giancarlo De Coopala just sounds more like a race car driver than Glen Cooper.

[RussMcB]

John,

Great job. Sorry to hear about the impound troubles. It's a shame that your & Kyle's weekend experience wasn't as good as it could have been because of such a small measurement. I'm sure most people would agree that 4mm isn't going to affect the car much (if any).

But, having said that, I'm pretty sure there were discussions last year about the Stohrs and wing widths/end plates being too wide. I'm surprised the problem wasn't addressed.

Perhaps they (Sprints judges) could have said, "Have it fixed before the next race" (I've had that happen when I was 1 lb underweight at a regional race), but maybe the June Sprints is big enough that they don't feel they can be too lenient?

Hopefully it's an easy fix and you'll continue enjoying a fun race car.

[carnut169]

The orig discussion was about the front wing width....


Congrats Coop! Geez man- you make it look easy.