944 Spec Arizona Race Re-Cap PIR
12-12-2006, 03:27 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
944 Spec Arizona Race Re-Cap PIR
For your enjoyment! 
(I'll see what I can do about pictures)
December at PIR always turns into a big weekend. This year was no different as it would see the crowing of 2 Champions and the remaining poduim spots in the Arizona Regional and Southwest Interegional championships. On top of all that cool weather make it an ideal time to set track records.
10 944 spec cars and drivers make the trip to PIR to do battle. There were the 5 regulars of Paluch, Hamden, Gormley, Sapareto and Vaccaro while Jon Ariano made a return to the series and Chris Christner attended his 2nd NASA weekend. Making the haul from southern California in search of glory in the Southwest title were Mikael Weitze (1st), Tim Comeau(2nd) and Jim Richmond. Also with the racers were Steve Marlow and Hal Dunn cutting their teeth in DE.
Saturday held two morning practices and these were vital for those looking to get back to speed or learn the tight twisty PIR. It was cool in 40's and cold air means power, but also a cold track. Lap times looked good early, but So-Cal Champion and Southwest Title contender Weitze developed a high RPM miss from the start. It was unclear the cause nor the effect and with help from the other 944 racers he began the long process to diagnose the issue.
Qualfying saw local hotshoes Hamden and Gormley share the front row with high 1:13 for Gormley and better than track record 1:13.0 for Hamden. The rest of the field had to settle for 1:14's and 1:15's. A split start was given to the 944 group and green flag few the cars went seemingly 5 wide on main straight narrowing to two wide at turn 1 and funneling down to single file by the exit of two. By the time the field hit turn 4 it was Gormely in the lead followed by Ariano, Hamden, Weitze and Paluch. This fast 5 quickly pulled a gap to the rest of the 944 field and started a long battle. Gormley maintined the early lead, but Hamden and Weitze, who seemed to have minimized his engne miss, battled their way to the front. After a few laps the race settled into it form with Hamden and Weitze battling the lead follow by Gormley, Paluch and Ariano. In the end it was the local hero "Sideways" Norm that held off Weitze and took the win. The finish order remained Gormley, Paluch, Ariano and Comeau.
Post race impound saw the normal scales check, but also the top 3 finishers were held for flywheel inspections. Hamden, Weitze, and Gormley all had their flywheels checked on ther cars 99, 247, and 44 respectively. All were found to be stock steel with no evidence of ligthening. Good work guys!
Farther down the order Sapareto and Vaccaro contintued their season long battle this time Sapareto taking the edge over Vaccaro when Vaccaro missed a shift and shreaded the rubber center to his clutch. Sapareto was not without his own problems and finshed 9th and due a shift linkage issue would and also not be able to contine the fight in the last race on Sunday. So Sapareto picked up 1 point over Vaccaro on Saturday and that made Vaccaro and Sapareto even on overall points, but the drops gave Vaccaro a 1 point edge. In may ways it was fitting that both racers decied that a Virtual "tie" was the way to end the season.
Paluch's 4th place finish secured his First Championship in 944 spec since the inaugral 2002-2003 season. While he managed only 1 win in 12 races of 2006, 8 podiums and 3 4th place results showed that consistancy can be just as important in season long championship.
Sunday's race may have seem like an after thought with the Az championship decided, but two prizes remained. The Southwest Title and the weather was cooperating for the possiblity of a new track record.
As the flag fell to start qualfying Norm Hamden was obvious favortite having run another 1:13.0 in the prior practice. He had just come off a blinding fast performace two weekends ago while celebrating his and Gomley's 50th birthday party with a track day having run multiple mid 1:12 laps with his best being a 1:12.299. Track conditions were good, but were they good enough? When the results were posted a suprizing yet familier name graced the top of the 944 sheets. Mikael Weitze ran an amazing 1:12.9 in a car that was clearly improving as the weekend went on. Hamden feeling a little under the weather managed a strong, but slightly off 1:13.2. Paluch, Gormley and Ariano also managed upper 1:13 laps.
The split start was won by Weitze with Hamden following close behind. Hamden battled Weitze hard on the first lap while Ariano defend against Paluch and Gormely. This was to be the pattern for Sunday with Weitze and Hamden battling hard for all 28 lap swap positions all while running laps within 0.5 sec of the track record. In the end Weitze was the last man with the lead and took a narrow victory. Along the way he set a new track record at 1:12.868 with his fastest lap of the weekend.
Ariano, Paluch and Gormley settled in race long battle as well. About midway through the race Gormley was able to slip by Ariano following a fast lap car and Paluch tagged along train holding close to Gormely. These two battled non-stop with Gormely being forced to take a slow tight defensive line at turn 2 that allowed him to maintain track postion, but greatly slowed his pace. This allowed Paluch to run inches off his bumper in the infield section of course lap after lap. Paluch continuted to press Gormley looking for the smallest weakness. By lap 20 that weakness was spotted and Paluch slipped by Gormely in Turn 9. Paluch attempted to pull a gap, but Gormley would have nothing of it and was soon right on Paluch forcing him into the same slow defensive line in turn 2. Time was Paluch's side however with only a few lap remaining and he was able to hold off Gormley to finish 3rd in class. This was by far the hardest fought 3rd place finish in Paluch's 65 944 spec races. Ariano finshed a few seconds back in 5th followed by Comeau, Christner and Richmond.
Multiple strong first and second place finishes allowed Weitze to win the Southwest Interregional Championship and that late pass of Gormley by Paluch allong with a series of solid finished gave him the points gain he needed overtake Tim Comeau for 2nd.
Overall the weekend epitomized the spirit of the 944 spec class.
Close hard racing from the drop of the green to the checker and fun friendly helpful atmosphere in Camp 944.
2007 Promises to be more of the same!
Saturday Results
1. Norman Hamden
2. Mikael Weitze
3. Glenn Gormley
4. Joe Paluch
5. Jon Ariano
6. Tim Comeau
7. Chris Christner
8. Jim Richmond
9. Steve Sapareto
10. Vince Vaccaro
Sunday
1. Mikael Weitze
2. Norman Hamden
3. Joe Paluch
4. Glenn Gormley
5. Jon Ariano
6. Tim Comeau
7. Chris Christner
8. Jim Richmond
Steve Sapareto - DNS Shifter problem
Vince Vaccaro - DNS clutch
So this event also decided the Az season championship
Top 5 Az drivers.
1. Joe Paluch 1379 - $1000 Toyo Dollars
2. Vince Vaccaro 1239 - $500 Toyo Dollars
3. Steve Sapareto 1238 - $250 Toyo Dollars
4. Glenn Gormley 1080
5. Norman Hamden 841
The top spots in the southwest championship were only decided in the last 5 minutes of last race with results as follows
1. Mikael Weitze 580 - $300 1st American Racing Gift Cert
2. Joe Paluch 489 - $200 1st American Racing Gift Cert
3. Tim Comeau 485 - $100 1st American Racing Gift Cert
4. Norman Hamden 421
5. Glenn Gormley 410
Also winner of the 20th St Auto parts Drawing Gift Certs Were
$50 Mikael Weitze
$30 Chris Christner
$20 Tim Comeau
Congratulations to Each of the Race Winners, Championship Winners, and Prize winners.
Also Thanks to Mike Weeks at 1st American Racing Products, Larry at 20th St Auto parts and Toyo USA for your support of 944 spec racing!
More details on the racing action to follow.
Results are up on mylaps.com - Look for Nasa Arizona
(I'll see what I can do about pictures)December at PIR always turns into a big weekend. This year was no different as it would see the crowing of 2 Champions and the remaining poduim spots in the Arizona Regional and Southwest Interegional championships. On top of all that cool weather make it an ideal time to set track records.
10 944 spec cars and drivers make the trip to PIR to do battle. There were the 5 regulars of Paluch, Hamden, Gormley, Sapareto and Vaccaro while Jon Ariano made a return to the series and Chris Christner attended his 2nd NASA weekend. Making the haul from southern California in search of glory in the Southwest title were Mikael Weitze (1st), Tim Comeau(2nd) and Jim Richmond. Also with the racers were Steve Marlow and Hal Dunn cutting their teeth in DE.
Saturday held two morning practices and these were vital for those looking to get back to speed or learn the tight twisty PIR. It was cool in 40's and cold air means power, but also a cold track. Lap times looked good early, but So-Cal Champion and Southwest Title contender Weitze developed a high RPM miss from the start. It was unclear the cause nor the effect and with help from the other 944 racers he began the long process to diagnose the issue.
Qualfying saw local hotshoes Hamden and Gormley share the front row with high 1:13 for Gormley and better than track record 1:13.0 for Hamden. The rest of the field had to settle for 1:14's and 1:15's. A split start was given to the 944 group and green flag few the cars went seemingly 5 wide on main straight narrowing to two wide at turn 1 and funneling down to single file by the exit of two. By the time the field hit turn 4 it was Gormely in the lead followed by Ariano, Hamden, Weitze and Paluch. This fast 5 quickly pulled a gap to the rest of the 944 field and started a long battle. Gormley maintined the early lead, but Hamden and Weitze, who seemed to have minimized his engne miss, battled their way to the front. After a few laps the race settled into it form with Hamden and Weitze battling the lead follow by Gormley, Paluch and Ariano. In the end it was the local hero "Sideways" Norm that held off Weitze and took the win. The finish order remained Gormley, Paluch, Ariano and Comeau.
Post race impound saw the normal scales check, but also the top 3 finishers were held for flywheel inspections. Hamden, Weitze, and Gormley all had their flywheels checked on ther cars 99, 247, and 44 respectively. All were found to be stock steel with no evidence of ligthening. Good work guys!
Farther down the order Sapareto and Vaccaro contintued their season long battle this time Sapareto taking the edge over Vaccaro when Vaccaro missed a shift and shreaded the rubber center to his clutch. Sapareto was not without his own problems and finshed 9th and due a shift linkage issue would and also not be able to contine the fight in the last race on Sunday. So Sapareto picked up 1 point over Vaccaro on Saturday and that made Vaccaro and Sapareto even on overall points, but the drops gave Vaccaro a 1 point edge. In may ways it was fitting that both racers decied that a Virtual "tie" was the way to end the season.
Paluch's 4th place finish secured his First Championship in 944 spec since the inaugral 2002-2003 season. While he managed only 1 win in 12 races of 2006, 8 podiums and 3 4th place results showed that consistancy can be just as important in season long championship.
Sunday's race may have seem like an after thought with the Az championship decided, but two prizes remained. The Southwest Title and the weather was cooperating for the possiblity of a new track record.
As the flag fell to start qualfying Norm Hamden was obvious favortite having run another 1:13.0 in the prior practice. He had just come off a blinding fast performace two weekends ago while celebrating his and Gomley's 50th birthday party with a track day having run multiple mid 1:12 laps with his best being a 1:12.299. Track conditions were good, but were they good enough? When the results were posted a suprizing yet familier name graced the top of the 944 sheets. Mikael Weitze ran an amazing 1:12.9 in a car that was clearly improving as the weekend went on. Hamden feeling a little under the weather managed a strong, but slightly off 1:13.2. Paluch, Gormley and Ariano also managed upper 1:13 laps.
The split start was won by Weitze with Hamden following close behind. Hamden battled Weitze hard on the first lap while Ariano defend against Paluch and Gormely. This was to be the pattern for Sunday with Weitze and Hamden battling hard for all 28 lap swap positions all while running laps within 0.5 sec of the track record. In the end Weitze was the last man with the lead and took a narrow victory. Along the way he set a new track record at 1:12.868 with his fastest lap of the weekend.
Ariano, Paluch and Gormley settled in race long battle as well. About midway through the race Gormley was able to slip by Ariano following a fast lap car and Paluch tagged along train holding close to Gormely. These two battled non-stop with Gormely being forced to take a slow tight defensive line at turn 2 that allowed him to maintain track postion, but greatly slowed his pace. This allowed Paluch to run inches off his bumper in the infield section of course lap after lap. Paluch continuted to press Gormley looking for the smallest weakness. By lap 20 that weakness was spotted and Paluch slipped by Gormely in Turn 9. Paluch attempted to pull a gap, but Gormley would have nothing of it and was soon right on Paluch forcing him into the same slow defensive line in turn 2. Time was Paluch's side however with only a few lap remaining and he was able to hold off Gormley to finish 3rd in class. This was by far the hardest fought 3rd place finish in Paluch's 65 944 spec races. Ariano finshed a few seconds back in 5th followed by Comeau, Christner and Richmond.
Multiple strong first and second place finishes allowed Weitze to win the Southwest Interregional Championship and that late pass of Gormley by Paluch allong with a series of solid finished gave him the points gain he needed overtake Tim Comeau for 2nd.
Overall the weekend epitomized the spirit of the 944 spec class.
Close hard racing from the drop of the green to the checker and fun friendly helpful atmosphere in Camp 944.
2007 Promises to be more of the same!
Saturday Results
1. Norman Hamden
2. Mikael Weitze
3. Glenn Gormley
4. Joe Paluch
5. Jon Ariano
6. Tim Comeau
7. Chris Christner
8. Jim Richmond
9. Steve Sapareto
10. Vince Vaccaro
Sunday
1. Mikael Weitze
2. Norman Hamden
3. Joe Paluch
4. Glenn Gormley
5. Jon Ariano
6. Tim Comeau
7. Chris Christner
8. Jim Richmond
Steve Sapareto - DNS Shifter problem
Vince Vaccaro - DNS clutch
So this event also decided the Az season championship
Top 5 Az drivers.
1. Joe Paluch 1379 - $1000 Toyo Dollars
2. Vince Vaccaro 1239 - $500 Toyo Dollars
3. Steve Sapareto 1238 - $250 Toyo Dollars
4. Glenn Gormley 1080
5. Norman Hamden 841
The top spots in the southwest championship were only decided in the last 5 minutes of last race with results as follows
1. Mikael Weitze 580 - $300 1st American Racing Gift Cert
2. Joe Paluch 489 - $200 1st American Racing Gift Cert
3. Tim Comeau 485 - $100 1st American Racing Gift Cert
4. Norman Hamden 421
5. Glenn Gormley 410
Also winner of the 20th St Auto parts Drawing Gift Certs Were
$50 Mikael Weitze
$30 Chris Christner
$20 Tim Comeau
Congratulations to Each of the Race Winners, Championship Winners, and Prize winners.
Also Thanks to Mike Weeks at 1st American Racing Products, Larry at 20th St Auto parts and Toyo USA for your support of 944 spec racing!
More details on the racing action to follow.
Results are up on mylaps.com - Look for Nasa Arizona
