Who am I?
05-24-2012, 02:54 PM
#1
Who am I?
I've been making a few posts lately, and one member asked who I was. Another that knew who I was, suggested I post some info about myself and my racing background and history. Great idea, thanks for the suggestion.
I'm Jim Walsh, I live just outside Seattle. I currently campaign a 2011 GT3 Cup in the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West series, where I'm currently leading the 2012 championship with poles in the first four races, and three wins and a second.
This is my third year running the Pirelli Series (other than a couple of races here and there), in 2010 I ran my 2004 996 GT3 Cup, as well as the first part of 2011, until my new 2011 car showed up, just over a year ago.
I started autocrossing in 1988, then DE days, then instructing, and started racing in 2000 with a 1993 Porsche RS America built to PCA C club specs, it was the local area spec Porsche at the time.
People slowly sold their RSA's and started getting 996 Cups, and I finally followed in 2004, getting the last 2004 996 Cup imported to the US. I ran that car in SCCA, PCA, IRDC, Conference, and Pirelli Cup.
I've done most of my prior racing in SCCA and PCA, with a fifth and second at the SCCA Runoffs, the two years I ran it. I also did a Rolex 24 and a number of other Enduro events (Portland, Thunderhill, Laguna). I've been pretty successful, with a number of championships, and I believe only five DNF's (four mechanicals, one contact) in my 12 years of racing.
I wanted to run a competitive, enforced, spec series, as my goal is to continue to improve my driving every single event, so I moved to Pirelli Cup for 2010, where I found great competition, and had to work hard every single race.
Last year I ran a split series, starting with the 996 but moving to a Platinum car when my 2011 Cup showed up in May. I found a whole new set of strong competitors in Platinum. Great racing at the front, and usually close enough that any mistake (missed upshift, a little lockup and going long under braking) was enough for a pass for position.
This year I've concentrated on both speed and consistency, and it seems to be paying off. So far :-) I haul and run my own car, with a crew of two.
I'm Jim Walsh, I live just outside Seattle. I currently campaign a 2011 GT3 Cup in the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West series, where I'm currently leading the 2012 championship with poles in the first four races, and three wins and a second.
This is my third year running the Pirelli Series (other than a couple of races here and there), in 2010 I ran my 2004 996 GT3 Cup, as well as the first part of 2011, until my new 2011 car showed up, just over a year ago.
I started autocrossing in 1988, then DE days, then instructing, and started racing in 2000 with a 1993 Porsche RS America built to PCA C club specs, it was the local area spec Porsche at the time.
People slowly sold their RSA's and started getting 996 Cups, and I finally followed in 2004, getting the last 2004 996 Cup imported to the US. I ran that car in SCCA, PCA, IRDC, Conference, and Pirelli Cup.
I've done most of my prior racing in SCCA and PCA, with a fifth and second at the SCCA Runoffs, the two years I ran it. I also did a Rolex 24 and a number of other Enduro events (Portland, Thunderhill, Laguna). I've been pretty successful, with a number of championships, and I believe only five DNF's (four mechanicals, one contact) in my 12 years of racing.
I wanted to run a competitive, enforced, spec series, as my goal is to continue to improve my driving every single event, so I moved to Pirelli Cup for 2010, where I found great competition, and had to work hard every single race.
Last year I ran a split series, starting with the 996 but moving to a Platinum car when my 2011 Cup showed up in May. I found a whole new set of strong competitors in Platinum. Great racing at the front, and usually close enough that any mistake (missed upshift, a little lockup and going long under braking) was enough for a pass for position.
This year I've concentrated on both speed and consistency, and it seems to be paying off. So far :-) I haul and run my own car, with a crew of two.
05-24-2012, 03:29 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Hey Jim, welcome!
Were you at Rennsport IV at Laguna last year in your 2011 Cup? I think we had a battle at the end of the race but I might be mistaken. :-)
-mike
Were you at Rennsport IV at Laguna last year in your 2011 Cup? I think we had a battle at the end of the race but I might be mistaken. :-)
-mike
05-24-2012, 03:30 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Hi Jim:
Your old RS America is alive and well in Ohio. It won it's first NASA race this season at Mid-Ohio. We will be at the Glen next weekend for the Clash running in prepared H. The car has been steadily upgraded and freshed by Joel Reiser during my ownership. Finally split the case for the first time last winter and rebuilt the bottom end, not bad after 70k mostly track miles!
Good Racing,
Joseph Fawsitt
Your old RS America is alive and well in Ohio. It won it's first NASA race this season at Mid-Ohio. We will be at the Glen next weekend for the Clash running in prepared H. The car has been steadily upgraded and freshed by Joel Reiser during my ownership. Finally split the case for the first time last winter and rebuilt the bottom end, not bad after 70k mostly track miles!
Good Racing,
Joseph Fawsitt
05-24-2012, 03:48 PM
#6
Thanks everyone!
Great to hear from you Joseph, I still have regrets about selling that car! I never touched the case either, did a top end in 2002 or so, so that's a lot of years and miles of racing!
Yes I was at Laguna for Rennsport, I finished 4th. I was running second and dropped a wheel on the outside of the corkscrew and I think the sharp curb started a strip getting torn out of my tire. I thought I just had a nasty flatspot and heavy vibration, which I was managing for the last half of the race, but when I got back to the paddock and pulled the tire, there was a strip missing about halfway around the tire, partway through the casing/belts, prob half an inch deep. I never would have finished the race had I had any idea what the tire was like!
Great to hear from you Joseph, I still have regrets about selling that car! I never touched the case either, did a top end in 2002 or so, so that's a lot of years and miles of racing!
Yes I was at Laguna for Rennsport, I finished 4th. I was running second and dropped a wheel on the outside of the corkscrew and I think the sharp curb started a strip getting torn out of my tire. I thought I just had a nasty flatspot and heavy vibration, which I was managing for the last half of the race, but when I got back to the paddock and pulled the tire, there was a strip missing about halfway around the tire, partway through the casing/belts, prob half an inch deep. I never would have finished the race had I had any idea what the tire was like!
05-24-2012, 04:18 PM
#7
Glad to see you on here Jim! Thanks for all the help and competition so far!! I'll miss you and Doug in the 996 class - I was able to learn a lot from you veterans!
Congrats on a perfect season so far!!
See ya at the track!
Ricky
Congrats on a perfect season so far!!
See ya at the track!
Ricky
Trending Topics
05-25-2012, 04:16 AM
#9
Would a new thread in the Racing & Driver's Ed forum be the best choice?
If you're agreeable, go ahead and start, and perhaps be a little more specific about what specific aspirations you have, and what you're particularly curious about. I'm guessing that driving regional events in Seattle and Portland for years is probably not at the top of your list :-)
I'll start off the (to be moved) discussion saying that every time I go on track, I have specific goals, that almost invariably involve both learning (trying some new things) and executing (a plan for how to execute the session).
I also tried to be thoughtful about which car, series, and events I'd run, primarily making choices that would allow (and require) me to learn as much as possible, while still having fun and hanging out with people that I enjoy hanging out with.
05-25-2012, 09:41 AM
#10
Three Wheelin'
Public is fine. I have expressed to my instructors that I would love to progress to that level. I quickly went through the beginner levels and am now in the intermediate group. But I love driving and I love teaching...sounds like a good combo.
As I get closer to pulling the trigger on a dedicated track car - it opens up the opp. for racing as well. While I am a way off - It would be nice to progress the same way many of you already have.
I will start a new thread - maybe it can be sticky.
As I get closer to pulling the trigger on a dedicated track car - it opens up the opp. for racing as well. While I am a way off - It would be nice to progress the same way many of you already have.
I will start a new thread - maybe it can be sticky.
05-29-2012, 08:57 AM
#11
Rennlist Member
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the intro.
I believe we met at the rose cup in 2010? I was driving Jay Culbertson's 996 in the PCA group.
Good luck in the pirelli cup this year.
Cory
Thanks for the intro.
I believe we met at the rose cup in 2010? I was driving Jay Culbertson's 996 in the PCA group.
Good luck in the pirelli cup this year.
Cory
05-30-2012, 07:34 AM
#13
Rennlist Member
Jay is a super nice guy. All of his cars are very clean and well kept. Portland was a lot of fun. Hope to make it back out there some day.
