Sorry to the DE crowd. It was the time I used to walk teh paddock, eat food, pull the kid in the wagon.

 

Thanks Joe. Nice shot....

 

Actually the pace car was sent out with a requested speed of 40 mph. The problem was that the rest of the field didn't form up, ended up being scattered and running past the safety workers too quickly - which correctly refused to work under those conditions. The pace car then was requested to slow down to gather the field and get it under control, but with a field of 79 cars (starting) it just wasn't manageable, the pace car brought them in on the next lap to cool off. The original plan was to have the field form up properly and drive AROUND the clean up crew at 40 mph. Don't blame the PCA guys. . .

Dal.

 

Brian did announce that at the meeting on Mon. The accordian effect is just too big with that many cars...way hard for the people at the back to maintain a consistent speed.


Anyway it was a great race! The traffic actually made it more fun (though i did get grumpy when i could see DrJupe getting away thru the traffic...sorry 'bout that).

 

Nice video, but it was a bit freaky seeing the tow truck on the side of the track while you guys were at full speed. Not really sure about how safe that is.

 

I must say that it felt kind of weird...

 

Race results?

 

Last weekend at the SCCA race I think I passed the trucks at least 5 separate times. The big thing that should be done is to just inform the drivers that they will be doing this, the white flag will indicate it's happening and that the truck crew will readily radio in, anyone who is driving dumb around them.

 

That's just how they roll up there...I think its all the cheese they eat.

The wreckers take alot of pride in keeping the track green for everyone else while they do their job...they are the best in the business.

 

Colin, nice driving...impressed by the inside move into Turn 6.

Our group was setup right next to the Hairy Dog truck, but never saw you around your car.

 

I was doing the DE in the slow group but still very fast. Lots of carnage but the usual for RA. Had a few buddies stuff thier cars in the Kink or right after the carousel a few toasted clutches too.

Colin, That was me that came up and asked if you area aka 38D. You were a little busy to talk but you were driving great. Your were flat going into T7 were others were braking.

Also, a huge thumbs up to the RA Safety crew. The truck at T5 was very busy towing cars and picking up bumper covers. Plus it's nothing like seeing someone race the truck up to T6.

I also saw the #42 356 off at T3 first hand. His car definately did not come back in the way it went out. Medical was great and they took their time getting the driver out. I'm sure the full cage saved him from serious injury. He pretty much skiped across the gravel pit and broad-sided the tire wall at speed.

The number of GTC3 / 4 cars was great. They had to grid the cars for both enduro's on the false grid and the paddock too.

Here is my photo contributions. You can tell I was a little biased to some cars.

Mantissport going into the carousel


38D and the carousel.



Then heading into the Kink.



Start of the Enduro going up the hill to the front straight.



on the grid for the enduro



All the cup cars for the enduro. This is the over-heat lap.

 

It was great seeing everyone. What a weekend for racing.

Charlie and Colin, I stopped by but never caught up to you.

Kevin, it was fun racing together again.

Joe, nice pictures.

The safety team at RA is the best. What we have to work on is the mentality of some PCA racers that think a yellow flag is their chance to make up time on the cars in front of them. How can it make sense to somebody to blow through corners where there are safety workers standing in the gravel traps?

Jim

 

Jim,
I am glad we got to meet after the enduro. BTW, that was me giving you the big thumbs up for qualifying. We should talk more about making your old 996 a v3.0 car from what we talked about.