tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80269936519613548122024-02-07T09:53:01.416-08:00Racing, Cars and TechnologyA Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-52272389609275693602022-01-09T01:13:00.000-08:002022-01-09T01:13:38.428-08:00The Dark Horse Rides: Moorewood Creative 2021 25 Hours of Thunderhill<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Dark Horse Rides<br /><div><br /></div><div>It's been a few years that Larry Moore took his Spec e46 race car beyond the spec class rules to maximize it for endurance racing. I'd been aware of the car and his dastardly plans for some time, but it wasn't until earlier in 2020 that I happened to stop by the shop where the magic was happening, so to speak, and see what incredible lengths he'd gone to, and how far his <strike>madness</strike> dedication to that idea had progressed. Even further, he'd managed to seduce Tony Dominici to join in with his similar e46 race car to make it a two car endurance team - one wrapped black, one white. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVoLcdollv1jAdctiNy4_-RDVXmQO0JO9Wvm9DslE1mGseNEG8Lz8zpvB9e6nuKpe2DA-8RJ7hXTZ7ASZXuwvkxQW8MO7YDZXAx4x7mkwgIio_aBrt1Qr5ZEv1GxuKv6TyVtqdeKBNAj8U500r9bnvpzIzSS3138y6y1xr8Vn4QM4GABnD2LNNHROR=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVoLcdollv1jAdctiNy4_-RDVXmQO0JO9Wvm9DslE1mGseNEG8Lz8zpvB9e6nuKpe2DA-8RJ7hXTZ7ASZXuwvkxQW8MO7YDZXAx4x7mkwgIio_aBrt1Qr5ZEv1GxuKv6TyVtqdeKBNAj8U500r9bnvpzIzSS3138y6y1xr8Vn4QM4GABnD2LNNHROR=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While I had a full ticket of racing in 2020 planned myself, it so happened a number of different events came together that led me to find a place on the team for the National Auto Sport's halo Western States Endurance Championship event: The 25 Hours of Thunderhill. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwXNpCWULpWMgB32jPX2yFDHthEZk2njgpMDKgHl-0Vxp3mAtnExVANvJv2nTFYtNEMIZXGaatbJnIHKjwhZB1kE2rcobbppNSW3vENolFuoYdJpP2imBKPR7LoTfwL6Yg-gyeIuPS7o8M-kxD0mnOtK47Zx6wmKvfoufpDN5i0QWdkMZ7WvtLqg81=s5726" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="5726" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwXNpCWULpWMgB32jPX2yFDHthEZk2njgpMDKgHl-0Vxp3mAtnExVANvJv2nTFYtNEMIZXGaatbJnIHKjwhZB1kE2rcobbppNSW3vENolFuoYdJpP2imBKPR7LoTfwL6Yg-gyeIuPS7o8M-kxD0mnOtK47Zx6wmKvfoufpDN5i0QWdkMZ7WvtLqg81=w453-h133" width="453" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Before...A Beautiful Morning</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div>December 3rd: Qualifying</div><div><br /></div><div>After some discussion and review of our testing results from a few weeks prior, I was selected to drive 4th of the 5 drivers, and our leadoff driver Ian Barberi would be qualifying. The rest of the E2 class was composed of e46s in NASA Spec e45 form or something close, ND and NC Mazda MX5s and a few other cars. From our testing, we knew the entire team should be able to comfortably put down laps close to record spec e46 pace, but it was a surprise when Frasun Racing's e46 set down a speedy 2:00.6 lap to take 2nd behind the #72 Moorewood Creative White Car's smoking fast 1.58.0. Ian's 2:01.5 was still 2 seconds free of the rest of the field, but given 25 hours of racing to come, nearly anything could happen.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie5k3-cPbDr3Qf3QYJ6v6zUi6cYTxJCpaIbzR6cnJ1vTCFfpd6736e-8IT2HFCrObdeHTzoVGk1gaAG80m5ybPmmoHJLNGZa4G0MXX-WJFHEZ4bD3rakb6bYf-MBpsD5Ft1zQauMlHJxiHzjn_hRi4xbnKDMR1o3K29L4BPGIwnpitTkjmF2FcQc9s=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie5k3-cPbDr3Qf3QYJ6v6zUi6cYTxJCpaIbzR6cnJ1vTCFfpd6736e-8IT2HFCrObdeHTzoVGk1gaAG80m5ybPmmoHJLNGZa4G0MXX-WJFHEZ4bD3rakb6bYf-MBpsD5Ft1zQauMlHJxiHzjn_hRi4xbnKDMR1o3K29L4BPGIwnpitTkjmF2FcQc9s=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfHRnwHKeV9ARRCf-kn1QAmbX8KjyU3Hm0oBcPNSdCzYEQh-httW5oW7E5hF-iU_RyAHft5pEKEeQ6gwZcM6vOjgbWeeQSp1eVnh1cFeHkXbDNwlWVopek8-mjO2wTnCLv1hibFxRoA363Y6vXMrMiloZCRssibkIWRpDk1CMQMLkyY89r0jxkbQey=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfHRnwHKeV9ARRCf-kn1QAmbX8KjyU3Hm0oBcPNSdCzYEQh-httW5oW7E5hF-iU_RyAHft5pEKEeQ6gwZcM6vOjgbWeeQSp1eVnh1cFeHkXbDNwlWVopek8-mjO2wTnCLv1hibFxRoA363Y6vXMrMiloZCRssibkIWRpDk1CMQMLkyY89r0jxkbQey=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">36 cars, 7 classes and 983 bajillion crew </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>December 4th: Race Start</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxAgLnGCNUG5ekxAT3pWOY6vBuGV-HiBwYXquV_FF2K1XdmhHh5YFATi8MK5zj-AP23LaicJ1pb4j47KlvVvQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Right at 11am 36 cars rolled out for sighting and pace laps, and after a 1st lap spin for one of the leading prototypes and a light oiling of T15 by another car on the second lap both Moorewood cars made it through unscathed and began moving up. In the white car, Sean Webster settled into 5th overall and first in class, while Ian had more work to do starting further back in traffic. In spite of that, he managed to move up steadily, pass cars in faster classes that had qualified faster, and overtake the Frasun Racing e46 handily, and move into second place in class. As his stint came to a close, he'd put a lot of time on 3rd place, and our next two drivers Tony Dominici and Ed Fardos slowly pulled away from the rest of the pack. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Moorewood White car looked to be nearly unstoppable, except for a malfunctioning fuel rig which resulted in a spill while fueling early in the race. This netted the car a 5 minute penalty which put the Black Car up several laps. Even though the White car was making better time after 6 hours of racing things looked exceedingly positive for the Black Car. </div><div><br /></div><div>Team leader Larry Moore and Engineering Wizard / Master Tactician behind the scenes Justin Ross had very explicit instructions about driving style during this time - 80% effort, don't take any risks. The true genius behind these cars was that even taking into account a healthy margin of error, they were still very fast and very easy to drive. Rules in E2 permit one tire change per pit stop and the longer we could get them to last, the more pit stop time we could save, and the better we could protect our lead. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQq9f78owBEd-f-TQPopQJanfXKr0zBYHPpIXxN89kdc51o--FDuZ8CUc4lQQ7MZoqzy9Sf3AtognvBrJd-Uc7O7Yfrrz8RmtN36vDw7lH_8jYWmDJXjIB4abEzGw4rXdhXmPbYyR2_KXr5OonzID24flYjb6yk4rb6vuiSeor53BUNz6XqH_1IZpu=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQq9f78owBEd-f-TQPopQJanfXKr0zBYHPpIXxN89kdc51o--FDuZ8CUc4lQQ7MZoqzy9Sf3AtognvBrJd-Uc7O7Yfrrz8RmtN36vDw7lH_8jYWmDJXjIB4abEzGw4rXdhXmPbYyR2_KXr5OonzID24flYjb6yk4rb6vuiSeor53BUNz6XqH_1IZpu=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Car Crew Chief Craig</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Up to this point, everything was looking great for the Black Car... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Fog Is Getting Thicker! </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Given my position in the lineup, I'd figured that I would be getting in the car around 8pm or so, but I'd plan to be around and ready by the end of Ed's first stint just in case anything odd happened. I had an early dinner around 3pm, took a nap for about an hour in anticipation of an exciting evening, and hung out in the ready area for a while. As 6pm approached, the Black Car was coming due for fuel and a tire, but as darkness fell, a significant amount of fog came rolling in as well. In the past, the 25 hour has proceeded at full tilt under the most egregious of conditions - torrential downpour, rivers of mud, and even snow in the past had challenged the teams, but if flagging stations could not see each other, then safety was an issue and the race would have to be suspended. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii61QHPEzdwP5hXyx0jDt1jGlJgGG2UYugu9t9fNXIXFIrqM2U3DHXkNytGVfPbzUD-22iW0drWjTsNugjveKUcs5MM0bex3S3IFhS87kXQOnjU4lUky-mUomvwcxVgKevG4Mt3OlFsgI5Vk3e1lIdws4Mris1d1ot4MkqK87OBGAlOPmAL-huKkFN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy__qjMyKLoJmAZ6JCakm30jEv09q-FBmSUHNVUFSprwdtFHwFXaZKGofN0Qhk-EuQaoLLpKemU4CHmk7MAhi1Vt7l6RdJBTDkAAI2YzP-8DirZpfVpe8Wv3om85JoYi1-CPGs32WjHaU/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy__qjMyKLoJmAZ6JCakm30jEv09q-FBmSUHNVUFSprwdtFHwFXaZKGofN0Qhk-EuQaoLLpKemU4CHmk7MAhi1Vt7l6RdJBTDkAAI2YzP-8DirZpfVpe8Wv3om85JoYi1-CPGs32WjHaU/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a wee bit of fog...</td></tr></tbody></table></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii61QHPEzdwP5hXyx0jDt1jGlJgGG2UYugu9t9fNXIXFIrqM2U3DHXkNytGVfPbzUD-22iW0drWjTsNugjveKUcs5MM0bex3S3IFhS87kXQOnjU4lUky-mUomvwcxVgKevG4Mt3OlFsgI5Vk3e1lIdws4Mris1d1ot4MkqK87OBGAlOPmAL-huKkFN=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black Car, parked out there somewhere</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii61QHPEzdwP5hXyx0jDt1jGlJgGG2UYugu9t9fNXIXFIrqM2U3DHXkNytGVfPbzUD-22iW0drWjTsNugjveKUcs5MM0bex3S3IFhS87kXQOnjU4lUky-mUomvwcxVgKevG4Mt3OlFsgI5Vk3e1lIdws4Mris1d1ot4MkqK87OBGAlOPmAL-huKkFN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As it happened, the team ended up missing the window between just foggy enough to race and getting the pit stop done, missed coming in before a fog-induced full course yellow by just a few seconds. Certainly, the car would go a lot further circulating at pace car speed, but the officials took their time to assess the fog situation, so the car was forced to pit under yellow a few minutes before the race was red flagged. NASA endurance rules prohibit getting an advantage by pitting under yellow, so Ed pulled when the car in, the team wasn't allowed to even touch the car to prepare it to go out again. Once the race was finally stopped the other cars were lined up on the main straight, and the forlorn former E2 class leader was parked in the pits. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>A restful night's repose...mostly. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>An emergency driver's meeting was called, and teams were informed that as soon as the fog cleared there would be a 30 minute warning, then racing would continue. In addition, the finish time would be pushed out as late as 3pm to account for the time lost while the race was suspended. But how long would that be? A day or two previous it was also uncharacteristically foggy in the evening, and it hadn't burned off until 9am. Amidst some pro-level amateur weather sleuthing which turned out to be largely incorrect, drivers and teams scurried around and found relatively warm nooks for the evening and tried to get some rest. </div><div><br /></div><div>A few minutes before 04:30 I awoke in the Moorewood Creative Driver's Lounge which consisted of a few folding chairs, a drying rack and a space heater in a one-car enclosed trailer. Had I just heard an announcement over the PA? I was thinking about moving from my warm spot to investigate when NASA Safety let loose with every siren, horn, and noise-based warning device at their command. I foggily recalled from the driver's meeting that the NASA officials had promised to do their best to alert us, and NASA Safety was performing their duties with unbridled enthusiasm and dedication. </div><div><br /></div><div>I stumbled out of the trailer, helmet in hand just in time to run into Justin marching by on a mission. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Andy! Car! Now!" he said, leaving no doubt as to what was happening next. </div><div><br /></div><div>A few minutes later I found myself in a very cold and dark race car, peering through a completely fogged windscreen, rubbing my gloved hands and stomping my feet against the floorboards to get warmed up. The car was still technically in parc fermé, but the entire team stood by on their toes ready to service it the second the track went green. As the rest of the field slowly took off and began circulating, I knew they were out there getting their tires warm and toasty, sighting out cold and slippery spots, and putting us even more laps down. In all, we lost 8 laps off our lead from the fog's inopportune appearance, but the moment the track went green, the skilled Black Car crew jumped all over the car. I got a new tire, 10 gallons of gas, a fresh clean windshield, and sent all in record time, and I chugged down the pit lane on the speed limiter ready for my first laps in the race. </div><div><br /></div><div>And what excitement! Overall the car was in pretty good shape, but T2 was still pretty foggy, the tires were stone cold, and while I'd raced there plenty of times in the past, let's just say the lighting was something new considering the typical sunny day in the summer when I typically raced there. As I was starting to get the feel of things after a few turns, a few cars bombed past me, and I found the AOA Racing Mazda MX5 Cup car hotly followed by the Frazen Racing e46. This was it - I needed to stay with these guys or forget making up the time we'd lost.</div><div><br /></div><div>The e46 was working on the MX5 pretty hard, and after a few laps, he pedaled by using his straight line advantage. The MX5 stuck to his bumper especially in the 1st half of the track, but shortly I was able to get by as well, then follow the e46 for a few laps to get my bearings further. Once I'd figured out where grip was and wasn't in these conditions thanks to my helpful competitors, I slipped by the Frasun e46 and set off down the road. Given the field was still a little clumped up from the earlier red flag, I was able to really set some good uninterrupted times down and make up some time on the field. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_PN2cRDnN0ZScHwn3PcClVtnWlDPP42qpZXH4YbGcDv8ZVJtYj-fCqZQoKFRnNVkGelsrOlHcbfTN1V4ABvtMecXViuMX_liskZ-RnJfeZqkgQjy7S6vg2da9Wi2IYal73_flZMGxtE/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1174" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_PN2cRDnN0ZScHwn3PcClVtnWlDPP42qpZXH4YbGcDv8ZVJtYj-fCqZQoKFRnNVkGelsrOlHcbfTN1V4ABvtMecXViuMX_liskZ-RnJfeZqkgQjy7S6vg2da9Wi2IYal73_flZMGxtE/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorewood Black Car, Frazen e46, & AOA Motorsports MX5...prior to the early morning fun...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course in the midst of this, the fog began rolling back in between T2 and T4, and I wondered if we'd be parking it again before the night was up, but after several laps the fog fairies headed for bed for good, and left us to race under a relatively clear night sky. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even in the darkest hours, between our crew chief Craig Evans and our spotter Milas Mills we got a great rhythm down calling out hazards, slow cars, fast cars and everything in between. By this time things were warm and I was really enjoying myself - I have to really hand it to Milas who was sitting out on a hillside somewhere probably freezing his butt off.</div><div><br /></div><div>The pace continued after a fuel stop and as the I motored toward the end of my second stint, I realized the sky had turned from black to grey, and finally a gorgeous orange sunrise and a beautiful clear morning giving no sign weather would be any hindrance to racing for the rest of the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>I swapped out to the next driver and hopped back over the pit wall elated - partly excitement partly working on moving my brain back from driving to walking on solid earth. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JQYBGjcwkrs" width="320" youtube-src-id="JQYBGjcwkrs"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next off in the car was Paul Whiting - final driver in our lineup, who was a deeply experienced racer with several pro races to his credit. While I availed myself of a stack of pancakes from the Thunderhill grill, he set off at a blistering pace in the early morning and set blazing fast times for three full consecutive stints, close to 3 and a half hours. I'd kicked us back into a place where we could end up anywhere between 3rd to fifth in our class, but Paul put us right back into the thick of the competition.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB-gdB3RfjI9B0IBOQUmkhZ9TjQPZBbpCHJLWH6eQAypuXbvCrjhD8Z5Z3DJuPYzVYOuQna6Ko74TBJm7tRD0BuQGgGQ6c53P-fZmMKLaz0SdQO3jGLcTkFHLMXofDCsUUOg5PbE_jqwpQAgi63joGna0nRowsOchvAE90FSadxXwWCmSQAlpQIelK=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB-gdB3RfjI9B0IBOQUmkhZ9TjQPZBbpCHJLWH6eQAypuXbvCrjhD8Z5Z3DJuPYzVYOuQna6Ko74TBJm7tRD0BuQGgGQ6c53P-fZmMKLaz0SdQO3jGLcTkFHLMXofDCsUUOg5PbE_jqwpQAgi63joGna0nRowsOchvAE90FSadxXwWCmSQAlpQIelK=s320" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Sometime during his stint as well, our main competition the Frasun Racing e46 suffered brake failure heading into T10, and took some time to get towed off, replace the brakes, repair some body damage from nerfing the wall, and rejoin the fray. That left yet another e46 run by Legacy Motorwerks in our way for 2nd place. As it turned out, they were running a strategy on harder than typical R compound tires with the intention of skipping tire changes to shorten their pit stops, but such was the speed of the Black Car combined with the pro level pit stops and Paul's triple stinting that by early afternoon Sunday, we'd pulled ahead into 2nd place. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyUbpjudmpsAu0Ez6hQBecZxmmfQZdwiV3EFGHEcJk0Ssq45NCR_tf97RNUfbssTzwWY5c9QaiSdlWy3NXa3E8SD1lQP6ZyyEaMtaM_RYx469b6AqZp7RDO_jUDRdDGx5poTZdkmtyPMKVzf_tQ7wi174-29TTDXFZ0fpcGfh-jprbc-LtqaA1ic4B=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyUbpjudmpsAu0Ez6hQBecZxmmfQZdwiV3EFGHEcJk0Ssq45NCR_tf97RNUfbssTzwWY5c9QaiSdlWy3NXa3E8SD1lQP6ZyyEaMtaM_RYx469b6AqZp7RDO_jUDRdDGx5poTZdkmtyPMKVzf_tQ7wi174-29TTDXFZ0fpcGfh-jprbc-LtqaA1ic4B=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of waiting between those busy 90 seconds</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>At that point, with our sister car ahead about 3 laps, the competition unable to match our pace, and with Paul and later Ed pulling through the field, we got the word to take things as easy as possible and take absolutely zero chances. In fact as it worked out, as Ed finished up his last stint, and I was prepping to do one final stint to take us to the finish line, Chief Craig took me aside. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Okay - you're not to use third gear. Sounds like some transmission problems." He said. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another interesting challenge - Gearing on the Moorewood cars didn't seem to be too different from a typical e46, which made much of the lap in 4th and 5th gear - I'd even done 4th on purpose a few times rolling through T14 and 15, but pulling from T11, the slowest turn on the track, taken about 45mph felt painfully slow. Nonetheless, I took over and cruised the final stint turning similar times to our competition in spite of the handicap. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgATLD0Gb_pBONqwEn4U0qIEP_W8-QFrpm49PSJOzwlRixNhBPHnmZWeV_nKJJqh-blqHS0hUujqmH-C2uRa4m_LRGRe5QjNx6N4plS-yt1RQa_RwPR0-oXA_oqd7gIpU0M8TKjDY7FRi-9Vy-J8oTG0ESkDQ08fE6E4tYVsS5sp0kE5t4wExKN8NlG=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgATLD0Gb_pBONqwEn4U0qIEP_W8-QFrpm49PSJOzwlRixNhBPHnmZWeV_nKJJqh-blqHS0hUujqmH-C2uRa4m_LRGRe5QjNx6N4plS-yt1RQa_RwPR0-oXA_oqd7gIpU0M8TKjDY7FRi-9Vy-J8oTG0ESkDQ08fE6E4tYVsS5sp0kE5t4wExKN8NlG=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony Dominici, Black Car Owner</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Running through the final pit stop would leave us with about 30 minutes of leftover time so given the team didn't want to leave anything to chance, I was to remain in the car and bring it across the line for the end. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzclJ0n-Vi-sCnfjKCxzNdIiUy9-yhiOrohHjMmchpExS-lH2hGQhVCxwzALNPdpjeIGR5ivh9kTFp6J84s6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Really, as well, having done primarily sprint racing for the past 20 years or so, there was never a moment while racing with Moorewood that the whole aspect and importance of a racing team was in doubt. Justin, Tony, Larry and many others had spent untold hours pouring over the rules to maximize every possible way an E2 / NASA ST5 car could be enhanced for speed, reliability, and drivability. Even longer, I suppose actually wrenching on the cars to make those changes work. The crew having spent entire weekends practicing, pit stops on the Black car were flawless, and aside from some inopportune fog, we'd have been in a perfect position to win our class. Same could be said of the White car, as a minor fueling rig malfunction put them back...just not quite as far. No less than 25 team members contributed to the success from fresh clean windshields to race strategy to truly delicious freshly baked cookies. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a challenge driving a cold car in the middle of the night, sure...but it was easy considering all the hard work the team put in to get us drivers in a place to do it. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5jEZEpZ95Q9IuxSQJivRwuuBZLA-pv0gNg_cdzxCBQBonLAzP8FzHJtQ4lxHJ2vszLhe8WEtCIj31iOrNEilCJfCc1xtYX48OBhp2yWyVA26wlR8GOX0KNMrrcB_MjjqzvSRh_Aa0KzTiMuuR8TmdSabW4qUchvJFZu-CXsMwILJOG0bCFbtbiiA8=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5jEZEpZ95Q9IuxSQJivRwuuBZLA-pv0gNg_cdzxCBQBonLAzP8FzHJtQ4lxHJ2vszLhe8WEtCIj31iOrNEilCJfCc1xtYX48OBhp2yWyVA26wlR8GOX0KNMrrcB_MjjqzvSRh_Aa0KzTiMuuR8TmdSabW4qUchvJFZu-CXsMwILJOG0bCFbtbiiA8=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy, Milas & Justin, hamming it up.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As we came to the end of the last few laps, we synchronized where the cars were on the track and did a lo-speed cruise by the Thunderhill main straight in a picture perfect 1-2 finish. As is NASA tradition, the crews gather on the hot pit wall and cheer on every car that's able to make it to the end of the journey. It was epic driving the car across the line cheering too - Team Moorewood Creative - this one's for you!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-5l1tCG0yClJsq9MTJKl26h_5jmkRT31PgR636fDvVTQuGoPIceesQjanZgN0Rtdgslb3w-FmcvQ1VHFVSPDjz_Ej29jVp3AA2TMBKpqh4KXzQTadt8w6ctw2SWfqTaSrPzTORgXCa2Ai7WbwUP_BQGwlstq4zIIa0Y9dILVyXEZkkNeu426zHc0B=s1869" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="1869" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-5l1tCG0yClJsq9MTJKl26h_5jmkRT31PgR636fDvVTQuGoPIceesQjanZgN0Rtdgslb3w-FmcvQ1VHFVSPDjz_Ej29jVp3AA2TMBKpqh4KXzQTadt8w6ctw2SWfqTaSrPzTORgXCa2Ai7WbwUP_BQGwlstq4zIIa0Y9dILVyXEZkkNeu426zHc0B=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Team!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixmyagzMxNjQc4QnQ6xWAslSH8ige2CB0W7lkY1bO2LpMDu-kpqAw-yozrJOOljuv0ILno6iQu9yGnSuji74fls70N1j3DnfYmfW3QkOMnqImpPhAtfgnRbZKQDgtlBcVLKAXitEmZtZDCl3_vgVwZm14-J2VQ968TzzT3_QF2BqZF9GMFpXCzcKS3=s768" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixmyagzMxNjQc4QnQ6xWAslSH8ige2CB0W7lkY1bO2LpMDu-kpqAw-yozrJOOljuv0ILno6iQu9yGnSuji74fls70N1j3DnfYmfW3QkOMnqImpPhAtfgnRbZKQDgtlBcVLKAXitEmZtZDCl3_vgVwZm14-J2VQ968TzzT3_QF2BqZF9GMFpXCzcKS3=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhugh-4sRD1gRSinbhPQG_oW5uVCmwvapVn8YeuIKVdDYI1HrbspXgqaryqn5Sjje6xsPu_3wx-DMzi5_8iHZa8-PUeYty84LyHTOPXATAdz6cBQAkzxWVwOuOTEeGH5QvOYb1HbfKHYpPf1_4NnnLxj1knNShTyTQPXHBSLkO7mw8qyLSqqzn3Lbs=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhugh-4sRD1gRSinbhPQG_oW5uVCmwvapVn8YeuIKVdDYI1HrbspXgqaryqn5Sjje6xsPu_3wx-DMzi5_8iHZa8-PUeYty84LyHTOPXATAdz6cBQAkzxWVwOuOTEeGH5QvOYb1HbfKHYpPf1_4NnnLxj1knNShTyTQPXHBSLkO7mw8qyLSqqzn3Lbs=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com2Thunderhill Raceway Park39.5392738 -122.332642511.229039963821151 -157.48889250000002 67.849507636178842 -87.1763925tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-35299252906594683942021-08-29T22:54:00.002-07:002021-08-29T22:54:46.149-07:00Dissassembling Perfectly Good Cars Since 2005<p> Your Brand New Car! Again...</p><p>After a successful season in 2019, we were looking for new challenges, and settled on the relatively new up and coming Spec MX5 class of cars being built from the 3rd generation Mazda MX5s...not technically called a 'Miata' anymore in the US. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFUkwL5nUSoOwjLX4O2eT368KT_v20Twj78WF2FhGHKiONGvLnqDgSXLpGHsjYRmBw6Id5roHb7DfV7CCy96o1E_BIyjE21N-1n1bb_p_LyYmSTlD82CvvmenND-hZb3irsI5_2AkM0w/s2048/IMG_20190730_222116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFUkwL5nUSoOwjLX4O2eT368KT_v20Twj78WF2FhGHKiONGvLnqDgSXLpGHsjYRmBw6Id5roHb7DfV7CCy96o1E_BIyjE21N-1n1bb_p_LyYmSTlD82CvvmenND-hZb3irsI5_2AkM0w/s320/IMG_20190730_222116.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>- Relatively affordable prebuilt cars available, rules allow build your own if you are either skilled or nuts. (Turned out about 28/72 for us) </p><p>- Nationwide racing in Spec MX5, but compatible with ST5 for NASA or STL for SCCA, and legal to jump into SP for USTCC. Mazda offers varying contingencies on these classes from good to amazing.</p><p>- Parts readily available directly from Mazda or other reasonable sources. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFfNA7VQV-0lXqrvW5QWzho34Bmw5asjHcsvVflY-36s420PK5yrUs4Wd4tTVm2RJ4HiL0sS1igMTE5eJlDckh-w5p42GOKh4BX9sVIqvcXF5RXGuXd0QF5ybLoQgPTh2iFEB0J866H0/s2048/IMG_20200208_150950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFfNA7VQV-0lXqrvW5QWzho34Bmw5asjHcsvVflY-36s420PK5yrUs4Wd4tTVm2RJ4HiL0sS1igMTE5eJlDckh-w5p42GOKh4BX9sVIqvcXF5RXGuXd0QF5ybLoQgPTh2iFEB0J866H0/s320/IMG_20200208_150950.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc11yWJ6bg2rnWeWnRCgFCewNninPB329elf6WhCr97BcWwCP9-FB0-WkG4eVuhoo7xYwPtdFetf7dx6STFhZ0DQLxYzPY2dZMv-QLuut4PgoySpbkVWnH7mGIAti3TbkU2zSoRqc4Gnc/s2048/IMG_20200219_165341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc11yWJ6bg2rnWeWnRCgFCewNninPB329elf6WhCr97BcWwCP9-FB0-WkG4eVuhoo7xYwPtdFetf7dx6STFhZ0DQLxYzPY2dZMv-QLuut4PgoySpbkVWnH7mGIAti3TbkU2zSoRqc4Gnc/s320/IMG_20200219_165341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9aZTnj1hfwIJ5IZKNXBOomvGwmN-ecHBSxEiOrnw9LSA3vEC6Ttq8_uKx0EwkjJCDKEEW9i2UZJyCTSQaToiVWLQiTXAu2z2y2tAKObigWBJER8k_S6njm-IHGFOV3dHCb-Vscv83e4/s2048/PXL_20210130_181121521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9aZTnj1hfwIJ5IZKNXBOomvGwmN-ecHBSxEiOrnw9LSA3vEC6Ttq8_uKx0EwkjJCDKEEW9i2UZJyCTSQaToiVWLQiTXAu2z2y2tAKObigWBJER8k_S6njm-IHGFOV3dHCb-Vscv83e4/s320/PXL_20210130_181121521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A few months of stalking the local Copart in Morgan Hill, CA, and I came up with a 2007 MX5 with no body damage, a stick shift, and a blown motor. I ended up with that fabulous car in my garage for about $1750 after some negotiation.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg897_WJlqrBLW2kDjRPWgDJO5sMHPsT2OyVCH0ZT3oRT2hZ0voZfGB9E0BSn2PnRVzJdguzXH2sTCACclJJ5oUduVhttd-v9tYDbLI25z54OvrasLqiyfZzAb7QwognZ0HcBsufqfvpQ4/s2048/IMG_20200607_161832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg897_WJlqrBLW2kDjRPWgDJO5sMHPsT2OyVCH0ZT3oRT2hZ0voZfGB9E0BSn2PnRVzJdguzXH2sTCACclJJ5oUduVhttd-v9tYDbLI25z54OvrasLqiyfZzAb7QwognZ0HcBsufqfvpQ4/s320/IMG_20200607_161832.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The winter spent wrestling suspension bits gave way to a pandemic spring swapping and stripping, then renovating and reinstalling around the new TC Designs cage and other safety equipment. Finally a new Spec MX5 motor by Haag Performance, drivetrain installed by BTM Motorwerks, and we had a car ready to hit the track. <p></p><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgi4wri3-vFYLF8uDtawj9AWJPmpy6Fg6H0LAM3UXnkA8S6EXe4O1vDZAixMyam4AVk5W9SCElrAUztRuwCkOgSRyLvDA-ijyt_jgn8dq33Xv3tCsS34VVIlKG6mII1Ryyr2hlyGvRFE/s2048/PXL_20201101_171949880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgi4wri3-vFYLF8uDtawj9AWJPmpy6Fg6H0LAM3UXnkA8S6EXe4O1vDZAixMyam4AVk5W9SCElrAUztRuwCkOgSRyLvDA-ijyt_jgn8dq33Xv3tCsS34VVIlKG6mII1Ryyr2hlyGvRFE/s320/PXL_20201101_171949880.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the midst of the new project the old #100 Spec e30 went to a new home...of course it's only after selling a perfectly dialed in reliable race car and start really taking things apart, when you start to question your sanity for starting over again. </p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>But first few turns at Sonoma Raceway on our first test day, the MX5 chassis whispered of its amazing potential. That and leaked oil from a nicked hose, went over sound with the spec exhaust and had a weird hesitation at part throttle...but this is going to be good. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9otGbHXHN0" width="320" youtube-src-id="e9otGbHXHN0"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-33012794800768847142019-10-31T21:40:00.000-07:002019-11-02T12:59:36.379-07:002019 Spec e30 Season Finale The NASA Norcal Spec e30 Championship blasted into Sonoma Raceway October 26th and 27th for a no hold barred double points smackdown of a weekend, consisting of qualifying and three races with the usual suspects, as well as a few ringers that showed up to try to take a win away from the usual suspects.<br />
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Saturday!<br />
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In the morning meeting, series organizer Nick Theimann pointed out that Andy Chittum was the points leader for the season, leading by a formidable 117 points, but with 600 on tap for the double points weekend, one misstep could shake up the order significantly. Just to prove his point, Thiemann, in second position for the season then went out for qualifying and set a fast 1:56.8 lap on the twisty technical 2.52 mile course a good 8 tenths faster than previous round winner Chittum. <br />
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But it was veteran Spec e30 racer Scott Clough that did Nick one better with a 1.56.3 that initially set the pace until local race hero Tim Barber stepped in with a legitimately fast 1.56.0 to take pole position. Brian Shiflett, and Forrest Cook filled out the top 6, and the rest of the field fell within the 1.58s, just behind the leaders.<br />
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At the drop of the green the roared off the line without a single bauble on the standing start, but the right hand side of the track seemed to be slightly faster, with Clough getting the jump on Barber and Chittum just edging ahead of Theimann. By the time the field poured into T4, the side by side had worked its way out and they filed into T6 in that order.<br />
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But Chittum missed a shift coming out of T6, allowing Theimann to come motoring by, and the rest of the field right on his bumper into T7. Chittum got his act back together narrowly got out of the reach of the field, and chased down Theimann, while Barber took advantage of his speed advantage to sneak back by Clough with an over-under into T7 and making it stick in 8. By the end of the first lap, the field had mostly settled down, except for sometime Spec e30 hotshoe Aristotle Balogh who had missed qualifying and making up nearly half the field on the first two laps.<br />
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<br />
While Barber slowly pulled away from Clough, Chittum caught up to Theimann and began pondering how he could make it by the fast #21 car. Initially, Theimann proved difficult to figure out, but with Balogh free of the rest of the field, and starting to bridge a 6 second gap up to 4th place, Chittum began to push harder.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED6k6G6gGdp5yyYrdr4Rs-Nq0UZRZiGiBWVtevBwurExxJhCzABLCEeAxbWKabiD0lyPsofb1ilaYGI4UoVAS8qPKj_Fnp_SdYEa1-k8foxidVkiohX-9OaERxumS5p1WjTQG8b6QLCE/s1600/t8lap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED6k6G6gGdp5yyYrdr4Rs-Nq0UZRZiGiBWVtevBwurExxJhCzABLCEeAxbWKabiD0lyPsofb1ilaYGI4UoVAS8qPKj_Fnp_SdYEa1-k8foxidVkiohX-9OaERxumS5p1WjTQG8b6QLCE/s400/t8lap1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
With a fast run through 10, Chittum made it through 11 just inches from Theimann's bumper drafted down the front straight, then cut inside, overlapping in T1 and up into T2. But Theimann still held an advantage, and was able to stay ahead in T3. Next lap Chittum did the same thing, but this time doubling up in T2, and was able to get up the inside of the exit of T3, making the pass stick. Slowly, Chittum was able to pull ahead, just as Balogh reached the battle.<br />
<br />
With Barber and Clough checked out, Chittum got a good gap, and was able to hold it as Balogh made his way around Theimann. The two held even for a few laps, but with lapped traffic, Balogh was able to catch Chittum and make it past just before the end of the race.<br />
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Sunday!<br />
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With a hard fought race on a oddly greasy and difficult track the day before, cooler temperatures were forecast, but higher winds, which were sure to produce the battle of the year. Unfortunately, due to nearby forest fires, NASA was unable to secure Emergency Ambulances for the Sunday event, so they were forced to cancel the event.<br />
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Season Points!<br />
<br />
With a 117 point lead going into the final weekend, Chittum then retained the lead at the end, and pending official results becomes the 2019 NASA Norcal Champion. This is Chittum's 3rd Championship, but 1st as a solo driver, previously teaming up as Team BTM Motorwerks and winning in 2011 and 2012. Nick Theimann, while leading for much of the year held on to second place overall, and Forest Cook was able to make up enough points on JP Cadoux in the final race to hold on to third.<br />
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NASA Norcal Spec e30 will return March 14-15 2020 back at beautiful Sonoma Raceway for a whole new season, stay tuned for more!<br />
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A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-14716066544007277432019-09-29T11:59:00.005-07:002019-09-29T12:00:47.099-07:00USTCC Go Go Go - In 3 days<br />
Wednesday afternoon. Phone call.<br />
<br />
"Andy, I need your help. I bought a car yesterday, super cheap - it hasn't be run in a over a decade, and I want it to race this weekend."<br />
<br />
On the one hand, something every race driver wants to hear - someone needs them to drive their car. On the other, so many questions. Are there tires? Condition of the shocks? The engine works? Setup? Testing? By the way, what kind of car is it anyway?<br />
<br />
The car was a 5th gen Honda Civic equipped with a B18C of uncertain build. Shocks had been rebuilt by the prior owner recently, the engine had started when they tried it, they had some old Hankook F200s laying around and all the rest would be taken care of at the track Saturday before the race Sunday.<br />
<br />
Sure thing, I'm in.<br />
<br />
This car turned out to be the newest to race for USTCC Team Gogogear.com's stable, which includes other cars spread from the Sportsman class, where the Civic fit in, to the Super Touring class featuring a gorgeous S54 equipped BMW e90 driven by Lary Bani. In fact, the team had another similar Civic painted in the distinctive team yellow-orange to be driven by Reza Arsham, which became my template for working things up, and figuring out what the car liked.<br />
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<br />
Saturday, with a reduced testing schedule, there was just time enough for the car's new owner Ali Arsham to jump into the car and give it a quick once over, as well as have to team update a few safety items before Sunday.<br />
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Warmup - Really Warm<br />
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Sunday dawned with perfect spring Sonoma Raceway Weather, sunny, 80 degrees and a light breeze. I slid into the Honda, and headed out for a warmup. The one minor issue noted in the shakedown Saturday was a slight tendency for the car to overheat, so with one eye on the temp gauge, I worked on figuring out the car.<br />
<br />
After two laps, I'd started to drop my times pretty quickly - the little car had tons of stick, and could do more each lap. The newly rebuilt shocks handled the uneven pavement well in T1. T3 was a light dance. T6 pulled my cheeks sideways and the chicane for T8 was well balanced all the way through. Even the (not my favorite) FIA configuration chicane in T9 worked better than I'd have thought for a smaller car.<br />
<br />
On my 3rd time across the line I got a signal to pit, so I came in, the GogoGear Guys did the tires, and we pulled in to look at the data from the run.<br />
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To combat the unusual water temperature, the GogoGear team put together a makeshift shroud to force more cool air through the radiator. I discussed tire pressures and setup with Reza again, and we settled on the final plans for qualifying and the race.<br />
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Qualifying - If Ida Had One More Lap<br />
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For qualifying late morning the Gogogear team put me on scrubbed slicks, and I found it a challenge to get the big Hankook F200 race slicks warmed up on the 2300lb car. After some major scrubbing, I got a decent lap in for the bank, and looked to really give it the beans, hoping I had enough thermal runway to make it a good one. I had put everything I'd learned in the morning together and put a good lap together, but I got the signal to pit again, and had to abort the lap.<br />
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The setup on the car looked good, but there was still some tinkering to be done so we came in and started prepping for the race. Edgar Lau's #9 BMW 330i had some legs on the field with a roughly 3 second advantage, but the next 4 of us were separated by a half second, putting me inside second row to start.<br />
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Go Go Go<br />
<br />
At 1:10 PM the entire USTCC field took a green flag, and 22 cars left stripes of sweet Hankook rubber en route to a chaotic blast through Sears Point's T1. While Lau quickly checked out, the rest of the SP field upended on the first lap. I figured out a pretty good standing launch procedure and moved up, while both Bovenberg and Gardner had trouble getting away. Reza Arsham made a great start up through T2 and made another pass into T5, but I managed to get around him on the mid-exit of T6, and come across the line in 2nd place on the first lap.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/H3pQH1uwP1Q?t=32" target="_blank">Awesome Race Start Video!</a><br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/H3pQH1uwP1Q?t=78" target="_blank">Awesome Overtake Video!</a><br />
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The battle for 2nd settled in Chittum - Arsham - Bovenberg - Milbourn - Gardner for the first 5 laps or so, and I was able to manage the pace, pushing harder for a lap, gaining a gap on the field, then taking it a little easier for a bit. Coming out of T9 on lap 5 I was a little overly easy just to get the engine temperature down, and Reza managed to overlap me into 11. I didn't protest too hard with my teammate, and we charged up into T2 together.<br />
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As I unwound the steering wheel for T2, suddenly, there was an impact on the back of the car, the car was pitched to the left, and I got a lovely view of the pedestrian bridge out the windshield as I slid sideways up the hill at about 80 mph. It's always interesting to see what comes to mind in such a situation like this, and I recall simply - 'dontrollover, dontrollover, dontrollover' until a deluge of dirt and grass blasted through the passenger side windows and the car headed for the tire barrier. The tires didn't catch in the dirt, and I came to an easy rest not too far from the tire barrier. Barely missing a beat, I got the car back in gear and took off up T3, but there was a lot of dirt and grass built up, and it took a few slow turns to get the car to work normally again.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/H3pQH1uwP1Q?t=422" target="_blank">Awesome get punted off video!</a><br />
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By that time, the water temperature was right at the upper end of workable, so my best choice was to pull it in, and save the car rather than trying to chase down the field and risk blowing the engine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0yyK3nMYsNblTiAMfatepHSoHUUlIhTOhsmlQfRAyaIZtK4BXFrYoDJkuqjC6CcrzGSWVmuw5JY4iUKuXoz33bMwVpdZaihi_ulHkE0y4nHnCS-leRaABt-U7Fv4BnAM88pD-g0-rBc/s1600/IMG_20190908_103750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0yyK3nMYsNblTiAMfatepHSoHUUlIhTOhsmlQfRAyaIZtK4BXFrYoDJkuqjC6CcrzGSWVmuw5JY4iUKuXoz33bMwVpdZaihi_ulHkE0y4nHnCS-leRaABt-U7Fv4BnAM88pD-g0-rBc/s320/IMG_20190908_103750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Later, Ali expressed his appreciation that the car showed good speed in the class, and ran as high as second place. It seemed like he was just about an upgraded radiator away from a very competitive car. Maybe even at the next USTCC event, October 26 and 27th with NASA. Maybe I'll even get another phone call.<br />
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A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-67213313173130662692019-08-08T18:40:00.000-07:002019-08-12T23:22:00.109-07:00Hot Hot Hill<br />
The NASA Norcal Spec e30 racers slid into a seasonably warm and toasty Willows, California to contest Round 5 of the Championship August 3rd and 4th. With temperatures forecast well over 100F and Spec e30 running the legendary track in the reverse direction for the first time in years, the event promised for thrills, chills, and some unexpected results.<br />
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In practice Friday a number of cars already suffering from the heat with Nick Theimann's car breaking a rocker, Round 4 winner Scott Clough's car's transmission mysteriously seizing up, and other various brake issues. Teams worked through the evening, and the entire field of 15 cars made qualifying Saturday morning.<br />
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Saturday<br />
<br />
Bennett McMicking set the early time to beat with a speedy 2:08.8 on his first timed lap, and Nick Theimann came back next lap dropping a 2:08.5, but perennial pole sitter JP Cadoux dropped a 2:08.1 on his third lap which looked to be the fastest any e30 would set the entire weekend. Behind the fast 3, Andy Chittum, Forest Cook, and Scott Clough, and Rina Balogh took up postion, with just around 2 seconds covering the top 8.<br />
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Race 1 took off with an incredibly long hold on the green flag, but the field tore away toward turn 15 after it finally fell. The front of the field funneled in to the T15-14 complex in order with Cadoux, McMicking and Theimann. Chittum, and Forrest Cook came out side by side on the exit of 15, with Chittum edging ahead by T12. The front then consolidated into a train of 4 cars with Cadoux unable to drop the group, but nobody able to pass.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIZA981usjGndqgw3jyZHE7QSZ44gZcJZVr6-ZIiHrC6hUhy_XuQrbqoczqsKqKTD6R8svGLhthIRBp4vyj_Quwls20dGEntlFl-Tz7Ab1HEuv6ZWnYQ2KrNtaicxf_xtKwsBLh-tjcM/s1600/race1train1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIZA981usjGndqgw3jyZHE7QSZ44gZcJZVr6-ZIiHrC6hUhy_XuQrbqoczqsKqKTD6R8svGLhthIRBp4vyj_Quwls20dGEntlFl-Tz7Ab1HEuv6ZWnYQ2KrNtaicxf_xtKwsBLh-tjcM/s400/race1train1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy. But that's how it goes.</td></tr>
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<br />
At the back, the excitement started early with Team Unibrow CEO and driver James Gouvia getting a great standing start, while ahead of him Rina Balogh missed a shift. With the slightest of scrapes, he made it by on the inside between the wall, and joined teammate John Lothrop's car side by side into the 15-14 complex. Balogh quickly caught up, and the three battled the next lap.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/james.gouveia2/videos/2492998777424860/" target="_blank">James G's Start Video!</a></div>
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"We had a good battle going for a little while, then she got our number, took off, and we never saw her again." Said Lothrop after the race.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/james.gouveia2/videos/2493472014044203/" target="_blank">James G's Race Video!</a></div>
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Lothrop and Gouvia continued the battle with multiple passes and re-passes until finally Gouvia pulled ahead just at the checkered flag.<br />
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Back at the front, the train continued. McMicking had managed to put his nose around Cadoux early on in the race, but had settled into second. After the halfway point, Chittum started attacking Theimann as well, overlapping in several places. But the turning point of the race came about 8 laps in when coming down super fast 9 - 8 - 7 back straight Theimann made a move up the inside of McMicking. In video review Theimann called the move 'somewhat overly optimistic' - braking from over 110 mph into the tight T6, he put two wheels on the dirt, then caught air off the edge of the inside berm, then nosed into McMicking's rear quarter panel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAq_8gbojrfWtGfM47nnA0MowhLtl2Y_kUwvJM1cAn4hBLxPUjiG4Mvt-XUbf2Xjac_sjAVBpabjpL_C-C03Suv3zkWnc_a1C1sO67ejI96CdiuG522ueyrSSkVeaTRj-ORX5m7hHKAU/s1600/race1nickattack2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1518" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAq_8gbojrfWtGfM47nnA0MowhLtl2Y_kUwvJM1cAn4hBLxPUjiG4Mvt-XUbf2Xjac_sjAVBpabjpL_C-C03Suv3zkWnc_a1C1sO67ejI96CdiuG522ueyrSSkVeaTRj-ORX5m7hHKAU/s640/race1nickattack2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/0v5xkTcnqcQ?t=820" target="_blank">Crash Lap Video! </a></div>
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This resulted in McMicking spun on the inside of T6, Thiemann crossed up sliding to the outside and Chittum neatly driving through the hole to take over 2nd place. McMicking and Thiemann were both able to continue, but mixed into the rest of the field.<br />
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Post-race, two cars were found to be over power on the dyno including Cadoux, which handed the win to Chittum, 2nd to Forest Cook, and 3rd to Uwe Druckenmuller.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/0v5xkTcnqcQ" target="_blank">Entire Race 1 Video From Andy's Car!</a></div>
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Sunday<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBTt3PGkW3y8nuu9742SxDZz4VLpjHdqZ9RiwrzzQGpV59lmSpJPNsWoGn-gioR3gzpkXp1ioe6HfSdQ96fwCnMlf1XrTQISHw1vnRxblKlC0UXpEwfXgpt09UawU0bqd_HK9MBxHda8/s1600/race2green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBTt3PGkW3y8nuu9742SxDZz4VLpjHdqZ9RiwrzzQGpV59lmSpJPNsWoGn-gioR3gzpkXp1ioe6HfSdQ96fwCnMlf1XrTQISHw1vnRxblKlC0UXpEwfXgpt09UawU0bqd_HK9MBxHda8/s400/race2green.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQV4w_vkmHC4nmvjMInW1fdMWVC2lt94cuGdofghGYVinuSioQYNopu-uA-CIM0_yDFIhpUaDe9OyBtFjVAJAL4obTgCjFFw3I8sdQACF9a9NeO55xSRc2P46RNFp24QXhPlcyjGh3Zc/s1600/race2go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQV4w_vkmHC4nmvjMInW1fdMWVC2lt94cuGdofghGYVinuSioQYNopu-uA-CIM0_yDFIhpUaDe9OyBtFjVAJAL4obTgCjFFw3I8sdQACF9a9NeO55xSRc2P46RNFp24QXhPlcyjGh3Zc/s400/race2go.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cook challenged at the start.</td></tr>
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Race 2 of the weekend started with Chittum and Cook on the front row, followed by Rina Balough and Uwe Druckenmuller. The start proved to be exciting with Cadoux, McMicking, Thiemann, Scott Clough and Ari Balogh all at the back determined to charge though the field and make Chittum earn his pole position start. This time the standing start went relatively uneventfully, aside from Lothrop taking a high-speed weed-whacking tour on the outside of T14.<br />
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Chittum, Cook and Rina Balogh ended up 1 - 2 - 3 for the first few laps while the back and midfield sorted itself out. Slowly, Chittum pulled ahead while Cook fell back with braking issues. JP Cadoux moved up quickly, but touched Rina Balogh on the outside of T9 - both ended up spinning off the outside of the turn and falling back down the field.<br />
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Bennett McMicking and Ari Balogh proved to be the most deft at making their way through the field cleanly, and made it up to 2nd and 3rd with Theimann, Clough and Druckenmuller close behind. Chittum managed to keep ahead of the fray and pull in his second win of the weekend.<br />
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Race 3 saw the highest temperatures of the weekend, with ambient just over 101, and the track temperature suitable for most forms of cooking.<br />
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The group blasted off for the final time of the weekend, and while Ari Balogh was able to get by Bennett McMicking, most of the rest of the field ended up about where they'd started. The one real challenge was JP Cadoux starting from mid-field again, still with the fastest lap times at his command - could he get around the cars around him and chase Chittum down for the win?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZidEgaxYYDZ6l3fyPCEFeyWTeCUWSmAQZEdk_SZsWqvX0BXtvs6C_sDlY-fYUuFVj3VkGoJu5hLGpZ9nJqX3IEdHV8raAILBOwwfeLBo-vDk7Ja8BGFyDmUNqCWBw2toyYwgXaD-G93Q/s1600/race3openroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1600" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZidEgaxYYDZ6l3fyPCEFeyWTeCUWSmAQZEdk_SZsWqvX0BXtvs6C_sDlY-fYUuFVj3VkGoJu5hLGpZ9nJqX3IEdHV8raAILBOwwfeLBo-vDk7Ja8BGFyDmUNqCWBw2toyYwgXaD-G93Q/s400/race3openroad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chittum's challenge was steady and fast, while keeping tires alive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The lap chart shows the top 10 positions covered by just 1.3 seconds of lap time, with JP putting down a few laps a half-second faster than Chittum. With about 4 laps to go, JP cleared the rest of the field, and started to bridge the 4 second gap Chittum had built. On the fast west side of the track, JP had a few ounces of secret sauce to spend and made up time, but across the technical eastern section, Chittum seemed to have saved some tires to hold off the charge.<br />
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At the flag, Chittum held on by 2.240 seconds to take his 3rd victory of the weekend.<br />
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The exciting 2019 season will conclude October 26-27 at the legendary Sonoma Raceway, where we'll be once again hoping for a little rain to cool down the warm summer.<br />
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See you there!<br />
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-A-<br />
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<br />A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-57123355770914921322019-06-06T19:47:00.002-07:002019-06-07T19:40:44.926-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">May Showers bring e30 Flowers </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV6LiYYvFRD9aknUg-STFawOt6V_hPX1wrOXmYxKB-wOIzxfl6tR8QiZIigAdnKo5OiCWhN4fEf3qUJSNPpRwqbgYfg96vYTyGeu0O9V9cf829DFkdK7-OYBRSe5jsKxbrkWUHnduzog/s1600/sf-so-cloudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="1174" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV6LiYYvFRD9aknUg-STFawOt6V_hPX1wrOXmYxKB-wOIzxfl6tR8QiZIigAdnKo5OiCWhN4fEf3qUJSNPpRwqbgYfg96vYTyGeu0O9V9cf829DFkdK7-OYBRSe5jsKxbrkWUHnduzog/s400/sf-so-cloudy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A healthy field of 14 teams returned to the delightful Sonoma Raceway May 18th and 19th for round 3 of the NASA Norcal Spec e30 championship. While the May event at Sonoma typically offers some of the most beautiful blue skies of the year, the forecast looked darker and more gloomy the closer the weekend came. Teams readied their full treaded Toyo RA-1s instead of the speedy slick RRs in use since 2013.<br />
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Saturday Warmup and Qualifying<br />
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Usually things don't start really getting exciting until qualifying, but breaking all the rules, Nick Theimann broke a brake line in warmup entering T11, and gave the barrels at the apex of the turn a severe workout with the front of his car. Undaunted, Nick began repairs immediately with a goal of making the race later that afternoon.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaD52s1yKtK1YAqoocjxntC2WWHSeh6n2V6bnSX87poz3laoyO_mdjHypvl8vRm2UA1v2TIFRsY4evc7UdXT0zR0to03Oa4vrxBrlxopP2U6G4fwR8tb0m7pDo4mQK8p3ebyMQSQH1qE/s1600/nick-broke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaD52s1yKtK1YAqoocjxntC2WWHSeh6n2V6bnSX87poz3laoyO_mdjHypvl8vRm2UA1v2TIFRsY4evc7UdXT0zR0to03Oa4vrxBrlxopP2U6G4fwR8tb0m7pDo4mQK8p3ebyMQSQH1qE/s320/nick-broke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick gave himself a slight handicap Saturday Morning</td></tr>
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Qualifying<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopeFBTuUKjWtbT50U9e5_iNYtHrZiVcYxOgNJZP-q0IXMyg-uyy9EGHIuJKgNF6P5NU2UICOiSb6dUMbbCZ-xPUZgfP4-jWh4Dgni3_OSfXxBoqWXaaiQWJbEwCN_Jd5QiOQ9Qs7W1V0/s1600/Q1-wet-on-slicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="1024" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopeFBTuUKjWtbT50U9e5_iNYtHrZiVcYxOgNJZP-q0IXMyg-uyy9EGHIuJKgNF6P5NU2UICOiSb6dUMbbCZ-xPUZgfP4-jWh4Dgni3_OSfXxBoqWXaaiQWJbEwCN_Jd5QiOQ9Qs7W1V0/s320/Q1-wet-on-slicks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q1 quickly became wet for slicks</td></tr>
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While the morning had been dry, as the cars sat on the grid to go out for qualifying, a light rain began, not causing major puddles yet, but significantly reducing grip around the 12 turn track. Most of the field settled in with lap times a good 30 seconds slower than morning warmup, but two frontrunners emerged - Chris Belieu and Andy Chittum. Working in and out of slower traffic, the two e30s started dropping 2 seconds a lap each lap, with Chittum ahead on the track, and Belieu catching up. Chittum turned a 2:35, Blieu a 2:34. Chittum got ahead with a 2:32 to Belieu's repeat 2:34, then Chittum finally dropping to a 2:31.028, and Belieu answering with a 2:31.00 as both cars hit the checkered flag on slicks in the rain.<br />
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Saturday - Race 1<br />
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With Belieu unable to make the start for Race 1, Chittum started on pole position, with Sylas Mongomery taking over Joe Nagy's car, and JP Cadoux, a functional but not pretty Nick Theimann, Ben Winter, and James Gouveia filling out the top 5. With the race starting in very wet conditions, everyone opted for wet tires this time, and they would need them.<br />
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On the start, Chittum and Montgomery launched well, but JP Cadoux jumped from P3 up the inside of T1, and took the grippy wet outside line entering T2. Unfortunately, a sizable pond had appeared on the outside exit of T2 which sent Cadoux spinning slowly yet inexorably off to the inside of T2's exit giving Chittum the lead and slowing Montgomery who was poised to take advantage of any slip ups at the front.<br />
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On lap 2, Mongomery was able to take advantage coming out of the Carousel T6, and make an outside pass on Chittum through T7. At the same lap, the race went full course yellow to rescue a group of Miatas that had exited the track in turn 10.<br />
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A lap or two later, with the accident cleaned up, a column of Miatas and e30s slowly made their way out of T8, and both Chittum and Montgomery began looking for the green flag through the downpour across the track, but James Gouveia had the advantage with a proper spotter, and roared past the two to the front before they had a chance to react.<br />
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As the three charged into a T11 barely visible through the rain and spray, Theimann's newly resurrected car charged into view, and for the next two laps all 4 cars raced side by side, maximum attack, maximum downpour. Gouveia was able to hold off the group for quite some time, but finally, Mongomery was able to make a pass stick by getting inside entering T6, holding station side by side all the way up to T7, and taking the long way around, and finally making the pass stick going into T8. This gave Theimann room to attack Gouveia a few turns later, but he slightly overcooked a wet T1, sliding slowly off into the mud. Chittum took advantage of the mayhem to overlap Gouveia in T2 and T3, and finally asserted position going into T4.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqrLdEpGsGrCugRYvSBk44mjWme_qBg3iUryRixv1S0fqcqZwaoMLsYLel7OUBhLz3PBZXOxsEwfLt2WOlrGg12rMiSPeM75LBS_vKNZGsF8l5o3cFnxyvNbqxweNuCp0QHBAS_cXnHI/s1600/nick-high-and-wet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqrLdEpGsGrCugRYvSBk44mjWme_qBg3iUryRixv1S0fqcqZwaoMLsYLel7OUBhLz3PBZXOxsEwfLt2WOlrGg12rMiSPeM75LBS_vKNZGsF8l5o3cFnxyvNbqxweNuCp0QHBAS_cXnHI/s400/nick-high-and-wet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick's comeback - yes, the same mangled car as above.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Free to chase after the departed Montgomery, now several seconds ahead Chittum charged on, only to suffer from a broken windshield wiper, which somewhat tempered his ability to attack...and to see. A series of on and off yellow flags between the other cars on the track effectively froze the action until the end of the race with Montgomery in 1st, Chittum second, Gouveia 3rd, Ben Winter 4th, and Daniel Hayward moving up to 5th.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGi4Thz7tA8&t" target="_blank">Andy's Video from Race 1</a></div>
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Sunday - Race 2<br />
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Rain continued steadily through Sunday, and while Saturday morning there was some question about the correct tire, nearly everyone was convinced the 10:10am start for Race 2 that wet tires were the way to go, even though it had stopped raining some hours before the race.<br />
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The standing start lined up with Nagy on pole having taken over for his teammate Sylas Montgomery, Chittum on the front row, then Dave Brown in for his teammate James Gouveia, Ben Winter and Daniel Hayward. At the drop of the flag, Chittum managed to get a very good start, gapping Nagy and the rest of the field. Nick Theimann also got a good launch, and after just a few laps of battling, Chittum led the way with Brown and Theimann hot on his heels. <br />
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Nature threw strategy for a loop again, as the drivers rolled out, it seemed the track had dried out more than most had thought, and Dave Brown's decision to go with slick tires seemed to be a master move in the first few laps of the race, slowly catching Chittum as the track continued to dry.<br />
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However, 3 laps into the race, a light rain began, and by 5 laps in had started to puddle up the previously-drying track. Brown hammered on, and in fact had run faster than Chittum for every lap except the first one, but succumbed first to the attack from a charging Theimann, 5 laps in and by 8 laps in, Chittum managed to pull his lap times down 2 seconds beyond the rest of the field in the pouring rain through to the end of the race.<br />
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Sunday - Race 3<br />
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Last race of the weekend also started on a well-puddled track, a very muddy T6, lakes entering T8, exiting T10, and in the middle of T12. Chittum lined up on pole, with Thiemann on the front row, Brown and a resurging Chris Belieu row 2, and Forest Cook / Bryan Shiflett on row 3.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXIeXL6Y4_SWOJzeyC5pmTa-wiRjBk80z9BEgWlVj6lxdCjJE4cqs4vVfj47HHQn1T3fX4_wlZDvKtnGXrNFnxzjyeZzOrtHfLf3erTl_RZhN0eiFptl3Cy0ld_wrhnMzSndE3daHME8/s1600/chittum-t10-byebye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="800" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXIeXL6Y4_SWOJzeyC5pmTa-wiRjBk80z9BEgWlVj6lxdCjJE4cqs4vVfj47HHQn1T3fX4_wlZDvKtnGXrNFnxzjyeZzOrtHfLf3erTl_RZhN0eiFptl3Cy0ld_wrhnMzSndE3daHME8/s320/chittum-t10-byebye.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lakeside view...entering T10</td></tr>
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The final flag of the weekend dropped, and Chittum again got a great start and out of T2 without contention. Theimann and Brown charged ahead, but a few laps in Brown's e30 was pushed out wide off T6 by out of class contact, and Theimann got ahead. Coming from further back and also showing his rain racing prowess, Chris Belieu made his way around and was in P2 by the time another full course yellow was called. The pack was bunched up costing Chittum an 11 second lead, but as the green fell again, Chittum pulled away again with Belieu, Theimann, Winter, and Brown making up the top 5 at the end.<br />
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Up Next!<br />
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NASA Norcal Spec e30 will return June 15th and 16th, back at Sonoma Raceway at Sears Point. Certainly many of the drivers will be hoping for drier conditions, while a very few will not.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnZdYk_u9CR1k7Fe_BEdp4j5hBf3nkkhlk73bXpY164h4I8Hsf7PdYPthRrc4a6xZxS8zSgoQKNCtbKJqF9MzxV0m5mRJaQnY653a1W2oVk35Mg62RsdIsKh_laIGbW8JwlqTo6mfH-o/s1600/e30garage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnZdYk_u9CR1k7Fe_BEdp4j5hBf3nkkhlk73bXpY164h4I8Hsf7PdYPthRrc4a6xZxS8zSgoQKNCtbKJqF9MzxV0m5mRJaQnY653a1W2oVk35Mg62RsdIsKh_laIGbW8JwlqTo6mfH-o/s320/e30garage2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-20073208114193499742019-04-17T21:08:00.001-07:002019-04-17T21:09:45.443-07:00Spring Hill Spec e30Round 2 of the 2019 NASA Norcal Spec e30 Championship saw 11 teams make the trip to a lovely springtime version of the legendary Thunderhill Raceway Park. Cool temperatures made for hot racing, and plenty of power to set some speedy lap times around the 3 mile track.<br />
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Qualifying Saturday<br />
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Bright and early the racers headed out and immediately set some very fast lap times with JP and Bennett dipping into the 2:06s, and five more cars within the next second and a half.<br />
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Saturday Race<br />
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A green flag saw the entire field cleanly launch with Bennett jumping JP from the outside front row, and Bill Shawhan moving up two rows by turn 2. Zanotto's stylish <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH1Xq3w3ft0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ultimate tanning machine</a> jumped from 9th to 5th by the exit of turn 6, also taking advantage of 1st lap mayhem in Thunderhill's twisty eastern loop. Both Ben Winter and Andy Chittum fell back, but ended up in an epic battle side by side with Chittum on the outside of T8, 9, 10, and 11, finally making the pass stick going into T14.<br />
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Meanwhile, ahead in the mid-pack, Zanotto kept up the attack on Shawhan Senior, moving ahead to 4th while JP moved ahead of Bennett, with Nick Thiemann just behind in 3rd, ready to pick up the pieces of any mistakes.<br />
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Unfortunately, pushing to take advantage, Thiemann spun in 6T, doing a full snap 180 in the lovely soft springtime greenery. A verdant green burnout put Nick back in 7th, looking to make up lost time.<br />
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While JP slowly pulled away from Bennett, Chittum managed to catch back up to the Senior Shawhan-Zanotto battle, and<br />
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zipped by both cars up the inside of T1. Fresh from the fields, Thiemann made it back up to 4th by the end of the race, setting the 2nd fastest lap of the race.<br />
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Unfortunately Thiemann and Chittum's cars both went over post-race dyno limits, each by less than a single horsepower, and were sent to the back of the field for Sunday.<br />
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Sunday Race 1 (Qualifying)<br />
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Exercising their right to creative control, NASA officials inverted the top 8 grid positions for the Sunday race, which put Tony Domenici on pole, with Ben Winter outside front, Team Shawhan and Zanotto row 2, and JP and Bennett row 3. After running to and fro most of the morning with a dodgy axle that was replaced with the group's help, Team Shawhan substituted in Micheal Shawhan, former series champion to add spice to the lineup.<br />
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At the drop of the green flag, Shawhan Junior did indeed get an amazing start, and took the lead from the 2nd row by the time the field rounded T1. Winter slid in behind, getting ahead of Dominici, while JP slotted into 4th. Flying high and barely lifting for the bypass, JP slid inside of Dominici at T6, and set off after Shawhan and Winter.<br />
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Meanwhile, from the back of the grid, Thiemann motored through the field, reaching P6 by the end of the 1st lap, with the midfield just out of reach. JP also made it around Winter, and his battle with Shawhan was on.<br />
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With the #52 Shawhan car still equipped with the legacy suspension rather than the newer Ground Control suspension, both drivers had advantages in different parts of the track, overlapping in some areas, and pulling away in others.<br />
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Finally, late in the race, Shawhan got a slight advantage in lapped traffic, and was able to make a gap stick ahead of JP to the end of the race.<br />
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Mid-field, Thiemann arrived just as Bennett was making a neat outside pass on Winter, and was able to take advantage of his lost momentum to get into 5th. Catching Bennett through the east course, he just about threw it away in T6 again, but this time hung on and set after the Zanotto - Bennett train. Also aggressively not giving up, Winter joined in, and a cavalcade of mayhem ensued while all 4 cars traded position nearly every lap in and out of lapped traffic, until Chittum finally caught up on the last lap and made it 5 cars passing over the line all within a few tenths of each other.<br />
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Sunday Race 2<br />
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For the final race of the weekend, Team Shawhan bowed out with mechanical issues, and JP started from the back, putting Bennett and Thiemann on the front row, with Zanotto and Winter on the second. Chittum and Dominici made up the third row.<br />
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At the drop of the flag, Bennett got away fastest, and a solid train, Thiemann, Zanotto, Winter, and Chittum formed up behind him. Shortly, JP caught up behind Chittum, and joined in the fun. Several laps later, making a late move up the inside of 10, JP passed Chittum, making his move on Winter in the same place a lap later, then attacking Zanotto's ultimate tanning machine a few laps after that into T1. At the same time, Chittum got inside Winter in T1, and the entire train started to re-shuffle.<br />
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JP and Thieman took off into the sunset, separated by a gap, while Chittum made his way by Zanotto, then finally catching Bennett and taking advantage of lapped traffic to move into 3rd with just a few laps to go.<br />
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@mmmotorsA Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-25485647097426979822017-04-22T23:10:00.000-07:002017-04-23T08:00:38.439-07:00Sound Engineering vs. The Corkscrew<br />
At this weekend's United States Touring Car race at Mazda Laguna Seca every car in the field sported new appendages. In previous years <a href="http://ustcc.com/" target="_blank">USTCC</a> had run on one of the few unrestricted sound days at the lovely facility, but this year sharing the track with <a href="http://www.speedsf.com/" target="_blank">SPEEDSF</a>, a whisper-quiet 92Db was the rule. If you fail sound once, you're done for the session. Fail again, pack up and head home.<br />
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There's a number of reasons behind these rules, and if you're curious about their genesis at Laguna Secca, then I'd recommend listening to Gill Campbell's interview in <a href="http://www.dinnerwithracers.com/episode-17-gill-campbell/" target="_blank">Episode 17 of Dinner with Racers</a>. This post won't discuss the why. <br />
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What we will explore is the science, engineering, craftsmanship and, dare we say, art behind the protuberances behind the cars that kept them quiet along the unique 2.214 mile course in our season opener this year.<br />
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We begin with none other than the #85 Minideck Motorsports / BTM Motorwerks MINI Cooper S driven by yours truly. <br />
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In the past, this car has been a lot louder, yet for this event, Rich Petersen, the car's owner and Chief Tinkerer had fortified the new stainless steel muffler system some unknown amount of 'special high-tech packing'. And proving size indeed does not matter, the car stayed clear of the dreaded meatball all weekend.<br />
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Ratings:<br />
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Stealth: 9/10<br />
Tech Level: 9/10<br />
Slim 'n' Trim Factor: 9/10<br />
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Mike Shawhan's Mighty BTM Motorwerks #22 BMW 330Ci sported a new custom setup just for the weekend.<br />
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Reportedly made from 'A Mustang muffler with MINI tip welded on the end' Mike's car was so quiet, hardly anyone could event hear it go by. The whisper smooth I6 didn't suffer much as Mike led at least half of the race and finished a close second.<br />
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Ratings:<br />
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Stealth: 8/10<br />
Tech Level: 7/10<br />
Raid the BTM Parts Bin Factor: 9/10<br />
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Tom Milburn's #14 Bay Area Drafting RSX ended up with one of the more shiny and high-tech noise deflectors.<br />
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Reportedly, he'd been worried about both intake and exhaust noise, and got a strike from his peppy Honda exhaust note. A passing wisenheimer quipped he should put an intake elbow on his exhaust pipe to pass sound. That's exactly what he did, and he ran trouble-free the rest of the weekend.<br />
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Ratings:<br />
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Stealth: 6/10<br />
Tech Level: 8/10<br />
Make 'em Eat their Words Factor: 10/10<br />
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Mike McColligan's gorgeous #36 MC Racing RX-8 was right at home at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway. <br />
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And he went right to the off-the-shelf for his sound deflectors. No irony that it rained during the final race, and drainpipe was his weapon of choice.<br />
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Ratings:<br />
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Stealth: 6/10<br />
Tech Level: 5/10<br />
Home Improvement Factor: 10/10<br />
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Patrick Cho's #88 Speed SF Nissan 350Z has been a regular at the front of the TC field.<br />
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And he played the part well, with the longest shiniest cannon style muffler in the field. V6's always sound a bit odd to me personally, but this bit of kit stayed under sound and ran some very fast qualifying times to boot.<br />
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Ratings:<br />
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Stealth: 5/10<br />
Tech Level: 9/10<br />
Super Shiny Factor: 9/10<br />
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The two Honda S2000s in the field, the Hartanto / Ostby Prima Racing #98 and the #82 S2000 driven by Victor Ng chose the same strategy.<br />
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Bone stock. Considering the gains from a typical aftermarket S2000 Exhaust (not much) and the sound restrictions, this was a wise move. Even wiser once Andrie took the checkered flag just a few feet ahead of Mike Shawhan's Mustang-mufflered BMW.<br />
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Ratings:<br />
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Stealth: 8/10<br />
Tech Level: 9/10<br />
Soichiro Knows Best Factor: 9/10<br />
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<br />
George Kibilov's #24 Speed SF e46 M3 sported a somewhat dented stubby elbow that appeared to carry equal parts DNA of both Supertrapp and Trumpet Mute.<br />
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At some point during the weekend, the M3 had issues which were thought to have been caused by the increased backpressure, but they were later attributed to a loose hose up front. Once repaired, George proved to be speedy and sound great, handily winning the ST class.<br />
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Ratings:<br />
<br />
Stealth: 4/10<br />
Tech Level: 5/10<br />
Blame it on the Exhaust Factor: 8/10<br />
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<br />
<br />
Daniel Akhromtsev's #16 Red Star Racing BMW M3 has run at the front of the GT field for some time now.<br />
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His offset elbow featured an additional sound deflector which looked like an up-side down smokehouse chimney. Minus the bacon of course. Mmm bacon. <br />
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Ratings:<br />
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Stealth: 3/10<br />
Tech Level: 7/10<br />
Spend a Lot of Time With the Welder Factor: 8/10<br />
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The Initial P Lexus IS300 driven by Edgar Lau chose a somewhat disturbing tentacle shaped design.<br />
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While effective on the race track, it reminded me of the limb of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sjk0aK3MVM" target="_blank">Chaos Eater from Dark Souls</a>. Late in the race, in fact, the exhaust took a hit in hard-fought action, and the speedy Lexus had to retire from the race for exceeding sound once it was broken.<br />
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Ratings:<br />
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Stealth: 2/10<br />
Tech Level: 5/10<br />
I'll Dream About Tentacles Tonight Factor: 10/10<br />
<br />
<br />
And Finally, the King of Marching to His Own Drummer, Pete Bovenberg's #2 MBO Motorsports Honda Civic.<br />
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<br />
Pete's tailpipe actually began shorter earlier in the event, was meatballed, then grew steadily until in priapic fashion it finally reached its full potential. Multiple bends? Check. Many yards of heat resistant / sound deadening wrap? Check! A disturbing sound diffusing tip that resembles a shotgun pierced coffee can, yet appears to be able to light the whole back of the car on fire? Heck yeah! Check! <br />
<br />
Stealth: 0/10<br />
Tech Level: 4/10<br />
Pete's Dragon Factor: 11/10<br />
<br />
<br />
United States Touring Car will return to action May 20-21 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, where sadly, sound is completely unrestricted. We'll be keeping an eye out for more bits of technology enhancing the racing action. A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-7330260529287900002016-09-18T00:37:00.001-07:002016-09-18T00:39:29.553-07:00Just Slow Enough to Succeed<h2>
Losing Our Head</h2>
<br />
Last weekend USTCC Round 4 took place at the Utah Motorsport Campus, and I was really excited. Not only would I be back in Rich Petersen's outstanding MINI, but the car was in really great shape after a promising podium at <a href="http://ustcc.com/news/16-05-13-mazda.html" target="_blank">Laguna Seca in Round 2</a>, and a dangit-could-have-passed-that-guy result at <a href="http://ustcc.com/results/16_05_22_sonoma.html" target="_blank">Sears Point in round 3</a>. <br />
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The MINI had been to the engine doctor, tuned, re-tuned, had a minor miss and an ever so slight vacuum leak fixed, and looked to be really competitive compared to the rest of the USTCC TC field. The other more powerful heavy RWD competitors were sure to be good on the long drag race from a standing start at UMC's 3500ft front straight, but fresh optimal tuning, forced induction, a base elevation of over 4000ft, previous experience on the track and the possibilities looked quite good for the little car.<br />
<br />
In fact, morning practice on Friday went well - in the midst of a busyish NASA Utah practice session, we dropped down to 2:14s during those first few re-discovery laps. Given the allowed mods and power to weight ratio for the TC class, this looked pretty promising for the following day's race.<br />
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But in the second practice session, the car had difficulty starting, and didn't want to stay running. A problem with an improperly mounted tire brought the car right into the pits, and then a small coolant leak surfaced.<br />
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After some diagnostics in the paddock, it became apparent the small coolant leak had been letting just enough water out of the engine for just long enough to not set off any major bells or whistles, but to cause the engine some serious problems. The old 'turn it over with a spark plug out' test produced a perfect geyser of clear coolant right out of the cylinder 1 spark plug hole. Not good. Need a new head gasket. At least.<br />
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After a few minutes of consideration (we'd come a long way, the field was reduced in size, some other cars had issues as well, good opportunity to score points) Rich began the intricate process of removing the head gasket, and I scoured every auto parts store from Tooele to Ogden looking for the right head gasket. If the car could be just patched up to finish half the laps of the race, we could salvage some of the trip.<br />
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After locating the part in Napa Auto Parts of Salt Lake City, I hopped into my rent-a-Prius and motored away, made the 74 mile round trip, and returned to the final unveiling of the head as it came off the block. <br />
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Brad from BTM Motorwerks applied his expert eye to the cleaned up head, and few things became apparent at that point.<br />
<br />
1. There was about an 8 thousandths gap between two cylinders.<br />
2. The valves weren't sealing properly in their seats anymore.<br />
3. The MINI would not be racing this weekend, at least not with that head.<br />
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<h2>
Plan B</h2>
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There are a number of top notch motorsports shops and race teams headquartered at the world class UMC facility, and between talking to anyone that would listed to me, and touring the paddock for anything that would remotely fit into the USTCC Touring Car class (this discounted the race-prepped Lamborghini Rich found for rent) three reasonable options:<br />
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1. Tatum Racing's beautiful Martini & Rossi liveried Porsche Boxter.<br />
2. Another team's professionally prepared 350z. <br />
3. A Touring Car B Spec Ford Fiesta.<br />
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The Boxter seemed like the best option, but there was some question as to how close to legal I could get it in the short time I had before the Saturday race. The 350z owner quoted me $3000 plus tires rental fee. =:-o<br />
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Pass the Nachos - we're having a Fiesta!<br />
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<h2>
The Race</h2>
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The first thing you notice while sitting in a grid of legit touring cars making between 220 to 300+ hp at the wheels is how competitively quiet a TCB car is. I was also glad I'd chatted with the driver of the USTCC Sportsman class e36M3 that was gridded behind me, so he was aware I would be doing my best, but proceeding from my standing start in my 120hp Fiesta, it would not be a breathtaking procedure to say the least.<br />
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I did manage to keep the back of the field in touch for the first lap, but once the field hit UMC's main straight, they basically disappeared, and I set about the business of proceeding as fast as I could manage. One area the Fiesta has going for it is a really outstanding braking system. But I quickly found in my first few turns that if you used more than about 50% of it for more than a fraction of a second, then you'd slowed down way too much.<br />
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Sometime later, the GT and Super Touring leaders came through at what seemed like FA-18 passing a pigeon speeds, and finally the TC class cars. BTM Motorwerks' Mike Shawhan's e46 328 was closely followed by Speed SF's Patrick Chio's 350z and Gogo Gear's Gary Sheehan's Hyundai Genesis. Looked like if I could just keep it on the track for a few more laps, I'd end up a respectable 4th.<br />
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But a few turns later, I passed two huge clouds of dust, one on each side of the track - I couldn't tell at the time, but I'm told the Hyundai was in one of them. I came around for a white flag, finished the race, and learned I'd managed to squeeze out a podium from a weekend where we'd completely lost our head.<br />
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I can't thank the fine staff of NASA Utah, Dave Kizerian for helping me scope out rental cars and especially Cheri Miller for loaning me a great little car...that went just fast enough. <br />
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USTCC will be back at Sonma Raceway at Sears Point Oct 29th and 30th - stay tuned to USTCC.COM and FinalDrive.tv for all the hard charging action.A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-38894110601858148062015-11-02T23:59:00.001-08:002015-11-02T23:59:49.257-08:00I hit a crow. And My Movie Is Ready!<div>
I planned for the focus of my racing this year would be to qualify for and run the 2015 National Autosport Association (NASA) West Coast National Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.</div>
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After hitting a racing peak in 2012, I'd only done a few races in 2013 and 2014, and planned to get back to running a Spec e30 more regularly this year. Considering the hundreds of drivers, the opportunities for contingency payouts, and the general grandiose presence of Laguna Seca, focusing on making it to this event looked to be great fun.</div>
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The racing began Friday and would feature a number of warmups, qualifying sessions, qualifying races, and finally a big whopper of a finale race on Sunday Morning. Generally there is a mad dash to line up and get out on track as early as possible, but I managed to line up first for our Friday warmup and led a varied group of cars out for one of the first warmup sessions in the event.</div>
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Laguna Seca is a fast track with long uphill sections, a number of fairly simple looking 90 degree turns, and of course the beautiful 'Legendary Corkscrew' dropping down the backside of the hill and up to a slightly more than 90 degree turn back to the front straight. In actuality, it is a very easy track to drive at about 95%, there is fairly forgiving runoff in most places, and only a few large walls ready to turn your beloved automotive machinery into a metal pretzel. </div>
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But as your drive the track faster, you realize that you keep running just a little wide in turn 3. That you didn't get turn 5 just exactly right and there is a very large car-scarred wall on the inside of the exit of 6, just as your car is light from The Dip at the apex. And turn 9...you could write an entire post about the turn named for the 3 time MotoGP Champion Wayne Rainey.</div>
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It just so happened that after a pace car controlled lap, it was that very turn where all the excitement happened. I was several lengths ahead of the next car, got in and out of the corkscrew neatly, and set the car for the long left turn 9. Just as was doing this, I noticed that there was something on the track, a little less than a car width from the apex. </div>
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Now, there are a lot of ways to handle turn 9, but I'm convinced nearly all of them involve staying on the gas and floating through in an arc, and none of them involve flailing around avoiding mystery objects right in my path of travel. It turned out in this case, there was an animal carcass positioned such that if I lifted a little extra on the entrance and was a little slow on the exit, I could avoid the whole thing. Just as I'd committed to that path, and approached it, a crow who's morning meal I'd rudely interrupted hopped off the top of it, and flew directly into my grill.</div>
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Odd. That wasn't supposed to happen. But, the car appeared undamaged, and racer's priority took over, and I finished my warmup session setting the 3rd fastest time on the track in my class. By the time I'd reached the paddock, I'd nearly forgotten anything had happened, until one of the mechanics asked me what had happened to my grill.</div>
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Rewinding, I recalled what had happened, and a few of the guys crowded around extracted the corpse, and gave me a first rate zip tie job, that put me through the rest of the event. As usual, with anything that happened in the paddock, I snapped a few shots of the repair with my phone, mostly as a 'you never believe what happened' moment. </div>
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My first driving event ever, in fact, had been on the same track just a little over 13 years previously, and I'd heard of the odd squirrel getting hit, but never heard anything like someone scooping up a bird in their radiator and bringing it back.</div>
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So, I went on with the event, had a great time racing with some great friends, and that was that.</div>
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Until a few days after the weekend, Google Play notified me I had a new story and Sony Xperia Movie Creator notified me I had a new movie. And shit got weird.</div>
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First Google the Google story.</div>
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Story 'Weekend in Monterrey'. Cover photo fades back and forth from a crow corpse brandished in front of a slightly broken BMW e30 race car, and the 2016 Mazda MX5 in Soul Red Metallic.</div>
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Day one. Thanks in part to the Indiana Jones style animated map jumping intro, the story appears to be I smuggled a dead crow from San Jose to Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterrey in my radiator, one wing hanging below the car like some horrifically dystopian aerodynamic device. The avian corpse is then brandished like a third world delicacy and laid on the cement in front of a broken car.</div>
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Day two. The 2016 Mazda MX-5, some E30s, and other random cars, and a beautiful BMW 3.0 CSL. </div>
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Day three. A sweeping panorama of the Laguna Seca from turn 5 to turn 9 showing the utter lack of vegetation due to California's drought. The End.</div>
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Then Xperia Movie Creator.</div>
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A jazzy saxophone mood solo rises as a tattooed fellow and a slightly broken BMW crossfade to a few different shots of a crow corpse. The video fades with a sideways picture of warmup results, and you are gently reminded this vignette was brought to you by Xperia Movie Creator.</div>
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Tad disturbing to say the least. XMC appears to be much less canny about what it does, just figuring out if you've taken a few photos for the day, throwing them together with a random riff or two from Sony's library and posting it to your phone for review. </div>
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I'd kinda thought at this point that Google Photos might be able to determine what a dead animal was though, and avoid putting those into an auto-created story. You figure, these are the same algorithms that will be driving you to work hands-free in the next five years.</div>
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To be fair, structurally, Photos does a nice job creating this collection. The pictures it chose from the weekend are mostly the best-composed, most technically correct and have the most visual impact. Without knowing anything about the subject matter, other than some things generally look like other things, it did just fine. Though they aren't exactly as any human would know.</div>
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Context aside, just to see what it did and didn't know I tried a few searches, using the newish Google Photos image search feature:</div>
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- 'race cars' - lots of pictures from the past few years of real race cars, including lots of e30s, Miatas, Spec e46, two 917s, and a ESR Norma raced here locally. </div>
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- 'sports cars' - several cars from a recent local 'Cars and Coffee' outing including a MacLaren P1, some 00s and 60s Ferraris, an AE86, the aforementioned 2016 MX-5, and a good old Smokey and the Bandit vintage Firebird. Neat it can tell the difference between a racing car and a sports car, though it did find the 917 again. Can't complain too much, it is a 917 after all.</div>
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- 'birds' - A few beach shots, and a few shots of an F35 flying overhead landing at Moffatt near my day job in Sunnyvale.</div>
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- 'crows' - mostly groups of people - it looks like it's autocorrecting to 'Crowds' </div>
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- 'road kill' - nothing.</div>
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So - as we know, we're not quite ready for our algorithmic overlords to take over and decide everything for us just yet. Even if roadside animals aren't exactly safe, at least we can hope a self-driving car won't be making a wrong turn and heading out on the track at Laguna Seca. </div>
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A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-79676704595132688672015-10-25T00:07:00.004-07:002015-10-25T00:07:55.902-07:00Back on the Road!As hundreds of thousands of rabid fans have noted in truckloads of mail - this blog hasn't been updated in a while. Been a little busy.<br />
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Some required bodywork this year.<br />
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Fighting the Good fight. <br />
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Annoying a few people.<br />
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<a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/4/9260583/blackberry-acquires-good-technology-to-solidify-its-enterprise" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;"><i><b>But we're all friends now. =:-o</b></i></span></a><br />
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And of course one newer project that got off the ground a little while ago.<br />
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But it seems we've got a few stories to tell...so buckle up!A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-85066896397546011922012-09-26T00:48:00.001-07:002012-09-26T01:15:34.786-07:00The MINI goes to USTCC with WTCC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7780072996392846" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Friday, September 21st - 630am. Arrive Sonoma Raceway.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a drive from Southern California beginning at 10pm the previous night, Rich Petersen towed his MINI Cooper S into the paddock at <a href="http://www.racesonoma.com/" target="_blank">Race Sonoma</a> where Andy Chittum had just arrived with the <a href="http://btmmotorwerks.com/" target="_blank">BTM Motorwerks</a> <a href="http://btmmotorwerksracing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Racing Trailer</a> ready to set up for three days of <a href="http://ustcc.com/" target="_blank">US Touring Car</a> racing. This weekend would promise to be a real crowd pleaser with The </span><a href="http://www.maserati.com/maserati/en/en/index.html"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maserati</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://www.maserati.com/maserati/en/en/index/maseraticorse/trofeo-granturismo-mc.html"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trofeo World Series</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> arriving from Paul Ricard, and both <a href="http://www.fiawtcc.com/events" target="_blank">World Touring Cars</a> and <a href="http://autogp.org/en/" target="_blank">Auto GP</a> arriving from the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba.</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to these international series that would be competing, the US Touring Car Challenge boasted a field of 31 cars that would also take part in the weekend’s racing. In the MINI’s previous outing with USTCC, a 2 hour race at Thunderhill Raceway, Andy managed to show some speed in the MINI, but the race effort was cut short as the MINI was pulled into the pits for exceeding sound restrictions. How would the team fare in the biggest USTCC race since 2005?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1000 am - Free Practice 1.</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The team set up quickly and got the little car prepared, and was the first to grid. At the green flag, it was the MINI that took to the track first, and kicked off the weekend’s proceedings with a few hot laps before coming into the pits for tire readings and adjustments. Generously, the schedule included full 45 minute sessions for practice, which gave the team time to try a few settings, and Andy to re-familiarize himself with the car. It was a surprise when the team found out their time on the modified course, a 1:58.9 was second fastest, only a tenth away from the fastest car, the KPAX Volvo c30 driven by Robert Thorne. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1145am - Free Practice 2.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After setup adjustments, the team returned to the track for some longer running, and to test further changes. While the team was only 4th fastest this time, the consistency the MINI showed was very encouraging, especially in the hot Sonoma weather. Though they completed nearly a whole race distance, the MINI’s driver side CV joint let go toward the end of the session, necessitating the team to jump into action to find a replacement part. NASA regulars on the team Hans Dinse and Mickey Kennedy set about removing the broken part, and Brad McClure of BTM Motorwerks came to the rescue with a replacement. The piece arrived 25 minutes before Q1 began, Andy strapped in 15 minutes later, and the car hit the ground just as the end of the field filed out to start qualifying.</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">245pm - Q1</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chittum hit the ground running, and thanks to quick work from the team, the MINI was right back to form, posting another 1:58.9, in spite of the late afternoon Sonoma heat. Brandon Kraus, the 2011 Champ posted the fastest time in his Honda Civic, while KPAX’s Robert Thorne kept his lead, leaving the MINI third in Q1.</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/379991_428798650490791_1398601046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/379991_428798650490791_1398601046_n.jpg" title="Top Qualfiers Saturday and Sunday" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saturday, September 22nd - 1215pm. Q2.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overnight, <a href="http://btmmotorwerks.com/" target="_blank">BTM Motorwerks</a> again made suspension tweaks on the MINI and made some weight adjustments to ensure the MINI could run a full race distance and still end at the right weight. Even though most teams were slower, the MINI was still able to run a 1:58.9, and qualify P3 again for race 2.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">420pm - Race 1.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The field lined up for the traditional standing start under the newly constructed starting lights at Sonoma raceway, and blasted off as they went out. Dave Brown, starting from 4th next to Andy in the MINI got an astounding start in his AWD Mitsubishi Lancer, and shot to the front. Thorne and Kraus got good starts as well, though the MINI wasn’t any faster right behind them. Larry Bani’s M3 managed to get alongside the MINI and for several laps challenged before the speedy car got clear. Kraus and Thorne got around Brown quickly, but the Chittum had to wait a few laps for the powerful Lancer to heat up, so good was its traction out of the slower turns. Finally, Chittum made a daring move around the outside of T6, and got the inside line to T7, and drove away from the powerful car. Late in the race, Chittum caught Thorne’s ailing Volvo c30, but only just as the checkered flag fell. Perhaps a few more laps, and Chittum could have taken his traditional spot on the second step of the podium.</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday Saturday, September 23 rd - 315pm. Race 2.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once again, Chittum lined up P3 behind Kraus and Thorne, however, this time it was Chris Lock’s Honda Prelude that lined up in P4. Without threat of Brown’s Lancer blasting through the field at the start, there was a little more parity at the front, but just to keep things interesting, Kraus bogged his civic down on the start, and Thorne, Chittum, and most of the front of the pack went flying by. This left Thorne in P1, and Chittum in the MINI running P2 for the first part of the race. But the additional rewards weight, the 50lbs added since Race 1 was to play a vital factor in the race. The MINI’s tires only lasted a few laps this time, and in turn, Lock and Kraus were able to get by, with the MINI eventually finishing 5th.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This weekend would have not been possible without the support of </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
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<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mickey Kennedy</span></b></b></li>
<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hans Dinse</span></b></b></li>
<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Niello MINI </span></b></b></li>
<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brad McClure and BTM Motorwerks Racing support</span></b></b></li>
<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Josh from BTM Motorwerks</span></b></b></li>
<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason Chittum</span></b></b></li>
<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary Walters</span></b></b></li>
<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jennifer Chittum on the headset</span></b></b></li>
<li><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rich Peterson RM Petersen Construction, for building a really outstanding little car - not only a real kick in the pants to drive, but the fastest and most reliable MINI to USTCC specifications</span></b></b></li>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the fans. The team handed out tons of autograph cards and Niello MINI T-shirts this weekend, and the little car was a true crowd favorite. We’ll hope to see you all at our next event! Follow us here on this blog, on Twitter @mmmotors (Andy Chittum) and @USTCC (US Touring Car Challenge), </span><a href="http://www.ustcc.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.ustcc.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for our next adventure!</span></b>
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A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-5919262072033111892012-09-22T23:33:00.000-07:002012-09-22T23:36:11.494-07:00USTCC, WTCC and the BTMMINISeptember 21-23 the BTM Motorwerks of Campbell tuned MINI Cooper S build by Rich Petersen of RM Petersen Construction is racing at Sonoma Raceway! Stop by the BTM Motorwerks paddock area for a tour of the mighty MINI.<br />
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In addition to the US Touring Car race, FIA World Touring Cars are racing, along with a number of other series. <br />
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Keep track of the weekend's action by following Andy @mmmotors on twitter, and come on down Saturday and Sunday to root for the little car! And get a MINI T Shirt!A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com3De Mattos Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476, USA38.158181678846091 -122.4532699584960938.133209678846093 -122.4927519584961 38.183153678846089 -122.41378795849609tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-12917030759101125722012-06-20T00:40:00.000-07:002012-06-20T00:42:45.885-07:00Spec e30 2012, Part 1The first half of the race season has been going great! Be sure to <a href="http://btmmotorwerksracing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">check out all the updates</a> at <a href="http://btmmotorwerksracing.blogspot.com/"></a> for all the NASA Norcal Spec 30 series-leading action!
Recent <a href="https://vimeo.com/mmmotors" target="_blank">video updates</a> for the 2012 season have just been posted as well!<a href="https://vimeo.com/mmmotors"></a>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-62094691544152761452011-12-27T16:53:00.000-08:002011-12-27T16:56:40.394-08:00Season Wrapup for Norcal Se30Don't forget to visit BTM Motowerks' season wrapup <a href="http://btmmotorwerksracing.blogspot.com/2011/11/and-one-for-win.html">here!</a><br /><br />We were fortunate enough to have a storybook ending to the season and come away with the win for the year. And Happy New Year to everyone - 2012 should be outstanding! And may see the emergence of yet another fine BTM Motorwerks race car!A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-48158442745258996752011-11-06T09:02:00.001-08:002011-11-06T09:07:19.063-08:00USTCC Video from the R Petersen Mini!Check out the <a href="http://vimeo.com/31242315">in-car video</a> from the #58 MINI Cooper S, Driven by Andy Chittum!A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-50278753943769639372011-10-13T09:45:00.000-07:002011-11-06T09:10:06.962-08:00Ticket to Ride!Taking a break from the <a href="http://btmmotorwerksracing.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html">trials and tribulations</a> of building and sorting a brand new race car, I'd been enjoying the summer with the odd <a href="http://lemanskarting.com/">karting</a> date with Mrs. Racecarnology and <a href="http://foliejolie.com/">Hats</a>, running a few test days in the <a href="http://btmmotorwerksracing.blogspot.com/">BTM Motorwerks</a> 19 car, hitting the odd training ride, and just generally enjoying the fantastic weather of Silicon Valley. I'd even found a <a href="http://pinger.com/">new day job</a> which has been the most excellent company to work at since I can remember.<br /><br />In the midst of my revelry, I got a call from Ali Arsham, the <a href="http://ustcc.com/">USTCC</a> organizer that a long-time USTCC competitor was looking for a ringer driver to drive his car at the next event at Buttonwillow Raceway in a few weeks' time. He put me in touch with Rich Peterson, someone I'd raced against first at the San Jose Grand Prix in 2005 - would I like to drive his car - he'd just completed some power upgrades and 'thought there might be a podium' in the car with the right driver.<br /><br />Yes Please.<br /><br />A short conversation later with some assurance that all my experience in BMWs wouldn't detract from my ability to toss his Mini around, and the deal was set.<br /><br /><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297594_2413833155520_1542035237_32559986_818928248_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 960px; height: 720px;" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297594_2413833155520_1542035237_32559986_818928248_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Car<br /><br />Rich's Mini is a 1st generation supercharged Mini, and it became quickly obvious that it was a very different beast than either of the BTM Motowerks Spec e30s, and even my old USTCC car, the <a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/10230_164001922040_687627040_3171829_8172275_n.jpg">BTM Motorwerks 328ti</a>. With a short wheelbase, FWD, and a very extensive cage, it turns and squirts into whatever hole you point it at immediately. I was also unprepared for the engine upgrades...the details of which I remain culpably unaware, other than it wails to the point that I needed better ear plugs, and that it doesn't stop pulling until the fuel cuts out at 7700 rpm. Rich had done a very nice job at building a solid little car.<br /><br />My first few laps in warm up went well, feeling the chassis out and figuring out what the engine and brakes would do - more and more as I tried harder. NASA Socal was running the #13 CW configuration, with the bus stop, but cutting out the Star Mazda turn for the sweeper. The Mini could be put very deep into the Offramp, practically ignoring the bumpy entry, but through bumpy Cotton Corners was difficult to get it to stay on the ground. But once through Grapevine and into the Bus Stop and Riverside, the stick of the little car was most impressive, flat on the gas all the way through Phil Hill. My mind spun with possibilities not just of where I could find more time with the little car, but also where it would be most racy against the other fine USTCC competitors and where racing opportunities would most likely present themselves later in the day. The car had a lot of good qualities, and would give several good racing opportunities.<br /><br />Saturday Race<br /><br />The first qualifying session went well, and we started the Saturday race on the second row in 4th. Curt Simmons, the 2007 champ on pole, Brandon Kraus, and Pete Bovenburg all in front of me, and Dave Brown multiple time champ right behind. The start was an unusual rolling start for USTCC, and nobody had a clear advantage going into Turn 1. The other three cars stacked up in Cotton Corners, and Dave Brown in his Mitsubishi got alongside the Mini, finally ending side by side as the Mini got a better run out of Grapevine and got back ahead.<br /><br />Ironically, both Pete and Brandon suffered mechanical issues early in the race, and while I held off a charge from behind first by Felipe Cabezas' Mazdaspeed 3, then later a recovered Dave Brown, I found myself nipping at Curt's heels for the lead. As I caught up, I found I could carry much better speed through Riverside than the SRT4, and made a few different attempts going into and out of Phil Hill, before finally getting by Simmons coming out of the esses. Rich would later recall seeing his car come around the final turn onto the front straight in first, and he sounded very happy to see his hard work lead a professional race.<br /><br />After that point, it was a matter of the typical drivers' conundrum - hold on to good laptimes while making the car last to the end of the race. I shouldn't have worried, though, given the mild temperatures and relative lightness of the car, it felt like it could have kept going at 100% all day long.<br /><br />Sunday Race<br /><br />Sunday proved to be a more difficult challenge. Between missing a driver's meeting (something a so-called pro driver shouldn't do!) and some weight adjustment, I qualified a little further back in 7th. Making things even more difficult, the NASA changed the course to exclude the bus stop, one of the Mini's favorite parts of the track, and the temperature climbed higher giving me concerns that the little 1.6 would suffer from heat-related issues.<br />The usual USTCC standing start proved quite event-filled as I lined up right behind Curt Simmons, but as the green flag few, he stalled his car leaving me with very little room to get moving. Two other BMWs got by the Mini, and I had my work cut out for me.<br /><br />Brandon, Felipe and Pete took off and I ended up clawing my way back past the BMWs, right up to Dave Brown's Lancer's bumper. I was able to poke the Mini's nose in a few times, but the straight run through the Dog Leg gave less advantage to the Mini than it had the previous day.<br /><br />Dave pulled out a three length lead that we fought over, and got some help holding me off.<br /><br />To anyone that's raced at Buttonwillow with a full track of hard-charging nutballs, one of the well-known features are the incredible dust clouds that can gather when someone puts a wheel or two or a whole car off into the dirt. Being in the middle of California's Central Valley, the runoff areas are flat and quite uneventful, but the prehistoric lakebed dust is fine, and can easily be shot a hundred feet in the air by a speeding race car with hot tires.<br /><br />It just so happened that I chased Dave over Phil Hill, and he was able to dive into the sweeper ahead of a lapped car. As we looked into the turn, we realized there was the mother of all dust clouds just hitting its peak as we turned toward the esses. Dave bombed into the cloud unfazed, but the lapped car hit its brakes just as it entered, disappearing into the cloud to slow somewhere unseen.<br /><br />Slowing myself to avoid hitting a mystery-dust shrouded car, I turned off the track and cut a path through the dust and dirt, finally rejoining halfway through the esses. I'd managed to avoid collecting another car as a hood ornament on Rich's lovely Mini, however, Dave's Mitsubishi had taken advantage and gained a half straightaway on me that I wasn't able to regain.<br />Ironically, none of the other cars broke or went terminally off the track, so I brought the Mini home in 6th, safe but dusty, and plenty of grit between my teeth.<br /><br />Aftermath<br /><br />Up at the front Brandon managed to score another victory just tenths ahead of Felipe and Pete, and they managed to spray plenty of champagne to hose off the Buttonwillow dust in the usual USTCC podium ceremony. The Mini ran some very good times though, especially in the standard #13 configuration - just a few odd circumstances kept us from a much higher finish. USTCC's season finale will be at Infineon in early November, here's hoping that Rich has us back for another chance on the most technical, twisty track in California. Seems like it would suit a Mini.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Pictures and video to follow!</span>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-59996986238288358412011-05-03T13:57:00.001-07:002011-05-03T14:36:40.682-07:00The MaxQ ReviewThe first product I’ll review on Racecarnolgy will be the MaxQ VeQtr system by MaxQData (www.maxqdata.com). This system is an interesting package for the Racecarnologist because it uses mostly off-the-shelf parts available to the average nerd to accomplish something that previously was only done by expensive, dedicated hardware.<br /><br />The system I received came with the following:<br /><br /><ul><li>A high quality 20Mhz Bluetooth GPS</li><li>An Asus EeePC 901 loaded with MaxQData Software</li><li>A higher and a lower quality webcam</li><li>Various cables and a slim low-power power inverter</li></ul><br />Essentially, the concept is the GPS and the PC are connected through Bluetooth, you plug the webcams into the PC, start the software and hit the track. The software determines when you’re moving, starts the timer, then extrapolates power, braking and lateral G’s from the GPS data. The intention is, since EeePC has a solid-state drive, the goal is for it to be rugged enough to survive inside the race car while recording everything realtime, and that even saves a step from having to download the data to analyze it. The idea and the workflow is good in theory...but more on the practical side of this later.<br /><br />What’s also nice from a do-it-yourself standpoint, is it’s possible to assemble the individual pieces yourself, GPS, laptop, webcams, etc, and buy a copy of the software to get them to all work together - MaxQ makes a license for their analysis and data capturing software available starting at $29 for basic 5Hz Bluetooth compatibility to $149 for 10Hz GPS unlimited data comparison and video overlay. The ability to mix and match pieces, particularly given many of us might have a laptop, some webcams or a Bluetooth GPS laying around might really be MaxQ’s secret super power. The whole $1300 system with 20Hz data is all-inclusive, but rivals the cost of entry level versions of the popular Race-Technology DL1 data logger, or the higher-end Race-Keeper SE Video Data System.<br /><br />Here’s a sample video with the high-end 20Hz system mounted in the BTM Motorwerks BMW 328ti, during a practice session at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19425828?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="600" height="340" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/19425828">BTM Motorwerks 328ti Cal Speedway Fontana Test</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/mmmotors">MadManMotors</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><p>Preparing to race at Fontana with USTCC, some video footage showing the track with light NASA traffic. Driver, Andy Chittum, video overlay MaxQdata</p><br /><br />What we liked:<br /><br />One of the really nice parts of this system is the ability to add an external mic (again, don’t we all have a cheapo one just laying around?) or grab sound from one of the cameras. The main camera in this setup is mounted right in front of the rearview mirror, showing an excellent view and getting wind-free sound from up by the windshield. The second webcam is mounted by the passenger door to give a full view of the driver in action. Up to 4 cameras can be added to the system.<br /><br />The MaxQ’s QView view of the data does a nice job of showing acceleration and braking in blue and red respectively, as well as wider rectangles for lateral Gs. It’s easy to see where I wimp out going into NASCAR T1 and lift slightly, as well as a few other areas I did well, or needed to work on - the more intense the color, the more dramatic the input.<br /><br />The Chart software in general allowed for most of the standard comparisons one might want to see - comparing lap to lap or sector to sector with different runs, calculated hp, typical power curves, and in general is a completely serviceable way of analyzing data, with both typical plots for the data or the marching rectangles you see in the data overlay in the video.<br /><br />What we didn’t like:<br /><br />While the MaxQ’s strengths do lie in its modularity, some of its downfalls come from that as well.<br /><br />Workflow - While there are some newer systems available to mere mortals that can update more often or realtime, typically the engineer descends upon the returned car wtih his laptop, downloads the data and looks at it with the driver. The MaxQ system relies on its included netbook to perform all functions, and it’s not designed to copy the data to another system. This leaves the team to first mount and supply power to a netbook in the race car, then get to it quickly after a session. But instead of a larger screen and more processing power that one might have in a laptop suitable for the paddock, all analysis, data processing, and video processing is done on one tiny Asus Eeepc 901.<br /><br />In fact, a number of issues arose around the use of this netbook as the system brain:<br /><br />- The system would start recording automatically as designed when leaving the grid, but when stopping for a standing start, it would stop recording, freezing while saving the data recorded thus far. The system would sometimes realize it was running again and start up invariably just after the typical early-race shimozzle, sometimes not at all. There is a setting to force the system to wait for a period of inactivity after stopping (say 5 minutes) but in practice we couldn’t reliably get the system to handle standing starts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvLGCvtR0nQVskOi2or6h40Om_ySqG1sTgu6ZBuffsBelOIrpn99kCepMFAxeaq_nCBo50QU91PiML310mBEWC4IfeB7buswzKkeM3xdyXaJrKxW4LV-wK7g1EVyqollIMqbR9TzC83I/s1600/two-wheels-t2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvLGCvtR0nQVskOi2or6h40Om_ySqG1sTgu6ZBuffsBelOIrpn99kCepMFAxeaq_nCBo50QU91PiML310mBEWC4IfeB7buswzKkeM3xdyXaJrKxW4LV-wK7g1EVyqollIMqbR9TzC83I/s320/two-wheels-t2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602600573063761634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />- While the Eeepc is rather rugged with its included 12GB SSD and withstood the odd bump and jiggle of racing, it did not withstand the heat of a typical race car (120+ degrees) very well. Hotter events in Sonoma and Fontana saw the system either shutdown and leave the team with a corrupt data / video file, or leave just a .asf file that would need some conversion before being useful. Certainly, a team could design a cooling system for the laptop in the car along with its mount and power needs (and we did have some success with this), but this is yet another detail that a small team would likely rather not deal with if necessary.<br /><br />- Processing the video and data into the combined view seen above would have to be done on the Eeepc. While it was functional, there are certainly faster processors than the basic 1.6Ghz Atom for doing this. MaxQ could help this issue by allowing their software to be used on more than one PC at a time, but the release we tested only allowed one PC per copy.<br /><br />- And lastly the UI. There are some environments where a simple friendly UI for the office just doesn’t quite cut it. A typical racecarnology reader might find Windows XP a very easy way to interact wtih a computer while sitting in the office, but as has become more obvious in the past few years, tablet based OSs, whether iOS, Android, WebOS or other are much more suitable to an outdoors, ‘I just want to punch a few buttons and have it work’ type of activity. The last thing that an engineer or crew chief needs to be doing when prepping the car for the track is booting up a PC, clicking icons, making sure USB and Bluetooth devices are connected and troubleshooting any of that.<br /><br />The original versions of MaxQ did apparently run on Windows Mobile 6.x, but even Microsoft won’t admit to that OS anymore for the same reason - an epic fail in terms of a mobile UI. Many of the UI elements in the QView software could likely be adapted to a simple touch interface on, say, a 7” or 9” tablet. I don’t know about the reliability of such a device in a hot car, but it would be much better way to interact with the data, certainly. Perhaps an added benefit there would be mounting such a device in a way to provide dashboard-like feedback, laptimes, etc.<br /><br />Accuracy:<br /><br />Our engineer noticed some discrepancies with the measured HP values in a few different situations - it appeared the MaxQ did not take elevation changes into account when measuring horsepower. So - looking at max HP on the run out of the carousel up to T7 at Sears Point looks a bit different than the front straightaway at Thunderhill, but Ed at MaxQ pointed out comparisons like this are still valuable day to day, if not track to track.<br /><br />Another issue we weren’t able to confirm, running with USTCC (who use the system to police max HP on cars) the naturally aspirated cars’ HP values appeared to read high compared to the forced induction ones when we ran at Miller Motorsports Park, which is 4400ft elevation. The telling thing was nearly the entire field was impounded and run on a dyno - it was the two naturally aspirated cars that appeared to read high by comparison. Once we returned to Buttonwillow the following month, the readings followed the same distributions we’d seen previously at other near-sea level tracks, such a Sears Point and Thunderhill.<br /><br />Neither accuracy issue are particularly deal-breakers, particularly with an affordable system, but worth noting.<br /><br />Expandability:<br /><br />Lastly, it’s worth noting that the Chart software takes video inputs via USB (up to 4 cameras) and external GPS inputs via Bluetooth, but no additional channels of data appear to be supported. For the processing limitations related above, we tested with a maximum of two video cameras.<br /><br />Summary:<br /><br />Overall, the MaxQ set of products are a nice way to begin analyzing data that a beginning or amateur racer might generate with his or her car, looking for trends, and beginning the process of visualizing in data the hundreds of factors that lead to a fast lap time. Given some of the limitations of the system, it’s likely going to suit a driver or team that have more time and ingenuity than outright cash, and as such could be a valuable part of a low-cost system. But before spending more than a few hundred dollars on the various components of the system, the up and coming racer that will eventually want more should definitely investigate the systems that begin in the $1200 range and see if it make more sense to buy the entire VeQtr ™ system from MaxQ or go with the entry level offerings of a higher-end manufacturer.<br /><br /><small>Picture by Head On Photos, driver Andy Chittum</small>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-60157835030476076612011-02-14T16:22:00.000-08:002011-05-03T14:37:46.947-07:00Little Cars, Big Fun, Could be Huge<span class="Apple-style-span">We had a <a href="http://btmmotorwerksracing.blogspot.com/2011/02/starting-year-off-right-spec-e30.html">fantastic </a>weekend racing at Infineon, BTM Motorwerks' Spec e30 was able to pick up right where we left off last season, right on top. While Brad was out in the #91 car on Sunday and the #92 car still a few steps short of track-readiness, I perused the NASA paddock looking for interesting things, and happened to run into Jim Jordan, from Mazda USA. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">He had brought out their <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/24/mazda-and-honda-form-b-spec-showroom-stock-racing-series/">B-Spec Mazda 2</a>, and with some introduction, a discovered shared love of the Mazdaspeed Protege, and proof I was indeed a card-carrying NASA member, Jim had me signed up to take the car out in the last session of the day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><img src="http://www.mazdausamedia.com/files/images/B-Spec%20Announcement.preview.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 187px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Hopping into the little car, even with the stock dash and race equipment, everything falls right to hand, and taking off was indeed a bit like heading out to get groceries. Just with all the safety equipment and going via a few hilly laps of Infineon Raceway along the way. What's really great about this car, is what they didn't have to change to make it completely competent on the track. Stock suspension mounting points, stock engine and transmission, and otherwise off the shelf parts to build this car. Also especially neat is that so many new cars' electronic systems get very fussy from having parts removed, but Jim explained they'd just pulled a few parts out, and went racing. And this was the very same car that had been out for the 25 hours of Thunderhill, had done every single track session at the NASA event that weekend, and who knows what else in between.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">And it was great. The stiffness of the suspension and chassis were very complementary and wherever you pointed the car, there it went. It didn't wallow around in some of the more technical areas like exiting the 3a-3b complex, and it was credibly stable through the faster areas like exiting the carousel T6, or just breathing off the throttle to make T10. Even the ABS kicked in predictably pushing a braking zone to the limit or avoiding slower traffic. Certainly, the power isn't anything that's going to bend anyone's mind, but setting up much more powerful cars on the brakes or just plain driving around them on the inside of T7 or outside of T2 kept me giggling the entire drive. All too soon, it was over, and I had to give the car back to the team to pack it up for its ride home.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Musing a little about the drive, I imagined some kind of not to distant world, where perhaps forty of these cars might show up to race in support of some larger series...particularly on a street circuit...some kind of crazy 'Keystone Cops do Monaco' event would be tremendously popular with race fans. Sure, a typical fan comes out to see the big boys race, the Rolex or ALMS or other sports cars, but a supporting series with cars that aren't just silhouettes, but real honest cars that they use for the mundane everyday movement, particularly two, three and four wide through the first few turns -- that is something that a race fan will really delight in seeing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">That also points too to the future of the series - it's great to have an easily accessible chassis, parts and support. And it's also great to drive a fun little car around for the day, something that's a joy to toss around, is light on consumables, but I personally think the future for building a car that's on sale now has got to be some lower end Pro series. Even just a little money and TV coverage could get quite a lot of these cars out all over the country, and not just from Mazda but any other manufacturer that have a sub-compact car they even remotely hint might have some performance. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">In the meantime, Mazda is really leading the way with this. Particularly to be able to spare the time to bring their car out for just anyone to try out, is just amazing. Even further to have a chance to hear Jim talking about calling the race for the #40 GT Rolex RX8 at the 24 hours of Daytona, and describing pulling every trick in the book to hold off the might of TRG Porsche...I had to pinch myself a few times. That's a company that cares.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So, thank you Mazda! We'll be definitely keeping two eyes on this one.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo from Mazdausa.com</span></div>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-21178512586653564742011-02-09T12:22:00.000-08:002011-05-03T14:39:30.052-07:00My Life for a Battery<div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today HP launched its new line of formerly-Palm phones and a tablet, amidst a fair amount of fanfare in San Francisco this morning. Racecarnology's labs was eagerly awaiting the news, we've been fans of Palm since we first tethered a Palm Pilot Pro to a Nokia 2190 using an Option Snap-on adapter and used that rig to kick off a build back at work from the seat of a parked 1999 M Roadster. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While their connected organizer did a lot of connecting and organizing, it of course fell to the wayside with the Smartphone Revolution where Palm finally responded with it's Pre phones running WebOS. Which, due to a number of fatal flaws weren't able to save Palm's sovereignty and were absorbed by HP. This morning's event is the culmination of the many fantastic innovations that Palm were able to bring about, backed by the piles of cash that HP has to pour into them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By Racecarnology's estimation, original Pre and Pixi were fantastic overall including: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Incredible WebOS UI and integration</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Nifty sleek design</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Better than average camera on the Pre</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But, as it happens, a few fatal flaws: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Poor ability to ship and update the device on a timely schedule and get to new carriers</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Bizarre Marketing incapable of communicating WebOS's awesomeness to the common man</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Battery life</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Which brings us to the new devices. Have HP rectified all the Palm-bound shortcomings? The ship dates announced look slightly long, likely a new iProduct or two will be announced before HP's new gizmos hit the street. But HP has the money to make it happen. So 'Maybe' for that one. HP's marketing efforts have been at least non-offensive in the past, and I take it as a success story that Racecarnology's labs have two HP laptops and an HP printer, so we'll admit they're doing something right there.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But here's the rub - Engadget's fine coverage of the event listed a spec comparison between the Pre 2 and Pre 3 that showed awesome bumps across the board...except for a 1,230mAh battery. A 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon is just great, but how long will this phone last with just slightly less power than a Nokia X6? Or just sightly more power than an HTC Aria?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Veer looked particularly interesting too - we tend to gravitate to a smaller phone, helpful to take long while training for those long hot hours in a race car. But perplexing in the extreme - a non-removable 910mAh battery. WTF. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Reading that number, we flashed back to the days of yore when a just nine hundred and ten little milliamp hours could last a full work day and night. And it dawned - the Sony Ericsson K850i - <a href="http://gdgt.com/sony-ericsson/k850/review/py/">a beloved gadget</a>, that we used constantly, took great pictures with its Xenon 5MP shooter, we broadcast the start of the 2009 Le Mans directly from Le Sarthe over Qik, we Skyfired, we Fringed, we Google mapped, we made calls with excellent reception, we tethered over bluetooth, and we listened to MP3s with Mega Bass for hours on end, all on its tiny little BST-38 930 mAh battery.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />And so, a comparison that you probably won't see anywhere else. The very latest WebOS Veer vs. the Sony Ericsson K850i:<br /><br /><table border="1"><tbody><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>54.5 x 84 x 15.1mm</td><td>102 x 48 x 17mm</td></tr><tr><td>Processor</td><td>800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230</td><td>200Mhz ARM926EJ-S</td></tr><tr><td>Ram</td><td>512MB</td><td>128MB</td></tr><tr><td>Display</td><td>2.6-inch 400 x 320</td><td>2.2-inch 240x320</td></tr><tr><td>Camera</td><td>5 megapixel</td><td>5MP, AF, Xenon/LED Flash</td></tr><tr><td>Storage</td><td>8GB</td><td>8GB via Micro SD or MSM</td></tr><tr><td>Cellular Radio</td><td>GSM / HSPA</td><td>GSM / HSPDA</td></tr><tr><td>Wifi</td><td>802.11b/g/n</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Bluetooth</td><td>2.1 + EDR</td><td>2.0, AVCRP, A2DP</td></tr><tr><td>Gyroscope</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>Accelerometer</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Touch to Share</td><td>Yes</td><td>Nope</td></tr><tr><td>Battery Capacity</td><td>910mAh non-removable</td><td>930mAh removable</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As always, statistics need to taken with a grain of salt. In no way are we suggesting the K850i is a match to nearly any modern OS smartphone, but </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">given this information, how long will a Veer's battery last? Without some serious optimization, there could be netbooks out there with more talk time.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In short, we still love Palm, even now under HP's evil overlordishness. WebOS still has so much UI awesomeness about it. Their tablet looks great with WebOS, and their announced computers running WebOS ensure its innovativeness be around for some time to come. But if they want to sell a phone, they're going to need some near-magical levels of power optimization, pave every road with Touchstone chargers, or they're just plain going to need some bigger batteries.</span></span></div>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-56862782310430198462011-02-01T11:05:00.000-08:002011-05-03T14:40:03.607-07:00Clean Sheet of Paper<a href="http://racecar-engineering.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Racecar Engineering</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> last night published a brief <a href="http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/f1/renaults-radical-r31-exhaust-system/">article</a> on the all-new John Player Specialesque Renault Lotus-ish F1 R31's exhaust treatment. Started last May from a clean sheet of paper, the car was designed by engineers with free reign to do something drastically different in the name of an advantage. Renault Technical Director James Allison said, "I believe we have chosen a direction which is on the brave end of brave."</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/local/cache-gd2/164d2385f699ca253d3d0d7fe91c07db.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 441px; height: 290px;" src="http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/local/cache-gd2/164d2385f699ca253d3d0d7fe91c07db.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It looks like, quite possibly, Renault been quite brave indeed.</span></span></div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blown rear diffusers or rear wings have been on and off F1 cars for several years, the simple view is that you point the exhaust pipe of the engine at a sensitive areo area of the car, either to increase airflow in one area or to decrease airflow in another, and one supercomputer of advanced math later, you have increased downforce when you need it...just enough to make that difference in a highly completive race series.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We can't easily recall other areas of a race car getting the exhaust-blown treatment, but pictures seem to indicate the RB31's exhausts actually travel forward and exit toward the front of the sidepod, perhaps enabling better airflow over the floor right around the midsection of the car. This is particularly neat, because, should it actually work, they'd be getting additional downforce around the midsection of the car, which should give even more flexibility than just more downforce at the rear as with the 2010 cars using that setup. Which could lead to a significant advantage.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">However, some serious challenges with heat come to mind - not only with running the exhaust pipe forward near the driver, but KERS returns to F1 this year, and that means another component in the car that needs extra cooling. And the tradeoff between cooling and areo efficiency is a very tight balance as well. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So will this thing work?<br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm reminded of another clean sheet of paper design released in June 2007 by a small computer company that had just 5% share of its market at the time. The main press thought they just might be on to something with their radical approach...some neat new features but glaringly lacking in others. Brave engineers too, and things have worked out quite well for them.</span></span></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Renault R31 <a href="http://racecarnology.blogspot.com/2011/01/ship-date.html">needs to be ready</a> to race March 11th. I have a feeling we'll know pretty quickly thereafter if the old John Player slogan 'Something Very Special' ends up referring to the R31's pace, or its ability to light up and burn at one end.</span></span></div>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8026993651961354812.post-6421559759374132432011-01-19T23:47:00.000-08:002011-05-03T14:39:06.816-07:00Ship Date!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><span><span>The two main areas my waking consciousness lingers on are the latest technology and building race cars.<br /><br />Sadly, my thankfully steady but drab day job testing software somehow long ago ceased to follow the exclamation-point filled headlines on the forefront of technology, but having been in this industry for a few years and marking the changes through the fabulous tech coverage of sites like Engadget and Gizmodo, the perspective of our progress in the past few years is truly dizzying. 16 Gigs on your fingernail? Amazing. Translate words real-time through the camera on your off the shelf handheld? Stupendous. Maybe even a good synchronized mobile Gmail client. Unbelievable.</span></span><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The lovely online real-time media facilitates us hanging on the words and terrific evil plans for world domination of our tech overlords…they promise amazing gadgets, and often deliver them, sometimes even when they say they will. It’s a tough balance - my favorite mobile devices are announced, and have to survive a bevy challenges -- the company’s own ability to execute on time, carrier approval, and finally other competitive company’s friction just to make it into my hands. Not an easy job.</div><div><br /></div><div>To date, I’ve participated in the dis-assembly of a number of reasonably nice street BMWs and other cars, all for the express purpose of making them better for racing against other people on the track. Every one of them had a plan behind them, a shipping schedule as it were, of when the dis-assembly, fab work, reassembly, upgrades, and testing needed to be complete, and when I’d unleash them on the unsuspecting racing public, with better or worse results.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXR8-K-jXHso0B6DwUvdnoaZI1giwr1CmJWSZkxdiN8VXxIebu9B55krxJr7AkCScYAsZZmBQQyPOa5QWz4LsB9g71I9Gvt60-jfmJoga5sUWAePbctsQcC3xcfZ66kLhxuVd1uju4iKs/s400/turn10.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564186222581510738" /></div><div>It’s a simplified comparison to be sure, but there’s an interesting point about racing that’s not as prevalent with the tech industry...the hard ship date.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sure, plenty of companies shoot for a device to be ready for the Christmas selling season, or for a magazine reviewer to have a piece of software to review it in time for a publication date, but there’s always an alternate plan or schedule slop to work with. But when I strap into the race car I’ve built, the grid marshal blows three blasts on his whistle, and I’ve got just about 5 minutes ‘til my ship date has arrived. Checklists should show tire pressures have been set, suspension aligned and tuned using any recent test data, wheel nuts torqued, gas and ballast set correctly. Yes, it’s easier to get a race car certified for competition, and to pre-flight it. But while dropping a call using an Infineon chipset can be frustrating, dropping a wheel off the side of your car at 110mph in turn 10 at Infineon Raceway invokes a whole new perspective on one’s problems.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, hopefully in the weeks to come, I’ll find a few more things to say about racing, and about tech...all I need now is a hard ship date to get my attention away from other shiny things and tickle the keys on my laptop on a regular basis.</div><div><br /></div><div>-A-</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Infineon photo by <a href="http://www.headonphotos.net">Head On Photos</a>. True to form, the <a href="http://bwmmotorwerks.com/">BTM Motorwerks</a> Spece30 pictured leading through Turn 10 was DQ'd from 2nd place on its first race for being a few pounds too light, then soundly won its second race, in abysmal February weather with the author behind the wheel.</span></i></div></div>A Chittumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17757053660593997943noreply@blogger.com0