ITA (I watched from the Downhill): Andy and Rick had a good battle for a while, and then Andy simply put it away. Beautiful run.
ITB (I watched from No Name, and got to try out my new scanner): Richie had a great race, with Stephen trying to keep him in sight (until he literally lost his LF hub and wheel - both apparently brand new - is it true that Raymond torqed it??). Raymond was clearly having trouble, and smoking a bit too. Dave had a very consistent and strong run. Great to watch! Paul apparently had a new three-piece wheel break some sandwich bolts and let his RR tire go down. He had quite an exciting off in the downhill, but completed the race on the flat! Note that the Golf 3's did very well (fast AND reliable).
ITC (I watched from my driver's seat): I started near the back, but it was due to my own mistakes rather than from lack of rain tires. On Saturday morning, I gambled that we might get a dry lap or two. So, I went out on what I assumed were decent intermediate tires. Both the dry gamble and the intermediate assumption were wrong, so it was all I could do to keep it on the track until the buzzer. I wasn't messing around by the afternoon, and actually had my Dirt Stockers on track for the first time. I was taking the first few laps slow while I got used to the tires, when John V. decided he needed to pass me on the inside of the Left. Not wanting any contact, I left him plenty of room but found to my horror that the outside edge had some oil and soggy "speedy-dry" - not good! I went for a swim in the moat, and almost drove out the other side before getting hung up on some debris. The warm-up laps were still 0.5 seconds faster than my best morning lap, but here's thinking about what could have been... So much for that session, but I did get to watch everyone in my run group drive through the Left many times (including good ole 76 SSM).
The Miatas that we ITC drivers have to contend with are fast in the straights but slow in the corners. The front runners are fast in the straights and comparable in the corners, but we never see them unless they're lapping us. Recognizing this, an ITC driver must never hesitate to pass an SSM at the first opportunity that comes up after a main straight. I worked my way through the field and caught up to John and Ed, thanks in part to their intense battle. John opened the door by trying Ed on the inside of the Uphill and then having to fall back in place at reduced speed. I had guessed it and never lifted. He was mine before West Bend. I got by Ed shortly after that, although I can't remember exactly where at the moment. He was filling my mirrors pretty well and it looked like 76 SSM was going to keep me from making a run for it. So, I took her into the Left without a second thought. I put the pedal down out of the Esses and didn't lift until ... Well, that SSM really wanted her position back and made up some major time down the front straight. I put off my braking until she couldn't cut in (past the "1"), and then I almost fell off the outside trying to get around Big Bend. I guess it must have been a fast-enough line, because I had put several car lengths on her coming out of turn 2. I think I got one completely clean lap after that. I didn't see the crash in the uphill, although I might have if I'd been watching my mirror. The 01 Miata left a skid mark from the apex to the tire wall, but at almost 90 degrees to the proper line. Too bad Ed was in his way or he would have crashed much harder into the wall (can you say "Dive Bomb"?). Although I wouldn't have said it, I certainly don't think that Ed's comments to him were misplaced at all. John apparently had nowhere to go, clobbered Ed and flipped end-to-end. The car is done (worse than mine ever was) as far as SCCA racing, although I might have talked him into doing some ice racing with the remains (see
www.icerace.com ).
Someone asked me before the race if racing with the Miatas was a problem. I told them that it used to be (I've been broad-sided by several), but that they seemed to be much-improved this year. I guess some people get crazy at the NARRC runoffs, so I won't go so far as to blame all Miatas. Yes, it was a nice plastic trophy, and the Champaign was a nice touch, but is that any reason to throw away any pre-existing common sense? If we could only fill the grid like ITA did, then we could have the track all to ourselves
Way too wishful thinking, I know... Anyone want to buy a competitive ITC car (not completely kidding)?
My race was pretty boring Andy and Rick ran away, had a little fun trying to hold Richie of for a lap or 2 and then just put it in grandma mode watching the rear view making sure no one was catching up. Lawton would have been a threat if he hadn't been spun out on the first lap.
Nice 2nd place Dave; congratualtions.
Hope you guys can get the car back together and make it down to Atlanta.