View Full Version : NASA BMW Race at Infineon this Weekend


SRiley
09-05-2006, 03:16 PM
Anyone going to this event? I just found a free trailer ride from Dallas to Infineon. I know absolutely nothing about this event nor have I even driven at Infineon. However, for a free ride with my IP racecar, I have decided to try to make the event... :)

Checking out the NASA website, there appears to be very little track time available (one 20 min practice, qualifying and sprint race each day). Obviously, this doesn't give me time to fully learn the track, but I can't pass this opportunity up!!

Can anyone enlighten me with their experience at NASA events at Infineon? BMW cars only, 13/13, large field, etc.? Looking to gain as much knowledge as quickly as possible given the trailer leaves shortly.

Thanks,
Scott

JonathanL
09-05-2006, 03:19 PM
Checking out the NASA website, there appears to be very little track time available (one 20 min practice, qualifying and sprint race each day). Obviously, this doesn't give me time to fully learn the track, but I can't pass this opportunity up!!

I'm not racing until the enduro on Sunday, but I'll be driving in HPDE4 on Saturday and Sunday morning. You're more than welcome to come out for a session with me if you like. I'll have my communicator with me to talk you around as well.

jonmacs22
09-05-2006, 03:38 PM
If you are making that long of a trip, why not sign up for the HPDE 3 group as well so that you can get 3-4 20+ minute track sessions in as well. This tactic is used by some of our local NASA guys when they visit tracks they do not know.

leggwork
09-05-2006, 03:56 PM
I have a cool 16MB video from a WC Touring car in 2004 that I could send you or if you know of a place I could upload it to? Most video places seem to limit uploads to 10MB.

You will have a hoot! I was a guest instructor there last year and also did the one-day Russell school in their Formula Mits cars. Still smile when I think of it.

cheers,
bruce

Murph
09-05-2006, 04:04 PM
There are 29 racers signed up, including 3 IP cars. I'll be there (KP), assuming my car is running by Thursday night.

All HPDE groups are full on Saturday / HPDE 4 is open on Sunday, so you won't be able to get any more practice on Saturday.

thenobot
09-05-2006, 04:16 PM
For Infineon first-timers, have a look at the following resources:

- Hank Watts' writeup on the track for PCA
http://www.red4est.com/pdapi/InfineonDescription.pdf

- An earlier thread here on the track
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567076

- In-car video from the track
http://www.thenobot.org/video/watch.php?20060605-infineon_5th_session.mov

I'm sure there are lots of others...

Kos-motate139
09-05-2006, 05:55 PM
Looks like it'll be a great weekend, USTCC will be there too, with a 60 minute race + pitstop on Sunday.

I'm unfortunately not going to be ready to drive, but I do plan to stop by and cheer you all on. One of these days I'll have to get my car legal for BMW CR too. :redspot

krisko
09-05-2006, 06:31 PM
I'll be there with a buddy in HPDE 3/4. I was going to link up the earlier bf.c thread but somebody already did...seems to be some good info in there.

I was about to beg for a co-driving gig but my BMWCCA license just expired.

2pups
09-06-2006, 01:05 AM
Won't be there this weekend -- something about my wedding I'm not quite able to get out of...

Holder, you better turn a :44 or better.

Otoupalik, let's see what Lagoni's got at Sears!! I didn't see a :47 the SCCA weekend a few months back...

See you clowns at Laguna.

Here's the lame-o version of the SCCA race (w/ comments...)

http://m3ma420.com/SCCA.7.2.06.SP.wmv

-Mike

SRiley
09-06-2006, 07:04 AM
Thanks for the help everyone. Looks like I am in!! :redspot :buttrock

Flying out Thursday night late and taking the red-eye back Sunday night. I will be there with my IP E36 M3 along with Toby Grahovec and his USTCC car. Classic BMW sponsors both of us and they are the ones kind enough to drag my car all the way to Infineon in their rig.

I will be attending the testing sessions all day on Friday, BMW 30-sprint races on Sat and Sun, and the NASA 3-hour enduro on Sun. Toby will run the USTCC 1-hour race, then co-drive my car for the last hour of the 3-hour enduro. Hopefully, I can take care of the NASA race regsitration at the track like I did at the PBOC races. Anyone have a contact name at NASA?

I am so excited about this event. What are everyone's plans for Friday night?

Scott

krisko
09-06-2006, 09:50 AM
This guy is the director of the event...jerry@drivenasa.com.

I also sent you an email I received from them. No schedule but there's info on sound limits, a saturday bbq party and whatnot.

jdholder
09-06-2006, 10:45 AM
Scott - look us up at the Evosport Trailer - we have 3 cars going.

We'll do something Friday night - are you testing on Friday? It's more expensive than racing, but if you have never been to Sears, it's probably worth it.

E-mail me at jon at h3dv dot com.

M Rob
09-06-2006, 11:03 AM
We'll be there racing in USTCC with our E46 and maybe our E90. Stop by and say HI!

Here is the schedule for all interested: http://www.nasaproracing.com/norcal/events/schedule.htm

hinzm3
09-06-2006, 11:03 AM
Have fun out there! I watched a nascar race out there years ago but thats about it.

jayhudson
09-06-2006, 11:09 AM
I'll be another spectator. Sat and Sun. Car's not fixed yet. I'm available to help out if anyone needs it. I'll have my helmet, suit, etc., if anyone needs help with fueling or whatever.

Jay

jayhudson
09-06-2006, 11:12 AM
Rob-

If you haven't already shipped that sway bar, bring it with you and keep the shipping $$$.

Jay

We'll be there racing in USTCC with our E46 and maybe our E90. Stop by and say HI!

Here is the schedule for all interested: http://www.nasaproracing.com/norcal/events/schedule.htm

SRiley
09-06-2006, 11:15 AM
Yes, testing on Friday. Left message with track to "reserve" spot, but haven't heard back. Would like to pay and get confirmation.

Scott

SRiley
09-06-2006, 11:17 AM
Anyone know what class I would be in for the enduro? IP E36 M3.

jayhudson
09-06-2006, 11:25 AM
Scott-

Here's some good footage that I used before my 1st time at SP. It's the first vid with the footwell window.

http://www.teamsmr.com/html/videos.html

I've only done SP once so I probably don't have much to share. Hope to see you there. I'll be in a big blue/white motorhome with OR plates.

Jay

SG_M3
09-06-2006, 01:26 PM
I'm jealous, good luck Scott.

Jim Bassett
09-06-2006, 03:20 PM
Hey Scott, welcome to the West Coast! (We met, briefly, at TWS in 2002).

Even though this is a NASA-hosted event, the BMW CR group is run "independently" of that - in other words it's wholely self-contained as a BMW Club Racing group following CR rules, etc. We've been running events inside NASA since I started (2000). There shouldn't be any other cars/groups joining us at this event, although that has happened in the past with no issues whatsoever.

You can log-in at the CR web site and see the entry list - right now we have ~30 cars. Also, feel free to search me out and ask me any questions - the only CA track I have more time at is Thunderhill (I live 30 miles from Sears :) )

Also, here's a couple of vids of a couple of laps at Sears:
http://www.jimbassett.com/videos/2LapsofSearsPoint.mpg
(apologies for the poor vid quality - I need to re-encode it)

http://www.jimbassett.com/videos/SearsPoint-2Laps.mpg
(clearer vid, but shows the "alternate" T7 config.)

See ya on Sat!

Jim

JonathanL
09-06-2006, 03:38 PM
Anyone know what class I would be in for the enduro? IP E36 M3.

The IP M3 I'll be driving in is in E0, so that should be the class you'd be in. A full classification list can be found here:

http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/enduro.pdf

I'll be in one of the dozen or so silver E36 M3s that will probably be there during the day (#54), so feel free to hunt me down and introduce yourself.

SRiley
09-06-2006, 03:46 PM
Hey Scott, welcome to the West Coast! (We met, briefly, at TWS in 2002).

Even though this is a NASA-hosted event, the BMW CR group is run "independently" of that - in other words it's wholely self-contained as a BMW Club Racing group following CR rules, etc. We've been running events inside NASA since I started (2000). There shouldn't be any other cars/groups joining us at this event, although that has happened in the past with no issues whatsoever.

You can log-in at the CR web site and see the entry list - right now we have ~30 cars. Also, feel free to search me out and ask me any questions - the only CA track I have more time at is Thunderhill (I live 30 miles from Sears :) )

Also, here's a couple of vids of a couple of laps at Sears:
http://www.jimbassett.com/videos/2LapsofSearsPoint.mpg
(apologies for the poor vid quality - I need to re-encode it)

http://www.jimbassett.com/videos/SearsPoint-2Laps.mpg
(clearer vid, but shows the "alternate" T7 config.)

See ya on Sat!

Jim


I remember you well. Will definitely stop by. I am going to try to steal Holder's car. No one should notice... :)

scottn2retro
09-06-2006, 03:47 PM
I'm not racing until the enduro on Sunday, but I'll be driving in HPDE4 on Saturday and Sunday morning. You're more than welcome to come out for a session with me if you like. I'll have my communicator with me to talk you around as well.

Would you rather driver our car on Saturday? :eek: :devillook


We'll be there, but Scott Lang is sick and we aren't sure if he can go on Saturday or not and Ralph was thinking he was only going to do Sunday (although he is supposed to be there in time for the Sat. afternoon race).

SRiley
09-06-2006, 03:50 PM
The IP M3 I'll be driving in is in E0, so that should be the class you'd be in. A full classification list can be found here:

http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/enduro.pdf

I'll be in one of the dozen or so silver E36 M3s that will probably be there during the day (#54), so feel free to hunt me down and introduce yourself.

I assume that NASA is like PBOC in that they can/will tech your car at the event and provide class designations. Can anyone confirm this?

Scott

scottn2retro
09-06-2006, 03:50 PM
Anyone know what class I would be in for the enduro? IP E36 M3.

E0 should be the right class and I believe BMW CR IP cars are among the best cars in that class.

But brush up on the NASA enduro rules and depending on if you've put a larger fuel cell, start the race on the right amount. They do watch pit stops and assess time penalties.

SRiley
09-06-2006, 03:52 PM
E0 should be the right class and I believe BMW CR IP cars are among the best cars in that class.

But brush up on the NASA enduro rules and depending on if you've put a larger fuel cell, start the race on the right amount. They do watch pit stops and assess time penalties.

Yep, E0 it is. Thanks to Interlocker, I now have the enduro rules and will read them carefully on the plane out.

Scott

scottn2retro
09-06-2006, 03:53 PM
I assume that NASA is like PBOC in that they can/will tech your car at the event and provide class designations. Can anyone confirm this?

Scott

If you have a valid BMW CR tech inspections/annual/classification, you'll just need to do the at event short form tech inspections like all the other cars. But one for NASA and one for BMW CR. So fill out one form of each.

You'll probably have to submit for a NASA provisional license if you don't have a NASA Racing License already. (most guys out here have both)

SRiley
09-06-2006, 03:54 PM
If you have a valid BMW CR tech inspections/annual/classification, you'll just need to do the at event short form tech inspection like all the other cars.

You'll probably have to submit for a NASA provisional license if you don't have a NASA Racing License already. (most guys out here have both)

Wait?! NASA provisonal license? It sure would be nice for someone at NASA to call me back. Research continues...

Jim Bassett
09-06-2006, 03:55 PM
No schedule

Schedule is located here:
http://www.nasaproracing.com/norcal

Look for "Current Event Schedule(s)"

:)

Jim

JonathanL
09-06-2006, 03:58 PM
Wait?! NASA provisonal license? It sure would be nice for someone at NASA to call me back. Research continues...

I wouldn't worry too much about that. You have your BMW CCA license, so you should easily just be able to write a check (I think $45-$65?) for the NASA license on Saturday and then be all set for the enduro. They *might* accept the current license with no need for a NASA license, but I'm not certain.

scottn2retro
09-06-2006, 03:59 PM
Wait?! NASA provisonal license? It sure would be nice for someone at NASA to call me back. Research continues...

Maybe you just have to pay the NASA annual membership along with having another valid club racing license? (that's what I mean by provisional - your license is actually with another org)

JonathanL
09-06-2006, 04:00 PM
Would you rather driver our car on Saturday? :eek: :devillook

Don't tease me Scott!! :eek: :nono :D

email coming your way...

SRiley
09-06-2006, 04:01 PM
Finally spoke to someone at NASA, the requirements are as follows:

- $60 license fee
- copy of CCA CR license
- copy of TX driver's license
- copy of medical form originally submitted to CCA

I am worried about the last one as it was submitted many years ago. Time to call Fran...

scottn2retro
09-06-2006, 04:11 PM
Don't tease me Scott!! :eek: :nono :D

email coming your way...

Hmmm . . . . tried sending you an e-mail - delivery failure? :(

Jim Bassett
09-06-2006, 04:15 PM
- copy of medical form originally submitted to CCA

I am worried about the last one as it was submitted many years ago. Time to call Fran...
I would think your current one would be sufficient.

(Ignore part of my PM - this is obviously what you were referring to. Nevermind :) )

Jim

jdholder
09-06-2006, 04:27 PM
I am going to try to steal Holder's car. No one should notice... :)

HAHA - you can steal my bills if you want to!! But the car will be under lock and key! Especially now that I know the Texans will be lurking about!!

JonathanL
09-06-2006, 04:27 PM
Hmmm . . . . tried sending you an e-mail - delivery failure? :(

ironjdl at aol dot com should go right through to me.

SRiley
09-06-2006, 06:34 PM
Fran responded quickly. Gotta love her!!

I am in!! Confirmed everything with Dave at NASA. Thanks everyone.

maranelloman
09-06-2006, 07:42 PM
Have fun & GIT 'EM !!!!!!!!!

like2short
09-06-2006, 11:32 PM
HAHA - you can steal my bills if you want to!! But the car will be under lock and key! Especially now that I know the Texans will be lurking about!!

Yeah, and I'm sure it will be insured by GLOCK and COLT this weekend....you texans I'm sure know all about it's better to be tried by 12 than buried by 6.

VahramHS
09-06-2006, 11:34 PM
Whew now this should be fun, looks like 5 IP cars signed up now. :D

hinzm3
09-11-2006, 02:04 PM
How was it?

scottn2retro
09-11-2006, 03:18 PM
How was it?

First time I had been to that track - nice facility, great location, great track.

The paddock area is a little tight.

Good to meet SRiley - he did well there :redspot

JonathanL
09-11-2006, 03:28 PM
Great weekend with a lot of fun times! I somehow never managed to find and introduce myself to Scott Riley, but he sure did well for his first time ever at the track.

I realized it's easy to forget the little things... Like double checking your tire pressures before heading out for an enduro stint. The car I was driving was almost impossible to keep straight for the first 1hr15min of my stint, but correcting the pressures after fuel was good for 3 seconds a lap. Oh, and you can drive for 2 hours before anyone notices your window net isn't up. Oops!!

Jim Bassett
09-11-2006, 03:59 PM
Oh, and you can drive for 2 hours before anyone notices your window net isn't up. Oops!!
:lol

Well, at least you had your helmet on :)

Jim

jdholder
09-11-2006, 04:09 PM
Much fun was had by all involved! I really came away from Sears with a fondness for the track. It really is setup nicely, with a cool shop and lots of race support businesses throughout the complex.

This was only my second time racing there and I had a lot of fun! I'm at that stage in my BMWCCA career and the (often times frustrating) development of the car that total domination is fun to me! I didn't mind winning the Saturday race by 7 seconds nor the Sunday race by over 20 and I really have to thank Evosport for their tremendous development work in getting this car not only extremely powerful, but very reliable.

Friday test day was great - crisp and cool, with the sun out, made for perfect racing conditions as the track was heated up by the sun and the motors were making power with the cold, dense air. I ran consistent 1:44's during Friday test and dipped down into the 1:43's on a couple of occasions.

Saturday was much the same, although the pace was not quite there, with everybody going a bit slower than Friday. I took pole and at the green flag motored away from the field - now if a couple other C-Mod guys had been there, I probably couldn't have moved out quite as far, but they weren't so I was able to achieve a 7 second lead and keep it there. This was after a car oiled the track from Turn 8 through Turn 10. Took all the kitty litter that was available at the track to clean it up, and it really knocked the times out of whack. Didn't matter though as the result was the same - World Domination!!

Sunday was the same, pole position. Then a green to checker win. But the good news is that on Sunday, I broke the CM Record (according to Club Racing Stats) with a 1:43.776. The track record is still held by Steve Dinan in an E34 M5 (I believe turbo) SM car from the 90s with a 1:40 something.

Again - thanks to Evosport for a great car!

Thanks to BMWCR for an outstanding event - to Mike Mills as the Steward and all the volunteers who made the race happen! Oh - and thank you to the Golden Gate Chapter for sponsoring the event - can't do it without willing and able Chapters stepping up to the plate!!

Brad @ evosport
09-11-2006, 04:29 PM
Won't be there this weekend -- something about my wedding I'm not quite able to get out of...

Holder, you better turn a :44 or better.

Otoupalik, let's see what Lagoni's got at Sears!! I didn't see a :47 the SCCA weekend a few months back...

See you clowns at Laguna.

Here's the lame-o version of the SCCA race (w/ comments...)

http://m3ma420.com/SCCA.7.2.06.SP.wmv

-Mike

FYI Mike, Lagoni ran into the 44's on testing and set P2 with a 45 low on sunday.

Jon did awesome - thanks for the ncie words.

Scott Riley - you rocked it! LOVED IT!

SRiley
09-11-2006, 06:39 PM
Although I am still recovering from my redeye flight back to Dallas, I will attempt to compose a logical post... :)

Infineon is an amazing track. Great location in Sonoma, well maintained track, impressive facility, large retail store with all of the goodies on the wishlist, decent restaurant, on-site Sonoco fuel pump and on and on.

Friday: Got off to a slow start as we noticed that one of my relatively new (3 track weekends) KVR rotors were cracked all the way through. Luckily, my trackside spare set arrived from KVR just a day earlier. Only spent about 1 hour on the track during the open test day. My paddock/trailer mate, Toby Grahovec, experienced mechanical issues, so I let him take my car out for a good part of the afternoon. I was running low 1:50s which I felt was a decent time and wanted to make sure that Toby knew the track for his USTCC race.

Saturday: Got off to another bad start as I noticed that one complete set of my Forgelines had hairline cracks in the middle of each spoke on every wheel. Thanks for Toby's inspection. Very alarming and a call to Forgeline is pending. Pulled out the Fiske wet set and swapped my new set of enduro R6s onto the narrower Fikses. Sure glad that I brought 3 sets of wheels. Times continued to drop into the consistent low 1:49s. JRZs from BimmerWorld were working flawlessly as the car was very easy to throw around. Flat out in turns 1 and 5 and just a slight breathe through turn 10 allowed me to make up a lot of time on my IP competition. Car was rotating very well through the 180s (7 and 11) as well. At the start of the sprint race, I managed a great start and jumped ahead of Todd (DM) and Lagoni (CM). After having to jump out of line due to an early braking Trefethen, Lagoni and Todd were able to come back around in the carousel. Finished 1st in IP and 6th overall. Set the track record at 1:49.3 and enjoyed keeping the some of the DM cars honest.

Sunday: More of the same. I did manage a weekend best 1:48.9 in the morning practice. Started the sprint race one spot back from Satruday as Ralph Warren was back in the mix. Started putting consistent laps behind me and holding my position from the start fairly easily. Had no chance of pressuring the CM and quick DM cars ahead of me and was content with keeping Chan (HP) and Strom (DM) behind me. However, approaching the braking point into turn 7, the interior panel above my knees/feet decided to drop down. I was unable to operate the pedals correctly and blew the turn. Chan, Strom and Gil went by and I slotting in right behind Gil driving Trefethen's 2nd DM car.

I spent the next 1/2 of lap diagnosing the situation and the panel was still attached up top by the steering wheel but was hanging down in front of the pedals. I was finally able reach down through turn 5, rip it out and throw it in the passenger seat. With Gil's power to weight, I had no chance of getting around him on the straights. I was able to get him to blow turn 11 under braking a few times and get a run up inside him, but could never make it stick into turn 1. Finally, on the last lap, I was able to get a run on him through the esses, got outside of him in turn 9, beat him to the apex of 10, and hold him off to the checker. Didn't have a chance to relive the great race in the paddock since we had to quickly get ready for the NASA enduro. Finished 1st in class and 9th overall thanks to the interior panel. :(

NASA enduro was more fun than I thought it was going to be. Enjoying racing some Porsches, working slower traffic. Didn't enjoy passing cars with absolutely no clue of traffic. Our pace in E0 was class leading and worthy of the class win; however, our fuel stops were horrendous as we had to use "normal" fuel jugs as opposed to endurance ones. Spent easily a total of 6 minutes stopped in the pits and finished 2nd in class.

It was really nice spending some time on the west coast. Really wish that I lived in Cali and could have guys like Evosport maintain my car. Great group of guys. Enjoyed meeting Jon Holder (although he is not as big as I thought)and seeing Brad Otoupalik again. Also nice to see some other IP drivers for once. Josh Zwart is a nice young guy with an underprepared car that was able to keep Gaugenti on his toes in his fully prepared car.

Mike and Marty did a great job with the stewards. Oh..and Toby won the USTCC race by over 30 seconds. A great weekend indeed. Special thanks to the Classic BMW guys for trailering my car to Cali and providing great support!!

Scott

ceegeezM3
09-11-2006, 07:40 PM
Nice job, Riley. Can't belive you got a free ride up there! Sounds like a great weekend. :D
PM'd you, btw.

maranelloman
09-11-2006, 09:48 PM
+1, Scott! Congrats!!

jdholder
09-11-2006, 10:49 PM
Scott was truly fast for an IP car! Good guy - Nice to meet you Scott!! Come out and race anytime!!

Now you see why we race 12 months out of the year out here in Cali!

like2short
09-11-2006, 11:27 PM
That was the Turbo 540i, around 800 hp w/o the restrictor and 600 hp with it. Infineon has had a lotta of improvements through the years, and its a great place. That's why so many shops are up there. I've done midweek testing up there and it's amazing to see what shows up. Anything from a Vintage CAm-Am car to a 1970s McClaren F1 car could be on the track with you.


Much fun was had by all involved! I really came away from Sears with a fondness for the track. It really is setup nicely, with a cool shop and lots of race support businesses throughout the complex.

This was only my second time racing there and I had a lot of fun! I'm at that stage in my BMWCCA career and the (often times frustrating) development of the car that total domination is fun to me! I didn't mind winning the Saturday race by 7 seconds nor the Sunday race by over 20 and I really have to thank Evosport for their tremendous development work in getting this car not only extremely powerful, but very reliable.

Friday test day was great - crisp and cool, with the sun out, made for perfect racing conditions as the track was heated up by the sun and the motors were making power with the cold, dense air. I ran consistent 1:44's during Friday test and dipped down into the 1:43's on a couple of occasions.

Saturday was much the same, although the pace was not quite there, with everybody going a bit slower than Friday. I took pole and at the green flag motored away from the field - now if a couple other C-Mod guys had been there, I probably couldn't have moved out quite as far, but they weren't so I was able to achieve a 7 second lead and keep it there. This was after a car oiled the track from Turn 8 through Turn 10. Took all the kitty litter that was available at the track to clean it up, and it really knocked the times out of whack. Didn't matter though as the result was the same - World Domination!!

Sunday was the same, pole position. Then a green to checker win. But the good news is that on Sunday, I broke the CM Record (according to Club Racing Stats) with a 1:43.776. The track record is still held by Steve Dinan in an E34 M5 (I believe turbo) SM car from the 90s with a 1:40 something.

Again - thanks to Evosport for a great car!

Thanks to BMWCR for an outstanding event - to Mike Mills as the Steward and all the volunteers who made the race happen! Oh - and thank you to the Golden Gate Chapter for sponsoring the event - can't do it without willing and able Chapters stepping up to the plate!!

like2short
09-11-2006, 11:29 PM
For a first timer to Infineon, you did great! It's not the easiest track to master.


Although I am still recovering from my redeye flight back to Dallas, I will attempt to compose a logical post... :)

Infineon is an amazing track. Great location in Sonoma, well maintained track, impressive facility, large retail store with all of the goodies on the wishlist, decent restaurant, on-site Sonoco fuel pump and on and on.

Friday: Got off to a slow start as we noticed that one of my relatively new (3 track weekends) KVR rotors were cracked all the way through. Luckily, my trackside spare set arrived from KVR just a day earlier. Only spent about 1 hour on the track during the open test day. My paddock/trailer mate, Toby Grahovec, experienced mechanical issues, so I let him take my car out for a good part of the afternoon. I was running low 1:50s which I felt was a decent time and wanted to make sure that Toby knew the track for his USTCC race.

Saturday: Got off to another bad start as I noticed that one complete set of my Forgelines had hairline cracks in the middle of each spoke on every wheel. Thanks for Toby's inspection. Very alarming and a call to Forgeline is pending. Pulled out the Fiske wet set and swapped my new set of enduro R6s onto the narrower Fikses. Sure glad that I brought 3 sets of wheels. Times continued to drop into the consistent low 1:49s. JRZs from BimmerWorld were working flawlessly as the car was very easy to throw around. Flat out in turns 1 and 5 and just a slight breathe through turn 10 allowed me to make up a lot of time on my IP competition. Car was rotating very well through the 180s (7 and 11) as well. At the start of the sprint race, I managed a great start and jumped ahead of Todd (DM) and Lagoni (CM). After having to jump out of line due to an early braking Trefethen, Lagoni and Todd were able to come back around in the carousel. Finished 1st in IP and 6th overall. Set the track record at 1:49.3 and enjoyed keeping the some of the DM cars honest.

Sunday: More of the same. I did manage a weekend best 1:48.9 in the morning practice. Started the sprint race one spot back from Satruday as Ralph Warren was back in the mix. Started putting consistent laps behind me and holding my position from the start fairly easily. Had no chance of pressuring the CM and quick DM cars ahead of me and was content with keeping Chan (HP) and Strom (DM) behind me. However, approaching the braking point into turn 7, the interior panel above my knees/feet decided to drop down. I was unable to operate the pedals correctly and blew the turn. Chan, Strom and Gil went by and I slotting in right behind Gil driving Trefethen's 2nd DM car.

I spent the next 1/2 of lap diagnosing the situation and the panel was still attached up top by the steering wheel but was hanging down in front of the pedals. I was finally able reach down through turn 5, rip it out and throw it in the passenger seat. With Gil's power to weight, I had no chance of getting around him on the straights. I was able to get him to blow turn 11 under braking a few times and get a run up inside him, but could never make it stick into turn 1. Finally, on the last lap, I was able to get a run on him through the esses, got outside of him in turn 9, beat him to the apex of 10, and hold him off to the checker. Didn't have a chance to relive the great race in the paddock since we had to quickly get ready for the NASA enduro. Finished 1st in class and 9th overall thanks to the interior panel. :(

NASA enduro was more fun than I thought it was going to be. Enjoying racing some Porsches, working slower traffic. Didn't enjoy passing cars with absolutely no clue of traffic. Our pace in E0 was class leading and worthy of the class win; however, our fuel stops were horrendous as we had to use "normal" fuel jugs as opposed to endurance ones. Spent easily a total of 6 minutes stopped in the pits and finished 2nd in class.

It was really nice spending some time on the west coast. Really wish that I lived in Cali and could have guys like Evosport maintain my car. Great group of guys. Enjoyed meeting Jon Holder (although he is not as big as I thought)and seeing Brad Otoupalik again. Also nice to see some other IP drivers for once. Josh Zwart is a nice young guy with an underprepared car that was able to keep Gaugenti on his toes in his fully prepared car.

Mike and Marty did a great job with the stewards. Oh..and Toby won the USTCC race by over 30 seconds. A great weekend indeed. Special thanks to the Classic BMW guys for trailering my car to Cali and providing great support!!

Scott

jayhudson
09-12-2006, 10:30 AM
Great to meet you Scott. Congrats!

Jay

CSLBILL
09-16-2006, 12:16 AM
Congrats Jon, man low 1.40's is smoking, and I thought my 1.57's a couple years ago was fast :( Can wait to try Sears again with my new GC DA's..