New track, same old story

Victories and track records! INDE Motorsports Ranch is a new track located down in Wilcox, AZ. Preparation was the key to my success. I networked my way into getting some test time before the event. So heading into the weekend I was well prepared and ready to win. Saturday morning I hit the track for the first Time Trial session and immediately found traffic. With the track folding in on itself, I was able to see my competition, so I let the group fight it out ahead of me. I then focused on getting a gap to nail a winning time. With a time of 2:04.1 I locked up the win early on and let the rest fight for 2nd place. This was good as I had some overheating issues due to my new radiator overpowering my old hoses. A quick run up to the store and it was fixed. After a quick test run to confirm it was resolved, it was onto the Time Attack, with a 2:04.7 I was able to hold onto the win.

That night I went over the track map and found 3 places I could go faster and put it all together in one session. So first time out Sunday I put down 2 laps in Time Trial and ran 2:03.3! I then went on to a 2:03.7 in the Time Attack. So 4 first place finishes in as many attempts, and no off track excursions. It was nice to tackle a big event like that with the travel to get there and the unexpected that the track can throw out you. The next event is June 4/5 @ FIR East, so not much time left before the next event and there is always more preparation that can be done.

Weekend Results:

Saturday
1st Place NASA-TT: 2:04.1
1st Place UMS Time Attack: 2:04.7

Sunday
1st Place NASA-TT: 2:03.3
1st Place UMS Time Attack: 2:03.6

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

NASA-AZ’s night event at Firebird is the biggest event of the year and I’ve never had much luck.  I’ve had mechanical failures the 2 previous years I competed in the event.  But heading into the event this year I was confident there would be no mechanical issues.  The event would actually be split into two events, one in the morning/afternoon at the West track and the other in the afternoon/night on the Main track.  I was set to compete in both NASA Time Trial and UMS Time Attack.  Going for 3 wins on 2 different tracks in 1 day was no easy task.

So the plan was simple win everything, all day and night!  Well, that plan got derailed rather quickly as I struggled all over the West track.  With no grip and diabolical handling, I was unable to put a solid lap together.  One of my competitors put in a strong 1:06.8 laptime while I was way back with a 1:08.2 after the first session.  Unable to make it on track for the 2nd session I went out for the third and final session on the West track. I gave everything I had and more, but it wasn’t enough.  A 1:07:6 was the best I could produce with the car.  Having to settle for 2nd was tough to deal with, but fortunately the event quickly moved onto the Main track.  A fresher set of tires and I was out for the 2nd session on the Main track around 7pm under the lights.  Knowing that I had the car to get the job done, I hit the track ready to go for victory.  It was absolutely crazy out on track, with some 2-3 wide action and eating up slower cars mid session.  Somehow I was able to get a gap and put the hammer down for 2 laps and got the time I needed to win, 1:12.2!  I had a short break before I had to compete in the UMS Time Attack where I was determined to keep my Time Attack win streak alive!  So I ripped off another 1:12.2 and called it a night with another win in hand.

Weekend Results:
2nd Place NASA-TT: 1:07.6 (West Track)
1st Place NASA-TT: 1:12.2 (Main Track)
1st Place UMS Time Attack: 1:12.2 (Main Track)

Here’s a photo of my front splitter after my TT and Time Attack runs on the Main track.  My Dad said as long as I keep winning he doesn’t mind fixing the splitter, I’ll do as I’m told!

You might be down, but not out

What started out as a promising weekend, quickly turned into a trying weekend.  Black Betty had the fuel pump issue reslved, received new springs and had a fresh set of Hoosiers to break in for the upcoming AMP event.  The plan was to run 2-3 sessions each day to dial in the new springs and get a couple of fun runs in if time allowed.  First session out I had to get through some traffic to run some fast laps.  The car was great right from the start and I was able to lock in a time that would be good enough to win.  I made a swaybar change and was ready to attack the 2nd session…

The car was better, and I started to really attack.  As I slid off the track at turn 9, I knew it wasn’t going to be good.  I caught a little hangtime and spun the car as it came back onto the track.  It took two starts for the engine to keep running, then it was off to the pits to assess the damage.  The inside of the curbing cut my right front tire and bent the rim.  A fresh set of tires resolved that issue, but the alignment was off.  Right hand turns were not an issue, left hand turns however were sketchy.  Thankfully, FIR East only has 3 simple left hand, but 7 right hand corners.

I spent the rest of my evening driving laps in my mind as I prepared to redeem myself Sunday.  First session out, I got to grid early and put in 5 solid laps to set a time no one could match.  I then kicked back and prepared myself for the Time Attack later in the day.  I wasn’t pleased with my performance in TA due to overshooting my brake zone into turn 1 each lap.  But it was good enough to win and break the previous track record by over 2 seconds!

So you maybe down, but never out.  It was my fault for going off the track, but I had the opportunity to make it right.

Weekend Results:
Saturday: 1st Place NASA-TT, 1:06.6
Sunday: 1st Place NASA-TT, 1:06.4 | 1st Place UMS Time Attack, 1:06.6

Fail Boat

The first race of the 2011 MBAA race @ McDowell Mtn was a big deal for me.  I have been training for the State Championship event in Flagstaff this summer and this was to kick off that campaign.  Competing in the SingleSpeed class I was looking to finally conquer my nemesis, McDowell Mtn.  I’ve raced there 4 times previous and always on the podium, but never on the top step.  So the plan was to hang with the leaders if I could and then burn ‘em with 4miles to go.

The start of the race was an absolute disaster due to getting launched right after the CAT 3 guys.  This made for quite an entertaining first half of the race, I certainly didn’t make any friends along the way, I always knew my sharp elbows would come in handy someday….  I settled into 3rd place behind 2 DNA cycle riders, but quickly grew tired of our passing struggles.  So I let it be known and put the hammer down to get some clean track.  Moving up to 2nd place and enjoying some clean track I worked on keeping my cardio in check, unfortunately this put me back into 3rd behind a rider who also made it known he didn’t care for my previous action.  Now back in 3rd I just focused on surviving the cardio sections and not using the brakes on the fast twisty sections.  This strategy put me right on the leaders rear wheels heading into the final lap.

Again hitting some nasty traffic on the tech loop climb, I shouted, used elbows and was called a not so nice name.  However, I was still in 3rd and within reach of the leaders when we completed the final big climb.  This lead right onto a fast rocky section and I was up for the challenge.  As we made our decent I was in position to have a shot at the win.  I rode the leaders rear wheel for 1 more mile and with the final 4 in front of me, I went for it.  Shooting into the lead and pulling a gap was a beautiful thing.  The personal training and dieting efforts of Kim Saari of Strong for Life had paid off and I was going prove it.  However, with half a mile to go the karma police sprung into action and my rear wheel quick release had come undone.  As I frantically fixed my rear wheel and waved to 2nd and 3rd as they reclaimed their spot.  I finally got it fixed and rode on to 3rd place.

Now I realize this is a respectable finish, I get that.  I also, understand that people race to have fun as do I.  However, I race to win, that’s the fun part for me.  Although, I am a bit dejected right now, I will stay the course and am more motivated than ever to continue this effort.  The next event I return to the track I’ve won twice, Estrella Mtn.  This event is going to be a crucial part in a monumental weekend effort, win 4 events in 2 days!  I’ll have more info on this upcoming adventure soon.

A week late…what can I say?

2 days, 2 wins. It was great event, but certainly a tough fight for the wins. The track was hot and slow, with everyone about .5- .7 off the track records. Unfortunately, it affected me too as the best I could muster was 1:07 flat. It was another busy weekend helping other drivers push their limit. I worked with my DE2 crew but still made time to hangout with my inaugural class, now in DE3/4 for a bit. Fresh competition in a strong car with a fast driver joined the TTD party. The track records I have been beating this year were held by a very fast Nissan 240, and now it’s in the hands of another capable driver. With a best time of 1:07.5 by the Nissan, it is clear the battle will fierce throughout the remainder of the year. Unfortunately again, I know I can improve on my car and the driver combination! Next event isn’t until October, so I have started my mtn bike fitness regimen in preparation of the upcoming DCB series.

Back to Firebird West this weekend!

From 6-1030am, both Saturday and Sunday I will be @ Firebird West for the NASA-AZ event. I will be competing in the TTD class as I now look to build on my new points lead. I broke the track record there in March; 1:06.53. So the goal is to improve on that and win both days.

I will also be mentoring the HPDE 2 drivers and we get our own run group so I can really help my drivers get up to their comfort level.

Where will you be?

To the Moon!

Hiked dreamy draw trail 1A last night. Powered by moonlight!