Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
For those who didn't race this weekend or chose to race at Laguna, you missed an exciting weekend at Thunderhill (backwards) with NASA!
Fortunately, the rain missed Thunderhill completely on Saturday and Sunday. We had two Spec Miata races each day, and every one of them was exciting. In the first Saturday race, we inverted the top 6 for the start. Randy didn't waste any time in getting back to the front, but Vodden and Daniel kept him on his toes. There were great races throughout the field and a "debris caution" midway through the race bunched everyone up.
For the second Saturday race, they inverted the entire starting grid from the first race - try getting your head around that! Again - tight racing throughout the field with Randy once again the class of the field with Daniel in close tow.
At the Sunday drivers meeting, Jerry announced that our first race would be on the 5/8 mile oval!! I've personally never raced this configuration at TH, but have heard it's a lot of fun. The layout is this: Running counterclockwise through T6 and T7, turn hard left just before T8 and rejoin the track at T14. Instead of turning right at T15, continue straight across the short chute to rejoin the track just before T6. There was rumor that we'd switch direction mid race so savvy oval racers couldn't throw on a NASCAR roundy-round alignment and stomp the rest of the field
Alas, that never happened as they couldn't get the Timing and Scoring set up for that configuration fast enough. But, Jerry had another trick up his sleeve for that first race... The pace car headed the grid, rolled into the hot pit, and turned... RIGHT! No one knew ahead of time, but we were all of a sudden racing in the counter-clockwise direction! Randy was first, Vodden in pursuit and I was right behind waiting to pounce. About half way through the race, we go FCY. As the pace car leads us over the bypass, there's a safety truck sitting in the track and the pace car turns left through the chute to T15. We take from this that the 2nd half of the race will be run in the clockwise direction, and we're right. The pace car pulls off as we exit T1 onto the front straight and the balance of the race is run backwards. Is this a first? A spec miata sprint race that has run a track in both directions in the same race??
In the second race, Randy had to start from the back after a FCY pass violation in the first race. That gave me enough of an opportunity as he worked through the field to open up enough of a lead to take my first "money race" win.
Great racing all weekend. Some minor bumps and incidents, but nothing major.
Region: SFR
Car #: 82/73
Year : 1991 Posts: 2015
Status: Offline
posted
Good job Dean and Randy! Sounds like a lot of fun.
-------------------- Kim
91 BRG SMT RIP 06 MX-5 Cup
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy sh*t...what a ride!'" - Unknown
Region: SFR / NorCal
Car #: 72
Year : 93 Posts: 1276
Status: Offline
posted
BTW - Forgot to mention that the new track surface at Thunderhill is a work of art. It's so silky smooth. It's "coming in" really, really nicely, and I'll bet lap records will fall in the coming months/years. They've gone over the berms for another round of shaving them down, and they are really good now. Even the berm at T8 I could run over w/o upsetting the car, and we're carrying a LOT more speed in T8 in the clockwise direction than the regular direction.
Cheers,
Dean
-------------------- NASA Nor Cal SM series Director www.molaps.com
Winner - Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Driver Shootout
Evil Genius Racing / Race Engineering / Stewart Development
Region: SFR/NorCal
Car #: 16, 17, 18
Year : 90 Posts: 121
Status: Offline
posted
I want to add my congratulations to both Dean and Laura - Dean for the win and Laura for the awesome qualifying on Saturday!
I had a great time. I think the changeups with the track were alot of fun. Without that inversion on the second race Saturday I might never of gotten a chance to feel the thrill of leading a race. And running both directions during the same race (Ok, so I may of done that before, but it wasn't on purpose ) was a real learning experience for me.
And finally, what a job by Dan. Beautiful runs all weekend. give that guy a real motor and everyone better watch out.
Region: SFR
Car #: 79
Year : 1990 Posts: 695
Status: Offline
posted
Yep T-Hill backwards is a whole new track. Its great living in an area where we have 4 great tracks to race on. I hope SCCA takes note and throws in a couple of T-Hill backwards races next year.
Thank you NASA for treating an outsider so nicely. From taking care of my log book to showing me how to line up in grid, you were all so helpful and made me feel welcome.
Region: Bay Area, California
Year : 1992 Posts: 33
Status: Offline
posted
Dean, it was 2nd both races behind Randy on Sat. but that is unofficial looks as though I will get DQ'd for the first race on weight. On Sunday it was 4th and 3rd for the money race...
Region: SFR
Car #: 82/73
Year : 1991 Posts: 2015
Status: Offline
posted
Heck Dean...I've pulled that same move in the middle of races before.....
-------------------- Kim
91 BRG SMT RIP 06 MX-5 Cup
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy sh*t...what a ride!'" - Unknown
Region: sfr
Car #: 20
Year : 95 Posts: 104
Status: Offline
posted
congrats Dean ;wished i could have been there to see that in person.Now you have to change that bridesmaid bullsh__ . bet that check felt (in my best Borat voice) "very niiiccceee".bruce
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) was a real learning experience for me. ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
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