NARRC Runoffs 10/1-2/04

[RSTPerformance]

And the pre-race count for the Biggest race all year! I wonder if the car counts will be as big as they were at the begining of the year? Hope to see you all there.

http://www.nescca.com/registration/current...ount.asp?ID=114 (http://www.nescca.com/registration/currentcount.asp?ID=114)

Stephen

[RSTPerformance]

ok the lists are up...

Who is going to finish in the top 3?


My ITB Picks;

Stephen Blethen
Scott Carlson
Paul Curran

Raymond "I wish I was qualifying" Blethen Blethen

[TimM ITB]

Raymundo;

Hey wait a minute?? What does "I wish I was qualifying" mean?? I thought that you WERE registered for the race?? Are you going to be racing?? wasssuuuppppp????

Tim "praying for good weather since my rains look like silly putty" Mullen

[RSTPerformance]

Unless our race group changes then I will be at one of those fine indian establishments for the better part of the morning for work. If we are race group 2 then I will never make it to qualifying. I am hoping that even if the group is oversubscribed they would let me race instead of one of the SM's, as the slower SM's could have their consiltation (sp) race on their own.

Yes I did register, and hope to catch you from the back!!! http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif

Raymond "fat chance for me" Blethen

[RSTPerformance]

Ok the rest of my picks...

ITA:

Anthony Serra
Tom Blaney
Ray lee Chee

ITB:
Stephen Blethen
Scott Carlson
Paul Curran

ITC:
Tim Klvana
John VanDenburgh
Andrew Appleton

ITS:
Nick Liverone (Long overdue for another win)
Jeff Henderson
Robert Driscol


Where is everyone else with the debates??? lets go!!!

[Tom Blaney]

Originally posted by RSTPerformance:
Ok the rest of my picks...

ITA:

Anthony Serra
Tom Blaney
Ray lee Chee


Where is everyone else with the debates??? lets go!!!


Ok, MY PICKS FOR ITA

Tom Blaney
Anthony Serra
Ray Lee Chee

http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/tongue.gif

[Tkczecheredflag]

Originally posted by RSTPerformance:
Ok the rest of my picks...

ITC:
Tim Klvana
John VanDenburgh
Andrew Appleton

Where is everyone else with the debates??? lets go!!!

Okay - I think you have like John VanDenburgh to win. He broke the track record twice this year. Chris Johnson clinched the NARRC a while ago but I suspect he would like to celebrate with a victory lap at his home track. Don't forget about the new "hot shoe" Brian Megliola he finished third overall in the ITA/ITC RAL Race at NHIS. Fred White knows how to use every inch of LRP and usually uses it all, so who knows. Russ Horton is still finding himself in Brian M's old car and claims "I'm gonna wet myself when I drive this car to it's potential". There's all the players, I don't see Drew registered.
Last year the ITC race was billed as the "best race" of the NARRC weekend and most fun to watch. I think this year it has all the drivers for an exciting/repeat race. And yes, my car is back in one piece and I'll be there peddlin' as fast as I can. Stephen, thanks for the plug I'll need all the help I can get this year. I'm hoping for a great race weekend.

Tim Klvana
ITC #11

[racerdrew43]

Tim,
I'll have my fingers crossed for you, I think the un-usually quick rabbit will be tough.Your right, I'm not registered and its killing me. Its the day of my folks 50th wedding anniversary party. I would skip the party, but I'm the host (major scheduling f@#$ up!). I'm already planning to be back for next year with a more competitive engine, hope to race with you guys up front. Thanks for the fun this year

[16v]

Originally posted by racerdrew43:
I'm already planning to be back for next year with a more competitive engine, hope to race with you guys up front.

so you going back to VWs? ;-P



------------------
Doug :)
NER.org (http://ner.org)
the16v.com (http://the16v.com)
briansgarage.com (http://www.briansgarage.com)

[lateapex911]

Long range forcat on weatherunderground has is calling for rain on Saturday....

Anybody test in the monsoon today?

------------------
Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[RSTPerformance]

Update from Lime Rock test day...

Paul Curran stuffed it in the uphill, but most likely will have it fixed for friday.

Two Miatas stuffed it as well, but were still able to drive (not sure who they were)

Stephen (dumbass) put it in the swmp on the left hander and swamped the motor, now it wont run. He felt untill that point he was the fastest car at the track!!!

Everyone else had a nice day other than the rain!!!

Raymond "I really hope it rains!!!" Blethen

Where did you see the rain forcast???
http://wwwa.accuweather.com/adcbin/public/...cuweather&day=5 (http://wwwa.accuweather.com/adcbin/public/local_index_day.asp?zipcode=06018&metric=0&partner=accuweather&day=5)

[lateapex911]

Grrrrr... it has gone to being merely "a chance of rain" for Saterday!

http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/...lakeville%2C+CT (http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=lakeville%2C+CT)

------------------
Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[Tkczecheredflag]

Originally posted by racerdrew43:
Tim,
I'll have my fingers crossed for you, I think the un-usually quick rabbit will be tough.Your right, I'm not registered and its killing me. Its the day of my folks 50th wedding anniversary party. I would skip the party, but I'm the host (major scheduling f@#$ up!). I'm already planning to be back for next year with a more competitive engine, hope to race with you guys up front. Thanks for the fun this year

Drew - I will miss ya this weekend. I did the 50th already with my folks, a command performance and in my book family always comes first. I'll look foward to next year, although I've had a couple of tire kickers looking at my car. If she goes I'm not sure where I will head for next year. Have fun at the 50th.
Tim


[This message has been edited by Tkczecheredflag (edited September 28, 2004).]

[RSTPerformance]

ok update on the rain testing... My brothers cell cut us off before...

after tlaking to him some more here is the funny part...

Testing was 12:30-5:00 open track (no sessions).

4 sedans (the 4 mentioned) and 2 open wheel cars showed up and started around 1:00. Paul was first out and done after his incedent, then the miata, at 3:30 stephen was off swamped and done for the day, and shortly after that the other miata was crashed out for the day as well. The open wheel cars did a bit of spinning and slow laps.

At 4:30 or so an AS showed up and did a few slow laps.

Not a big turn out, so no rain advantage for anyone.

FYI Stephen was running at a "safe" speeds everywhere ecept the left hander (not much to hit) and he was turning 1:20's. Not sure what the others were turning...

Raymond

[moto62]

Originally posted by Tom Blaney:

Ok, MY PICKS FOR ITA

Tom Blaney
Anthony Serra
Ray Lee Chee

http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/tongue.gif



Hey Man! At least get the order straight.
ITA
R. Lee Chee *
A. Serra
T. Blaney
http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/tongue.gif

*= better than existing track record. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif

[RSTPerformance]

ok next update on the lovely test day dramas...

We learned something today... when entering a swamp at Lime Rock put in the clutch and lock the brakes, DO NOT HIT THE GAS AND GUZZLE IN A FULL LOAD OF WATER INTO THE ENGINE.

Yup you got it water locked it and bent at least 1 rod preventing the engine from turning over http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif. Our nights were already long for this weekend as we have had a lot of stuff going on between the Runoffs in Ohio and trying to rebuild my car after the falling apart NHIS experience... Now Stephen has to go and destroy the engine http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif.

Time for bed, as I need to go to work in the am at 7:00.

Raymond "spent in the wallent and in energy" Blethen

PS: My car is done except the entire front suspension, and Stephens Engine is out.
Tomorrow night, assemble the rest of my car, then start in on building a new motor for Stephen.
Thursday night... install engine and leave for Lime Rock when it is in.

[RSTPerformance]

Stephens version of the Test day.

very few cars running the test day... maybe those that stayed home were smart! Paul did get into the guardrail in the uphill.... actually entering the uphill he hit a puddle while braking and hydroplanned into the gaurdlrail on the left as he entered the uphill. Ruined the whole side of his car and bent something in the fornt suspension. He drove in on his own and parked it in the trailer. I shortly after decided to go to close to the edge in the left hander and dropped a wheel off. I almost made it far enough left to miss the pond/swamp but unfourtunatly for me I did not! just before I got to the pond I decided that I would try to drive through it because I really didn't want those tow truck guys to have to rescue me in that much water. The car stopped/ sank/ and stopped running. At that moment I didn't realize the damage so I got out and stood on the roof like a complete dork as the floor filled up with water (3-4 inches deep inside the car!) I climed down to the trunk and helped the tow truck guys tie up to my car. After I was pulled out it wouldn't turn over so I had hoped it was the starter. To make a long story short I bent a few rods when I ceased the engine form Hydro Lock. Bummer day for me! then as I was getting ready to go the other miata called it quits after he hit the tire wall in West bend. Not much damage but a bent fender and rubber all over the side of his car. he still drove under his own power though.

So What seemed like just a little of course turned into a nightmare! I have an old block that I used in my racecar before that has never been rebuilt and has about 200,000 miles on it and I have an old head that should bolt up fine that was going to be raymonds if he ever got around to building an engine. I hope and suspect I will have about the same power as before it's just all a bit older without as much reliability. I guess the only good thing Is that I will have to build an engine to go to the ARRC now. The next few nights are going to be rough but I'll leave updates here on my progress and If I think I will make it this weekend!

So far the engine is removed, and I only broke 2 front axles in the process http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/mad.gif

Stephen

[Tkczecheredflag]

Stephen - All I can say about the left hander in the rain is "Skippy Slide", otherwise bring your beach chair. Hope all gets better.
Tim

[Scott Koschwitz]

I'm the driver of the "other Miata." (One of only two there yesterday -- when was the last time you saw only two Miatas at Lime Rock?)

Wow, it was like driving on ice skates out there yesterday. I hadn't driven in the rain on track in two years. During my first session, I was really surprised at how slippery it was.

At about 4:30 during my last session, I ran into problems heading into West Bend. I locked up under braking, released, locked up again, and then was on the grass and it was too late. I ran into the tire wall, breaking the front turn signal lens, scuffing and and bending the bumper cover, and crunching the fender.

I brought it back to the paddock, where we checked the suspension and alignment, and hammered out the fender. I took it for a few laps to make sure everything felt fine. No mechanical damage, all cosmetic. I think I came away lucky considering it was West Bend.

So, the tally for the day: 3 runs down the escape road, about 5 times nearly losing it out of Big Bend, 3 close calls at the Uphill, 1 inspection of the tire wall at West Bend, and several moments doing the "slide for life" through the left hander, including 1 time when I increased Stephen's blood pressure as he followed me through the left hander.

All in all, it was great experience. I learned a lot of respect for the guys who race well in conditions like that. I think my experience in the rain will make me more confident in the dry.

I am REALLY looking forward to dry conditions this weekend.

Stephen, I'm sorry to hear about the extent of the damage. I hope to see you there this weekend.

[Fiesta#80ITC]

What about a Fiesta going for its first ever run off win

Jeff Leone

[Tkczecheredflag]

Originally posted by Fiesta#80ITC:
What about a Fiesta going for its first ever run off win

Jeff Leone

Jeff - If you show we will have all the "cowboys". John V has a real hot rod this year. He gets around the back pretty quick too, a site to be seen. Hope to see you there Jeff then we will have the "real deal".
Tim

[RSTPerformance]

Update:

Tis the night before the night to leave and all is ... ahhh

I wish I was asleep hours ago...

Tomorrow is the lngest night, as we also need to travel... but the god news is, 1 Audi done, 1 to go. New engine mostly built, and will be installed tomorrow night. Then it will be off to Lime Rock!!! Can't wait!!!

Raymond "Thank you very very much Randy Schneiderheinze, Tom Grey, and Ray Blethen III (dad)" Blethen

[16v]

Originally posted by Fiesta#80ITC:
What about a Fiesta going for its first ever run off win

Jeff Leone

I will get the photos if it does http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif



------------------
Doug :)
NER.org (http://ner.org)
the16v.com (http://the16v.com)
briansgarage.com (http://www.briansgarage.com)