School's Out Regional - LRP

[Andy Bettencourt]

ITR: 6
ITS: 3
ITA: 12
ITB: 10
ITC: 0
IT7: 6

Lovin' the diversity: ITA
Civic Si
Saturn SC
Escort GT
CRX Si
Miata
Integra
Golf
Neon

ITB:
318
Civic
142
2002
Prelude Si
Golf
GTI

SM up to 25 cars. Big-bore closed wheel GROUP: 8 cars. SRF GROUP: 8 cars. Small-bore open wheel GROUP: 4 cars......

[lateapex911]

A GROUP with 4 cars.. :blink:

[ITA_honda]

Lovin' the diversity: ITA
Civic Si
Saturn SC
Escort GT
CRX Si
Miata
Integra
Golf
Neon






cant ask for more diversity than that!:happy204:

[gran racing]

Is there any possibility for some of these groups to be combined? Especially with how short the races will be, this sure would be nice. G1 w/ 8, G4 w/ 8 and G6 w/ 4. :(

[rthiele]

More ITR than ITS?? Where are the ITS guys?

[gran racing]

Ummm, they're in ITR. :)

[raffaelli]

Is there any possibility for some of these groups to be combined? Especially with how short the races will be, this sure would be nice. G1 w/ 8, G4 w/ 8 and G6 w/ 4. :(

= more track time?

[rthiele]

@Dave: but where are the rice burners? :shrug:

[Dave Zaslow]

So can we ask to combine all IT into one run group and do twice the laps? 31 entries means 9 more before a serious waiver request. Without Crazy Joe it should be safe.....:o

DZ

[Doc Bro]

Without Crazy Joe it should be safe.....:o

DZ


Dave,

You forgot about Lawton......:D

R

[gran racing]

You forgot about Lawton......

And tGA. Oh wait, I think his only interest will be hitting me. lol

Actually my first thought was combine all IT classes. It happens in ProIt, so why not do it this weekend especially when the races are going to be so short. It's gonna hurt to watch such small groups out there with very short races. Besides, I'd love to run against a few of the ITA / IT7.

Does anyone know if the NER is considering making changes to the schedule in order to lengthen the race lengths? Who would need to be approached?

[Andy Bettencourt]

I like it Dave! We save on the extra turn around time even with double the laps.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Having said that I like it, I can tell you that I do know some drivers who are NOT interested in 30 laps...people did enter based on the supps and adding a few here and there is fine but to double the race...

Would be AWESOME!!! Some may not like it however. Just a thought.

[Doc Bro]

Having said that I like it, I can tell you that I do know some drivers who are NOT interested in 30 laps...people did enter based on the supps and adding a few here and there is fine but to double the race...

Would be AWESOME!!! Some may not like it however. Just a thought.


Democracy...vote...majority rule.

[raffaelli]

Democracy...vote...majority rule.


Both hands up for many more laps all day long.:happy204:

[Greg Amy]

...I do know some drivers who are NOT interested in 30 laps...
Two trophies: winner at halfway (and they can pull in at that time if they wish) and full-race winner. And points only count for the halfway results. - GA

[gran racing]

Fantastic idea Greg! Throw a "checker" with double yellow after 15 laps. Cars regroup in same order, continue the race at start/finish. It would also be something a bit different and fun.

[benspeed]

That make a race! If I had my clutch done I'd be there! Still waiting on parts to arrive :-(

[Andy Bettencourt]

Fantastic idea Greg! Throw a "checker" with double yellow after 15 laps. Cars regroup in same order, continue the race at start/finish. It would also be something a bit different and fun.

+1 for Greg and Dave!!!!

EXCEPT: G3 and G7 would total 41 cars right now.

[Greg Amy]

Hell, I wouldn't even bother with a yellow-flag/regroup. Just make it clear at S/F that the "halfway race" is done, and competitors can choose at that point to continue to the full race or not...

[gran racing]

I still think it would be cool to bunch the cars back up.

[Greg Amy]

I still think it would be cool to bunch the cars back up.
Hey, if we can get in 30 laps of good racin', I'm fine with "NASCAR'n" the group as many times as you want! ;) Just remember: green-white-checker, boogety-boogety!

[Eagle7]

Don't forget the lucky dog.

[benspeed]

Hey, if we can get in 30 laps of good racin', I'm fine with "NASCAR'n" the group as many times as you want! ;) Just remember: green-white-checker, boogety-boogety!


MY GOD - that was FRIGGIN HYSTERICAL :happy204::happy204:

[gizmo83]

Don't forget the lucky dog.

I could be on lead lap!!!???:happy204:

[lateapex911]

Actually, Dave's idea has real merit. I highly doubt the stewards would go for it, and I fear some in the group would be mightily confused.

The winner would need to just about park it after the checker for it to work. If we were really good, we could get it two by two'ed by the downhill.

(I've never been much of a fan of the longer race format...either do a sprint, or go longer...really longer. The long sprint rarely proves or changes much.)

A mid race yellow would shake things up. Would be a blast.

[gran racing]

Doesn't even need to be a two by two, although that would be great. At start finish, throw a double yellow. Keep it double yellow throughout the course. Let the pace car driver have some fun? Have it sitting near pit out, pick the field up next lap around and control the pace / regroup the field. Green flies again at start. That would be two laps under yellow, but the time saved by putting the groups together still would yield a time savings. It would also be less confusing for some drivers.

Why not do something unique and interesting? Stewards may say no, but I'm sure volunteers would enjoy it too. This could add some excitement, be something that gets people talking, isn't what regions keep saying they want? A 15 lap race, several groups with small numbers - kinda seems like a waste to me.

[gran racing]

Who would the appropriate person be to approach a similar idea to?

[rhygin]

This is very interesting... might need to thing about a plan change. Love the idea of the continuous laps (still new) and a degree of reset to try again. Out comes will likely be very similar... but I am sure it would be a trip in a long stint for me to remarkably catch up to the guy in front of me and the guy behind me would be just as stoked to catch up to me...

[lateapex911]

Who would the appropriate person be to approach a similar idea to?

It would be a steward, and a big one.

I thought about writing a letter, then thought about what the response would be:

"Not in the supps" Can't do it because while you 10 guys might think it's a cool idea, we didn't set it up that way and the other 30 guys might not like it"

Now, maybe not, but I'm guessing that's the general response....Dick? What say you?

[Seabee]

How about a manditory pit stop for let's say 1 minute?

[Matt Rowe]

It would be a steward, and a big one.

I thought about writing a letter, then thought about what the response would be:

"Not in the supps" Can't do it because while you 10 guys might think it's a cool idea, we didn't set it up that way and the other 30 guys might not like it"

Now, maybe not, but I'm guessing that's the general response....Dick? What say you?

If I remember correctly you would need the chief steward and the SOMs to agree as this is a change in the supps. You would probably stand a better chance if you first convince the event chair as I would expect the stewards to ensure that the event was okay with that change. Finally, it would probably be far easier to convince all of the officials if there was obvious, overwhelming support from the entrants.

[dickita15]

Matt is right that once the supps are published changes can only be done by the chief steward with the consent of the Chairman of the event (also a steward). They are usually reluctant to making changes as it assumed that drivers read the supps and entered based on expectations of how the event would be run.
It is kind of a business 101 principle, set expectations, meet expectations.

[Andy Bettencourt]

It is kind of a business 101 principle, set expectations, meet expectations.

Set expectations, EXCEED expectations.

Earn more customers.

[Dave Zaslow]

As of 8AM 6/13/09

G1, Big Bore=9
G2, SM=29
G3, ITR,S,B=23
G4, SRF=10
G5, SSM, Small Bore=25
G6, Small Open=5
G7, ITA,7=21
G8, Big Open, SR=16

That highlighted four groups are 70% of the entries and get 50% of the track time. For gosh sake there is a 5 car run group! This must change. Either combine groups further (hard to do at LRP), have a restricted regional, or reward the run groups that are paying the freight with longer races; say 10 laps vs. 20 laps. You might lose some in the bottom 4, but you probably gain in the top 4.

I sure hope New England Region has 60 cars entered into the school.

DZ

[Jeremy Billiel]

As of 8AM 6/13/09

G1, Big Bore=9
G2, SM=29
G3, ITR,S,B=23
G4, SRF=10
G5, SSM, Small Bore=25
G6, Small Open=5
G7, ITA,7=21
G8, Big Open, SR=16

That highlighted four groups are 70% of the entries and get 50% of the track time. For gosh sake there is a 5 car run group! This must change. Either combine groups further (hard to do at LRP), have a restricted regional, or reward the run groups that are paying the freight with longer races; say 10 laps vs. 20 laps. You might lose some in the bottom 4, but you probably gain in the top 4.

I sure hope New England Region has 60 cars entered into the school.

DZ


I know they do not like it, but the small open wheel group just has to get merged. They have got to get their car counts up.

[LMcB]

At start finish, throw a double yellow. Keep it double yellow throughout the course. Let the pace car driver have some fun? Have it sitting near pit out, pick the field up next lap around and control the pace / regroup the field. Green flies again at start. That would be two laps under yellow, but the time saved by putting the groups together still would yield a time savings. It would also be less confusing for some drivers.

Why not do something unique and interesting? Stewards may say no, but I'm sure volunteers would enjoy it too. This could add some excitement, be something that gets people talking, isn't what regions keep saying they want? A 15 lap race, several groups with small numbers - kinda seems like a waste to me.

I think this would be great fun! Something different, and as you say, fun for the drivers, as well as for the flaggers and the spectators. But the flagging would be a little more challenging that just showing a checker and a double yellow at the same time at the end of 15 laps. You can't go full course yellow while the guys who haven't yet seen the checker are still racing for position. The double yellows would have to go up as the winner gets to each station....then go full course yellow as the last car takes the checker (hmmmm....might have to think this through some more....this would be a fun challenge for F&C). Then you can be full course yellow as long as you want to be, with or without the safety car, and resume the race.

If you're really serious about doing something like this, isn't there a way to make it happen? Not at LRP in June, but at another event? Very creative, I love it.

[dominojd]

Without Crazy Joe it should be safe.....:o

DZ

Who said I'm not gonna be there? :shrug:

[Andy Bettencourt]

Who said I'm not gonna be there? :shrug:

The registration list for a race 6 days away? :shrug:

Bring it!

ITR: 6
ITS: 5
ITA: 13
ITB: 12
ITC: 0
IT7: 7

[lateapex911]

Where's the New Beetle in ITC? ;)

[jpvonoy]

Finally, it would probably be far easier to convince all of the officials if there was obvious, overwhelming support from the entrants.

+1 for combining groups and longer races! :happy204:

[Andy Bettencourt]

I sent my e-mail to the event Chair and Chief Steward.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Well, the total for the 2 run groups is up to 45 cars now. Probably not good to combine at this point.

BUT, my letter did also include a request to do SOMETHING with the 7-car G6. Most obviously combining with the 17 count G8. Give them 2 extra laps so the FV guys don't get less racing and 'pay-off' the FA guys for having to dodge the FV guys...

[lateapex911]

If I were king, I'd discuss combining group 4 and group 6. 12 Spec racers and 6 FFs. (and 1 F500). Compatible lap times (I think) and still a small or medium group of 19.

[gran racing]

Right now all I'm hoping for is rain! :026: Got a chance to try the new track when raining today, damn it's fast and fun. Pour, pour, pour!!!!

[robits325is]

Right now all I'm hoping for is rain! :026: Got a chance to try the new track when raining today, damn it's fast and fun. Pour, pour, pour!!!!

Your chances are pretty good. It has rained every day for weeks!

[Greg Amy]

Right now all I'm hoping for is for me to get on a track and compete against other cars.

Just sayin'... ;)

[PsychoRallye]

Ah, to be on track.. :p

[16v]

when is this race? NER site is a PITA to navigate :dead_horse:

[Andy Bettencourt]

Really? Homepage, Upcoming Events. One click.

http://www.ner.org/rr/event/20090620_narrcnerrc-single-regional

The 20th.

[raffaelli]

This Saturday.

[JLawton]

when Is This Race? Ner Site Is A Pita To Navigate :dead_horse:



Lol!!!!

[wepsbee]

Why does it always rain at LRP? Haven"t quite figured out the dry line yet. I guess I will have to break out the RA1's again.

[JLawton]

The good thing about the repaving is that there really isn't a rain line at this point. There's still plenty of grip on the regular line.

[gran racing]

Greg, I'd be more than happy to accept donations, put tGA all over my car for the right sponsorship deal...heck, I'll even e-mail you a donation link. :D

[Andy Bettencourt]

Hey Dave - if you raced more often, you would know that Lime Rock is FAST and FUN in the dry too!!!! :shrug:

60% chance of NO RAIN.

:rolleyes:

[Greg Amy]

Greg, I'd be more than happy to accept donations...
Priorities, babe! Worry less about microphones, cameras, blah, blah, blah and more about gettin' yer butt to feelin' them awesome Honda g-forces! ;)


60% chance of NO RAIN.
Good thing. I'd be a-bailin' out for Saturday if it rains (no tires, and no wheels to put them on even if I did have tires...)

[Andy Bettencourt]

Good thing. I'd be a-bailin' out for Saturday if it rains (no tires, and no wheels to put them on even if I did have tires...)

No new tires for you. I can go see Joey Chitwood at the Big E anytime I want...

[Greg Amy]

"Joie", dude. Joie.

;)

[gran racing]

Priorities, babe!

Exactly!! You've finally got it. New baby in the family and $17K per year in daycare costs plus all the other stuff, two pups fighting Cancer last year and paying for Chemo; both lost. Probably the hardest year of my life. Racing? Great escape watching and talking about it but not even close on my priority list. Tis a new year though. I was even able to afford the $7 replacement mic. lol

[Doc Bro]

two pups fighting Cancer last year and paying for Chemo; both lost. Probably the hardest year of my life.


Dave,

Sorry to hear that....What a bummer.

R

[Greg Amy]

I hear ya, Dave. Life is full of compromises and choices - and you're making the right ones. Just understand the differences between correct life choices and "having your cake and eating it, too", and understand that being frustrated with those compromises is a normal reaction. Don't let that frustration get in the way.

I'm still going to hit you, though. ;) - GA

[wepsbee]

The good thing about the repaving is that there really isn't a rain line at this point. There's still plenty of grip on the regular line.

Good to know, Thanks. My sister all ready has had a practice run this year and is also taking the school so I am at a disadvantage before I start!!!!

[wepsbee]

Exactly!! You've finally got it. New baby in the family and $17K per year in daycare costs plus all the other stuff, two pups fighting Cancer last year and paying for Chemo; both lost. Probably the hardest year of my life. Racing? Great escape watching and talking about it but not even close on my priority list. Tis a new year though. I was even able to afford the $7 replacement mic. lol

Very sorry to hear, we lost a fur bearing family member to cancer last year also and it was a horrible few months.

[Andy Bettencourt]

"Joie", dude. Joie.

;)

Yup, that's how interested I am in seeing cars on two wheels. :)

[gran racing]

Yeah, fun stuff. One in May, the other in Oct. (Pups weren't related so it's odd to say the least.) Great additions to our family; I had even told my wife that the rottie was my solemate a couple of years ago. That went over well. Ooops.

At least I didn't have a wheel fall off during the 2 - 4th sessions yesterday. Doh!!

[wepsbee]

Yeah, fun stuff. One in May, the other in Oct. (Pups weren't related so it's odd to say the least.) Great additions to our family; I had even told my wife that the rottie was my solemate a couple of years ago. That went over well. Ooops.

At least I didn't have a wheel fall off during the 2 - 4th sessions yesterday. Doh!!

OUCH That first statement is a winner!! I can just imagine the follow up conversation.

Well I really hope things are better, be great to see you at the track again, assuming my car is ready!!!!!!!!

[16v]

Really? Homepage, Upcoming Events. One click.

http://www.ner.org/rr/event/20090620_narrcnerrc-single-regional

The 20th.

got it.

Too bad... box seats for BOS v ATL wins over 6 hours of driving to LRP :happy204:

[Matt Rowe]

As a newbie to Lime Rock this weekend is there someplace in particular in the paddock that the IT guys pit?

On second thought, maybe I should ask if there is someplace I should avoid pitting to avoid some of the regulars from this site? :D

[Andy Bettencourt]

As a newbie to Lime Rock this weekend is there someplace in particular in the paddock that the IT guys pit?

On second thought, maybe I should ask if there is someplace I should avoid pitting to avoid some of the regulars from this site? :D

We are all over...FOM HQ is already set up in 'A' paddock. As you enter, keep on going - bend to the right and you will see the rig.

[dominojd]

We are all over...FOM HQ is already set up in 'A' paddock. As you enter, keep on going - bend to the right and you will see the rig.

Well you just told him where not to go.

I made a funny.:D

[lateapex911]

Well you just told him where not to go.

I made a funny.:D

You're a legend in your own mind. ;)

Flatout is way down, near Big Bend. Their rig is double tented Toter. Thanks to Nick and Forrest for helping me today in testing!

[gran racing]

Hey Matt, stop by and say hi. I'm not so sure I'll be good enough to be in A paddock. :) B usually has a bunch more room.

[Matt Rowe]

So Dave is in B and Andy's in A. Good to know. Now my next question is there is a C paddock, right?

I made a funny also. :D

Thanks for the help. The next challenge will be finding my way around the track, in possible rain. I love the challenge of this sport!:eclipsee_steering:

[Tkczecheredflag]

Lots of family conflicts for this weekend but the rain is making this event very very tempting.:cool:

What's the divorce, child support (forgot empty nester soon) and alimony rate these days?

[JLawton]

Lots of family conflicts for this weekend but the rain is making this event very very tempting.:cool:

What's the divorce, child support (forgot empty nester soon) and alimony rate these days?

I know, I know!!!! <hand raised>

[wepsbee]

I know, I know!!!! <hand raised>

Me, Me, Me I know too!!!!!

[Jeremy Billiel]

BLAH.... It looks like a very wet weekend now.

[lateapex911]

BLAH.... It looks like a very wet week now.


http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=06039

[gran racing]

Who knows. LRP has it's own climate which often the predictions are wrong. Matt, looks like I'm moving on up in the world and will be in A paddock near Jake. Hey, he's got an enclosed and now a pop up canopy. Wahoo.

[Greg Amy]

Talk you guys into saving a slot for Lawton and I and my enclosed trailer? Just enough space to use a 12x12 popup...

[gran racing]

No problem; I'll be there early on Friday.

[Greg Amy]

Well, I'll be there Friday, too; I'm instructing. But, just wanted to snag a slot before all the students arrive...

[mossaidis]

I will be flagging on Fri - I look forward to pulling out random flags on both students and instructors. It will interesting to see what happens when I pull out a green and red on Greg at the same time, or perhaps a blue flag when there's no one behind him. "I'm just kidding" - bender

Hopefully I will get to meet many of you in-person finally. :)

If it rains on saturday, I might have a chance to finally use those 5 year old dirt stockers...

[raffaelli]

I will be rolling into LRP around 9am Thursday for a half day practice in the afternoon. I will be in the A Paddock. I can mark something off for you guys?

[lateapex911]

Chris, I'll be there Thursday afternoon/evening. My little grey enclosed is in front of the Flat Out Toter. There should be some room around there, feel free to go nuts!.(how are you practicing on Thurs afternoon? and, how soon do you think I can get into the track Thurs??)

[raffaelli]

Chris, I'll be there Thursday afternoon/evening. My little grey enclosed is in front of the Flat Out Toter. There should be some room around there, feel free to go nuts!.(how are you practicing on Thurs afternoon? and, how soon do you think I can get into the track Thurs??)


Me and Skip are like this. I have the key to the place so I can show whenever I want.

Ha.



The CT Autocross club has a track day starting at 1, tech at 10. looking forward to playing in the rain. Other than the school, have not been in the rain.

I am going to plunk myself under the trees. Makes it easy for my mom to be comfortable and not have to move to see her favorite son on the track. (chair bound).

[gran racing]

So I guess it'll be Jake who'll be saving Greg, Jeff and myself a spot. :)

[Magical Trevor]

Now my next question is there is a C paddock, right?
Sure. Top of the hill on your right before going down the road to A and B (Sunoco). Just watch out for the karts!

how are you practicing on Thurs afternoon? and, how soon do you think I can get into the track Thurs??
Anytime after Guest Services first shows up in the morning (~06:00).

[lateapex911]

Sure. Top of the hill on your right before going down the road to A and B (Sunoco). Just watch out for the karts!

Anytime after Guest Services first shows up in the morning (~06:00).

Seriously? I'd love to get in to hunt down an electrical gremlin earlier than 6PM. I figured they'd say no at the gate because reg doesn't open until 6. Do I need a secret password?

[LD71]

Not to "rain" on your thread here, sorry for the interruption.

Assuming the worst, I have a set of brand new unmounted Kumho rain tires, 205-50-15 if anyone needs them. I am about an hour from the track, and they can be delivered early Friday or Saturday morning. Call me at 860 567-4567 if interested.

Actually, I hope it is dry for the day and you guys have a great race.

LD71 :D

[raffaelli]

80% chance of sun on Saturday!!!:026:

[Greg Amy]

The Suzuki is a scratch for the weekend. No rain tires, no wheels to mount 'em on even if I did. Not going to bother with the time and money for nuthin'.

I'll be instructing on Friday, see y'all there! - GA

[gran racing]

That moves my finishing position up one. I'm guessing that at least groups 1 - 3 will be going out on dry tires but absolutely understand where you're coming from. Nothing would be worse than to qual. in dry, then have it rain for the race not haing rain tires. See you on Fri.

[Magical Trevor]

Seriously? I'd love to get in to hunt down an electrical gremlin earlier than 6PM. I figured they'd say no at the gate because reg doesn't open until 6. Do I need a secret password?
There's no registration or tech on Thursday anyway, so all you need to do is sign a waiver to enter the track. Keep in mind that I don't believe there is any overnight camping permitted tonight either, though.

[lateapex911]

There's no registration or tech on Thursday anyway, so all you need to do is sign a waiver to enter the track. Keep in mind that I don't believe there is any overnight camping permitted tonight either, though.

According to the school supps, registration opens at 6PM. I'm instructing. (Pity the fools!)

Good to know I won't have to pay them then try to get a refund.

[Jeremy Billiel]

I will be there instructing as well so I am going to appoligize to the students in advance. LOL...

I believe Dave needs to stay back for more seat time. :)

[gran racing]

I received a waiver so I already have my license. :p

[JLawton]

I will be there instructing as well :)


Good thing you've read a lot of books on it!!



Are they short of instructors for tomorrow? :eek:

[Jeremy Billiel]

Good thing you've read a lot of books on it!!



Are they short of instructors for tomorrow? :eek:

Not nice Jeffy... I will remember that next time you want some help! :D

[lateapex911]

Good thing you've read a lot of books on it!!



Are they short of instructors for tomorrow? :eek:

Jeff, please send your remittance for a new wireless keyboard after I spewed lemonaide on mine after reading that.


See you at the track.

[Andy Bettencourt]

I will be there instructing...

Is it April Fools Day? Huh? What? HA!

[Jeremy Billiel]

Is it April Fools Day? Huh? What? HA!

Don't blame me, blame Patullo who talked me into helping...

[rthiele]

Forecast for Lime Rock, CT:

Wednesday in Lime Rock, CT: Rain. Heavy at times. Followed by periods of precipitation.

Thursday: Lingering showers throughout the day. Chance of rain 800 percent.

Friday: Moist. Damp. Sodden.

Saturday: Rainish. Showery. Precipitacious.

Sunday: Light rain followed by heavy rain followed by pouring.

Monday: Unseasonably rainy in the morning. Uncharitably rainy in the afternoon. Unconscionably rainy in the evening.

Tuesday: Endless showers broken up by occasional flooding.

Wednesday: Remember ''Waterworld''? Like that, only with more rain.

Thursday: Not sunny. The opposite of sunny. Just forget about sunny, O.K.?

Friday: Clearing just long enough for you to make weekend plans. Followed by obscene amounts of rain.

Saturday: Take a wild guess.

Sunday: Incessant, spirit-crushing rain. The kind of rain that makes it futile to get out of bed in the morning. The kind of rain that seems as if it will never end. And guess what? It never will. Ever. Do you understand?

Monday: Please go away.

Tuesday: Ample, brilliant sunshine throughout the day. Wait -- did I say sunshine? I meant rain. Really hard rain.

[lateapex911]

Don't blame me, blame Patullo who talked me into helping...

PAtullo's always the scapegoat...c'mon, you can do better Jeremy!

[raffaelli]

Been here at LRP all day. The place under friggin water. But I got my stuff all sorted out.

I like driving in the rain.

By the way, $240 bought me 2 hours of track time today with the CT Autocross club. They were undersubscribed so for the most part, the track was clear.

[Greg Amy]

Wow, no race reports?

It was a good day. The rain stayed away through qualifying, lunch and early afternoon, allowing the ITS/B/R group to drive dry (grrrr.....) I was hip-deep in Tech during this group, so I'll need someone else to comment on the race...

However, the sprinkles started 15 minutes before ITA/7 and the choice for tires was a tough one. The track was actually a "dry tire" race right up until the cars were released from the grid, when the sprinkles got a tad heavier and the track wetness switched to rains. So, the right choice came from those that read the Tarot cards correctly and chose rain tires.

There were two correct card readers here of note. First was the polesitter, Andy Bettencourt. He pulled away at the start and let the group flag-to-flag, making no mistakes and nearly lapping the whole field. However, it wasn't a total blowout: there was a Golf GTi - I apologize, I don't know who that was - that made a hell of a run, and stayed not too far back, a 240SX driver who made a good run to stay on the same lap, and Stephen Frederick in a Miata that wasn't too far back.

Big loser in ITA was Jeff Lawton who, instead of reading Tarot cards (and checking the weather himself) relied on Joe DiMinno to make the weather call. Joe chose dries. Jeff got lapped.

The other "good chooser" was Lou Iannaccone: Lou chose wet tires to polesitter Jake Gulick's dries. Jake did a helluva job trying to hold off Lou's charge, but Lou was not to be denied: he soon passed Jake to a popular IT7 victory.

Other notes:

- The LRP wrecker team did a big oopsie. A FV got stuck deep in Lake Lime Rock. Don't know why, but the wrecked team hooked up the top of the rollbar with a tow rope and instead of pulling straight out, they pulled the car sideways - and over. The car ended up on its rollbar with the driver underneath, fortunately out of the water. I didn't see it, I got this second-hand, but I saw the results afterward and no one was pleased...

- Tech had the new tools to measure bore, stroke, and compression ratio without pulling the head. I spent some time looking through the documentation to learn how to use it. We pulled the top-6 SM cars to do a Whistler check on all of them, but we had some problems likely related to calibration procedures, so we didn't do all six. However, once we get these bugs worked out it will be a nice tool for vehicle compliance. I'm hoping we'll have these bugs worked out and have it available late summer.

- The driver's school went very well, with pretty much all drivers that had prior experience getting signed off. There were no real serious incidents, save for one Prod car that lost a hood and caused a melee in T1. Several drivers found the lake on the outside of the left-hander, and soon learned that their cars don't float...

Good weekend, overall. - GA

[dominojd]

Big loser in ITA was Jeff Lawton who, instead of reading Tarot cards (and checking the weather himself) relied on Joe DiMinno to make the weather call. Joe chose dries. Jeff got lapped.


- GA
Hey you can't blame that all on me. Where was Kakashi Racing's weather guru when he was needed? Diddiling around with the whistler at tech? :shrug:

It was a crap shoot, by the time it started raining hard enough to goto rains it was to late they already gave the 5 minute waring on grid.

Jeff wasn't the only one who guessed wrong half of the field was on dries hoping the rain would hold off.

Hey lifes a bitch, ya win some and ya loose some, this time we lost.

One thing I must say (it kills me to do it ;) ) but Andy drove a great race, very smooth in the wet. Oh how I wish was out there on rains to make him work a little. :D

[BruceG]

Many thanks to all the great IT7 guys, other drivers and SCCA workers for making my opening debut a great experience. we learned alot along the way(like not arriving with a freshly repainted car, having to put on all numbers,stickers,etc and still having to go thru tech inspection!!).

Unfortunately, I drove all but 2 laps of qualifying and all the race with no clutch!!!! got into third and had to drive both events that way. Hope I didn't hold anyone up too much(I watched my mirrors constantly) and tried to let people thru. I had a spin past turn 2 to the outside and it took several minutes to restart the engine).

I don't know about anyone else but my spin wasn't caused by lack of traction. I had no heater core or defroster vents and no vision. Coming down the front straight with the spray from cars in front, turn one was just a mystery in front of me!

We'll be back shortly with a new master and slave clutch cyl and a better prepared car...but again, THANKS TO A GREAT GROUP OF FELLOW RACERS AND WORKERS!!

ps....STARTED AT EQUIPMENT INSPECTION WITH YOU, DICK P.

[dickita15]

The school was interesting as the closed wheel group had more diversity in both driver experience and car speed than most recent schools. There was enough going on that most of the flag drills did not have to be staged.
When the hood blew off the HP car it hit the pedestrian bridge on the front straight. While I was asking one student about the school she said when she saw the hood her first thought was “wow, they dropped something from the bridge to see how we would react.” We do work hard to expose students to all kind of situations but we never thought of trying that.:)

[Seabee]

Tire choice was difficult as stated. For me it was the first time on the Hoosier wets so I was on a learning curve as they work far better than I was.

My other issue was traffic in terms of catching them at the bad spots and losing time.

Max and I split a Ford Fiesta on No Name and he won the drag race to the uphill.

Overall no on-track issues that I noticed and it has been a pleasure running with IT.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Happy to have gotten the win for sure. Not much of a gamble in my mind for the wets. With the 8-car FV run-group in front of us and a fairly constant drizzle at the 7-laps to go mark, I was confident that my R6's would not be heating up enough to generate grip because there was really no dry line...even the track announcer was watching the conditions deteriorate. I can't remember the last time I went out on wets thinking that dries were better but I can remember a ton of times going out on dries thinking wets would have been the choice.

Brian Blizzard in the Golf did a great job - Steve in the Miata and Max L. in the 240 (all on rains) drove well. Goal - don't get stuck!!! :)

Give Jeff and Jake some rains, add Joe and Timmah and it would have been an awesome nose to tail race.

Finally figuiring out the new set-up for the new pavement...happy to qualify a tenth under the record. Cool air, some better driving and some Goodyears could have a 1:00.9xx in ITA soon. Heck - if a 1:02.xx is possible in an ITB Volvo...........

Thanks to all. Sorry to see Dave Gran has some gremlins hit.

[JLawton]

Hey lifes a bitch, ya win some and ya loose some, this time we lost.

.


We??? WE????? "We" did not lose, I lost!! As I'm about to go to grid, it's really starting to rain and Joe is giving me the "no guts, no glory" speach.... and I believe the term "pussy" was was mixed in there a few times as well!!

I'll never pay you for crewing for me again!!!



:p


I have to say, I was impressed with the way the whole group ran. I don't think there was any major issues. I didn't see any silly moves. I just hope I stayed out of everyone's way!! I don't think I've been passed in the chute between Big Bend and the left hander on both sides of me since my ITB days!!

At least the car is in one piece....... :rolleyes:



.

[Andy Bettencourt]

at Least The Car Is In One Piece...


.

Amen.

[jimalley]

It was well worth the price of admission:happy204:I guessed right for a change.

It may and probibly will be my one and only chance in an underpowered car and my limited skill to pass the likes of Jeff, pass people on the uphill, pass on the downhill and on the outside of bid bend. It felt like I was unbeatable until I got lapped by Andy with a lap to go. Bummer, I hate that.

It was a little challenging at times with limited visability as I had no wipers, but the car was predicable and fun to drive.

[moto62]

....Oh how I wish was out there on rains to make him work a little. :D
What would you have done? Be another moving schicane for Andy to lap!:blink:


Nice job to the A and IT7 group. I am always thrilled to be a spectator when the racing is exciting. IT7 was a blast. Congrats to Lou I on a spectacular win. Mike B gets the hard Charger award for starting the race in pit lane and piloting his ride to second place. That was a stellar run on Yokohama A008R's from 1994. No Kidding. Very nice meeting some new folks, Bruce G and Chris R. We will see you all at the Pig Roast next where we will probably be glorified spectators again.

Ray Lee Chee

[raffaelli]

I had a great time this week. I had 2 hours of seat time in the pouring rain, sorted out the issues with the car, qualified in the dry setting my best lap time yet, experienced rain on slicks.

I felt great in the race. I was near the back so I thought I would let the first turn sort itself out. I was able to make some passes, until the rain got heavy and my slicks gave up on me and lost all the spots I gained. So I put it in cruise control and kept the car from twisting.

Saw a black miata slap the tire wall at the end of no name a few times. Was in the final lap or two. I was behind him as he was trying to get back to the pit...car was bent.

Nice meeting you Ray, hopeful to see you at the Glen.

In the end, I gained a ton of experience, and was signed off.:smilie_pokal:

[lateapex911]

Wow. That was spoooky. Congrats to those who romped in the rain, and Lou I, especially. I slipped to 4th from 9th in a rather ugly manor. When the rain picked up, it was too late, I can't change tires that quickly because of stupid lug centric to hub centric mismatches, and slicks were NOT the way to go. If the raiuns had come 15 minutes earlier or later, I wouldn't have been a moving chicane. Thanks to all who passed me for giving me room...if I came over on you, I'm, sorry, the car would lose traction without warning and drift sideways 3 feet in an instant. After 3 laps, I just wanted it to be over.

I was thankful for the heads up driving by those around me, that I have no bodywork to do, and that the car has no mud to clean off of it. That in itself is a miracle.

Nice job to Andy B and Lou I. And props to Brian B too.

[Dave Zaslow]

The ITB race was quite thrilling and quite a lot of fun.

Let me correct that, there were actually two ITB races, the Wentworth and Curran Volvo's along with the Hubbard 2002. Nat outqualified Paul by a 1:03.807 to a .856. Then there was Richard Gleason's Rabbit GTI, my Golf 3 and Charlie Gerundo's Golf 2. Both groups formed tight packs and spent the entire race hammering on each other. Nat lost his leadwith an oops and fell behind Ken. Somehow he managed to get Paul right at the line. While i heard all of this from the three of them, it really shows how good these drivers are.

My group traded places for a few laps and I managed to get a tiny amount of space only to come all the way out of Big Bend to see an ITS Mazda off to the left and driving back on. No problem, he's coming back on the edge; now he's coming one lane in; now he's driving across the track to the left. Major brakes to just avoid the accident in front of me, but the two VW's on my ass also managed to avoid getting involved in this not-so-slo-mo clusterf**k. Of course the RX7 went off into the distance and the three of us just started doing anything we could to keep life interesting. At some point Richard ran outside me through Bg Bend and passed me out of the lefthander. Unfortunatly I missed spotting Charlies ORANGE car following him through and so I pulled over to set up for the right onto No-Name. Charlie tried to avoid but I did put him off onto the grass. Sorry Charlie, please let me ransom the incriminating video from you. At the end I settled down to make the last lap pass out of the downhill only to come up about a foot short. Lots of grins and slapping ourselves silly after this one.

Thanks also to Bill Umstead who qualified in the middle of the B field with his S car. He let us all play together with a gentelmanly start.

Congrats to all.

DZ

[gran racing]

Congrats Andy - that was a hell of a drive. Nice job! See, racing in the rain can be fun too. lol


save for one Prod car that lost a hood and caused a melee in T1.

Ummm, yeah. I thought about setting my video up for that session, wish I had. I was behing the prod car, before I knew it the hood flapped up and it watched the driver put one arm up. It almost looked like he was trying to catch the hood but probably trying to protect his head. I wasn't sure whether to brake or accelerate - glad I choose the later as the hood went flying over my car.


With the 8-car FV run-group in front of us and a fairly constant drizzle at the 7-laps to go mark

Jeff went to false grid too early; Jake's rain tire change waaaay too difficult (requires different studs or something else which prevented us to change the car to rains when wanted to). The FV cars had no spray coming off their slicks so rains were the way to go. At the same point, the rain could have let up and Jake was on a softer dry tire. Good job keeping it off the tire wall guys. After this event I did end up getting a much better radar program - the stuff we were using just didn't give us the info. to make a better decision. Now I just need Greg to explain what some of this reflectivity tilt and other stuff means. :)

[BruceG]

What would you have done? Be another moving schicane for Andy to lap!:blink:


Nice job to the A and IT7 group. I am always thrilled to be a spectator when the racing is exciting. IT7 was a blast. Congrats to Lou I on a spectacular win. Mike B gets the hard Charger award for starting the race in pit lane and piloting his ride to second place. That was a stellar run on Yokohama A008R's from 1994. No Kidding. Very nice meeting some new folks, Bruce G and Chris R. We will see you all at the Pig Roast next where we will probably be glorified spectators again.

Ray Lee Chee

Ray..Thanks for taking the time to come over and chat. even though I thought you were talking about the "motor" from the Belair at first...LOL. You are a fountain of info and I look forward to dropping off the 7's Only 12a to you for repair.

Also thanks again to all of you that made the yellow #10's maiden voyage a blast and gave me steering room with no clutch or defroster!

Finally, all thanks to Mike George(and friends) from Autoworks Unlimited in Torrington, CT for wrenching, doing a beautiful paint job on my car(you should see the 58 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible he just restored for Skip Barber!!) and being a mentor on alot of car stuff. Mike is the flatbed driver for LRP and doesn't make any mistakes when "picking up the pieces". He's a good man to know at the track. Anyone needing bodywork and paint should talk to him.

Best Regards to all,

BruceG:happy204:

[rthiele]

Here are the official results from the ITR/S/B race.

Notes re/ITR:
New Track Record ITR Rob Nimkoff 1:00.747 (his quali was half a second faster though, I wonder when the 1:00.00 falls) :happy204:
Auto Technic rental/guest starter Bruce Dalis (ITR) spun out early and did not finish race
Light rain towards end of the race, but no significant impact
Stewards investigated #36 jump start, no sanction

ITS: winner Jay Dedrick ran 1:01.624 :happy204:

ITB: winner Nat Wentworth ran 1:03.901 :happy204:

ITR race was only interesting in the first lap, then rather boring race with no further position changes, even though some lapping issues.

See attached for complete results. Thanks for signing the form Greg, and sorry you missed the race due to tech duty.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Easy to say that a 'Rob' was going to have a shot at winning ITR? :)

Nice to see ITR knocking on the 59.xxx door. I think Rob N. has been there in testing, no?

[rthiele]

Indeed, the 'R' in ITR stands for Rob, I guess ;-)

I also believe he cracked the 59's on one of his track days, so it will happen sooner than later

[MKB]

Great race! I have to toss out a -BIG- thank you to Dano-Dick & Dave who talked JB and I into the last minute tire change! I never started a race from the pit lane-it was not all that bad i started catching the field before the lefthander! RAY-i think those tires are 1998 vintage (not 94)............But they worked very well! I think a HUGE nod has to go to my teamate John Swan IT7#81. JB has NEVER raced at LRP and in the morning practice had a electrical problem and never made in on the track! SO-he started the race-in the rain having never turned a lap! Great Job JB!!!! Great job everyone for keeping the race green in the rain it was a blast!


See everyone at NHMS!
Mike B IT7#29

[Doc Bro]

Stewards investigated #36 jump start, no sanction




Great start....not jump start.

Let's be professional. If it was a jump start I would have been DQ'd.

From the GCR

"The race shall be underway throughout the field the instant the green flag is waived and passing may occur at any point....."

May Dad was at S/F on the radio calling out the green . Intersting that this is the first I've heard of this. Nuff said.

R

[lawtonglenn]

.

I was right behind you at the start Doc...and I looked
as carefully as I could at the video and although it is
difficult to see, I'd say we were both legal....spot on yes,
but still legal.

I'll try to post the video today

.

[rthiele]

No reason to be upset, just the facts. Ask the stewards. Heard about it after impound and before the finals were released.

[mossaidis]

Does anyone have a copy of Group 7 results? Can you post it or email?

dmossaidis at gmail dot com

Thanks!

[lawtonglenn]

.

Here is my video from the ITR/ITS/ITB race in two parts:

http://video.yahoo.com/people/5915974

It took until lap 12 for Jay Dedrick to get me, but when
he went by me, he was zooming!... 1:01.6 Jay...congrats!!!:happy204:

also, it is neat to see Dave Maynard on three wheels though Big Bend

.

[lateapex911]

Does anyone have a copy of Group 7 results? Can you post it or email?

dmossaidis at gmail dot com

Thanks!

sent. the site thought my PDF file was too big.

[mossaidis]

Thank u Jeff and Jake!

Never did publicly thank other folks...

Big thanks to my crew for pointing out that the speedsensor actually came unbolted from the tranny (Lord only knows how and when). Soon there after, we found out that the speedsensor signal not only goes back to the speedometer but the ECU as well - eek!

Big thanks for Greg Amy for helping me address the killswtich issue - which prevented the alternator from charging the battery.

Big Thanks to Jeff Lawton for allowing me to bust his balls and giving me great advice which neither of us followed (quote from Jeff, "I would put on the dirt stockers if I were you")... yeah I should of listened.

And big thanks for everyone for not crashing into me or each other.

For those that might not know, the aforementioned electrical issues plagued the car from the first hot lap in qual. Started 22nd out of a field of 22 :) with a HUGE LRP qual time of 3:02 - tee hee. As we all know, tire choice was shit for half the field, including for me. I was able to pass 4? cars at the start and another 2 more during the first couple of laps. As the race progressed, so did the rain and inversely proporiation was my speed. During the last lap, I slid past the turn in for Big Bend a few equally frustated drivers past me by. Denise stayed with me for MANY laps at the end of the race and got a well deserved pass!

Big congrats to Andy, Brian, Max and all the others - in all, I still a ton of fun and I'm REALLY happy that the bugs have been worked out.

until WGI...

[JLawton]

Big Thanks to Jeff Lawton for allowing me to bust his balls and giving me great advice which neither of us followed (quote from Jeff, "I would put on the dirt stockers if I were you")...


You just learned lesson #1 of race craft. Other racers will lie to you like there's no tomorrow. I was tellin' people the day before to put on Dirt Stockers!! :D


Hmmmmmm, did someone say "karma"??

[rthiele]

Onboards of the race:

Part 1
TMbsUZ9bYqo

Part 2
yW-1HH89C7U

[Magical Trevor]

Great event!
Thanks Mick for flagging the school with us on Friday-we had the best seats (so to speak) for the students' antics at Station 2 there. Hope it was fun for you, at least!
Leigh, both Dan and Marianne did a spectacular job-the weekend went off without a hitch.
Greg, Dick, Bill E.: it was nice to work with you when I could at Tech-easily the best way for volunteers to feel involved and connected with the drivers at a race.
I was impressed to see several Lime Rock Club members running with us in either the school, regional, or both. The two organizations can coexist at LRP!
Lime Rock Park has lots of gratitude for all the racers-I'm trying to help the track realize how expensive it can be-but especially for those in the ITB/R/S Impound where I was able to show some Foster Adoptive Mission families what our club is all about: good times racin'! I knew you guys would run clean-like all year-and that you'd enjoy the publicity. Those kids aren't going to wash those autographs away! The group has also pledged to come again next year-I think it can turn into a NARRC-Offs-Boy-Scout-Jamboree-scale event.
I appreciate your kind comments Bob Z.-I'll send an e-mail.
By the way Glenn, that's an awesome camera angle! Now we just need it in Rob's quality... :cool: Good vids guys.
See you at NHMS