Import Challenge Results

[Tkczecheredflag]

Okay - Looking for the play by play for the Import Challenge yesterday. ITS/ITA weigh in please.
Tim Klvana
ITC #11

[dominojd]

Found this on LRP's site:
"Kip Van Steenburg won both 12-lap Lime Rock Park Import Challenge races. Shane Hawthorne swept first-place honors in the ITA class."

They didn't give any other details. Congrats guys.

------------------
Crazy Joe
#7 ITS pilot

[Greg Amy]

It was a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L New England Fall weekend. Sunny blue skies, temperature was PERFECT if you're the human-type of species, and there was plenty of parking in the Sunoco paddock allowing us to stretch out and enjoy the weekend. I cannot imagine a better place to have been this weekend.

I don't have the results sheets on hand, but it was a good pair of races. Kip won both sprints, with Leverone and Henderson sharing each a silver and bronze between them. The ITA events were won by a Honda CRX Si (sorry, I don't know which one, I'm sure someone else can pipe in here).

One shocker of the weekend was Kip qualifying at 100.9. That's right boys and girls: ITS is knock-knock-knocking on a minute door. Hey, never say never; I know of one strong competitor that told me there's another 30hp left with some development.

The mid-pack view is that it was a mostly-clean event, with no pace car laps required. It appeared that attrition was reasonably low. Some notable exceptions: a couple of ITS Datsun Z-cars getting tangled up spectacularly and making a mess in Big Bend (but most everyone else slipped through unscathed); a red ITS Bimmer that had some troubles in the start of Race Two, leaving splitter parts all over the track as it shed itself into oblivion, but made for interesting watching as he blasted back up through the pack; a GTi popping an engine in Race 1, Turn 1, and was parked there for the duration (the GTi's co-owner also ended up sitting out the races due to a blown engine in his ITS RX-7. Bad Luck Weekend.)

Jake Gulick gets the Hard Luck/Hard Work award for popping an engine early Friday, and going home tp spend the afternoon removing another engine from a "spare car" (he said euphamistically). He, Dick Patullo, Ray Lee Chee, and I'm sure a host of others stayed up until midnight Friday changing out the engine and Jake was rarin' to go in the Saturday morning qualifier. Unfortunately, it tossed the water pump belt during that warmup, overheated (leaving coolant in the braking area and runoff at Big Bend) and only made it a few laps into Race One before having to pull in with a seriously smoking engine. Those guys did a super job, just had some hard luck. On the plus side the gnats went away at least for an hour afterwards. Get that lump fixed and let's go to Hotlanta, Jake; first round's on me.

Another Hard Work Award goes to my crew chief, Matt Kessler. Thursday night we concluded we had lost a brake master cylinder. None were to be found in the state of CT, southwestern Mass, or southeastern NY. Of course Nissan had a master cylinder unique to this car...Anyway, Matt FINALLY found a master cylinder at a salvage yard Saturday afternoon and got it to the track and installed in time for the race. Coupled with radical suspension springs, ride height and alignment changes (done in 40 minutes prior to the qualifier) with suggestions and springs borrowed from our competitors (Phil Phillips, Nick Leverone and crew, Ray Lee Chee, Anthony Serra, and I'm sure others) Matt not only got me in the race but we had the car hooked up and I dropped a couple of seconds off our best lap time for the weekend. 24th to 14th in the first race, and status quo in the second. A super effort all around, thanks.

Of significant note was the absence of Anthony Serra after the start of Race One. Anthony was very strong all weekend and kept screaming by me during practices; it's obvious he's got that thing hooked up. He told me this was to be his last ITA event, as he's selling the Acura and building a Production car, so we all expected him to finish up the year in style. I noted, however, that he was absent from the restart of the second race, and by the time we got back into the paddock at the end of the event his parking area was stripped clean and he was nowhere to be found. I refuse to comment on rumors; I know Anthony's on this board so I'd much prefer him to provide the facts, but it's obvious that things didn't go his way this weekend.

As I sat there during Saturday afternoon in my paddock space I had a lot (and I mean A LOT) of younger-generation "kids" come up to me and want to talk about my car, my competitors' cars, and the Import Challenge race. They all told me, and it was obvious, that they were there for the Import Challenge and were visibly annoyed at the Busch cars (plus, the Busch race was boring, with the pace car out every 5 laps or so). These are the people we need to attract to SCCA Club racing and as spectators at LRP and I'm very sorry that we won't be able to do it again. I think it would be a loss to LRP's business to not have these cars back. C'est la via.

Overall, a super and very enjoyable event. Glad to have been a part of it.

Greg

[16v]

sounds like some great action



------------------
Doug
the16v.com
briansgarage.com

[JLawton]

That had to be the most perfect race weekend!!!! Great weather, plenty of paddock space, a clean race and a car that's finally getting hooked up. Of course, with the incredible times guys were running, it didn't help any. ( I still think a certain Nisson stuffed a V8 in their car on Friday night. I've never had anyone go by me that fast on a start!!)
The Busch race was boring. My father inlaw actually fell a sleep on the hill during the race!! It's too bad the Import Challenge may be over.
Can't wait til next year!!

------------------
Jeff L
#17 944

[JLawton]

Anybody have results to the second race?

------------------
Jeff L
#17 944

[dominojd]

Originally posted by JLawton:
( I still think a certain Nisson stuffed a V8 in their car on Friday night. I've never had anyone go by me that fast on a start!!)

Those 5 liters OOOPs I mean 2 liters are torquey little bastards. If you catch it right in 2nd gear it pulls like hell. Last year at the Glen I timed the green just right and I was at the right RPM in second I ended up going from 11th to 5th going into turn one. NISSAN'S RULE



------------------
Crazy Joe
#7 ITS pilot

[moto62]

Race 1 ITA Car Time

1)Shane Hawthorne, CRX 1:02.40
2)Windell Holmes, CRX 1:02.81
3)Ray Lee Chee, Integra 1:02.94
4)Mike Vansteenburg,Miata1:04.58
5)Laurence Matlin, Miata 1:05.42
6)Phil Cardoza, Civic 1:05.24
7)Lou Iannacone, RX-7 1:07.58
8)Robert Daskam,Prelude 1:08.73
9)John Wico, VW Golf 1:05.90
10)Jake Gulick, RX-7 1:05.48
11)Brad Rodier,Integra 1:03.47
12)Anthony Serra,Integra 1:02.45

ITS

1)Kip Vansteenburg,RX-7 1:01.98
2)Jeff Henderson,BMW 325 1:01.72
3)Nick Leverone, RX-7 1:01.82
4)Robert Driscoll,BMW325 1:02.28
5)Brian Reilly, RX-7 1:01.98
6)Paul Mandell, BMW 325 1:02.84
7)Chris Brubaker, RX-7 1:02.61
8)Gill Syswerda, RX-7 1:03.46
9)Greg Amy, NX2000 1:04.83
10)Tim Potter, RX-7 1:05.73
11)Jeff Lawton 944 1:05.31
12)Jim Remy BMW325 1:06.12
13)Roger Daskam Prelude 1:06.48
14)John Stewart BMW325 1:02.08
15)Mike Sabatello BMW E301:02.88
16)Dick Clark 240z 1:09.25
17)George Zakreta 240z 1:08.64
18)Phil Phillips,Integra 1:05.34
4 others DNS

Now for Race two
ITA
1)Shane Hawthorne, CRX 1:02.63
2)Windell Holmes, CRX 1:02.51
3)Ray Lee Chee, Integra 1:03.21
4)Mike Vansteenburg,Miata1:03.96
5)Laurence Matlin, Miata 1:05.09
6)Phil Cardoza, Civic 1:05.58
7)Lou Iannacone, RX-7 1:06.98
8)Robert Daskam,Prelude 1:08.93
4 others DNS

ITS
1)Kip Vansteenburg,RX-7 1:01.43
2)Nick Leverone, RX-7 1:01.54
3)Jeff Henderson,BMW 325 1:02.03
4)Robert Driscoll,BMW325 1:02.41
5)John Stewart BMW325 1:01.80
6)Brian Reilly, RX-7 1:02.03
7)Chris Brubaker, RX-7 1:02.95
8)Paul Mandell, BMW 325 1:03.25
9)Gill Syswerda, RX-7 1:02.43
10)Greg Amy, NX2000 1:03.75
11)Tim Potter, RX-7 1:05.85
12)Roger Daskam Prelude 1:05.36
13)Jeff Lawton 944 1:06.03
14)Jim Remy BMW325 1:05.68
15)Phil Phillips,Integra 1:04.41
7 Others DNS

Hope this shows right
What a great weekend this was. We had a lot of fun and sure hope that we can do it again sometime in the future.
Ray

[RR]

Jeff Lawton, did my advice help?

Russ

[ulfelder]

Russ writes:
Jeff Lawton, did my advice help?
---
Sure looks like it - nice times, Jeff! I think you need to keep that car for next year.

/Steve U

[JLawton]

Did the advice help???? Ooooooooh yea!!!

[Jake]

OMG!
What was the previous lap record for ITA?

[dpc]

I'll bet Anthony or Tom will know that ans. Anthony what happen? dave

[lateapex911]

Greg- Thanks for the kind words. Well told. You didn't miss much! .....except....when I went to move the old tow van that was parked in front of my "spare" RX-7, it started as usual, then died, never to restart! Not an auspicious start to my engine pulling effort! Which meant that on Friday at 9 AM I had three engines that ran, but at 5:30 on Saturday they were all toast or mia. That's a record for me!

But even still, it was a great weekend, although I would have prefered the view from behind my steering wheel as opposed to the view from behind the staition 5 armco!

I owe a huge dept of gratitude to the folks mentioned as well as Lou Iannacone, who stayed to help put out my 'fire', Kim Samson, who kept Ray in wrenches and Coronas, as well as John Howe and Bruce Rodman, who stopped by to offer the usual abuse and veiled encouragement. Plus the kind folks in SCCA tech (Brian and Dick) who let me mooch some needed AC power. I can safely say that if it wasn't for all these guys, I would have been up all night, and I still wouldn't have been finished!

And kudos to you, Lou! Lou got nerfed in qualifying, landed on a barrier, bending a wheel, but bounced back to get Rays old car down into the 6's in, I think, only his 3rd race! Nice job! You're a great addition to IT racing. Also, credit to you Ray! Somehow you got that Acura into the 2's AND got me running again! And that engine is still stock, right?? hmmmmm!


From my viewing spot at the side of the track, I was impressed with the top CRX's ability to run with the front of the ITS race. Those cars are screaming. Must be the full October moon pulling them or something. Fast times, but, and Anthony can give us the exact time, they were close to, but not under the ITA record set by Anthony a year ago in the NARRCs of 1:02.2. Previously, Tom held it with a 1:02.4 and change.

Well, that's it from here, time to do some engine work. Thanks to all who pitched in.

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

[This message has been edited by lateapex911 (edited October 14, 2003).]

[moto62]

Originally posted by lateapex911:
And that engine is still stock, right?? hmmmmm!

It better be, as I plan on buying some horses for it over the winter.

...and if you thought the race times were fast, check out these qualifying times.
ITS
1)Kip V. 1:00.92
2)Brian R.1:01.25
3)Nick L. 1:01.62
4)Jeff H. 1:01.71
5)John S. 1:01.72

ITA
1)Shane H. 1:02.45
2)Ray L C. 1:02.55
3)Windell H.1:02.81
4)Anthony S. 1:02.82
5)Brad R. 1:03.13

Hmmmm, could ITS go sub minute?

Ray

[its28]

Originally posted by moto62:
Race 1 ITA Car Time

1)Shane Hawthorne, CRX 1:02.40
2)Windell Holmes, CRX 1:02.81
3)Ray Lee Chee, Integra 1:02.94
4)Mike Vansteenburg,Miata1:04.58
5)Laurence Matlin, Miata 1:05.42
6)Phil Cardoza, Civic 1:05.24
7)Lou Iannacone, RX-7 1:07.58
8)Robert Daskam,Prelude 1:08.73
9)John Wico, VW Golf 1:05.90
10)Jake Gulick, RX-7 1:05.48
11)Brad Rodier,Integra 1:03.47
12)Anthony Serra,Integra 1:02.45

ITS

1)Kip Vansteenburg,RX-7 1:01.98
2)Jeff Henderson,BMW 325 1:01.72
3)Nick Leverone, RX-7 1:01.82
4)Robert Driscoll,BMW325 1:02.28
5)Brian Reilly, RX-7 1:01.98
6)Paul Mandell, BMW 325 1:02.84
7)Chris Brubaker, RX-7 1:02.61
8)Gill Syswerda, RX-7 1:03.46
9)Greg Amy, NX2000 1:04.83
10)Tim Potter, RX-7 1:05.73
11)Jeff Lawton 944 1:05.31
12)Jim Remy BMW325 1:06.12
13)Roger Daskam Prelude 1:06.48
14)John Stewart BMW325 1:02.08
15)Mike Sabatello BMW E301:02.88
16)Dick Clark 240z 1:09.25
17)George Zakreta 240z 1:08.64
18)Phil Phillips,Integra 1:05.34
4 others DNS

Now for Race two
ITA
1)Shane Hawthorne, CRX 1:02.63
2)Windell Holmes, CRX 1:02.51
3)Ray Lee Chee, Integra 1:03.21
4)Mike Vansteenburg,Miata1:03.96
5)Laurence Matlin, Miata 1:05.09
6)Phil Cardoza, Civic 1:05.58
7)Lou Iannacone, RX-7 1:06.98
8)Robert Daskam,Prelude 1:08.93
4 others DNS

ITS
1)Kip Vansteenburg,RX-7 1:01.43
2)Nick Leverone, RX-7 1:01.54
3)Jeff Henderson,BMW 325 1:02.03
4)Robert Driscoll,BMW325 1:02.41
5)John Stewart BMW325 1:01.80
6)Brian Reilly, RX-7 1:02.03
7)Chris Brubaker, RX-7 1:02.95
8)Paul Mandell, BMW 325 1:03.25
9)Gill Syswerda, RX-7 1:02.43
10)Greg Amy, NX2000 1:03.75
11)Tim Potter, RX-7 1:05.85
12)Roger Daskam Prelude 1:05.36
13)Jeff Lawton 944 1:06.03
14)Jim Remy BMW325 1:05.68
15)Phil Phillips,Integra 1:04.41
7 Others DNS

Hope this shows right
What a great weekend this was. We had a lot of fun and sure hope that we can do it again sometime in the future.
Ray

[Greg Amy]

Looks like we're very likely "out" for next year.

I saw a release from Lime Rock stating that the Busch North race normally held in October has been moved to Saturday the 29th of May. It's being touted as "an incredible combination of stock car and sports car racing excitement." I'm guessing Monday's event will still be Trans-Am with World Challenge as a support series.

On top of that, rumors are rising that the American LeMans Series looks to run an event at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville CT over the July 4th weekend (which is a Sunday). Will they get a Monday variance in lieu of the regular SCCA July 4th event or will this be a Friday/Saturday event? Will SCCA get a date to replace the July 4th spot?

With Memorial Day booked, July 4th weekend booked, and October possibly cancelled, I don't see us fitting into there anywhere...

[83rx701]

Originally posted by lateapex911:
Greg- Thanks for the kind words. Well told. You didn't miss much! .....except....when I went to move the old tow van that was parked in front of my "spare" RX-7, it started as usual, then died, never to restart! Not an auspicious start to my engine pulling effort! Which meant that on Friday at 9 AM I had three engines that ran, but at 5:30 on Saturday they were all toast or mia. That's a record for me!

But even still, it was a great weekend, although I would have prefered the view from behind my steering wheel as opposed to the view from behind the staition 5 armco!

I owe a huge dept of gratitude to the folks mentioned as well as Lou Iannacone, who stayed to help put out my 'fire', Kim Samson, who kept Ray in wrenches and Coronas, as well as John Howe and Bruce Rodman, who stopped by to offer the usual abuse and veiled encouragement. Plus the kind folks in SCCA tech (Brian and Dick) who let me mooch some needed AC power. I can safely say that if it wasn't for all these guys, I would have been up all night, and I still wouldn't have been finished!

And kudos to you, Lou! Lou got nerfed in qualifying, landed on a barrier, bending a wheel, but bounced back to get Rays old car down into the 6's in, I think, only his 3rd race! Nice job! You're a great addition to IT racing. Also, credit to you Ray! Somehow you got that Acura into the 2's AND got me running again! And that engine is still stock, right?? hmmmmm!


From my viewing spot at the side of the track, I was impressed with the top CRX's ability to run with the front of the ITS race. Those cars are screaming. Must be the full October moon pulling them or something. Fast times, but, and Anthony can give us the exact time, they were close to, but not under the ITA record set by Anthony a year ago in the NARRCs of 1:02.2. Previously, Tom held it with a 1:02.4 and change.

Well, that's it from here, time to do some engine work. Thanks to all who pitched in.

Jake thanks for the learning experience it was fun working with you Dick,Ray and Kim anytime you guys need help give me a call. I wish things went better for you on saturday.While I'm at it I have to say thanks to all the IT guys this was my 1st year racing and you made Betty and I feel right at home.Thanks to Don Reilly for checking to see if I needed help in the pits Friday. And a special thanks to Ray and Kim for all their help and support. I had A great time and can't wait till next year. Kim good luck Oct. 31 and let me know how you guys make out in Atlanta.

Lou I
NER ITA
rx7 01

[16v]

Originally posted by grega:


On top of that, rumors are rising that the American LeMans Series looks to run an event at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville CT over the July 4th weekend (which is a Sunday).

just back from Petit LeMans and the announcement. ALMS will be at LRP:


Sports Car Series Will Make its Debut at Lime Rock on July 4th Weekend

LAKEVILLE, Conn. – The American Le Mans Series, featuring some of the world’s fastest and most exotic sports cars, will make its first-ever appearance in the Northeast at Lime Rock Park with an Independence Day weekend event in 2004.

The American Le Mans Series will hold a timed race of two hours and 45 minutes on Monday, July 5, on Lime Rock’s 1.54-mile circuit. The event will be televised live on the SPEED Channel. Practice, qualifying and support series races will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 2-3, with a car show and family holiday activities to be held on Sunday, July 4.

also of interest was chatter that the entire circuit will be "updated" and repaved. hmmmm


------------------
Doug
the16v.com
briansgarage.com

[This message has been edited by 16v (edited October 19, 2003).]

[JackH55]

What happened to Anthony's car, Did he break during the 1st race?

Jack