Cheap Date

[Greg Amy]

Can't give you the details on all the races, but it seemed there was a higher number of flatbeds and crashes this weekend.

Tom Kelly comprehensively compressed the front end of his ITB Golf via the T2 wall; got his bell rung but he's fine (not so the car). An SSM (or SM2?) car did a similar maneuver near a bit upstream - this time the driver's side smacked flat against the wall after a tank slapper - and he was taken away in the ambulance for more checks. Again, last I heard, bell rung/driver fine/not so car. I saw Rob Thiele on the hook/flatbed at least twice, and I got flat-towed home once due to an ignition problem*.

Overall, another great event. Weather was absolutely fantastic, comraderie unsurpassed, and they even had a killer BBQ in a large tent in the campsite area. If you weren't there, you missed a good one!

Oh, as an epilogue, 9/11/11 was spent racing at New Hampshire with ~200 of our "closest friends"; a well-attended autocross was happening in one of the track's parking lots; a loud and obnoxious drifting session was going on in another parking lot, with crap cans tire screeching, smoking, popping/banging, and hammering off the rev limiters; and down the road in yet another NHMS outer parking lot they were having a soapbox derby. Were you at NHMS, you'd not find the automotive/motorsports community sulking around and feeling nostalgic and generally all bad for itself.

As Dick Patullo put it: "America, f**k yeah! I LOVE this country!"

GA

* Car died going through T3 during Saturday AM qually. With Dan's Sheppard's help we nailed it down to "no spark" (even though, somehow Dan managed to shock himself in the process...) Two car parts store trips later - and a new cap, rotor, ignition control module, and coil; probably was the ICM - we had it fired up for Saturday's PM race. Problem was, I didn't know that when you put the ECU into "timing mode" (via the computer), if you do not manually take it out of timing mode before you shut the car off it stays, even when you cycle the key. I ran Saturday's race with only 16 degrees total timing and was getting passed my Miatae at the start....again with Dan's expert help we diagnosed it, fixed it, and I started Sunday's AM race in 21st of ~40...and was P5 by T1...

[rthiele]

I got two results lists in front of me, both Saturday:

Saturday Race Grp 2 ITB,ITR,ITS 1:59pm
Only 2 timed laps due to Rabbit crash in T2 and subsequent black flag and checkered. Lap times not worth a lot since the field was still bunched up and potentially warming up tires. bit of chaos during all course caution: cars going too fast under yellow, saftey car pulling out too late and missing leading cars.

ITB:
1. Nat Wentworth 1:20.838
2. Tim Mullen 1:20.901
3. Derek Lugar 1:20.853

ITS:
1. Robert Blake 1:16.353
2. Glenn Lawton 1:16.913
3. Joe Stadelmann 1:18.821

ITR:
1. Rob Thiele 1:15.467
2. Tyler Munroe (sen) 1:15.317
3. Ann Lamport-Hammitte 1:18.545


Saturday Race Grp 6 SSM,SM2,STU,STL 4:13pm

STU:
1. Tyler P. Munroe 15:570 - great job of Tyler's son winning the race
2. Jay Baier 16:808
3. Rob Thiele (me) 14:815, was in the lead when rear left tire lost air, crawled around 2 laps and was luckily saved due to early checkered (14 laps instead of 15, incident in T2). Hot tire wrapped around fender - Flat bed service no 1 that weekend.

STL
1. Brenton Piekarski 1:17.748
2. Clinton Chichester 1:19.113
3. Greg Amy 1:19.865

SM2:
1. Jimmy Locke 1:18.160
2. Phil Kogan 1:18.780
3. Jeff Collins 1:18.763

SSM
1. Peter Faill 1:18.827
2. Shelby Churchill 1:19.397
3. Quinn Kizis1:19.083

[preparedcivic]

This was the worst fire drill of a weekend ever. But we made it through…..

Thursday afternoon picked up the new RV. 220 miles southwest of home. Rolled in at around 8:30pm. Dealt with work stuff late into the evening and a good part of Friday morning.  Finally got outside to start packing and setting this up around 9am. Get to redoing the weight distributing hitch drawbar and ball mount, and yep, the one I have is too long and is going to drag everywhere. Off to the local trailer dealer, fortunately only 20 minutes away. $155 later I have the hunk of cast iron I need.

More real work interrupts. 

After several other calamities, we get all packed up and hit the road at 3:30pm, an hour after I had wanted to. But we were rolling. To avoid the 100 miles long traffic jam on 287 over the Tappan Zee to 984 to 84 east of Hartford, we took the scenic route north up the Thruway to the Mass Pike. An extra 50 miles but I’m sure the quicker route at that time of day. Got to the track at 9:45pm, just in time to at least get in the gate. Registration and tech painless in the morning, qualifying for the kid goes OK, (1:20.5 or so, good enough for the middle of IT.

Well, then it was time for the Saturday Group 2 Qualifying race. A slow pace lap and early green made it interesting, and Preparedcivic Jr. said later he was never so glad as to be in 3rd when 2nd was really what was needed. The wrong gear meant he was a dog at the start, and lost 4 or 5 spots, enough to have a great view of Tom Kelly’s incident beginning, which was actually at about the T1-2 midpoint. Upstream in the race, there was also a loop and continue in T3, which may have delayed being able to relay just how bad the T2 situation was on the flag net. The FCY did not come out until almost lap 3, with the pace car rolling out way late, and then during that lap things went BFA. Soon after the race was called. Watching cars go through the incident at speed on lap 2, with just a waving yellow was not a pretty sight; Nat Wentworth managed to fit his Volvo though the gap between the wall and wrecked VW, and Paul Curran looped his car a full 720 going inside.

The group was just hugely lucky there was no significant collateral damage. We just had a nicked RR valve stem from running through the debris that was still holding air but cut about 2/3 through. One of the VW’s from Nova Scotia caught something in the windshield; we were directly behind and this piece of space junk flew over the roof.

Sunday was a somewhat tamer day, at least for Group 2. A few cars came in on the hook in the morning, but nothing terminal. We had to do a quick hub/bearing change right before the real race in the afternoon, as after the morning session the RR developed big play. But no biggy. The kid did good, finishing 6th in B, almost getting himself 5th at the flag, with if I remember right, getting down to a 1:20.2 at some point of the weekend.

It was a great way to spend the 10th anniversary weekend of 9/11. After some traffic on 93 in Concord which we detoured around by going through downtown, the 5:45 ride home wasn’t too bad either.

[tom91ita]

Rob, glad to hear his race went well.

[coutzen]

I had a pretty good start. Then on lap 2 the car just went around on me in turn 2. I recovered from the spin and then had some car to car connect in turn 6. This took a chunk of my from my right front wheel. After 2 more laps the tire went flat and my race was over. I pretty sure the ITB Volvo just did not see me. Here is the video. Don't mind the sound it got out of sync for some reason. It was a fun 1st lap for me at least.

YouTube Video

[lawtonglenn]

.

great three races for both Bob Blake and myself! Thanks everyone
for making the weekend spectacular

Here is a link to the race with the best video, race 2/3 Sunday am.
Chasing Tyler Munroe and Rob Thiele is definitely motivational,
and I was able to snap off four consecutive laps in the 14's
including a personal best 1:14.388

The video gets interesting as I catch them in lap 5, and then
after Rob drops out for mechanical problems, I make at least
three plays for race lead....lap 9 is particularly close racing...
it was more exciting and tense in real life than it may appear in video.
My celebratory fist pump in lap 14 was for finally setting a pick
between me and Chris Outzen behind.

Once again, if the video seems choppy (due to your internet connection
or graphics card), cycle the HD off

http://vimeo.com/lawtonglenn/videos

Also, watch after the checker, when Eli Garrett (in the yellow scirocco)
does a passable Joey Chitwood impression

Highlights of the other races to follow, from both Bob's and my camera,
including Chris Outzen's spin in 2 directly in front of Bob,
my taking the SUV line in 11 to lap James Carlson's yellow volvo,
and Tyler and I splitting to pass Michelle Yaiser' Black Golf
on the left and right at the entrance to turn 3...I'll bet that
was exciting for Michelle!

Thanks Tyler for some great CLOSE racing!

.

[rthiele]

Glenn, thanks for the video and congrats for an outstanding 1:14.388 - you forgot to mention it is also the new ITS track record - hard to beat, great job!!

[Andy Bettencourt]

Glenn, thanks for the video and congrats for an outstanding 1:14.388 - you forgot to mention it is also the new ITS track record - hard to beat, great job!!

That is a very quick lap!

I was told that with the timing mark in a different spot, this year should have ALL new track records. So Glenn probably lowered his own again!!!

[NATW]

I had a pretty good start. Then on lap 2 the car just went around on me in turn 2. I recovered from the spin and then had some car to car connect in turn 6. This took a chunk of my from my right front wheel. After 2 more laps the tire went flat and my race was over. I pretty sure the ITB Volvo just did not see me. Here is the video. Don't mind the sound it got out of sync for some reason. It was a fun 1st lap for me at least.

YouTube Video

I was in the Volvo and not only did I not see you, but until I saw this video I thought contact was made by Tim Mullen ( he came over after race and apologized for hitting me). He did say there was a BMW inside him, but I never realized the contact that put me in the gravel trap was with you.

Nat Wentworth
ITB Volvo #2

[coutzen]

I was in the Volvo and not only did I not see you, but until I saw this video I thought contact was made by Tim Mullen ( he came over after race and apologized for hitting me). He did say there was a BMW inside him, but I never realized the contact that put me in the gravel trap was with you.

Nat Wentworth
ITB Volvo #2

I was as low as I could get, following the inside curbing. I hope your car didn't get too much damage from the hit.

[lawtonglenn]

That is a very quick lap!

thanks Andy!... I am still pumped from the weekend

to answer a few questions I've had:

Hankooks (not Hoosiers) 32psi front/30psi rear cold
right side (outside) tires 3rd heat cycle, left side (inside) 6th heat cycle
stock Mazda S4 computer (no Haltech, no Microtec, no Rtek)
Tokico Illumina (not $$$ Konis) set to 4/5
Hawk Blues Front/ Blacks Rear
post race weight 2704 - 2680 min = 24 lbs over
post race fuel 4 gal (weight set at min when dry: 4gal x 6lb/gal = 24)
manual steering rack (not disabled power rack)
washer bottle installed: YES
.

[StephenB]

I had a great weekend out with the RX8. thanks to a few others I learned a little bit about droop and solved that wheel spin issue! I now need to read up on how to make the rear end stick to the ground. It feels like its on ice which is actually probably a good thing as I learn Rear wheel drive Vs. Front wheel drive. Considering this was only my 2nd weekend with the car I am very pleased with getting into the 16's. I am still having an issue with fuel pressure but I think Dave Maynard may have helped us figure that issue out by explaining the vent system on the tank. I hope he is right and we will easily have that fixed!

Worst part of my "transition" to the new car is that I actually have to slow down for turn 1 and 2. In the Audi I barely lifted and could stay around 95 or so through the turn. Now with the need to brake I was slowing down to 88 or so and getting passed by my old ITB buddies! ARRRGGG... By the end of the weekend I was going about 93ish and starting to feel more and more comfortable with the car.

Most exciting part of the weekend was the race sunday afternoon when I pulled up almost to first overall on the start. This car does have some great power! But I quickly fell back as I hit the brakes and chickened out going into turn 1...

I sadly may be done for the year with the RX8($$$). But next year I hope to have a real swaybar in it which should help handling a lot. (Currently I have stock front and rear bars) I will also feel way more comfortable and ready to go fast!

Attached is a short video of me bumping Michelle Yaiser as she slowed down more than I expected. I felt really bad since she was renting the car and will probably have a bill. I also felt bad after my wife said my cracked bumper cover is staying cracked... On the very next lap I have an exciting spin coming out of 3 that allowed Ann Hammitte to pass and take the 3rd position away from me I came so close to making that top 3 list by Rob above!
Enjoy...
http://youtu.be/wBJ19GwAAL4

[JLawton]

I was in the Volvo and not only did I not see you, but until I saw this video I thought contact was made by Tim Mullen ( he came over after race and apologized for hitting me). He did say there was a BMW inside him, but I never realized the contact that put me in the gravel trap was with you.

Nat Wentworth
ITB Volvo #2

Nat, is that your form of an apology?? LOL Cause it was all you buddy!! You at least owe him a beer for hitting him so hard.

[Russ Jones]

Glenn Lawton: Thanks for always posting your in car videos. For us retiree's it's fun to watch, with the hopes one day the kids college funds will be full, the mortgage paid off and the wife retires from Show Jumping - I'll get to drive a race car again.

Russ Jones

[coutzen]

.
My celebratory fist pump in lap 14 was for finally setting a pick
between me and Chris Outzen behind.

It was a fun race. Our cars are pretty close - we just make time in different areas of the track. Again I'm sorry for the "love-tap" coming out of turn 3 on lap two. Once I learn how drive I'll try to put up a better fight for you.

[NATW]

Nat, is that your form of an apology?? LOL Cause it was all you buddy!! You at least owe him a beer for hitting him so hard.

No it was not an apology, based on this video perhaps there should have been an apology. If I could figure out how to post some of my video it may look different. I am not blaming him for incident I think it was racing but I was ahead of him going into turn, got passed by green VW that was ahead of him and went through the turn on normal exit leaving room for VW ( looks like I'm coming down on him in video) when contact occurred. I was under assumption that the passing car has an obligation to make a safe pass also.
Bottom line was I left the track thinking it was Tim Mullen that had contact with me because he did come over to discuss and I had no idea the BMW was involved at all. I don't feel blameless but I'm not sure it was all my fault either.

Nat

[Andy Bettencourt]

BMW had made his pass, was at the apex and Volvo didn't see him. He can occupy that space all day long. Tough call on 'blame' as the Volvo was concentrating on the VW that had just passed him and not on the other cars. Remember when you pass a faster car that has spun, that car will be coming through.

Volvo should have know he COULD be there, BMW should have realized that is a tough sight line...

[raffaelli]

Thanks for posting these kinds of videos and comments. I learn alot from them.

[TimM ITB]

Hey all;

IMHO, here's the deal:

Nat was on the outside of me going down into the bowl T6, about 3/4 car length ahead of me. BMW came down fast on MY inside going down the hill into T6. Now we are three wide going into T6. Prior to the BMW occupying the furtherest inside space on the track in T6, I was going to do an "inside out" move on Nat......that is what I was thinking as I was barrelling down into T6, but as the BMW came inside of me, I could NOT move any further inside or I would have taken him out. I put on hard braking hoping that Nat would stay on the outside of the track and we would all "sort it out" as we three-wide went up into T7 and T8. But, after talking with Nat, he only saw the BMW in his mirror, but not me, tucked up next to him about at his rear driver side door. He turned in, I was on the brakes, but nudged him around his driver's rear wheel, which turned the nose of his car furhter "in" and then, IMHO, the BMW couldln't slow enough going inside into T6 and came out "high" .....hitting Nat as you see in the video.
I don't really put blame on anyone in this instance. I felt badly that it all ended up the way that it did, but???? I talked to Nat after the race, which I think is the least that we can do in a racing incident like this.
Anyway, I don't have any answers to a situation like this one - only the insight to suggest that it's always good to see the folks involved afterwards to clear the air if at all possible.
later,
Tim M

[lawtonglenn]

Glenn Lawton: Thanks for always posting your in car videos. For us retiree's it's fun to watch, with the hopes one day the kids college funds will be full, the mortgage paid off and the wife retires from Show Jumping - I'll get to drive a race car again.

Russ Jones

.... ahhh it's the Show Jumping!!.... I am lucky that Jacqui
only takes her horses trail riding..... show jumping is $$$$$$$$!

I hope to see you on track again soon!