NHMS Rational

[StephenB]

Their was a really really fast ITA miata that was black flagged for sound. Not sure on his name but it was his race to lose. I guarantee if he knew where to "lift" for sound he would have won. That being said Lawton also did awesome with a pretty large field.

ITB started great but then Paul Curren had a flawless run and pulled away. It was great to see the funky guy make the "c" car into a "b" car!

ITS was lame... No entries

ITR just as lame... 1 entry

The AS race was amazing and had me at the edge of my seat! Mike and Brian could probably help SCCA sell tickets!

I had a great weekend working tech rather than racing. It really was more fun than I ever imaged!

Stephen

[StephF]

Everyone make it home okay? I guess it would be NH if it wasn't cold, wet, and putrid in April.
Real glad I was group 1 and had dry track for the first trip out in '12. The tow home was a bit special once we got into the back roads of NH with little to no visibility though.
Great to see everyone. Greg, Brad, Jeff, on, and a ton of others I know I am missing; great job!

[JLawton]

Quick review of going from a FWD beast to driving a Miata. I never realized how many poor habits I had picked up to get the Saturn to turn. You whip the wheel and stomp on the gas........ if the wheels start spinning, keep your foor in it. Every input was quick and hard to upset the rear end to get it to come around........ Which is the TOTAL opposite of driving the Miata!! It was easy to jump in and run fast but I need to work on smooothness from full brake to full gas and trust in the car. I spent a lot of time sideways going through the corners!! I was also really surprised at how easy it was to put it anywhere on the track I wanted. I missed very few apexs all weekend.

Oh, and anyone who says they are down in power is either a) ignorant, b) BSing or c) has the wrong engine builder............

During the first qualifying on Saturday I was called for sound so i didn't get many laps in. Most of the fast times were set in the morning because the afternoon got hot and the track was greasy. We worked on getting the exhaust pointed in the right direction and had no problems in the second qualifying......... but the next day when it was cool and a lot of moisture in the air I added some extra baffles for the race.............

I qualified third behind Abhi and Dan in Geoff's old Integra. It took me a few laps to get around Dan and by then Abhi had pulled away. Abhi then got called for sound and proceeded to miss the flags for five laps............... With mist coming and going I was VERY conservative. We had bumped up the tire pressures which helped in the beginning but I think the rears got over heated by mid race. I was really babying the throttle coming off the corners. It wasn't a pretty win but a win is a win.

Props to Dan and Denise in their new cars. Both did awesome.

Also, there is a new video (not of me) that may become as iconic as the "I was Seventh" video. I hope someone posts it!!!

Anyone have any in-car video of the begining of the race? My GoPro didn't record. Not sure if it's me or the camera but it only seems to work half the time...........

[gran racing]

Congrats Jeff and Abhi! Not bad for the first time out in a new car.

Bet Abhi will now be motivated to fully convert it into an ITA Miata. lol

[JLawton]

Congrats Jeff and Abhi! Not bad for the first time out in a new car.

Bet Abhi will now be motivated to fully convert it into an ITA Miata. lol

Abhi's car is NOT an SM. It's a well developed (although not 10/10ths) ITA car.



Does anyone know who the photographer that was shooting during the race? He was at turn 2 and turn 3.

[gran racing]

From what we talked about last week, it sure sounded like there was plenty of room left with that car. Doesn't it still have the SM suspension and SM engine? I also didn't say it is an SM car right now either Jeffy. Don't worry, I'm sure yours will be just as fast or faster.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Great recap! Power is relative. Compared to a 150whp Teg on a big track, ya you won't like that. But it's a great balance of power, weight and handling...and Matt will tweak out some better power. We will drag race on Memorial day!

Good to see more ITA versions and the new Teg owners!

[gizmo83]

Andy we missed you. Hope to see you in May!
Congratulations to Jeff , Brad and Dan!!
Dan did in an awesume job first time racing in the proven Integra!! Second place qual, started front row and held on for third!!
Living the Dream after 5 years in the Escort trying to get mid-pack!
Many trials and tribulations for me most of the weekend, including a minor 112 pound underweight disqual after second qual on Saturday!! Started last but able to improve my position by 8 and beat me best Escort time by 2 seconds! Pretty happy for first time out.
Once again the SCCA atmosphere of 'all for one' in time of need amazes us.
See ya all in May!!??

[StephF]

^^^^ 100+ lb under?
Denise...eat more donuts!

[mossaidis]

^ I have 75 lbs of lead if you want some... congrats to all those who raced!

[Abhi]

Their was a really really fast ITA miata that was black flagged for sound. Not sure on his name but it was his race to lose. I guarantee if he knew where to "lift" for sound he would have won.
Stephen

That would be me that got black flagged for sound. After the race, it was explained to me where to lift in turn 10.

Now I know.....

And I should have turned the exhaust tip away from the sound meter

Abhi

[gizmo83]

Steph,
I was hoping for brownie sundaes but he went and bought weights for ballast instead! I thought this was my chance, darn.

[Abhi]

Abhi's car is NOT an SM. It's a well developed (although not 10/10ths) ITA car.



Does anyone know who the photographer that was shooting during the race? He was at turn 2 and turn 3.

The car is my SM car from last year with the following:

Stahl Header
ISC Racing Intake
Megasquirt ECU

And some serious tuning by Matt (Grumpy) Kessler.

Still running the SM suspension.

For the next race, I will have an ITA cylinder head that Matt is working on. At that point I should have the same HP and Torque as your motor. (Per Matt)

Watch out then

(And a new muffler )

The photographer was my buddy Yusuf. Send me a PM and I will send you his contact info and website. He got some really good pics of you. He is non-commercial for racing stuff (meaning he gives them away for free.)

I am lobbying to get him designated as our track photog, so he can get better access for shooting angles. He ususally shoots thousands of shots a weekend.

Regards
Abhi

[Raceman77]

Yes Jeff i do have a video of the beginning of the rest. i need to figure out how to cut and paste it.

[jimalley]

Congrats to all of the ITA cars and drivers. Sounds like I missed a weekend of good competition. I am excited as it appears ITA will have a large showing with alot of well prepared cars this year.

[rhygin]

I think I have some video... I too want to see if Dan was as sideways at the start as I think he was!

Come on Jeff... Over inflated the tires.... Greasy? It was 48 degrees out! You were starting to succumb to the chase! It is cool...

[wepsbee]

i think i have some video... I too want to see if dan was as sideways at the start as i think he was!

Come on jeff... Over inflated the tires.... Greasy? It was 48 degrees out! You were starting to succumb to the chase! It is cool...

me too!!!!!!!

[JLawton]

Come on Jeff... Over inflated the tires.... Greasy? ...

Yup!!

And I kept my foot in it the whole time!!

[JLawton]

THere was another photographer there besides the one that took this. During the group 5 race he was at the turn 2 flag station and at the turn three, drivers right flag station behind the wall. He got some good shots of me so I REALLY want to track him down. Anyone???

[Andy Bettencourt]

Yup!!

And I kept my foot in it the whole time!!

So you were slower than in the Saturn...by a TON...but you had WAYYYY more fun!!!!!!!!