September 30, 2001 -- The SIC (SARRC Invitational Championship) determines the SARRC champions at the end of each year. Points from the best 6 races, plus double points for the SIC counts. Despite having run only 5 events (four wins and a second, a sixth race in his plan was cancelled by Buccaneer Region) Will went in a favorite to win, with his ITC Honda. Vesa Silegren, in his ITC Honda and Bill Perry, in the ITB Accord qualified for the Invitational, so attended despite having too few points to contend for the championship.

Vesa has spent a lot of time (and some $) doing development work on his Civic, and has gained significant speed as a result.

At the start, Will moved forward with some good moves. Vesa got pinched in turn two, smashing up both sides of his car, destroying his new paint job. Performance wasn't hurt.

Will loves his Hoosier Tires, and loves the support Hoosier provides. But one of his beloved Hoosiers let him down. A lapped seam about 1-1/2 inches in from the outside of his left front caused the cord to be exposed after only four laps. Kevlar cord just doesn't hold the pavement. He fell back into the unruly herd behind him, but still in position to easily take the championship.

2001 Races

November
   ARRC
October
   VIR SARRC/ECR/ECR
September
   Roebling SIC
   Road Atlanta SARRC/SARRC
July
   Road Atlanta ECR/SARRC
April
   Roebling Double SARRC
March
    Memphis Mid-Am/IT Tour
    VIR SARRC
    Atlanta SARRC/ECR/ProIT
February
     Memphis Regional
     Roebling School

<< Older            Newer >>

 
Will had been warned twice before the race to stay away from Jinks Jordan in his CRX. Jordan had previously hit every Rivergate racer except the Perry's - some more than once. With Will's corded left front Jordan ran him down and passed him starting the last lap. Jordan began blocking, swinging full left and right twice on the front straight, then pulling right to block entering turn one (in full view of the video). Will drove up beside him on the line at track left. But at about 110 MPH, near the entrance to turn one, Jordan came across on another blocking attempt. Will moved over until his left tires were touching the sand, when the CRX's collided. Will spun, losing several positions. Perhaps showing where the name "Jinks" came from, Jordan flipped, reportedly end over end. He came to rest inside turn one, on his roof. The car was totaled but Jinks was thankfully OK.

Will was able to continue the last lap, but finished seventh.

Vesa drove well; finishing second despite the smashing his car took on lap one.

Bill finished fifth in ITB, and managed to keep his Accord from being bashed, but it took substantial effort to prevent being hit.

Will filed a protest against Jordan for unsportsmanlike driving (blocking). The protest was ruled well founded, but the SOM's declined to punish Jordan above damage done to his car.

Will's poor finish left him in a three-way points tie for second in SARRC competition. The SEDIV has published two versions of finishing position, after tiebreakers, but I don't think they have it right yet. Will finished either second or third ??.

I have decided to retire from Road Racing after this event. Why? The Fun/$ ratio has dropped below 1.0. The fun really hasn't dropped but the $ certainly has increased. Competition Board policies have contributed to my losing the practical use of two racecars this year. My Civic was totaled by a driver fresh from a "Double" driving school that should have been called a "Single". And my next car was reclassified from ITB to ITA effective 1-01-02. It will be ridiculously uncompetitive in that class. I can't afford a Hans device, yet don't think I can afford to be bumping and rubbing fenders without one. Also, I fear attention to my car may be degrading preparation of Will's racecar.

I will give Solo I a try. That should lower the $ factor some and this should leave time for some other SCCA activities.

Be aware that this is not the first time I have retired from Road Racing - it may not be the last!

-- Bill Perry