Raindrops Keep Falling on my Headgasket

February 25 & 26, 2006 -- This weekend, our Chatt Region racers proved why just showing up for the race can be the best winning strategy. We comprised the entire ITC and Formula Vee fields, giving Vesa, Chuck, and Ruthie gold, silver, and bronze, and Anthony his first 1st . Efran ran an exciting G-production race, bringing home the gold, and even though Michael Hartberger didn’t come home with a trophy, he gave us all a thrill by running up front in the Spec Miata race for a couple of laps. Chances are Michael couldn’t see us all jumping up and down screaming, “go, go, go!” the first time he tore into turn one, but we were rooting hard.

Unfortunately, Saturday’s rain bit Michael on his third lap, when a river at the entrance to the Esses and a punt from the rear put his Miata into the wall. Michael was unhurt and damage to the car was fixable enough to get him back on the track for Sunday’s Pro-IT race. Go Michael!

Anthony earned the weekend’s racing medal of honor. As the only Vee registered for the event, he was asked by officials to run his race with the high-powered wingie thingies. Yikes! He was up to the challenge, though. He showed his racing smarts by watching his mirrors, planning ahead to when the fast cars would overtake him, and sticking with it to earn first place. To give you an idea of how outgunned he was, by the time the leaders had finished their 14-laps, Anthony had only completed nine. Whoosh!
 

2006 Races

September
   Nashville

July
   Road Atlanta
   Roeblig Road

April
   Roebling Road
   Kershaw

Feburary
   Road Atlanta
   Kershaw
   Tech Day

<< Older            Newer >>
 

Zooming in the Rain!
The skies opened up at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and didn’t quit until 9:00 that night. Art and I got to the Hoosier guys by 7:30 a.m. to get some radial rain tires. Thanks to my awesome “crew,” who thought to order those radials ahead of time—and because the Appalachian Tire guys were so on the ball—the CRX was newly shod and ready to race by 9:00.

Oh, gawd, the butterflies! The whole way up to the grid for that first session, I fought that primeval voice that tells you to “run! Don’t do this! Whaddareya nuts?!” The sheer terror brought me to tears, but I knew if I started crying I’d have to run the whole practice session with a runny nose. Ewwwww!

Even though I’d been running virtual laps of Road Atlanta in my head for weeks (with the help of one of Vesa’s in-car videos and my experience working some of the corners), it helped immensely to follow Chuck’s lines around the track for the first couple of laps. By lap three, I was ready to let go of the umbilical cord and explore on my own. By lap four, I had forgotten the terror and come to the conclusion that Road Atlanta rocks! What a fun course.

Learning Curves
For the umpteenth time, I was so grateful for having done my second racing school on a rainy weekend. Between my training on a wet track and those sexy new rain tires, I went out for my second qualifying session with enough confidence to accomplish my first set-up and pass. I had passed much slower cars without much thought at other races, but Saturday was the first time I deliberately planned and executed a strategic pass, getting by a car at turn ten. I came off the track high as a kite, announcing my milestone to the world. I had taken a major step in my own learning curve and as far as I was concerned, the weekend was already a success.

Now, the disadvantage of qualifying in the rain with production cars on slicks is that once the track dries up, they blow your bumpers off. The weather turned sunny and cool for the ITC/Production/Showroom Stock/SRF race on Sunday. I found myself gridded in front of some really fast SPU and production cars.

Mine and all my coaches’ strategies were to get them around me as fast as possible after the start so I wouldn’t interfere with their races or my safety. Of course, the best laid plans always fall apart and the whole lot of them caught up with me by the entrance to the Esses. The guys played nice, though, and as soon as we were out of turn five, I pointed them by and they went on their merry way.

Guaranteed of a third place finish if I kept my nose clean, I spent the race learning the track, trying to keep Vesa and Chuck in my sights, and watching my mirrors for Spec Racer Fords. I really tried to keep up with Vesa on the back straight. A few more feet and I would have been able to draft him. Shoot! Chuck drafted me once in the same place (wahoo!) and I got a huge kick out of watching Efran outrun his competitors as they blew around me between turns five and six. Efran had one Toyota chasing him so hard that the guy wound up doing donuts at turn seven.

At the end of the day, we gathered in the paddock and toasted each other with Anthony’s champagne. What a fabulous weekend!

Kudos to the Stew and Crew

Bill earned a lot more stewarding notches in his belt, working from 7:30 to 5:30 every day. Art proved again that he’s a kick-butt crewman in so many ways, not the least of which was standing out in the cold and rain to support all the Chattanooga racers, not just me. Teresa was her usual efficient and cheerful self, even when she was freezing her butt off at impound. Gail generously cooked hungry people hamburgers on Saturday night, and Sue Fullgraf sent some seriously good banana bread for dessert. Misty worked as camera crew for the champagne celebration and cheered Anthony on when most of us were held at impound. Efran’s entire family showed up just in time to see him take the green on Sunday, and steadfast Stan (and Efran’s other crew member whose name I don’t know) were there to pamper the Suzuki to one more win. If I forgot anyone, my apologies, and thanks for helping us out.

Popsicle Toes

A seriously special thanks to the Road Atlanta workers. Saturday dished out about the nastiest working conditions anyone should endure, but they stuck with us all day. Bill said that the lone starter stand flagger was a soggy popsicle by the last session, but she hung in there. Here’s reason #206 for racers to work corners every once and a while. When you come around a turn and see friends in white waving and cheering you on, it blows the letters off of any trophy. Thanks guys!

-- Ruthie Cartlidge

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