28 replies to this topic

[Charlie Hayes]

Here is my go at the championship....anyone else want to show their experience?

[James York]

Charlie,

One thing I as curious about was how the weather hit. It seemed to come right as the green flag flew. Was it a cloudburst type deal or did anyone check the weather radar and notice if a front was quickly approaching?

I would have thought if it was the later (front approaching) someone might have gambled and went with intermediates with hopes rain was coming. For example, Nate drove a great race, but I was wondering if he went out with a little more meat on his tires than others.

Just curious if anyone rolled the dice knowing the forcast for the day.

[Charlie Hayes]

It looked as if was going to be a dry race or sprinkles here and there, which would have not needed more meat on the tires. The sprinkles turned to big rain drops on the out lap and the rest is history. I didn't check anyones tire setup but someone may let us know?


The fast laps were in the 56's, I believe I ran a 58 on lap 1 and never beat it. I did not check data to see if I was close to that or not later in the race. Nate ran his fast lap on lap 13 which from the sidelines on turn 11 looked to be forming a slight dry line.

All in all great experience and easily the icing on my cake for my rookie year of racing. I will be back next year and I plan to finish the race.

[gsparks]

It really looked like it would be a dry race, no rain was showing nearby on the weather radar.
We were on completely slick tires. I believe at the time it would have been a big gamble to do otherwise.

[FTodaro]

when you got hit in the braking zone at 7 at (10:31) was that accidental or intentional if you know. Looked like he hit you pretty hard would think he just underestimated there, good save at that point.

[Charlie Hayes]

He was locked up and was sliding. My boss was telling me on the radio he was going to hit me so I was kinda prepared.

[trimless]

xxx

Edited by trimless, 09-13-2011 01:35 PM.

[trimless]

That was me in the white #11 and no it was completely unintentional, sorry Charlie. We have not had a rain race in Texas for over 8 months so it was a steep learning curve. I flew off the track into China beach at the same braking point soon after and that was unintentional also

[Charlie Hayes]

Yeah no harm no foul. It's all a part of it.

[dtfastbear]

Damn, Charlie!!! I saw the video was only 17 minutes or so in length so I knew it wasn't going to end well... but you were doing SO GOOD!!! Looks like you learned a lot in some tough qualifying races and really kept your nose clean through those first few crazy laps in the Championship race. I'm so happy that you got up to (4th? 5th?) and showed what you've got. Some really great close racing in changing conditions. So sorry it ended the way it did - you had such a great run going.

How bad is the damage? Looked like a pretty solid hit.

In any event, I'm proud of you. You really kept it together and were really putting it together in that final race!

Cheers,

Dean

[Nsparks]

I would have thought if it was the later (front approaching) someone might have gambled and went with intermediates with hopes rain was coming. For example, Nate drove a great race, but I was wondering if he went out with a little more meat on his tires than others.

Hey James. I don't think anyone went out on a "intermediate" tire. Some may have been on a meatier dry tire but I saw no rain tires. I did not expect it to rain at all but sure enough it started to sprinkle on the out lap. Mid Ohio likes very slick tires so that's what I was on, no thread left at all and man it was like driving on ice!

Look for my video sometime tomorrow.

[James York]

Hey James. I don't think anyone went out on a "intermediate" tire. Some may have been on a meatier dry tire but I saw no rain tires. I did not expect it to rain at all but sure enough it started to sprinkle on the out lap. Mid Ohio likes very slick tires so that's what I was on, no thread left at all and man it was like driving on ice!

Look for my video sometime tomorrow.

Nate,
Great job and congrats on the win. Impressive driving from what I could see on the internet broadcast. Tough conditions and those were no slouches behind you.

[Greg Cicatelli]

Here is my go at the championship....anyone else want to show their experience?

http://vimeo.com/28973422

Hey Charlie,

Man, good run until the incident. You did a great job moving through the field in tough/changing conditions - far different than our blue sky racing season out here. I hope the damage isn't too bad and you can make it to Laguna in a few weeks.

Cheers,
Greg

[CARacer]

Do you know what position you were in when the incident happened? You were tearing it up! 29th to what, 4th or 5th?

How's your car?

[Nsparks]

I am in the process of uploading the race. It's going to take forever. A 7+ hour upload! In the mean time here is my Thursday qualifying lap.

[Charlie Hayes]

And that was awesome!!!!! I now feel like I was on a Sunday drive for that qual session after watching that video. I need to practice in the rain this winter......

Well deserved pole and I can't wait to see the Champ race video.

[JRHille]

you are crazy

[Ron Alan]

you are crazy

Charlie? Nate? both?

[JRHille]

I think we all have our fair share of craziness!

[Charlie Hayes]