176 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

For all you 1.6 honks a fast Teen Mazda Challenge kid is running #83 Nick Sommers.  Everyone is overlooking him and he will make you pay for it!

 

5th in practice just behind some guy named Drago. But he's new and learning.

https://www.scca.com...p-4-sm-practice

 

J~

[Johnny D]

Qual

https://www.scca.com...grp-4-sm-qual-1

 

J~

[Danica Davison]

Texans are dominating!!

[Joe (dad) Jordan]

A 1.6 is P6 with a first timer to COTA!  

[trimless]

3 Texans on top, shocking!

[Danny Steyn]

For all you 1.6 honks a fast Teen Mazda Challenge kid is running #83 Nick Sommers.  Everyone is overlooking him and he will make you pay for it!

 

Joe - your pick is not only a true hotshoe in every sense, but he is also a really cool dude. Spent some time chatting to him. First time at COTA, and first time on Hoosiers. Kid is definitely worth watching. Hope Mazda has him in their sights, like the other young hotshoes coming through the SM ranks.

[Bench Racer]

Joe Dad, rounded out, -.5 second.

[MPR22]

Drove behind the young man for a couple of laps, he is definitely the real deal.

[Ron Alan]

Drove behind the young man for a couple of laps, he is definitely the real deal.

 

 

Nick has been one of the most consistent young drivers the past 2 years out West(and the fastest)...and it took him 4 years to get to this point! He will definitely be one of the favorites to win at Sonoma this year...maybe he can convince some of the East coasters(and central) to make the trip!

 

My question was how would the 1.6 do at a 5th gear track? Well, not knowing the circumstances today I have to assume it went ok! The next question...how will it race?? Nick is extremely capable as a driver and his car has been very solid for 2 years! This will be a legitimate test of a very good 1.6 car with some of the best 1.8 cars!

[Joe (dad) Jordan]

Joe - your pick is not only a true hotshoe in every sense, but he is also a really cool dude. Spent some time chatting to him. First time at COTA, and first time on Hoosiers. Kid is definitely worth watching. Hope Mazda has him in their sights, like the other young hotshoes coming through the SM ranks.

 

Thanks Danny,  we met Nick and his Dad when they were first getting started,  Nick was very shy when we first met him and Joey and I mentored him and his Dad  when they where finding their way.  Nick and many others (Ryan Ellis (Nascar), Nate Sparks (MX5 cup) Charlie Hayes (Flying Lizard) Elliot Skeer (Porsche Cup) Joey Jordan (washed up @gashalffull) David Dodge, Will Rodgers (Nascar) and many others) are the legacy of Ron Cortez who passed very recently and the visionary of the Teen Mazda Challenge.

 

This program is so much more than just creating great drivers but great people!  The drivers mentor each other and develop together and they all teach their parents humility and respect.   I will always value Ron's vision and determination and will be forever grateful.  

 

Some have asked about what Joey is up to.  He recently quit his job as a Porsche Driving coach at the Porsche experience center and is starting his great adventure driving to Argentina in his van to explore car cultures and racing in other countries.  You can follow him at www.gashalffull.com where he will be documenting his trip.

 

Go get um Nick!  Don't let the NB's overslow you entering the corners and you will be fine!

[Jim Drago]

Nick has been one of the most consistent young drivers the past 2 years out West(and the fastest)...and it took him 4 years to get to this point! He will definitely be one of the favorites to win at Sonoma this year...maybe he can convince some of the East coasters(and central) to make the trip!

 

My question was how would the 1.6 do at a 5th gear track? Well, not knowing the circumstances today I have to assume it went ok! The next question...how will it race?? Nick is extremely capable as a driver and his car has been very solid for 2 years! This will be a legitimate test of a very good 1.6 car with some of the best 1.8 cars!

Nick and his dad are very nice, both came up and introduced themselves and we talked for a little bit. This track is not easy, to be that quick with no test day is very impressive.  Nick drove very well, both he and the car are very fast, He was able to push me down the back straight with ease. Not many NB cars can do that. I'm sure he will get better over the next two days as well,

[Johnny D]

Sat race 1

https://www.scca.com...p-4-sm-race-1-2

 

Dilly Dilly !!

 

J~

[Danny Steyn]

Congrats to my good buddy Chris Haldeman on his win today. Much deserved. And congrats to Leverone and 1.6 teen hotshoe Sommners on his amazin podium in a stellar field. 

 

But the real shoutout should go to Nick F'n Leverone and Blake F'n Clements. To come from where they were on the grid and move forward so dramatically in such a tight field was a superb achievement. Levenrone's drive from 10th to 2nd in 3 racing laps is pretty impressive, and we all know that he just doesn't have what some of the others have. All skill! 

 

As for COTA track management, IMO neither of the wrecks should have taken that long to remove. So many tracks are getting cars pulled off in way less than a lap. But we spent most of the race under yellow (and yes we Spec Miata Racers need to take responsibility for that), but we could have had more racing laps if the track support crew were more on the job. Once again, just my opinion. 

[Bench Racer]

How about a little background info on, #72 Justin Crickenberger.

[chris haldeman]

Justin is one of my customers. He started racing spec Miata last year. He has a decent amount of experience in bmw’s with NASA and some”pro” series. Very nice guy with a great family. Car is pretty darn good too :-)

[MPR22]

Danny is spot on with the tow trucks. They must have thought we were racing an endurance race. We were doing 4:45 double yellow laps and they took 3 laps to hook a car up to a tow truck. Yes we wrecked but the track service was ridiculously slow.

[Jim Drago]

Congrats to Chris, Nick and Nick. I echo what Danny said about Leverone, Well done. 

 

Lots of threats of track limits, but no one dinged today.. so here we go again,,, Do we race to what they say the rule is and what they say they will enforce but dont? Or race going over track limits.. that's the million dollar questions

 

My apologies to Taylor Ferranti, I tried a pass into one that looked good for a second, but as I committed, I knew it was ill advised, jumped the curb and got into him a little. No real damage, but also unnecessary. 

Jim

[DrDomm]

But the real shoutout should go to Nick F'n Leverone...we all know that he just doesn't have what some of the others have.

 

What?  It's a SPEC Miata.  He's actually got a bunch of them.

[Danica Davison]

What?  It's a SPEC Miata.  He's actually got a bunch of them.

 

What Danny means is ... Nick never has time to work on his own stuff because he is always working on his customers cars.  Kind of the deal with every shop owner, besides Drago, because Drago just sits back and never touches a wrench lol.  Tom Fowler, Nick Leverone, Haldeman, Labounty, etc, all touch their cars last, which is usually the night before they leave because that is the only time they have to work on their own stuff.  We all know how important prep is. 

 

Also what he means, Nick's car doesn't have the best straight line talent for whatever reason. But, he is one of the best dudes in the sport and one of the best wheelman and I am glad to see him do so well!  Go Nick!

[Johnny D]

Sun race 2

https://www.scca.com...p-4-sm-race-2-2

 

J~