Jump to content

Photo

14 Year Old Driver Wins 2nd NASA Event

- - - - - NASA 14 1.6 win

  • This topic is locked This topic is locked
101 replies to this topic

#1
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98



Today was a great day at Homestead Miami Speedway for the second race of the second NASA Florida region event. I took the win in the Spec Miata race. I qualified 4th and the top four all were within 1 tenth of a second. The top for were 2 seconds faster then 5th place. Selin Rollan was my drafting partner in qualifyed and the race. We were able to bump draft around the entire banking. At the start I fell to 5th but got to third within the first lap. Me and Selin Rollan teamed up and passed first and then pulled away from the field of 25 very competitive spec miatas with a few national winners in the field. We were hitting speeds of 122 mph while bump drafting compared to the 112 mph without bump drafting. I stayed behind him and pushed him the entire race... until the last lap. I found out earlier in the race I don't have the power to pass him by pulling out of the draft in the banking. The only chance I had was in turn eight, a tight hairpin leading to the backstraight, where my 1.6 liter miata has better launch against his heavier 1.8 liter. So on the last lap in turn eight I drafted as much as I could and pulled out. I got the lead and was able to hold off Selin in NASCAR turns 3 and 4 and take the win. I achieved a time of 1.40.5 which is very quick and would be considered a front runner in a SCCA National. I tested and got times on my Mazda 2. I was able to get a 1.48.2 consistently and that is about 6 seconds off a decent Spec Miata time. Overall a great weekend and now off to Sebring on March 30th.

Special thanks to Bob Van Epps my Coach, Race Pack, Rossini racing Engines, Joe Heck Racing, Metro Wrapz

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#2
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98
Here is me bump driving Selin Rollan.

Attached Files


Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#3
Danny Steyn

Danny Steyn

    Zulu rain warrior

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,439 posts
  • Location:Fort Lauderdale
  • Region:FL
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:39
Congrats Ernie - anytime you beat Alex Bolanos and Selin Rollan, you are wheeling a car!

Also big shoutout to Nick Malatesta, getting his first Spec Miata win

Danny
Danny Steyn Racing | DSR YouTube Channel
Danny Steyn Photography | Adept Studios | Ocean MachineryOPM AutosportsRossini Racing Engines | G-Loc Brakes | 

 

2 x SCCA Runoffs Champ | 1 x NASA National Champ | 6 x June Sprints Champ | 10 x ARRC Champ

1 x SCCA Super Sweep | 2 x Triple Crown | 4 x Hoosier Super Tour Points Champ | 6 x Majors Points Champ | 5 x SEDiv Driver of the Year

 

 

June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata Majors Winner - BFG Supertour Winner -

#4
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98
Thank you it was a tough race. Me and Selin teamed up to pull away from Alex.

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#5
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98
I can't wait to be eligible to race in the SCCA Nationals at HMS and Daytona next year. It will be fun to race with such great drivers.

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#6
Alex Bolanos

Alex Bolanos

    The Cuban Missile

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPip
  • 355 posts
  • Location:Miami FL
  • Region:FL
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:57
Can you post the video from Saturday's race? You started last right?

Alex Bolanos - #57 
Sponsored by Autotechnik, Momo USA, Apex Alignment, and Amazon.com

Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Majors Winner - We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner

#7
LarryKing

LarryKing

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,659 posts
Nice!

Track looks like a hoot - I love rovals.
2017 - SMSE SEDiv ECR Champion
Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#8
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98

Can you post the video from Saturday's race? You started last right?


Were trying to get Saturday's video up, but it is giving us some problems. And yes I started last.

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#9
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98
Does anyone else have any video from the event?

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#10
William Bonsell

William Bonsell

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 398 posts
  • Location:Poulsbo, WA
  • Region:Northwest
  • Car Year:1999
Good job kid....now just get a really good camera and mount into the car and you'll be a YouTube sensation!
Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+ Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#11
Blake Clements

Blake Clements

    Moderator

  • Moderators
  • 305 posts
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:6
Who built the motor in the camera car?

Blake Clements

http://www.blakeclements.com - Driver Coaching, Consulting, & Video/Data Analysis.

OPM Autosports/SP Induction Systems/X-Factor Racing/G-Loc Brakes/Traqmate/Bell Helmets

Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver BFG Supertour Winner -

#12
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98

Who built the motor in the camera car?


The motor is a new factory Mazda short block with a Rossini Pro head that was just installed before this event. We also have our own in house dyno that we have done over 200 runs with that car to get optimum torque and hp by adjusting FP regulator and also on board I have a AFR gauge and know how to set it for different conditions. We also have a specific setup for HMS running the banks. We make the car have the least rolling resistance possible to get maximum speed.

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#13
Muda

Muda

    ComingToAMirrorNearYou

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPip
  • 365 posts
  • Location:East
  • Region:WDC
  • Car Year:1999
.
Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+ Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#14
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98
Look at my lines also, I never dropped a wheel off hence losing speed.

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#15
Jim Drago

Jim Drago

    East Street Racing / 2 Time National Champion

  • Administrators
  • 6,566 posts
  • Location:Memphis, Tn
  • Region:Mid South
  • Car Year:2005
  • Car Number:2

The motor is a new factory Mazda short block with a Rossini Pro head that was just installed before this event. We also have our own in house dyno that we have done over 200 runs with that car to get optimum torque and hp by adjusting FP regulator and also on board I have a AFR gauge and know how to set it for different conditions. We also have a specific setup for HMS running the banks. We make the car have the least rolling resistance possible to get maximum speed.


Ernie
Congrats on the win, very good job driving. Your car looked like it was on rails, good job on set up too. Looks like you nailed it. On a side note... save that engine, you will likely never get another like it again... I have made the mistake of wasting the really good ones during the year and regret it now. When you get one that good, put it on ice until the big races when you will need it. Your car is very fast or Selin and Alex's car were way off?

East Street Auto Parts
Jim@Eaststreet.com
800 700 9080

NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner Hoosier Super Tour points Champion - Hoosier Super Tour points Champion ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata BFG Supertour Winner - Majors Winner - Circuit of the Americas Winner - We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America

#16
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98

Ernie
Congrats on the win, very good job driving. Your car looked like it was on rails, good job on set up too. Looks like you nailed it. On a side note... save that engine, you will likely never get another like it again... I have made the mistake of wasting the really good ones during the year and regret it now. When you get one that good, put it on ice until the big races when you will need it. Your car is very fast or Selin and Alex's car were way off?


Thank you very much. Also we set the toe and camber setup to give least resistance in a straight line and on the banking. It hurt me very little in turn in, but helped a lot on exit and straight way speed. We already tested the setup two weeks ago at the FARA 2 hour enduro and sprint races on the banking. We also repacked the wheel bearing recently to provide again the least resistance. Also out of the 8 miatas in my fathers shop, mine is the easiest to push. Go figure.

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#17
Jim Drago

Jim Drago

    East Street Racing / 2 Time National Champion

  • Administrators
  • 6,566 posts
  • Location:Memphis, Tn
  • Region:Mid South
  • Car Year:2005
  • Car Number:2
good to see you working so hard on the little stuff, it all adds up

East Street Auto Parts
Jim@Eaststreet.com
800 700 9080

NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner Hoosier Super Tour points Champion - Hoosier Super Tour points Champion ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata BFG Supertour Winner - Majors Winner - Circuit of the Americas Winner - We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America SCCA National Champion - Won SCCA Runoffs at Road America

#18
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98
Here is video also of me testing my new B-Spec on the banking. I was able to get a 1.48.2 consistently and that is about 6 seconds off a decent Spec Miata time.


Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#19
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98
I knew going into this race with such a long straight and banking that i would not hurt much to sacrifice corner entry speed for better straight way speed. We figured this all out by going back and forth with setup at the FARA races.

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#20
Ernie Jr.

Ernie Jr.

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 211 posts
  • Location:Davie, Fl
  • Region:Florida
  • Car Year:2012
  • Car Number:98
Now we are deciding what setup for Sebring in 2 weeks.

Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver

 

We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!





Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: NASA, 14, 1.6, win

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users