23 replies to this topic

[Danny Steyn]

Congrats to Roger Burdette for not only qualifying on the pole for both the SIC and the ECR, but also winning both Finales. Congrats to Skip Brock on winning the SARRC Championship. We all know how much you wanted this one Skip, congrats. Congrats to OPM for dominating the SIC with Burdette, Brock, Tom Fowler, Tom Hart and Alan Cross all picking up medals this weekend. Look forward to seeing your write-ups guys.

[Jim Drago]

Congrats Skip on SARRC Championship, I know you have been working all year!

Roger
Congrats on winning the SIC! Really proud of you! It seems like the other day we were doing lead follow at Roebling with your new car. I remember how dejected you were after the first SM ARRC and how far you have come since then. I hated to be the one to tell you just how tough this class was going to be coming from PCA racing. You took the challenge head on and have made improvements every year! You were so committed to getting up to speed and winning races. Now you win the SIC and the Enduro!

Sincere congrats to both of you guys!
Jim

[Dan Tiley]

What a fun weekend for Spec Miata racing in Savannah! After watching Roger Burdette and Dillon MacHavern swap the lead at least 10 times in Saturday's enduro (7 times in consecutive laps), the SIC kicked it up a notch with the top 4 running nose to tail from flag to flag. Brock got a great start and jumped out to the early lead, with Fowler, Andrews and Burdette practically connected at their bumpers. Andrews moved past Fowler for 2nd about halfway in, and Burdette methodically picked off each of the top three one by one, with zero contact and maintained for the win. Awesome race, Roger!

I believe Keith and Skip were close enough in points where finishing 2nd for either of them would give them the championship. Skip drove a flawless race, and held off the hard charging Andrews, who made a very strong move on the outside of T1 on the last lap that didn't stick, and he fell back in line. Congratulations on a great season, and the 2012 SARRC Championship, Skip!

The OPM tent was entertaining, with competitors helping out the OPM's crew "To Do List" by adding items like, "Air up brake lines on Andrews car", and "Add H20 to oil". Good times, no drama, a new SARRC Champion, and new king of Roebling Road Raceway.

See ya at VIR!

[Keith Andrews]

I have the "I survived the SIC" t-shirt now. A big congratulations to Skip. We had a great race. I was waiting for Roger or Skip to make a mistake and it never happened. A great year of SARRC racing! A huge thank you to Ti-Speed, Dan Tiley and Alex Gaines. Two guys that don't mind working with the geriatric members of SCCA racing. Also thank you to all the guys at OPM. Spec Miata is the best. Thank you Tom for all your support throughout the year.
Selin ran a great race. I know he will have many more wins and championships in his future. SM is strong if it continues to brings out guys like Selin and Dillon Machavern.

[CruzanTom]

The SIC was high on competition, skill and camaraderie but low on man-drama this year.

Thanks to co-driver Tom Fowler, I got to start my first race from the pole in the ECR running in STL class. Roger and Dillon both passed me by T2 and I had a good view of Roger and Dillion swapping leads over and over. Good clean racing in hot and slippery conditions. Congrats to Roger for the ECR win and to Dillon for winning the SARRC ECR Championship.

I had a great view of the SM race after getting stuck in sand in T4 during lap 2 and watching from the flag stand. As mentioned, the top 4 were nose-to-tail the entire race with nary a bobble by anyone. Passes were made cleanly, defensive lines were taken occasionally without blocking. Keith Andrews, Tom Fowler, Roger Burdette and Skip Brock all had the ability to win. The flag worker with me commented that the SM race was the cleanest all weekend. The only contact came between Dillon and Sellin (running 5 and 6) in the final lap - Sellin locked up in T4 and pushed himself and Dillon off course. Both drivers got back on track with Sellin gaining the lead, which he sportingly gave back to Dillon for the finish. Back in the pack, Rick Gambrell, Pete Bogart, Rick Anderson and Louis Brown sliced and diced for position without incident. Congrats, not only to Roger and Skip, but to the entire field of SE-Div SM drivers who race close and fair.

Thanks to Tom Fowler at OPM for great cars and invaluable instruction all year. I ran my fastest laps ever at Roebling, won STL ECR and came in 2nd in SIC STL and STL SARRC Championship. Tom is a master mechanic, car builder, set up magician and top driver. Tom allowed me to start my first race from the pole in ECR and he reminded me how stupid I was to get stuck in the sand in the SM race. OPM has a great crew in Jonathan, Richard and Ricky, with Pete pitching in. Tracy served up great food all weekend and the Steak Cookout Saturday night was delicious. Sitting under the OPM tent on a clear evening with a steak, beer and talking racing with friends is what makes this a fun hobby.

Thanks also to all of the SM drivers who have shared information, suggestions and criticism with me all year. In addition to all of the OPM drivers who have patiently answered my questions and pointed out my errors, others have generously shared with me. Steve Bertok always gives a funny quip with each replacement fender he sends to fix my mistakes. Keith Andrews has shared video, Danny Steyn and Todd Buras have shared data and done analysis of my data to improve my driving. I have had the privilege of meeting many of you on this forum and all, from the top drivers to the mid-packers like me, have been generous with me. Thanks Drago, Charbonneau, Tisseront, Lamb, Webb, Sandlin, Stephens, Sellers, Cross, Berry, Todero and many others.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

The SIC was high on competition, skill and camaraderie but low on man-drama this year.

Thanks to co-driver Tom Fowler, I got to start my first race from the pole in the ECR running in STL class. Roger and Dillon both passed me by T2 and I had a good view of Roger and Dillion swapping leads over and over. Good clean racing in hot and slippery conditions. Congrats to Roger for the ECR win and to Dillon for winning the SARRC ECR Championship.

I had a great view of the SM race after getting stuck in sand in T4 during lap 2 and watching from the flag stand. As mentioned, the top 4 were nose-to-tail the entire race with nary a bobble by anyone. Passes were made cleanly, defensive lines were taken occasionally without blocking. Keith Andrews, Tom Fowler, Roger Burdette and Skip Brock all had the ability to win. The flag worker with me commented that the SM race was the cleanest all weekend. The only contact came between Dillon and Sellin (running 5 and 6) in the final lap - Sellin locked up in T4 and pushed himself and Dillon off course. Both drivers got back on track with Sellin gaining the lead, which he sportingly gave back to Dillon for the finish. Back in the pack, Rick Gambrell, Pete Bogart, Rick Anderson and Louis Brown sliced and diced for position without incident. Congrats, not only to Roger and Skip, but to the entire field of SE-Div SM drivers who race close and fair.

Thanks to Tom Fowler at OPM for great cars and invaluable instruction all year. I ran my fastest laps ever at Roebling, won STL ECR and came in 2nd in SIC STL and STL SARRC Championship. Tom is a master mechanic, car builder, set up magician and top driver. Tom allowed me to start my first race from the pole in ECR and he reminded me how stupid I was to get stuck in the sand in the SM race. OPM has a great crew in Jonathan, Richard and Ricky, with Pete pitching in. Tracy served up great food all weekend and the Steak Cookout Saturday night was delicious. Sitting under the OPM tent on a clear evening with a steak, beer and talking racing with friends is what makes this a fun hobby.

Thanks also to all of the SM drivers who have shared information, suggestions and criticism with me all year. In addition to all of the OPM drivers who have patiently answered my questions and pointed out my errors, others have generously shared with me. Steve Bertok always gives a funny quip with each replacement fender he sends to fix my mistakes. Keith Andrews has shared video, Danny Steyn and Todd Buras have shared data and done analysis of my data to improve my driving. I have had the privilege of meeting many of you on this forum and all, from the top drivers to the mid-packers like me, have been generous with me. Thanks Drago, Charbonneau, Tisseront, Lamb, Webb, Sandlin, Stephens, Sellers, Cross, Berry, Fodero and many others.

Congrats on your STL title Tom, you have improved alot in 2012! Anyone who wants to improve, and thats ME included, need to swallow your pride and ask for help. I have had help from some of the best in the Class myself, and it is a big reason I try to pay it forward by helping other humble, hungry SM'ers. Tom you have never let pride get in your way of improving yourself and your race craft, that great attitude you have will take you far.

Tom Keep up the work buddy! 2013 will be even better for you!!!!!!!

[Todd Lamb]

Congrats to all - sounds like a great time as always with the OPM crowd! Would have been fun to see BobbyT in the mix as well - hope he heals up in time for that little 13hr race we have coming up at VIR in a few weeks!

[Alex Bolanos]

Great writeups, looks like OPM cleaned house! Looks like another "I beat Fowler" button needs to be made....

[Brocodile]

Thanks well-wishers. I feel like a double winner, since I am surely the oldest SM SARCC champion in history (age 62). My first race was at Barber at the end of the 07 season, proving that old dogs can still learn, though they do tend to get pretty stubborn. Thanks Tom Fowler and the whole OPM crew for building, maintaining and setting up a great car. Thanks Sam Nelson for strong and, just as importantly, reliable power throughout the season. Thanks to Tracy Fowler for keeping us well-fed. And a huge shout-out to Sherman Engler who, together with wife, Tonie, sucked me into this game and later served as coach and sports psychologist, respectively. BTW, Sherman is the 2012 SIC Formula Vee winner.

Now for the race recap. As we know, the SIC is the final race of the season. To make things interesting, it counts double points. The standings had Bob T. and Selin Rollan tied for first, with me 8 points behind them and Keith Andrews 4 points behind me. We four were the only drivers with a realistic shot. With double points, I could win the championship by placing first in the race, as long as Both Bob and Selin finished 3rd or lower. If I placed second, Bob and Selin both would have to place 4th or lower for me to win; however, if Keith took first, I was out. Roger Burdette was not in a position to win the points race, but has always been very fast and was bound to be a factor in the race.

Grid positions were Burdette, Fowler, Brock, Rollan, Andrews, Machavern and Bertok on the first 3 rows. Fowler was largely responsible for this. He pushed me around while Andrews, Burdette, and Rollan all caught the draft. The top 3 qualifiers were within 1/100th of a second. Rollan was 2/10's off. Bobby T. had an equestrian get-off the week before the race and could not drive: doctor's orders. Bob had already beat me four or five times this season, so his absence greatly improved my prospects. Now that the race is over, get well soon, Bob!

Tom, Roger, Keith and I had a pre-race talk and vowed to cooperate early and try to draft away so we could fight it out at the end. Of course, everybody always has those talks before every race, but this time it actually worked out, mostly. After a clean (if extremely fast) start, it was Roger, me, Tom, Keith and Selin. There was much legal bump drafting (i.e., not directly beneath the starter's stand) throughout the race. In lap 2 or 3, Selin got by Keith and Tom on the front straight and tried me on the outside in T1, but I held him out and it cost him all the spots he had gained and maybe more. Roebling is a stern teacher. I was content to push Roger with Tom pushing me, but, early on, Roger got a poor run out of T6. I was closing so fast, I was afraid a bump would break his diff. The train was coming, so I couldn't slow down. I went around Roger and brought Tom and Keith with me. Anybody familiar with Roebling knows the leader is a sitting duck if the others decide to draft together. So, now I was the duck. At least I had Tom between me and Keith, and both of them, plus Roger, between me and Selin.

With me quacking away, we drove around nose to tail like a duck and ducklings for several laps behaving ourselves and opening a gap from Selin and others. Then Keith appeared in my mirrors. With Keith on my tail, things got very uncomfortable. A couple of times, he got great runs and could have passed, but decided to push instead. Smart guy. I continued to quack, just trying not to make any huge mistakes. With about five to go, here comes Roger. He passes Keith and falls in behind me. I feel better with a buffer between me and Keith. But not for long. On the next lap, assuming Roger wouldn't make his move until the next-to-last lap, I took the usual line. Roger late-braked down the inside. Fearing that Keith would follow him through, I conceded the position and fell in behind him.

At this point, Selin was 5th or 6th, so 2nd was as good as 1st for me. I attached myself to Roger's bumper, hoping to gap Keith. I thought we were getting a little gap, but then Roger went defensive into T1, thinking I was going to try something. In fact, I was afraid to make a move on Roger lest I open the door for Keith. Dorsey and the boys talk about it all the time on Speed Channel. Anyway, Keith was right on my tail again as I quacked ever louder. Somehow, I managed to hold him off till lap19. At that point, I knew it was now or never for Keith, so I went totally defensive into T1 and braked as late as I dared. It was a heroic try, but the outside pass just wasn't there. The race was Roger's and the championship was mine.

In contrast to last year, argy-bargy was kept to a minimum. Everyone showed respect and sportsmanship, as well as considerable skill and sound judgment. The championship was decided on the track, not in the weeds.

Saving the best for last, tremendous credit goes to my racer babe, Brenda, who has made all but two races in over four seasons. She gives me companionship and encouragement, while never letting me take myself too seriously. Of course, driving a chick car with a bunny painted on the hood helps keep things in perspective, too.

So, Danny, how was that for a race summary?

Skip Brock
SM #61
OPM Autosports, Nelson Engines

[Mitch Reading]

Skip, we have never met but I love the summary, congrats!

[MazdaSteve]

Congrats to all you guys. I've missed running with the SARRC SM group this year.

[zbb0730]

Thanks for the kind words guys! This is my first post, although I've lingered here off and on for some time. Spec Miata is an extremely humblilng experience if you're a guy like me and didn't grow up driving something. I fell in love with this sport in 08' and and my butt handed to me in '09 at the ARRC. Then had it handed to me many times afterwards and still do. There is NO other race class like SM. I drove Porsche for two seasons and although it is a blast to drive them, the competition doesn't compare. Most of all, the people are fantastic. I owe tons to:

Jim Drago - What a talent! He knows every nuance about these cars, the skills required to drive them and the tracks he races at. Thanks for the Drago build, the many areas of advice and the example you set for us all.

Tom Fowler - Another talent! Thanks for your guidance, fantastic crew and food and putting up with my whining. You guys were spot on this past weekend and took care of every detail! (BTW my times were better than yours in qual and in the race...just sayin) Ha!

Danny Steyn - Man you are willing to share and help us all and I know I speak for many when I say thank you for your candidness and data sharing to help us go faster. Class act and talent.

Many others who helped along the way: Todd Buras, Todd Lamb, Aaron Povoledo, Cliff Brown, Dan Tilley for the last minute engine , Cory Friedman, and the list goes on.

Skip, hat's off to you..great race and great season. Fowler, Rollan, Andrews and Machavern...great run guys! Tough crowd to run in!

I'm extremely grateful to be a part of the SM crowd. Nothing has brought my game up like you guys. Still, lots of work to do!

[Jim Creighton]

I missed Saturday due to having a Pro Cup race at Southern National Speedway in Kenly, NC. I left there at 11 PM after a 16 hour work day and arrived at Roebling Road at 4 AM. Toni came in the motorhome and got me up as race # 1 was starting so I could get the race medallions ready for the winners.

I'd like to thank all of you who made that drive worth while. The SM race was great and it was really great to have so many of you thank me for organizing the SIC and being the Administrator of the SARRC series. As all of you who know me know, the SARRC series is like a child to me. Seeing you guys have fun and be successful is just like watching my kids have fun and succeed.

Thanks for your friendship. You guys are the best!

See you at the ARRC.

P.S. I'll order three " I beat Fowler " buttons tomorrow.

[Brocodile]

I missed Saturday due to having a Pro Cup race at Southern National Speedway in Kenly, NC. I left there at 11 PM after a 16 hour work day and arrived at Roebling Road at 4 AM. Toni came in the motorhome and got me up as race # 1 was starting so I could get the race medallions ready for the winners. I'd like to thank all of you who made that drive worth while. The SM race was great and it was really great to have so many of you thank me for organizing the SIC and being the Administrator of the SARRC series. As all of you who know me know, the SARRC series is like a child to me. Seeing you guys have fun and be successful is just like watching my kids have fun and succeed. Thanks for your friendship. You guys are the best! See you at the ARRC. P.S. I'll order three " I beat Fowler " buttons tomorrow.

Jim, I had no idea you were up all night.You looked fresh as a daisy Sunday. I speak for all the drivers when I say that we appreciate your paternalistic feelings toward the SARRC.I have organized many competitive sporting events myself, so I am familiar with the "challenges". On certain occasions, I have been one of your "challenges" myself. I was pleased to see how well the SM drivers behaved this year. The stewards had it easy, which is how it should be.

We thank you and all the many others who organize and conduct these events.

[Race Engineering]

Big congratulations to race car driver extrordinaire and a young man i am proud to call my friend - DILLON MACHAVERN. Dillon handily secured himself a place in Spec Miata racing history by winning the 2012 ECR Endurance Racing Championship. With the help of Steve Bertok, of Panic Motorsports fame, Dillon dominated the entire season showing poise, experience, maturity, and sheer race-craft which, when seen at all, is normally shown by much older drivers.
Well done Dillon - thanks for choosing Race Engineering Power!

Skip - Congratulations on a well deserved championship! I've had the pleasure of racing with you several times over the years; many times we went wheel to wheel, nose to tail and never so much as a touch. I know that you spent countless hours and many years trying to reach this ultimate goal so take some time and relish the thoughts, bask in the glory. You, Brenda and Skipper bring a much needed camraderie to the class we have all come to love and I am sure you will represent the entire SM community with the class that we've all come to admire.

Roger Burdette - congratulations on winning the SIC race - well done!

As I guess many of you know by now, I wasnt able to compete at the SIC because of injuries sustained in an equestrian accident. Most of you dont know that Katherine and I own a professional sporthorse facility and I have gotten very serious about competing in three-day eventing at the advanced level. Unfortunately when a 1500 lb thoroughbred suddenly stops from 30 miles per hour when approaching a 6' jump things get ugly fast! I sustained a severe concussion, several facial and orbital eye socket fractures, as well as some cracked ribs. Needless to say doing the SIC wasnt an option.

I truly enjoyed racing with all of you guys and I am looking forward to other epic battles in the future!

I would like to take a quick moment to thank all the people who made this possible - Glenn and Tom Long at Long Road Racing, David and Jennifer Snider of Team 7 Motorsports, Shea Hughs and Clay Dillashaw of Racing Analytics, Steve and Becca Bertok from Panic Motorsports, Ed Fennell and the nice folks at Maxima Oil, Carbotech Brakes, Impact Racing, my long time friend and mentor - Glenn Murphey, crew chief extraordinnaire - Robert Huffman, all of the staff and employees at both Race Engineering and Chestnut Creek Stables, my lovely wife Katherine, all of our competitors, stewards, SCCA volunteers, Jim and Toni Creighton - for organizing this madness!!!! - And most of all - our loyal customers. Hope to be back in the car for the Thirteen Hour - see you all at VIR!

[Ben Rooke]

Great summary Skip and congrats on the SARRC Championship. Well deserved. You and OPM have been on your game all year! Nice to see that you and Keith were in the mix until the final lap. I'll bet it was fun to watch but even more fun to race!

Also quite sporting of you to mention that Bob T couldn't attend. I know he was disappointed that he couldn't be there.

Nice win Roger. Pretty tough to finish the year any better than that!!

I look forward to racing you guys next year. I just hope you all get a lot worse in the off season!!

[Strongbad]

Nice going Skip! Always a pleasure to race under the OPM tent with you.
See you at the ARRC?

Joseph Strong

[Keith Andrews]

Here are the last few laps of the race.


Edit: Sorry Danny for the miss spelling.

[CruzanTom]

Here are the last few laps of the race.

Good driving!

I think this comic summarizes your feelings in the last few laps, although Fowler seemed to help a bit.

 I need a push.jpg   46.34KB   7 downloads

Attached Files

•  I need a push.pdf   51.79KB   5 downloads

[Keith Andrews]

Good driving!

I think this comic summarizes your feelings in the last few laps, although Fowler seemed to help a bit.

 I need a push.jpg   46.34KB   7 downloads

You nailed it. No push all race by anyone. The only reason I was pushing, was to try to gap the field for Skip and I to race for the win. That part worked out well.