231 replies to this topic

[Danny Steyn]

Congrats to Drago for a really impressive qualifying time. And to all those who are way up front. The depth of this field is just mind boggling.

Tom and I have been trying a whole bunch of new things, making tweaks here and there, but after a few sessions we are absolutely positive that you definitely need third gear, no question!!!!!!!!

ARRGH! Of all the sessions for it to happen. But better now than in the race!! Gonna be tough to come back from 45th!

[FTodaro]

Stay positive, you know how to do the rest.

[Johnny D]

Q1 PDF

http://scca.cdn.race...s/sm qual 1.pdf

J~

[suck fumes]

Go Reynolds!

[Mike Asselta]

I believe that Berry and Stearns were working together for their lap.  How about others?

East Street:  Drago, Berry, Stearns and Sandlin ran in a four car train, most of the time.  Berry was getting onto the front straight and out of turn 5 better than the champ for most of the session.  Amazing to see Jim make the corrections he needed to his braking points and get the flyer at the end of the session.  

 

Top 15 were all faster than anyone has ever gone before.

[Ron Alan]

Congrats to Drago for a really impressive qualifying time. And to all those who are way up front. The depth of this field is just mind boggling.

Tom and I have been trying a whole bunch of new things, making tweaks here and there, but after a few sessions we are absolutely positive that you definitely need third gear, no question!!!!!!!!

ARRGH! Of all the sessions for it to happen. But better now than in the race!! Gonna be tough to come back from 45th!

Well Danny, someone had to be at the bottom of the "Names"  I would guess Bolanos thanked you  Fingers crossed for 2 more dry quals! I dont expect either of you to stay where you're at!

 

Shout out to Joey Jordan for a respectable run in the rental car...now lets get to the top 10!

 

Also a  to Mark Drennen...our only Norcal wild card!

[Danny Steyn]

Joey Jordan is the real deal, and great to have him under our tent this weekend. I have been watching his data after each session, and he is on the money. Just needs the right drafting partner and he should qualify in the top 10.

[Jim Drago]

Looks like another 9:30 bed time for me

 

Before I forget, we did bring a few spare engines and transmissions should anyone need one.

 

In short, we are all still shooting for pole until the race starts, nothing is safe. We(East Street)all spoke after qualifying and at dinner that we need to ratchet it up and go faster as everyone else will be shooting for us and they have no concern about what day is/was supposed to be the best. Similar to what we did last year on day two.  We had a few 41's going, I was fortunate in that traffic cooperated on my last lap. To tell you it was not easy and not fun ten laps in, was under statement.  

 

For those who havent done this crazy Runoffs thing... You cant imaine the pressure we put ourselves under. When I went back today to get help pull the guys around, it looked like the 42.7 would hold up as it did most of the session. On one lap, Craig went to pole and by the end of that lap I went from 1-7. FAST.  At that point, I described it as someone putting an air hose to my ear and putting 100 psi in there. I think I had a strees headache for three days until after qualifying today. We wanted to put something on the board that we can race, regardless of the times, we are close and can race from here. 

 

As I have said many times.. The way to win these things is to be prepared, unload fast and get through the week with as few problems and set backs as possible. Much easier said then done.  Things always pop up and bite you in the ass, You often worrry more when things are going well wondering what and when will it happen. Danny's deal is a perfect example, you just can't predict that stuff. Luckily he has two more days to make it up and will get it close.  I had a slight noise in 4-3 downshift yesterday, so we swapped trans as a precaution. If it will fail anywhere, it will fail here and always at the worst time! 

 

On the STL front, I went faster today than I have ever gone at a 33.9, but Robbie Huffmaster put a second on me. My feeling after Sprints was that I could run a 33.8, I am at a 33.9, not sure I have much left, maybe .2-4. Hopefully, I can stay close and make a race of it Sunday.  

 

As for SM tech, the entire car was sealed up. Motor, intake, exhaust, afm, computer, shocks and a few other parts and pieces. Fuel and weight as well. Stl had a pretty long laundry list as well.

 

 

Thanks for all the congrats texts etc.  We start again at 7 tomorrow. 

Jim

[luckymiata76]

What am I doing here? I tow my own car to the Runoffs, I work on my own car in my 2-car garage(unheated), my toolbox fits in a Mazda3, I sleep at Super8, I'm the team chef, I bubble balance my wheels, my tow vehicle is 13 years old, I sponsor myself,and I teach for a living.

 

I'm here for the competition, I'm here for the people, I'm here because people like Drago, Wheeler, and Sager are willing to help and offer advice. I'm here because my Dad helped me out when I finally could afford to start racing IT back in 1994. I'm here because SCCA is the best racing organization in the country.

 

Ran a 1.43.9, qualified 27th and damn proud of it!

 

I love it all.

[Ken Quartuccio]

quote name="luckymiata76" post="52233" timestamp="1379509722"]What am I doing here? I tow my own car to the Runoffs, I work on my own car in my 2-car garage(unheated), my toolbox fits in a Mazda3, I sleep at Super8, I'm the team chef, I bubble balance my wheels, my tow vehicle is 13 years old, I sponsor myself,and I teach for a living.
 
I'm here for the competition, I'm here for the people, I'm here because people like Drago, Wheeler, and Sager are willing to help and offer advice. I'm here because my Dad helped me out when I finally could afford to start racing IT back in 1994. I'm here because SCCA is the best racing organization in the country.
 
Ran a 1.43.9, qualified 27th and damn proud of it!
 
I love it all. [/quote]

That's why this class is the best !!!!!!

[mvzante]

Having just acquired my late father in laws SM I am brand spankin' new to the SM community.  Reading all these posts and constantly refreshing the web pages to see the latest news and times coming in from the Runoffs is very exciting for me.  The competition, comradery, and sportsmanship seems top notch amongst  this group and I can't wait to be involved in the years to come.  

 

Good luck to all this week, drive fast, drive safe!  I'm looking forward to reading more news and results as the week progresses.

[Todd Lamb]

About to head to breakfast. It's wet outside - good for some, not for others. Gonna be interesting again today. A little drama in tech yesterday that turned out to be just smoke.

Ted is doing awesome! Under the track record and top 15 (so far). He is picking up time everywhere and quickly. Love having data, video, and following behind with radios for immediate feedback.

Good luck to everyone!

[Ron Alan]

10 minutes until qual and it looks like rain just passed over the area  No weather in site but maybe a pretty damp track!

[dfuser]

lets see who like to dance in the rain?

[Ron Alan]

Well not many! Only 31 went out...

[LarryKing]

Why go out?

[Dan Tiley]

Why go out?

Practice for Friday... 70% chance of rain in Championship race.

[JRHille]

I'd go out to practice for a possible rain race

[LarryKing]

Sure - but it's a big risk of breaking your car before the race

[Todd Lamb]

Yep chance of rain for the race and those that practiced in the rain will have a big advantage. Not a risk for those who are comfortable in the rain.

Track was wet but drying quickly. The last lap was almost dry as you can see by Danny's time. The rest of us pulled in earlier to save the rain tires.