34 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

Reg

https://www.motorspo...b-racing-425907

 

Entries

95  Bannister, Bruce   1999  Advanced Autosports Novi, MI
16  Davis, Jonathan   2000  Rossini Racing Products, G-LOC Brakes Wadsworth, OH
27  Efremidis, Chris      West Bloomfield, MI
30  Hechler, Dave   1990  Printworks LLC Franklin, OH
85  Kowalczyk, Doug      Lewis Center, OH
69  Lilly, Cooper   2000  SIGNdeSIGN, Schaeffer's Oil & Purcell Tire Henderson, KY
83  Matoy, Eric   2003   Leonard, MI
67  Naumann, Brian   2000   Milford, MI
7  Novak, Kristen   2003  Roush / Caldwell Race Prep Highland, MI
9  Novak, Michael   2002  Roush /East Street Racing/Krispy Kreme/Caldwell Race Prep Highland , MI
77  Piku, Alex   1999   Grosse Pointe, MI
18  Scappaticci, Natalino   1999  Allied-Eagle Supply| V2 Motorsports Ann Arbor, MI
55  Williams, Chris   2000  Medbio, Inc. Ada, MI

[Johnny D]

SCCA’s Northern Conference Will Wrap up at Grattan

 

The finale for the Northern Conference U.S. Majors Tour features several championships on the line

 

The Northern Conference of the SCCA U.S. Majors Tour wraps up this weekend at Grattan Raceway in Michigan. Like with some of the other final Majors races, those who are already qualified for the SCCA Runoffs and are not attacking a Conference championship may choose to skip the weekend, especially with the second Majors at Road America having run just two weeks prior. But those who want that title or need the weekend to qualify for the Runoffs will descend on Grattan with full intent.

 

Touring 4 MX-5 driver James Ebben is one of those. Currently he’s 24 points out of the championship lead, held by fellow MX-5 racer Thomas Bernacki. Ebben, who showed well with a solid finish in Touring 4 at the 2016 Runoffs, is on the early entry list for Grattan. Bernacki is not.

 

Like Touring 4, Miatas lead in F Production, and the pursuing driver has signaled his intent to show up and make a run at the Majors championship. David Bednarz trails Michael Sturm by only eight points, so if Sturm doesn’t show at Grattan, Bednarz should walk away with the title. In GT-3, RX-7 driver George Cichon is leading the points, but hasn’t entered at Grattan. His competition has entered, however, so if Cichon wants that Conference championship, he’ll have to make the trip.

 

None of the top contenders in Touring 3 are on the early entry list for Grattan, and if none show, Paul Kwiecinski will take the title in his MX-5.

 

Formula Enterprise has been hotly contested this year with a good field of drivers, but despite that, Elliot Finlayson has managed a solid lead in the class. Dean Opperman is 31 points in arrears, and neither was entered for Grattan a week out. Formula Mazda hasn’t been particularly well subscribed in the Northern Conference, and the two at the top of the points table only have a few races. Both, however, are entered at Grattan. Jason Vinkemulder leads going in with 75 points, while Steve Johncock has 45. With 25 points on the table per race, this class is still anyone’s game.

 

Spec Miata is a very close battle, with Chicago-area driver Danny Bender having a 10-point lead over Voytek Burdzy. Bender is on the early entry list for Grattan, so if Burdzy doesn’t enter, Bender will have the championship sewn up. Michael Gagliardo has an outside shot, but it would require something major for him to end up on top of the points.

 

Finally, Tom Coury is trailing in B-Spec, but the Mazda2 racer has a shot at the title if he goes to Grattan. He sits 14 points out of first.

 

Once the Northern Conference wraps up this season, only the Mid-States Conference will have races left to run, with that finale coming at High Plains Raceway on Aug. 19-20.

[Johnny D]

95  Bannister, Bruce
11  Bender, Daniel
8  Beyer, Mark
16  Davis, Jonathan
27  Efremidis, Chris
70  Garfield, Julian
42  Greenhill, Kyle
30  Hechler, Dave
23  Ibrahim, Dan
08  Kohler, Jason
85  Kowalczyk, Doug
69  Lilly, Cooper
83  Matoy, Eric
67  Naumann, Brian
7  Novak, Kristen
9  Novak, Michael
18  Scappaticci, Natalino
12  Setili, Daniel
55  Williams, Chris

[Johnny D]

Is there something in the Super Tour contract that says SCCA will not promote Majors ??

 

https://www.scca.com/

 

J~

[Tom Sager]

Nah, just the Rodney Dangerfield Conference gettin' no respect.

[Jamz14]

Maybe this is the race that the Dangerfield car na 1.8 will get its much promised win? It is over half way through the season, wasn't it due by now? Haven't seen much about the NA 1.8. Time for its wheels to start squeaking no? Or are all you na 1.8 owners happy with how it is performing against the much improved 1.6?

[Danny Steyn]

Maybe this is the race that the Dangerfield car na 1.8 will get its much promised win? It is over half way through the season, wasn't it due by now? Haven't seen much about the NA 1.8. Time for its wheels to start squeaking no? Or are all you na 1.8 owners happy with how it is performing against the much improved 1.6?

 

Marc Cefalo has taken his NA 1.8 to several Majors podium finishes this year, and a few wins I believe, both in Majors and NASA events. He has victories over Drago, Leverone and other heavy hitters. 17 year old Evan Karl has also been tearing up the NE regional track in his NA 1.8.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Congrats to Mikey likes it Novak for his win today at Grattan!

[Jamz14]

Marc Cefalo has taken his NA 1.8 to several Majors podium finishes this year, and a few wins I believe, both in Majors and NASA events. He has victories over Drago, Leverone and other heavy hitters. 17 year old Evan Karl has also been tearing up the NE regional track in his NA 1.8.

If the car has wins against top cars, then I stand satisfied that it is at parity and will support the rules staying as they are.

Thank you Danny.

[Danica Davison]

Marc Cefalo has taken his NA 1.8 to several Majors podium finishes this year, and a few wins I believe, both in Majors and NASA events. He has victories over Drago, Leverone and other heavy hitters. 17 year old Evan Karl has also been tearing up the NE regional track in his NA 1.8.

If the car has wins against top cars, then I stand satisfied that it is at parity and will support the rules staying as they are.

Thank you Danny.

 

I think power wise, the NA 1.8 is right there, but I think it still suffers from heat soak down here in Florida after a few laps.  We have seen that from both Nick Malatesta and Alex Bolanos this year. I mean...when the first few laps, the Cuban Missile was in typical fashion ... hard as hell to stay on his bumper.  But then a few laps later, he was having a Cuban Missile Crisis!  He was even holding ME up!

 

So I guess my point/question is: I think it is definitely been a good adjustment power wise and cool to see Cefalo winning races with it.  But how hot were those races?  And if Cefalo would comment as to how he felt the car was from the beginning to the end of the session?  Maybe this isn't the correct thread for this post but im lazy lol

[Bench Racer]

John, my question is, what do you mean by heat soak. Over the years there have been several commented versions of NA cars slowing down later in a race (chassis set up) to heat soak (engine related issues). Is there data to point to the issue other than lap times.

[Danica Davison]

John, my question is, what do you mean by heat soak. Over the years there have been several commented versions of NA cars slowing down later in a race (chassis set up) to heat soak (engine related issues). Is there data to point to the issue other than lap times.

 

Well, I will text Nick and Alex and get their data and see if I can pinpoint it.  I think it is just obvious to see when pushing alex or nick or vice versa and you don't feel like you're going anywhere in the last few laps. I will put together one of my videos too from NASA Sebring in June when it was hot as hell and both of them were there.

 

I just think it is interesting that the cars seem to do really well up north where it isn't as hot and humid as it is down here. I don't have a solution but is just an observation.  I am sure there are many variables at play. Don't want to make the overdog car up North when it is cold but don't want an underdog car down here when it is hot.

[Richard Astacio]

Marc beat Tyler a few weeks ago in Jersey and the air temps were above 90....I think it was mid 90's.

[Tom Sager]

Looks like Mike Novak made it a weekend sweep today.  Congrats Mike!

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Congrats again Mike! Sorry to interrupt the 1.8 parity thread!!!!!

[Marc Cefalo]

all are more than welcome to write me directly at marc@planet-miata.com about the NA8.  don't want to hi jack a grattan thread.

 

in other news.....hille, ralph and others were trying hard to get my wife and i to join a possible caravan of SM's leaving INDY this Sat to run Grattan majors Sun...

 

the powers than be did not want to prorate the entry fees for us to just run a single day.....needless to say we stayed at Indy on sunday, tested more, pissed off more porsche owners and i went to the principals office for a talk (black flag) a few more times....

[38bfast]

We had 5 cars that wanted to leave Indy and race grattan on Sunday only. But since it was a single sanction they wanted full entry fee. They weren't willing to acomodate a single day entry.

Great dive by Mike and a fantastic drive by his wife Kristen. She has really found the grove this year.

[Jim Drago]

Congratulations to Mike on sweeping the weekend!

 

To add to the parity thread.. Marc car is very good, he is also driving better than I have seen him drive in the past. The car is as good as the best cars i have raced, but not an over dog or out of line. 

[davew]

Great weekend at Grattan.

 

Mike checked out on Saturday early in the race. Working together Danny Bender and Julian Garfield, Advanced Autosports team mates,  caught Mike but needed a few more laps to really make it a battle.

 

Sunday saw Danny and Mike out front at the start, They bumped and broke the valve stem on Dannys right front tire. A quick tire swap and Danny was out , but a lap down. With a worn out spare tire he managed the fastest SM lap of the weekend. Julian and Mike swapped the lead but Mike prevailed for the sweep.

 

Dan Ibrahim made his Majors debut in another Advanced Miata, his first time to Grattan, and he managed a 3rd place finish in Sundays STL race, beating all the other SM/STL competitors

 

Danny Bender wins the Northern Conference SM championship, over teammate Voytek Burdzy. Thomas Bernacki and Paul Kwiecinski also won Northern Conference Championships in T4 and T3 respectively. This gives the Advanced Autosports team a total of 3 Majors Championships for 2017

[Ron Alan]

How does one break a short rubber valve stem?