14 replies to this topic

[Dayle Frame]

I've been in touch with Eric who is coordinating an 8 hour enduro at Grattan on 5/30, 5/31.  He asked me to post about it in case some folks here would be interested.  It is NOT and SCCA event.  All that said, Grattan is an amazing track to drive and this sounds like a neat way to get lots of seat time there.

 

Check it out here:  grattan8hour.com.  Reach out to him (grattan8hour@gmail.com) if you're interested and/or have questions.

 

Dayle

[Steve Scheifler]

Sounds like fun! But 8 hours at Grattan is equal to at least 12 at most tracks so be in good shape if doing 2hr stints.

[Jim Drago]

Sounds like fun! But 8 hours at Grattan is equal to at least 12 at most tracks so be in good shape if doing 2hr stints.

I agree, maybe 14  

[38bfast]

You would have to be in outstanding shape to do a 2 hour stint at Grattan at speed. And the car is going to be challenged as well. It's a great track for finding the weakness in your car. I wouldn't use 2nd gear. 

[Steve Scheifler]

Well, we know that enduros are more about enduring the tedium of driving 8/10s for hours rather than “at speed”, so... Just picking on the current top challengers for entry fees.

[Jim Drago]

Well, we know that enduros are more about enduring the tedium of driving 8/10s for hours rather than “at speed”, so... Just picking on the current top challengers for entry fees.

most enduros now are sprint races .. no more 8/10

[38bfast]

For old out of shape fat guys like Jim and I EMS would have to be on standby on pit wall. Paddles charged and ready to go. 

[Steve Scheifler]

most enduros now are sprint races .. no more 8/10

At the top levels, sorta, but every chump/champ/lemons et al team I talk to are adamant about running well under the limit to optimize fuel stops, tires & brakes, etc. Of course, 2 seconds off the max pace for the team’s ace is often 100% or just unattainable for their slowest driver, so there is some perspective involved.

[38bfast]

Our Champ car runs at 95% for most all the race. Last stint is usually 100%. If we see times dropping you get a call from pit wall. But if your trying for a win in a miata thats what is required. 

[Steve Scheifler]

Our Champ car runs at 95% for most all the race. Last stint is usually 100%. If we see times dropping you get a call from pit wall. But if your trying for a win in a miata thats what is required.

If I took 95% literally and applied it to lap times it would be a lot slower even than I suggested, but that’s not how it really works and I understand your intent.

[Michael Novak]

If I took 95% literally and applied it to lap times it would be a lot slower even than I suggested, but that’s not how it really works and I understand your intent.

Steve,

 

You could apply it to laps times----except the passing portion which can cost 1-4 seconds at any race. 95% is long believable...

[Jim Drago]

I once raced at hallet in 106 degree weather in Sm, no cool suit and was dead, had to pull off and line up again and run stl without getting out of car.. driving laps 2-2.5 seconds slower, I was cooled off and fine in 3 laps or so. Crazy how much that relatively small little bit at the end drains you. 

[Michael Novak]

I think in Champcar it is the lack of tire that keeps you from being as tired as a SM race. Holding myself in place I think takes half of the effort...

[tburas56]

VIR South course 12 hr last week was a total sprint race!

VIR Full course 24hr was a total sprint race. Novak champcar won by 10 seconds over the V2 Motorsports Miata entry.

14HR Charlotte... Glazed and Confused won by 24 sec over second place in another miata

[EMatoy]

I find champcar easier to drive due to the less grip as Mike said but also the racing is no where near as tight. This is the biggest factor- otherwise I could not run as fast for 2 hours. I could do Grattan for 2 hours at a time - it would be fun- but the rules they chose basically prohibit a car from any other series....strict $$ limit, 0.120 wall cage, several other points that are too different from champcar