BuckeyeZ06

Well, Race Fans, I am back for a report of my weekend at Road Atlanta and Round 9 of the 2013 Trans Am Series.

The reason you haven't heard from me for a while is that my season has been a rough one. In 7 previous starts (I passed on Brainard, which was Round 7) I have 3 1/2 races...Mosport (4th), Lime Rock Park (4th), Road America (10th) and 1/2 a race at VIR (DNF while running 2nd). I had early DNFs at Watkins Glen (3 laps and leading the race!), Mid Ohio (1 1/2 laps) and Sebring (made it to Turn 4).

But this was a better weekend...

I arrived Wednesday night so we could practice and test on Thursday. I made one crucial error that day, I used worn out tires. Doing so kept me from learning much about the capabilities of the car. (Advice: don't use Goodyear 430 compound tires beyond 130 miles or 3 heat cycles...scary). My best time on Thursday was a 1:27.xxx, about 5 second off Tony Ave's best.

Friday was the first day of official Trans Am activities. We had two practice sessions, so I upgraded my tires and ran a 1:24.3 best; still 4 seconds off the pole pace, and 7th fastest. I was very frustrated, as I knew the car was capable, but my mind would not accept the performance capabilties of this car. I didn't sleep at all Friday night wondering if I could ever "get it."

Saturday was qualifiying. New tires, 7 gallons of VP Racing fuel, trim the wing a bit and "go for it." The first hot lap is usually a conservative one...get in the race. Matt radios to me, "1:22.2...good lap." There's more out there. Next lap is a bit better, "1.26.6, great!" The third lap would have been great, but my brake pedal felt a bit long, so I brought the car in. Caution is a good thing.

It turns out I had a broke left rear rotor, and it was eating up the brake pad, so my decision was a good one.

Here's the frustrating thing about my qualifying effort: I cut the difference between Tony and me in half, but went BACKWARDS on the grid. Yes, positions 1 though 8 were all about 2 seconds apart. Good for the series; bad for number 8! LOL

1. Tony Ave 1:19.680
2. Mike Skeen 1:19.785
3. Doug Peterson 1:20.177
4. Cliff Eben 1:20.997
5. Amy Ruman 1:21.304
6. John Baucom 1:21.522
7. Simon Greg 1:21.522
8. David Pintaric 1:21.696
9. Allan Lewis 1:23.586
10. Bob Monette 1:26.533
11. Richard Grant 1:26.666

Sunday's race was held under perfect weather conditions. I started 7th as Simon Gregg replaced a motor and went to the back of the grid. At the start I was able to move to 6th by getting past John Baucom going up the hill. I inherited 5th when Doug Peterson had a mechanical issue and pulled out. So the first 2/3 of the race was "follow the leader" and weave you way through lapped traffice. I pressured Amy Ruman a bit, enough that she said after the race she thought I was going to get by her. But I was unable to do so. I eventually was passed by Simon Gregg when I was not able to get through lapped traffic like I should have, so I finished 6th.

1. Tony Ave 1:20.404
2. Mike Skeen 1:20.472
3. Cliff Eben 1:22.493
4. Amy Ruman 1:22.366
5. Simon Gregg 1:22.951
6. David Pintaric 1:22.785
7. Allan Lewis 1:25.677
8. Richard Grant 1:27.254
9. Doug Peterson 1:21.856 (5 laps back)
10. Bob Monette 1:27.818
11. John Baucom 1:22.841

I am pleased we got a finish, but frustrated I didn't "manage" the tires better. I burned up the rears. I know how, and how to learn to avoid that next time.

These cars are simply amazing. I hadn't really appreciated how impressive they are until I watched the ARRC "big bore" race on Saturday from the pits near Turn One. Wow! Mike Skeen, Nick Hazelwood and Simon Gregg run GT1 cars. So THAT'S what we sound like??

I do know that the difference between where I am performance-wise and the front runners is simply hard work and testing. I will whittle that difference down, that's my promise to myself.

Next up is Daytona in two weeks. I hope to see some of you there.

BuckeyeZ06

And for the "this thread is worthless without pictures" crowd...here's the first seven laps of the race from inside my car:


Admittedly not my best effort...

Lawdogg

Nice to hear from you again David. Too bad about not making it to Brainerd, it would have been fun to see you run there. Even with the rough luck this year, there are thousands on this forum that would trade places with you in an instant. Good luck at Daytona!!!
Ron.

millstreet

to get outta' there with a decent finish & the car intact is a win

lots if carnage over the weekend,

did you get a look at Stretch's black car?

Andy

BuckeyeZ06

Bob's team was paddocked two over from us, so yes I saw his car. Bob's friend of mine, so we were concerned. We saw him walk out of the car and to the ambulance, so we were pretty sure he was going to be "ok." But he certainly was going to be sore for quite some time.

The Howe chassis performed perfectly! It did exactly what is was designed to do. The motor and trans went UNDER the car, so the passenger wasn't subject to too much impact. Chaz Howe was standing with us as the car was being unloaded, and I told him he had much to be proud of...his design works.

Regarding the "real" Trans Am cars (), man, these thigns are soooo awesome. It's hard to get a grasp of the full potential in one of these. I'm getting there, but still have a ways to go.

RX-Ben

want to touch the gas pedal...

Captain Buddha

Thank you for sharing your experience and video. Looks like a BLAST!!

SDF

Thanks for sharing David!!

mbeckers

Thank you David for sharing your thoughts on your first season in Trans Am. Most of us forum readers can only dream about racing in a pro series.

rmackintosh

Rock on!!!

Locke

David
I will look you guys up in the paddock Friday.
I want to find out were the shop is in Canal Fulton, might get back up there next summer.
Locke McCormick
North Florida Corvette Assn., NCCC
Jacksonville, Fl