Gary Combs wins event #1 of the 2006 West Coast Corvette Challenge
01-22-2006, 11:36 PM
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Gary Combs wins event #1 of the 2006 West Coast Corvette Challenge
Saturday, January 21st was a clear, cool, and sunny racing day in the California high desert, with the temperatures in the high 40s to mid 50s. Great weather for racing at our home track, Los Angeles County Raceway. We shared the track with Pontiac Drag Days, the Southern California Drag Racing Association (SCEDA) and Junior Dragsters. With a small number of cars overall at the track, and no accidents or clean ups, we had a great day.
Gary Combs, in his silver 03 coupe, prevailed over Jim Lane in the final contest. Jim red-lit by .003 to give Gary the A&A Corvette Performance winner’s trophy.
Jim Lane won the Cormier Chevrolet sponsored Runner-Up trophy in his C4 over semi-finalist Mike Villenueve, when Mike red-lit by .010. In the first round, Jim earned the Closest to Dial and Best Reaction Time trophies when he launched on a .001 RT and finished with a 14.503 ET on a 14.50 dial for a .004 package.
2003 and 2005 WCCC Champion Dave Dowdell, was our other semi-finalist.
More congratulations to first round winners Javier Navarro, Phil Reese, Al Carrington and Rocky Zarillo.
We want to thank first time WCCC racers Robert Piroumian and Martin Rangel for racing with us. Ron Poseli and Steve Cudahy also ran time trials with us. Hope to see them out again to race with us.
Kat McSwain was our fastest in eliminations, with an 11.899 ET at 115.54 mph in her Z06.
It was great to see Jack Sweet at the track again. He was not racing with us this time. He had a 12 second C3 last year, but he is pulling the motor to go into 65 Chevy II Nova.
Linda Reese entertained the spectators with a clean 360 at about the 60 foot mark in her red C5 convertible during time trials. She made a perfect Hollywood recovery and cruised down the track to finish the aborted run.
Thanks to all our sponsors including NAPA Auto Parts/Los Angeles County Raceway, Cormier Chevrolet, Perez Web Design, Optima Batteries, and especially Andy and Melissa Green of A&A Corvette Performance.
Thanks again to Bernie Longjohn and his crew for another well-organized great race day at our home track!
2006 Event #1 Results Summary:
Winner: Gary Combs
Runner-Up: Jim Lane
Semi-Finalists: Mike Villenueve and Dave Dowdell
Best R/T: Jim Lane .001
Closest-to-Dial-In: Jim Lane 14.503 on a 14.50 dial
Low ET in eliminations: Kat McSwain with 11.899.
Let’s have today’s racers add their own perspective of the days activities. See you next time February 4 at LACR!
For more information on the WCCC, please visit www.corvette-challenge.com
Gary Combs, in his silver 03 coupe, prevailed over Jim Lane in the final contest. Jim red-lit by .003 to give Gary the A&A Corvette Performance winner’s trophy.
Jim Lane won the Cormier Chevrolet sponsored Runner-Up trophy in his C4 over semi-finalist Mike Villenueve, when Mike red-lit by .010. In the first round, Jim earned the Closest to Dial and Best Reaction Time trophies when he launched on a .001 RT and finished with a 14.503 ET on a 14.50 dial for a .004 package.
2003 and 2005 WCCC Champion Dave Dowdell, was our other semi-finalist.
More congratulations to first round winners Javier Navarro, Phil Reese, Al Carrington and Rocky Zarillo.
We want to thank first time WCCC racers Robert Piroumian and Martin Rangel for racing with us. Ron Poseli and Steve Cudahy also ran time trials with us. Hope to see them out again to race with us.
Kat McSwain was our fastest in eliminations, with an 11.899 ET at 115.54 mph in her Z06.
It was great to see Jack Sweet at the track again. He was not racing with us this time. He had a 12 second C3 last year, but he is pulling the motor to go into 65 Chevy II Nova.
Linda Reese entertained the spectators with a clean 360 at about the 60 foot mark in her red C5 convertible during time trials. She made a perfect Hollywood recovery and cruised down the track to finish the aborted run.
Thanks to all our sponsors including NAPA Auto Parts/Los Angeles County Raceway, Cormier Chevrolet, Perez Web Design, Optima Batteries, and especially Andy and Melissa Green of A&A Corvette Performance.
Thanks again to Bernie Longjohn and his crew for another well-organized great race day at our home track!
2006 Event #1 Results Summary:
Winner: Gary Combs
Runner-Up: Jim Lane
Semi-Finalists: Mike Villenueve and Dave Dowdell
Best R/T: Jim Lane .001
Closest-to-Dial-In: Jim Lane 14.503 on a 14.50 dial
Low ET in eliminations: Kat McSwain with 11.899.
Let’s have today’s racers add their own perspective of the days activities. See you next time February 4 at LACR!
For more information on the WCCC, please visit www.corvette-challenge.com
Last edited by cc42; 01-23-2006 at 01:29 AM.
01-23-2006, 12:07 AM
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Congrats Gary 
01-23-2006, 10:59 AM
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OMG...no Dave Dowdell in the headlines!!! Great racing!! A lot of folks running their dials consistently made for some great match-ups...not the least of which was the Dowdell/Dowdell race...changed my dial at the last minute and ran 13.46 on a 13.50 dial...oh yeah, Dave ran pretty well, too. Congratulations, Gary...nice to see you at the top!!
01-23-2006, 02:27 PM
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I'd like to add that we also have a new format for first round match ups.
The top six or so places get their names pulled from a hat to race each other for first round. This levelizes the field so that a new racer will not have to race one of the top six drivers in the first round.
This was a great idea! I commend the group for coming up with this.
Mike V
The top six or so places get their names pulled from a hat to race each other for first round. This levelizes the field so that a new racer will not have to race one of the top six drivers in the first round.
This was a great idea! I commend the group for coming up with this.
Mike V
01-23-2006, 03:15 PM
#8
Congrats Gary
Jim took me out in the first round with the almost perfect pass of his
I was happy to make the event after we the busted output shaft in the diff. last week
But I survived my first track event without my Crew Chief/Hubby. I think I will appreciate him more next time we are together at the track. Thank goodness for cell phones
Jim took me out in the first round with the almost perfect pass of his
I was happy to make the event after we the busted output shaft in the diff. last week
But I survived my first track event without my Crew Chief/Hubby. I think I will appreciate him more next time we are together at the track. Thank goodness for cell phones
01-24-2006, 10:49 AM
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Congrats to Gary and Jim.
Jim managed to take home most of the trophies for event #1, with the winner's trophy just slipping through his grasp. Just barely missed that perfect RT in the final round with a 0.003 Red.
Jim's great first round effort, having that super 0.004 package, earned him the bye in the second round as the #1 qualifier...based on closest-to-dial. And having the 0.001 RT didn't hurt him either.
I'll try to get pictures processed for our WCCC photo gallery later this week.
Next WCCC event is February 4th at LACR. The current LACR annual schedule just shows the WCCC running with test and tuners, so there should be plenty of time runs for everyone between 9 AM and 3 PM. The gate open time is expected to be 7:30AM, but be sure to check the LACR web schedule during the week prior to the event. You can also call the LACR event line at (661) 533-2224 after the Monday of the week prior to the event.
-dave
Jim managed to take home most of the trophies for event #1, with the winner's trophy just slipping through his grasp. Just barely missed that perfect RT in the final round with a 0.003 Red.
Jim's great first round effort, having that super 0.004 package, earned him the bye in the second round as the #1 qualifier...based on closest-to-dial. And having the 0.001 RT didn't hurt him either.
I'll try to get pictures processed for our WCCC photo gallery later this week.
Next WCCC event is February 4th at LACR. The current LACR annual schedule just shows the WCCC running with test and tuners, so there should be plenty of time runs for everyone between 9 AM and 3 PM. The gate open time is expected to be 7:30AM, but be sure to check the LACR web schedule during the week prior to the event. You can also call the LACR event line at (661) 533-2224 after the Monday of the week prior to the event.
-dave
01-24-2006, 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 11 Second Momma
Congrats Gary
Jim took me out in the first round with the almost perfect pass of his
I was happy to make the event after we the busted output shaft in the diff. last week
But I survived my first track event without my Crew Chief/Hubby. I think I will appreciate him more next time we are together at the track. Thank goodness for cell phones
Jim took me out in the first round with the almost perfect pass of his
I was happy to make the event after we the busted output shaft in the diff. last week
But I survived my first track event without my Crew Chief/Hubby. I think I will appreciate him more next time we are together at the track. Thank goodness for cell phones
I have to acknowledge Kat for having the best RT during time trials with a 0.007. That earned her the potential first round bye...if we had an odd number of cars for that round. Unfortunately, there was no first round bye...even car count for first round.
Sorry Kat, keep up the great lights! -dave
01-24-2006, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by ralph
Congrats to Gary
Are the Dowdells washed up this year or what....LOL!!!
Are the Dowdells washed up this year or what....LOL!!!
Thanks Ralph. Yes, washed up this year
See DragNLady's post above I was trying to get a new routine going this year with ET streets...still no top end power for my tired 199K mile L98, but wanted to improve my 60 ft times. Future engine work, yet to be determined, later in the season, as time permits.
Ran 15.13 on a 15.10 first round against my wife..the other Dowdell for the first round. A no-win situation.
Ran 15.12 on 15.10 in the second round, and had a little better burnout with the ET streets for the third round, and ran a 15.015 on 15.10 dial to break out by 0.085 against the eventual winner, Gary combs, in the semi-final round. I'm trying to find the right air pressure and burnout technique with the ET Streets.
-dave
01-24-2006, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by ralph
Dave......i hope you know i was joking, right?
Do you drive a stick? That's quite a variance in that third round.
Do you drive a stick? That's quite a variance in that third round.
It's all in fun. No stick...automatic here...700R4. I was playing around with ET Streets, and my burnout inconsistancy was more than likely at fault.
Driver error
-dave
01-24-2006, 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Blue85L98
Certainly, I knew you were joking It's all in fun.
No stick...automatic here...700R4. I was playing around with ET Streets, and my burnout inconsistancy was more than likely at fault.
Driver error
-dave
It's all in fun. No stick...automatic here...700R4. I was playing around with ET Streets, and my burnout inconsistancy was more than likely at fault.
Driver error
-dave
01-25-2006, 12:28 AM
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Brian - It happens all the time...Driver error that is.
How are you doing? And where are you now? Still here stateside I assume.
When are you planning on getting back out to the West coast? Your car is still here isn't it?
-dave
How are you doing? And where are you now? Still here stateside I assume.
When are you planning on getting back out to the West coast? Your car is still here isn't it?
-dave
01-25-2006, 10:47 AM
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I got a job offer in the states.
It's back in MA, of course my car is still in CA
I'm still trying to figure out how to get it all back here.
I never should have listened to my last boss.
It's back in MA, of course my car is still in CA
I'm still trying to figure out how to get it all back here.
I never should have listened to my last boss.
01-30-2006, 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Blue85L98
I'll try to get pictures processed for our WCCC photo gallery later this week.
Also have pictures of the 2005 WCCC season trophy awards at the WCCC photo gallery. Since there was no WCCC 2005 season banquet, the trophies were presented at the track during the January 21st event.
-dave
