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Author |
TOPIC: Ft Myers - Sour Grapes Race |
| Eric G
April 11, 2005
10:20:45 AM
Entry #: 793708
| I had a great time this weekend. Thanks to Andy for all the help this weekend. Here's my race report.
Got there Saturday to realize i was TOTALLY unprepared. I was running the new Mega Engine for the first time and the car hadn't been setup in over a month. Practice time there is tough. They have 30minute sessions per class and you're not allowed to take your fuel bottles by the pits. So you have to make your tank time count. This is so people don't tie up frequencies for extended periods. So I decided to just put the car on the track to see what it's like. 4 laps later I was off the track with a broken universal and broken rear A-Arm. They weren't kidding about this track being unforgiving. (although I dind't break anything else the whole weekend) I fixed that up and got back out there for a few more minutes of practice. before they closed it for Sedans.
My first qualifier I was taking it easy but only manages 6 laps after my 2 speed locked open and overheated the engine. So i just called it quits. Qualifier #2, I thought I had fixed the 2 speed problem but didn't, and same deal happened. Engine overheat, and I lost power and I just shut it down with 10 laps. This time i was leading my main but oh well. That only left me with Saturday to pull a good qualifier or I'd wind up in like the G Main. So I set my car up well on saturday night and prayed for the best.
That qualifier went off MOSTLY well. I was able to put down 19 laps. in 5'03" I could have pulled 20 probably, but the engine heated up with about 4 laps to go and those lap times were about 2 seconds slower. So I defilitely lost a lap there. My 19 laps put me 8th in the B main. I was pleased considering it was my first time out.
The Main was a blast. I started 8th, and right out of the hole i was in 6th after some nifty passing. In the B main is a better level of driving so I new I'd have to be patient. So I was in 6th for a little bit. Little biy little I crept up to 3rd, and had 1 & 2 in my sights as they were close together. Andy and DJ kept telling me to wait for the right time and try to pass them 1 by 1, but they wouldn't split up. I finally was able to set up a pass, but it was a risky one I went after both of them entering the straight. I hit the shot perfectly and had the speed and was making it by them. But one of the guys tried to push me out to the wall and spun us both out. So i was back to 6th after rounds of pitting. I eventually worked my way up to third (I think maybe 2nd at one point) but that didn't last as my my side pulley mount came loose and I had to come in for repair. Since Andy & DJ don't know my car as well we had a little difficulty communicating what the problem was. But no problem, I just fixed it on the Drivers stand meself :) I got back in still in 3rd somehow, and finished like that. I was too far back to gain any ground. It was a good experience. I feel I could have won the B without the mechanical problem and had I been more prepared I could have qualified for the A. Can't wait till the next race.
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| Eric G
April 14, 2005
12:24:18 PM
Entry #: 799602
| Alex, your car is famous now :)
http://www.mopar-man.com/gallery/album06/DSC_5410
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| RoyalPalmrace
April 14, 2005
8:50:51 PM
Entry #: 800590
| Thats what happens when you swim with sharks!!!
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| howard
April 22, 2005
8:06:41 AM
Entry #: 811537
| anybody going to ft. myers next weekend for the region 4 race ?
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| Eric G
April 22, 2005
9:06:56 AM
Entry #: 811602
| I wanted to, but I have no one to stay with
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| joe
April 22, 2005
9:33:57 AM
Entry #: 811657
| eric,
i want to go... want to split a room, i can pick you up and we can drive together. also, we can pit for each other.
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| Alex S
April 22, 2005
10:15:03 AM
Entry #: 811742
| Has anyone ever driven up on sunday and raced. I can't go Sat. but I really really want to go. Would driving up and back the same day be Crazy.
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| joe
April 22, 2005
10:28:49 AM
Entry #: 811776
| a lot of people do that.... there is no chance of you being able to go on saturday?
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| Alex S
April 22, 2005
1:27:13 PM
Entry #: 812107
| I wouldn't be able to get there till Sat night. So I'd rather not pay a hotel.
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| joe
April 22, 2005
1:38:38 PM
Entry #: 812133
| you better leave early on sunday? skip your plans on saturday and race saturday!!!
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| dj
April 22, 2005
2:14:31 PM
Entry #: 812197
| I will be there.
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