The first round of the Slot It Group C challenge proved how close the competition is and that there is no room for error.
Summary
Let me start by saying that little things make a big difference. Unlike last year’s Slot It races this year’s races are highlighted by cars that were much better prepared than they ever have been before.
As more club members learn the proper way to set up their cars it puts more pressure on everyone to make sure they are not missing anything and are not skipping any steps in setting up the cars. As the competition gets closer the drivers realize that set up and consistent driving pays dividends. The winner of the first race, Roy and his Jagermeister Porsche 962KH, did not set any fast lap times but he was very consistent in every lane he raced in. The other key advantage – Roy had was a great heat in yellow. Roy was able to put in 74+ laps in the yellow lane and was the big difference between him and the rest of the field.
The Races
That damn yellow lane. The yellow lane was the difference in this race. The difference between finishing first and third was the yellow lane. Roy and his Jagermeister Porsche 962KH were able to perform better in the yellow lane than anyone else and that was the big difference. Not to say that Roy’s consistent driving didn’t have anything to do with his opening win.
Where Roy had success in the yellow lane it proved to be the undoing of Marty’s race. The yellow lane was Marty’s first heat and the first race of the day in the yellow lane. The lane had little to no grip and Marty found it hard to keep his gold Jagermeister in the slot. With a couple of early heat de-slots Marty pushed harder to try to make up the lost time. Pushing proved to be his undoing. Marty had so many de-slots that his first heat total was a mere 70 laps. Even with Marty running 75 laps in his next two races it was not enough to finish higher than third. A good result from a terrible start.
Brian had his best result of the series so far and had a car and driving style that were almost perfect. Throughout all of last year’s Group C races no one was able to prepare or drive a Sauber into a competitive position. This year is very different. Brian has done a fantastic job of preparing his Sauber and it was easily one of the most if not the most stable car in the first race of the 2012 Group C Challenge. Nice work Brian. His driving was up to the task as well. Brian managed to put together a great race by being very consistent. The result was a well earned second place podium spot. Great work Brian and congratulations on your result.
Russell had pulled his Chaparral Porsche 962KH out of the moth balls he had placed it in after the last Slot It Group C race in December and raced it to a great fourth place. No work, no prep, no tweaks. Anyone that knows racing knows that car development never stops, even with a Slot It Group C car that we have all run for years. There are always little things you can discover to make your car better in some aspect. Russell’s schedule didn’t allow him the time to get his car prepared for this first race so he ran what he had. Having said that, Russell is one of the most consistent drivers in the club and his consistency made up for any prep work he didn’t have time for. The highlight of Russell’s race was his uber fast time of 3.804 in the lane he owns – the blue one. At the end of the day Russell finished in fourth just .68 of a lap behind third and only 2.12 laps away from first.
Shawn showed up for this first round of the Slot It Challenge with one of the most beautiful cars ever seen at the track – his custom matte black Toyota 88c. The car is not only one of the most beautiful cars it is prepared so well it would make Roger Penske jealous. Shawn’s driving was super consistent but he could not get enough power out of the Toyota to finish on the podium. He was only three laps off of third place or just one more lap per heat. Knowing Shawn I am sure he will be back at the front very soon.
Kevin’s race was a mystery. Kevin’s speed has been proven and his best ever unofficial lap time of 3.665 still stands as the best ever lap turned on our track. His growth from new member to highly competitive racer is one for the record books. He usually has a car and driving style that can compete with the fastest drivers in the club. Having said that, this race was not one of Kevin’s best. He had trouble getting his Jagermeister Porsche 962KH to behave under braking. He also had what appeared to be some tires going off during the race as well. Every racer can have a bad race and that is the reason everyone is allowed to drop one of the six races. I am betting this will be Kevin’s drop and we will see him at the sharp end of the field once again at the next race. Good luck Kevin.
The racing was good and set the tone for the rest of the series. No room for error!
