Slot It Group C/IMSA Series – Results for Race #6 – Final Results

Race Summary for Race #6

Track Conditions – Track temp 73.5 to 75 degrees, Track was cleaned earlier in the day and was free of the usual build up of rubber bits from the F15’s everyone has been running, Tires used – most everyone was running F15’s with a few on F22’s.

This race had almost as many yellow’s as this year’s Sebring and had similar issues with the timing and scoring with the results not being official at the time of writing this story.

The race started off poorly for Barbosa Racing Werks with their transporter showing up without two things – his car and his controller.  Most people would just pack it up and head home in disgust or stay around and drown their sorrows in some of the clubs adult beverages but not Ary.  He had an older Toyota 88C in his box and he immediately went to work to turn it into his car for the day.  He would also borrow one of the clubs DiFalco controllers but as anyone knows who has used a different controller can attest to – they are all different so running another DiFalco doesn’t mean it will feel or perform like your own.  Ary gets the Makers Mark Perseverance Award for the day.  We actually don’t have an award called that but I was hoping that if we called them out enough we might get a sponsorship.

Ary did a great job of driving and was more focused than just about any other race he have seen him compete in.  His ability to adapt to the new car and unusual controller was great to watch.  At the end of the day he finished in 2^nd place and was not that far behind the winner.

The winner of the race was Marty and his Tic Tac Porsche 962KH.  Marty started the race on F15 tires that have run the entire series and he was hoping they had one more race in them.  Marty would also need every possible point if he hoped to catch the series leader Ary.  It would have been almost impossible for Marty to drop down to third so his race was all about pushing the limits for every possible point and lap.  At the end of the day Marty did finish on top and did take fast lap but did not put enough room between himself and Ary to take the series.  As Get Smart would say “Missed it by that much”.

Roy ripped off a super fast lap of 3.918 in his first heat in yellow and his smooth form and few de-slots made him a contender for this final race in the series.  Unfortunately his last two heats were not as smooth as his first and a couple of de-slots moved him down the podium steps.  He still had a good race and finished in 3^rd place.

Russell was running fast and smooth as ever with few de-slots for the first heat at least.  In the middle of the second heat his F15’s started to go away.  He would not be the only one to experience it either.  He had a great run going but had to back off to keep his overly bumpy Lowenbrau Porsche under control.  He did a great job to keep the car in the race and in the running.  Russell finished in 4^th place.

Rich and Jordan both had strong runs to finish in 5^th and 6^th place respectively.  Both racers once again finished within inches of each other with Rich just edging out Jordan for the second race in a row.  Both racers have been having some good runs but the way they get their results is very different – Rich is faster but not as consistent where Jordan is very consistent but not as fast.  Two different ways to get two very different racers at the same exact place on the track for two races in a row.

Brett had a great run in his final two heats of the day but as good as those were they could not make up for the ground he lost in his first heat.  You also have to keep in mind that Brett was one of the most gentlemanly drivers in the race backing off when he saw the leaders coming up on him.  Brett’s Jagermeister Porsche 962KH was set up very well and is a testament to how good his car prep skills have become.  It was a good run for Brett and put him in 7^th place.

Stephen was setting some fast times.  Right up to the point his tires went off and he was unable to control the car.  The car was vibrating so much that one of the guide wires came lose leaving the Lancia sitting dead on the track.  The call button (our version of IMSA’s overly used yellow caution flag) was used and repairs were made.  Once back in the race Stephen continued to have issues with the tires and could not keep pace with the others.  Stephen finished in 8^th place.

David’s pace may not have been the fastest but he was one of the most consistent racers in the race.  David, like Brett, is one of the most gentlemanly drivers out there and is great to race with.  Considering this is his first race series and he is climbing a steep learning curve he had another good race.  David finished in 9^th and wins the Makers Mark Jim Clark most Gentlemanly Racer Award.

Congratulations to everyone who participated and making this the most attended series the club has held to date.  Great start to a year of racing!