2011 Nationals - Qualifying Race 1

#1

Crazy race, here are the results.

http://www.mylaps.com/results/showrun.jsp?id=2062909&perclass=1

My finishing position is still under review because of contact with Steve D. My video is converting now, its a wild one.

http://vimeo.com/28795411

#2

My brand spanking new head gasket made it as far as the recon lap to the first turn before giving up. The head must be warped. It’s done.

I’ll be finishing up the week in the 40+ car.

Matt

#3

HOLY @#$!, Simon!

#4

wtf was that at the very end? Seemed kind of needless. Anyways great vid, thanks for sharing for those of us who can’t be there.

#5

Video: http://vimeo.com/28796880

It was crazy out there. Im hoping tomorrow is a little calmer.

#6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x94dfZoaJew&feature=youtu.be This video is from Quailifying.

#7

Wow - lots of contact and first time seeing a Spec E30 convertible.

#8

ABSOLUTELY insane race. I ran into some dropped oil into turn 1, went 4 wheels off and then spun onto track. I was parked in the middle of the track while 20 or so cars whizzed past me doing 90+mph. I want thank EVERYONE who got around me and avoided contact. Truly a miracle! During the remainder of the race I charged from dead last to a 5th place finish!

Again, I want really want to thank everyone for being heads up and avoiding me.

http://youtu.be./dqoNAGmZKlw

#9

+1

Yes, thanks for sharing the video - great to see how its going up there.

#10

Awesome videos! Thanks for posting guys! Keep it coming!

Exciting out there. Amazing nobody whack teh two boys spinning back on to the track! Was there oil there?

Who was losing oil? 007 car i think, did they lose the motor? Made for some challenges getting by him. A few over zealous passing attempts it appears at times. Of course it is the Championships.

Keep it clean and have fun. Wish I was there. Looks like a really fun track!

#11

Thanks for all the videos guys. I’m watching all of them and keep them coming.

#12

Thanks for posting videos so fast! Pretty intense racing! Three wide in the keyhole on the first lap didn’t seem to work that great… Holy shit with the vert! That was crazy in turn 1.

Magagnoli, blowing smoke? What happened?

Simon, nice punt…

Cameron, green means go!

Sean, did you and Anthony touch where you went off track? Other than that bobble, you looked very clean! Those orange wheels are obnoxious!

Kish, where the heck were you?

Michael, way to go!

Sorry to hear about so many mechanical problems. It looks like many will be doing some body work over the winter…

#13

Anthony and I did not touch, but it was close. I saw him get loose and just dove out of the way.

#14

I liked the orange wheels. Makes me want to do mine in yellow.

#15

I think he did that on purpose… Anyway, good luck tomorrow!

#16

Anthony Mag had a cracked head he is continuing on in Denny Barker’s car.

#17

This qualifying race was definitely the highlight of my weekend. Qualifying was in the rain and I make no bones about how much I hate racing in the rain. I qualified 15th and was doing my first standing start since Nationals in 2007.
I had a great start and got by a few cars, some thinks to Cameron trying to find second gear. This race was in the dry on a very green track which is a little different then wet or seasoned. After running two wide most of the first lap I came into turn one for the first time at any speed and started a pass on one of the Drive Gear cars to the inside. The car and I both felt good.
Exiting turn one I saw Gagliardo running off track and Trefethen sliding sideways off. I was expecting Trefethen to roll as I have seen many others do in that position but he was able to set it and spun back around and then headed across the track at what appeared backwards. Days of Thunder flashed through my head as cars scattered everywhere. I ended up at far track left and went two wheels off as I tensed expecting to get hit in the side. I heard the car go by with a WHOOFFF. I made it through the ordeal.
I looked in the mirror and saw cars all over the place then looked forward and only saw two other cars. I was in THIRD! Carter was my first issue and lucky for me he was having trouble turning in and I was able to catch and pass him in that same lap.
I was now in second and Robert Grace was quite a ways in front of me. I radioed “Pappy” and asked if we could end the race now. He said no and to go get Grace. I had no traffic and a green track which are perfect conditions for me. I started just ticking away at the gap between myself and Grace. I was able to catch and capitalize on a yellow flag and make a pass. There was some question as to if I passed under yellow and if so was willing to take a DQ and learn my lessen. Lucky for me the pass took place after the flag and incident which were one and the same.
I was able to go from starting 15th position to finishing first. Definitely a highlight of my racing career. I had the fastest lap of the race and able to run down and pass an exceptional racer. Both of these things are not typicall me. I can only imagine that Grace may still have had a rain setup and maybe my track knowledge finally paid off. Either way I am still glowing over this accomplishment. Congrats to Grace for his hard fought championship.

#18

Extremely nice, Mike. Congrats. Post a vid.
Tom

#19

[quote=“tomzzy” post=59767]Extremely nice, Mike. Congrats. Post a vid.
Tom[/quote]

Thanks Tom. No video, sorry. I wish I had it too.

When you going to get that car back together and join us again?