CMP 3hr Enduro 8Feb

#1

So how is this going to work? Multiple drivers share a car? Drivers and cars make up a team? Stating the obvious, dang, 3hrs is a long time.

#2

Speaking with Pantas at RRR, he said 2 drivers (didn’t say it couldn’t be more). Teams are formed and points awarded to a team.

I imagine similar to BMWCCR there is a mandatory pit stop time typically 5min wheels stopped.

I’ve also heard that classing is similar to GTS so power / weight. Not necessarily in the normal ‘class’ rules.

That is all I know, which isn’t much.

#3

There’s a decent thread or two in the SE pages of nasaforums.com, if you skip past the bodily function jokes and the like.

I don’t recall the details of pitstops, but the basic charge covers 1 race car for 2 hours, with essentially either one or two drivers. Add’l drivers have an upcharge.

The team concept is pretty interesting, but not required. You could also compete as an individual or a team of one if you like.

There is actually a separate rulebook on Enduros. See
http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules.html

Enduros have a small number of classes, and existing race classes are mapped into the ‘E’ classes. Whatever class we end up in, all SpecE30 race cars would obviously be in the same ‘E’ class.

So, I’m thinking the hot tip is to pair up with a buddy and alternate the abuse of your respective cars… 1.5 hours of racing for half of the fee seems like a good deal, if you go for that sort of abuse to self and machine. I’ll be sure and bring extra brake pads to the track for the masochists next season!

Another way to look at it is as an extended test-and-tune session. May be a good move at a new-to-you track.

#4

The reason I mentioned the enduro here in the forum is that I was a little surprised that, in contrast to the great fun everyone apparently had at the Roebling SpecE30 enduro, no one seemed to have mentioned this one. Maybe the difference is that it is all classes, not just us.

I checked out the rules. I agree that a good solution would be for a pair of drivers and cars, but I’m not sure that the team can have two cars. 3hrs does sound like a lot of strain on my poor beast.

My car (an '87) is one of those that has fuel problems at 1/2 a tank. Everything’s been replaced except for the tank itself. Not an ideal 3hr machine.

I’m annoyed with myself for not doing the BMWCCA race last weekend after going thru their licensing school. So now I’m all hot to get my Rookie plate out on a track, but there’s no races 'till Feb. Grumble grumble.

#5

The 3 hr enduros are excellent ways to get used to a track, a driver can sign up or create a team and co-drive etc. You can have up to 4 drivers, switch as often as you’d like or a single driver who only stops for fuel. There is no mandatory pit stops, but every entrant who refuels must put at least 5 gallons in the car.

You can create a team w/2-3 drivers and drive each other’s car at each successive enduro as long as the cars are all the same class. Here’s a couple of scenarios:

Scenario #1
Chuck, Jim & Robert form a "team", the first enduro they drive Jim’s car, the second enduro they drive Robert’s car and the next Enduro they drive Chuck’s. They keep splitting the drive like that all year and accumulate points as a team. They install a TraqMate in the car(s) and compare fast laps and various sections of the track to improve all 3’s laptimes.

Scenario B
Jim drives the panther, comes in after an hour, goes to the paddock, adjusts a few things, goes back out for the rest of the Enduro. Obviously down a few laps but uses it as a test session to get the car setup and the driver comfy w/the track. Jim also compares his TraqMate data with a faster driver to see where he can pick up some time.

Either scenario is a win-win for the drivers in the enduros, they get lots of practice and a chance at a trophy.

#6

Scenario III
Jim Robinson cons Seth Thomas and James Clay into driving his SE30 car for 2.75 of the 3 hour enduro of which he drives the remaining 15 minutes as self proclaimed "gentleman driver." Then talks smack online about how he beat everyone…

I can’t wait for the enduros. I think they’ll be fun. I’m gonna try for a full wheel change in the pit stop as well :woohoo:

#7

How long will these things go on fuel? I assume one stop would be possible. Maybe I’ll beat that gentleman driver by myself…:stuck_out_tongue:

#8

Michael Skeen wrote:

not sure but it seems like i remember the se30 guys at the vir 3hr last year saying that they had to add a little fuel near the end of the race to make it 3hrs…this for dry conditions and last years race was wet so we easily made it on one stop…

#9

Craig Geiger wrote:

[quote]Scenario III
Jim Robinson cons Seth Thomas and James Clay into driving his SE30 car for 2.75 of the 3 hour enduro of which he drives the remaining 15 minutes as self proclaimed "gentleman driver." Then talks smack online about how he beat everyone…

I can’t wait for the enduros. I think they’ll be fun. I’m gonna try for a full wheel change in the pit stop as well :woohoo:[/quote]

Team Coat Tail isn’t about pride, its about winning at all costs. This isn’t YMCA t-ball where every kid has to play.

#10

Craig Geiger wrote:

[quote]Scenario III
Jim Robinson cons Seth Thomas and James Clay into driving his SE30 car for 2.75 of the 3 hour enduro of which he drives the remaining 15 minutes as self proclaimed "gentleman driver." Then talks smack online about how he beat everyone…

I can’t wait for the enduros. I think they’ll be fun. I’m gonna try for a full wheel change in the pit stop as well :woohoo:[/quote]

Team Coat Tail isn’t about pride, its about winning at all costs. This isn’t YMCA t-ball where every kid has to play.

#11

It’s looking like Fred Switzer (Newest Clemson rookie) and I are going to team up in my car for the CMP enduro as our very first race. Would be gratefull for some help with questions…

  1. My car has an '07 logbook. I’m in Savannah, GA. What’s the logical way to get it inspected for it’s '08 logbook? How does the inspection process work, anyhow? Are their two separate inspections like "Class Compliance" and "Safety", or something?

  2. It sounds like there is a specific kind of fuel can required. Can someone send me a link to one of these "NASA Approved 5gal Fuel Containers"?

  3. This is our first race. We can read the rules as well as the next guy. But given that, what preparation and execution mistakes are we likely to make?

SmackTalk begins: Fred and I are extraordinarily gifted drivers with at least 3 DE’s apiece. We will be drawing on that wealth of experience to crush the field. Those tailights disappearing over the horizon will be us. SmackTalk Ends.

#12

The logbook stays the same, but you will have to get an '08 annual tech inspection (safety) at the track. There’s no "class compliance" inspection except after races sometimes.

#13

Scott - the fuel jugs most use can be obtained from

www.cdoc.com or www.pegasusautoracing.com

You will need caps with hoses that fit the fuel port and a drip pan with some oil dry/kitty litter. A crew member will also have to be dressed for fire and hold a 5#+ fire extinguisher.

Ed

#14

Hey,

I’m a total expert on the enduros. NOT. But I have been on Carter and Carlton’s pit crew twice and spilled my share of fuel. So, here’s what I’ve observed:

SE30 is classed as "E2," I believe. Write it on the side with blue masking tape.

If you don’t have issues with your fuel tank, one pit stop is possible.

Run the entire race on one set of tires (start with fresh ones if you want to be competitive).

There’s no minimum time in the pits. The faster you are, the better you do. The entire race can easily be won based upon the pit stop. I’ve helped Carter and Carlton lose.:frowning:

DO NOT SPILL FUEL. This is how we were penalized. As you refuel, a NASA official comes over to watch you. If you spill more than about one cup full (it’s up to their discretion, I believe), you have to sit in the penalty box for 5 f’in minutes. That hurts big time. And they are not lenient and they are observant. I repeat, DO NOT SPILL FUEL.

You must use one car.

A radio is super helpful for communication with the driver. It’s critical to plan pit stops based upon when competitors come in and based upon fatigue and how the car is handling.

Wear warm clothes and prepare for rain.

Hope James Clay doesn’t show up. If he does, give him a surprise kick to the balls before the start.:stuck_out_tongue: Show him you’re not going to be intimidated by his shit, pro racer or not. Fast as hell or not.

Sasha