Congrats to Robert Patton - South East Champion

#1

The results are in, Robert Patton wins again.

Also, congrats to Al and Travis who put Damion in a Malt Liquor Tech sandwich. :silly:

2007 Points Standings

#2

Congrats Mr. Patton.

#3

Congrats and Thanks to all for making my 1st season of racing such a fun and rewarding experience.

Looking forward to next year.

#4

Congratulations, Robert!

#5

Thanks guys.

It was a closer points race than what shows on the results page in that the racers were allowed to drop 10% of the races…I had to drop a 66 and a 64. Skeen dropped his two zeros at the CMP race that he missed. So, subtract 130 from my total and it was a close 1826 to Skeen’s 1777.

I was better at the beginning of the season…well, I wasn’t any better driver, but my equipment was good. I struggled with gearboxes and clutches (it is still slipping, ask me about how to step-cut a used flywheel) since the mid part of the season. Skeen had a better second half and is clearly the best driver in our region and this was reflected with his winning of the "Cup" award.

As I look back at 2007 I’m really proud of Laura Patton and the progress that she made this year. It says alot to get a top 5 anymore, and she’s placing up front often.Hang in there girl, that first win is comming.

It is also great to see the participation at the southeast events escalate. From 8 racers at the first event to 23 at Roebling in September you guys and gal have made this season one that will not be forgotten. I mean, who could ever forget the IFU and a little Chuck Tayor on-the-side.

And, a great season with not one metal-to-metal Spec E30 contact. Yes there were some Miatas involved with Damion and Al, but even those were minor. Let’s keep it that way, as stupid track stuff can cause division in the paddock.

Let’s do a thread hi-jack and I’ll ask what was your most memorable event of the season.?

Thanks, Robert Patton

#6

1st - IFU race

2nd - Rockingham

#7

Can’t limit my most memorable to just one event :woohoo: they were all memorable… even the forgetable moments (turn ten at VIR full and the ants of Road Atlanta to name a few).

Even though the Sunday race at Roebling was probably my best performance. The IFU tops my list.

#8

Roebling tops the charts. I just think that track makes for the best racing. Obviously, the IFU weekend was epic for a multitude of reasons. However, I think the first Roebling event sticks out in my mind. First time I really actually was "racing." Chuck, Al, Laura, myself and Cullen all duking it out… door to door, wheel to wheel, fender to fender. Swapping positions constantly. And then my stupid fire bottle detonated just before the white flag. It’s all so hard to earn and so easy to lose. I was probably yelling at the worker (not harassing, just loud) when I had to pit in cus I was so amped. I realized then I was hooked like a junky.

Robert Patton, congratulations, and also thank you for your continual SpecE30 diplomacy and recruitment efforts.

When does the smack talk 08 thread start? February is a looooong time from now. I’m gonna look like like Tyrone Biggums before the practice session at CMP but with an "82" on my hat…

#9

I think my Sunday race at RA in August was both my high and low for the year.

Qualified 3rd, got jumped to 5th at the start, but keeping the leaders (Skeen the Machine, T-Bone, and Travis) in sight… Thinking, dayum, I am keeping the leaders in sight. They are not totally checking out on me. Never done that before. Chasing down Rob in the Panther for 4th. Finally getting a run on him and taking over 4th. Us top 5 were checked out on the rest of the snarling pack of SpecE30 dogs. Then… couldn’t stand my good fortune, landed funny at T3, quickly swapped ends, and Wham! up on my door handle looking at the tire wall that bit me…Wondering where the f*** the safety guys are. Wondering how bad the car is. Kicking myself while I wasn’t busy hanging on to the seat.

Yep, that one race had, for me, the full range of emotions…But, we’ll find some HP in that tired old trackrat motor and come back strong in 2008. As Geiger says, gonna be a looong wait to get another hit off the SE30 crack pipe!

#10

Congrats Robert. Mike and I enjoyed our racing with the SE group last year and hope to make many SE events next year. The racing is fun and clean and with a great group of competitors. Rockingham was the best time we had all year and I hope we get to go there next year. We would have been at RRR if some other stuff had not come up last minute.

Looking foward to 2008.
Ed

#11

The whole season for me. I felt like a really came to grips this season with driving the e30 after spending a few years in my e36. I know I am a better drive now than I ever was.

And we couldn’t have a better champion to represent the SE. A true ambassador of Spec e30.

#12

Damion, thanks for the comments. Ed and Mike, we’re glad that Rockingham was a good event for you. With those inverted starts you have to agree that we do some wacky things in the Southeast.

I’m going to start a best/worst thread in the Southeast section 'cause there have to be some more interesting stories for the SE racers to tell.

Right? I mean we haven’t heard from Al or Travis or JP.

Regards, Robert Patton

#13

congrats robert! You deserved it and as my dad said we are hoping to make it to more than one southeast event next season. The inverted start for the rock enduro was probably the most fun I had all year.