Hot and sweaty is how the MW/GL SE30 drivers like their women and their racing. GingerMan didn’t disappoint with oppressive heat and humidity, but no rain, greeting the field of seven Spec E30 competitors, including two 2012 NASA Championships podium drivers. An eighth driver, rookie Rich Friman, was a late scratch after hurting his back loading his truck for the weekend.
At the end of Saturday qualifying, the top 4 drivers were covered by 1.2 secs, with Ryan CieChanski taking the pole with a 1:49.753. In the Saturday race, CieChanski and Jeremy Lucas walked away from the field with CieChanski taking the win over Lucas by 4.8 secs. Early in the race, Kyle Burkhardt and Carl Fuhrmann were set up to battle for the last podium spot, but Fuhrmann had an off in T10 on the first lap and was unable to catch back up to Burkhardt. Meanwhile, Michael Osborne finished 4th and Dennis Barker finished 5th, but 4 laps down due to a fuel pump issue. Lucas claimed a new track record with his 1:50.314 sec lap.
Two races were scheduled for Sunday. Again, the top 4 qualifying times were within 1.5 seconds, with Lucas stealing the pole with a 1:49.588. On the start of the first race, Lucas took the lead into T1 with Burkhardt following in P2 from the second row. Barker stuck his nose in on the inside of Burkhardt into T2 but couldn’t make the pass. However, he and CieChanski were able to slip by coming out of T3. In the first several laps, Lucas maintained a 7 car lead over Barker and CieChanski who were battling side by side for second. Burkhardt played the role of camera car to that fight. Barker eventually relented due to another fuel pump issue, and with 2 laps to go, had to give up P3 to Burkhardt. A last ditch effort to regain his podium spot on the last lap resulted in Barker spinning in T10. In the end, Lucas and CieChanski swapped spots on the podium (by 3.984 secs), and Burkhardt claimed another P3. Barker, Fuhrmann, Rhodes and Osborne finished out the field.
The second race on Sunday saw a smaller field. CieChanski took his second win of the weekend (and missed a record by .4 secs), followed by Fuhrmann and Rhodes.
Congratulations to all. Spec E30 racers claimed $800 in Toyo Bucks, $100 in Bimmerworld cash, and a set of Performance Friction brake pads compliments of Bimmerworld!
My video from Race 1:
http://youtu.be/N-7iwyHtmws