Roebling Road Race Report & Video

#1

Still trying to decompress from the weekend down in Savannah. Had a great time (learning the track) and some good racing. I have downloaded what I considered the more exiting of the two races (Sunday’s) and it is available:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8773019029968590679

The Spec E30’s was scattered throughout the grid but qualifying order was Robert first (again… he really was too fast all weekend). Dameon was second (again) followed by Laura Patton, Chuck Taylor, Myself, Mark Nichols and Gasman (Steve Foushee). Since Laura got by me and left me during Saturday’s race I was determined to get by her Sunday, so Chuck and I made an agreement to work together to get by the Miata’s if we couldn’t after the start.

The start was a bit unorthodox with the leader flooring it as soon as the pace car got off track. Chuck and I were side by side for the first couple of corners so eventually I decided to tuck in behind him and we would work together, but a miata got by also. Good clean side by side action at the beginning.

After a while we started working together to get by the miatas, but eventually I thought (Chuck Disagrees) that I was faster and decided that he could draft behind me for a while. So I draft him and cut to the inside to take the position, but leave him room on the outside. About the same time a couple cars ahead of us Laura has a good run on Dameon to pull a rim shot around the outside of 2. Laura drops a wheel in causing her to come around, everyone checks up and waited to see where she ends up. Luckly for me she rolled back off the outside and I got through first ahead of Chuck and a Miata that had been causing us fits.

Dameon was having some tire issues and to my suprise I caught up to him in a couple of laps. I got a great run on him onto the front straight away. He pulled to defend the inside as we went by the white flag. I though about a rim shot but after what happened to Laura thought turn four might be a better place to catch him. Tucked back behind went for it around the outside of three into 4. Dameon slammed the door on that move right as I dropped two wheels off on the exit of 3 into the braking zone for 4. Unfortunately, I lost control after the cart twitched under braking. I avoided collecting Dameon and was actually able to continue pretty quickly. I lost three spots due to the spin, but kept Chuck at bay to save 3rd.

Others feel free to chime in, had a great time and look forward to next time. I’ll have some video of the Saturday Race up here at some point in time.

#2

Thanks for the post.

Roebling looks much better. How’d you like the new surface?

#3

My first time there so I didn’t have anything to compare it to. As fresh as it is, it was still a bit rough on tires (particularly the left front). Everyone else said it is much improved and faster.

#4

is the track all long sweepers? Looked like fun and nice driving.

#5

Kelly:

Thanks for the good report and the video.

Carter

#6

Kelly, thanks for the race report and video. Since the duplicate thread has taken off on a fuel pump tangent, I’ll post a few footnotes on this thread. For those that have been to Roebling before, the new surface makes your car about 3.0-2.5 seconds per lap faster. I came close to breaking into the 123 second range, but was short by .020 seconds. I’ve done many laps at Roebling, so I didn’t have any excuses. The young guns ( Laura Patton, Kelly Childress) and the new guys (Chuck Taylor, Steve Fouche, Mark Nichols) were fast out of the box and were shooting at race veterands Damion, Cullen, and myself. It will not be long until they pass us like we are sitting still. Seat time and race craft are great equalizers…It was really rewarding to see the new racers having fun, learning (or was that "being schooled"?) from Miata competitors, and driving really fast. I’m looking forward to the next SE race at Rockingham, October 21/22, as that track is easy to learn and the gap between the old and new competitors will be reduced (eliminated?). Here is hoping that some of the faster-than-fast Mid Atlantic guys can make it down for the season’s end event. Regards, Robert Patton

#7

Rockingham, 10/21-22, be there or be square. Rumor has it that spec e30 lurkers Steve540 , Travis and Tom Hall may attend. Others? Regards, Robert Patton

#8

Kelly,

Good Stuff.

Can you post the Saturday race as well just for fun? I enjoy watching the various lines that people are using. Looked like the guy in the white Miata had some slightly different lines than yours.

I have never driven Roebling as I have never taken the time to venture up ther (6 hr drive for me) I am not a big fan of "sweeper" tracks which is one of the reasons.

Don

#9

I promise if you ever drive Roebling you’ll love it. It is definetly all sweepers but a blast none the less, especially with the new pavement. I’ll make a deal with you. You come to Roebling next season and I’ll make my way to Sebring if you can get us a NASA race there.

#10

DMoses wrote:

Sebring will come…It is only a matter of time. I think Carter said that he heard that there are several Spec E-30 cars under construction down here (mine is probably a year away for being ready). I am sure you can come and race with NASA FL now, I just don’t think they recognzie Spec E30 as it’s own class …Yet.

For anyone reading this, let me know when you might be coming to Sebring. I have been around it probably 1000 laps over the last 20 years. I might be able to offer a tip or two :wink:

Don

#11

donstevens wrote:

[quote]Kelly,

Good Stuff.

Can you post the Saturday race as well just for fun? I enjoy watching the various lines that people are using. Looked like the guy in the white Miata had some slightly different lines than yours.

I have never driven Roebling as I have never taken the time to venture up ther (6 hr drive for me) I am not a big fan of "sweeper" tracks which is one of the reasons.

Don[/quote]

Ask and you shall recieve:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1093504803853753460&hl=en

Having never been there before, It was interesting trying to learn the "line" in the midst of protecting and overtaking. I believe that my inexperience at the track is what led to my optimistic move on the white flag lap and if I had more experience at the track I might of tried a rim shot around 1&2 to set up the inside of 3. Pretty fun track, but definitely hard on tires.

#12

I was hoping the new pavement would take care of that…

Carter