Steve already posted his misfortune. Anyone want to fill us in on the outcome of the races.
We need race reports from Road Atlanta
mskeen
#2
Well, my weekend definitely had its ups and downs.
Friday I got to the track early and hung out in the massive line with everyone that couldn’t get in until 5pm. Chatted with folks and got done with registration. Oh, and the hitch coupler on the trailer broke–more on that later.
Saturday, before qualifying, I went on a tour of north GA looking for parts to fix the trailer, but no such luck. Qualifying went fairly well, 3rd in class behind Carlton and Jon Allen. At the start of the race, I lost one position to Robert Patton and got caught in traffic (Hondas, Miatas, etc.) for several laps. Got through it and started catching Robert before an Acura passed me and I just never made it all the way back up to fight for any positions in class. Great battles with all sorts of cars for the whole race, but I couldn’t do any better than 4th in class.
Sunday, skipped morning practice because it was really short and there were things to do. Qualifying, I went out behind Jon Allen and followed him. Neither of us got really clear laps, but I had one that was faster than him. I turned a 1:46.165, which was good enough for 3rd place again, behind Robert and Carlton. The race was a standing start (my first in a car), but it went really well. I was on the outside and immediately split the row in front of me (non-E30s), which put me right behind Robert for T1 (Carlton got by him). Things kinda went downhill from there. A couple of laps in, I locked up the left front (more on this later) going into T3, and had a 944 pass me between T4 and the beginning of the esses, which put me off line and I did a little dirt tracking over the curb at the bottom of the hill. This helped Mr. Allen catch up a bit and he passed me not long after. He quickly passed Robert Patton for 2nd in class and I reeled in Patton pretty quick. I passed Robert on the outside of T4 and lead through the esses, T5/6/7, down the back straight, shifted to 5th and KABLAMO! Motor died. Pulled of at 10B and watched the rest of the race from the sidelines.
Now, back to that lock up at T3. After getting towed back to the paddock after the race, we had to push the car backwards a bit to get it lined up with the trailer, no go. The top mounting bolt for the LF caliper had broken, so the caliper would rock back into the wheel when rolled backwards. Amazingly, if my analysis is right, I actually drove several race-speed laps with it in this condition. After dirt tracking in the esses and hitting some major bumps, I thought I felt something "a little off," but I couldn’t put my finger on it and it didn’t seem bad enough to give up. So I’ve got a bit of work to do, but I don’t know how bad the motor issue is just yet. The top end appears alright after taking the valve cover off. The bottom end was completely original with 210,000+ miles, so it’s not too surprising I guess. Should be back in the game within a month or so.
Back to that trailer thing. Since I didn’t find any good replacement parts (I found some generic stuff that I tried to make work, but wasn’t satisfied), I’m stayed the night in Winder, GA, so that I can get it properly fixed at a local trailer shop before making the long trip back to NC.
Patton
#4
Race report: um…lets see…well ah…
We got schooled by the Mid Atlantic duo of Goldwaithe and Allen. They took first and second on both days. Jon got Saturday’s win, Carlton got Sunday’s.Great job guys, you’ve given us all something to work towards.
Good racing throughout the pack for other race positions. It is a busy week so I’ll hunt and peck on the keyboard later.
The lone thing to uphold the honor of the SE NASA racers was a new-tires (rear) and a pull-me-in-a-draft qualifing lap that Carlton helped me do on Sunday. By .001 it was the best lap at the new Road Atlanta. But,lap records only count on race laps, So Carlton and Jon hold those honors.Again, these guys were great…In another time-zone great.Come to think of it, isn’t Mid Atlantic in a different time zone? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
More later,
Robert (one lap is all I’m good for) Patton
DMoses
#5
My weekend had a rough begining. Sat. I believe I started 5th. I got a terrible start and to work to get through some heavy traffic. I got into a slight rhythm and was gaining on Mike when it all went to hell. Two Miatas started banging on each other going up the hill after turn 1. They spun each other and I was the next one through. I hit one of the Miatas taking out the passeneger side front of my car. Luckily there was no suspension damage. With the help of some fellow racers we were able to beat on the car enough for me to be able to race on Sun.
Sun. I qualified 7th I think as traffic was horrible for me. I got a realy start in the race though and picked up 2 spots before the end of lap 1. Dave White and I battled for a few laps and then I opened up the gap. I eventually finshed 4th as Carlton, Jon and Robert were always close enough to be seen but never close enough for me to mount any kind of challenge.
Not my best weekend but I’ll fix the car and move on. As will Steve.
As always the Spec e30 guys are the best group in the paddock. It was nice to meet some new people like Jon and Carlton who are just blazing fast. We are all gonna have to step our game up to stay with those two. We had a couple of rookies that did a great job as well.
donstevens
#6
Steve, Damion, Mike,
At least you guys were there and running (and apprently near the front) So you’ve got that going for you. "Which is nice".
Best of luck getting the cars repaired.
This thread needs videos…Anyone have one to upload?
Don
Patton
#7
Skeen, GOT VIDEO?
Great to see new racers Geiger and Bruster at the event. Come on guy’s how was your race?
Regards, Robert
mskeen
#8
I’ve got video, but it’ll hafta wait until I’m home. Expect it posted tonight or tomorrow morning.
jonnyallen
#9
Hey guys,
I rolled into my driveway up here in PA at 6:30 this morning. Needless to say I am totally exhausted, having only gotten 2 hours of sleep before leaving for work.
I had a great weekend hanging with all the guys at RA, thanks for all of that warm southern hospitality. Once again it was a great event and great competition. Always worth the long haul to get there.
My take on the festivities. Awesome racing!!!Saturday AM was cold and there didn’t seem to be a ton of grip in the new track surface, but the car felt good and I was able to get some heat in the tires. Qualifying went well with Carlton ekeing out the pole by something crazy like .015 of a second over my time. Since everyone in the lightening were lumped together I was two rows behind him at the start! When the green dropped I got a decent push and by the second or third lap I was right behind him. He got a little held up in 5 and I was able to get a run up the hill and make the pass going into six. I was never able to get much breathing room and traffic played a huge role for the rest of the race. Carlton was right there the whole race. Toward the end I was able to put an RX-7 and a 944 between me and him and go on to take the win.
Sunday Mike Skeen and I were hooked up in qulifying. I didn’t get a clean lap and ended up qualifying 18th, almost 2 seconds behind my fast lap from Sat’s race. Mike S. was a couple of rows ahead of me and then Robert and Carlton were an impossible 6 rows ahead of me at the start. It was my first standing start in the E30 but I immediately made up 5+ spots and I could see Mike S. had caught Patton quickly. After a few laps I was behind Skeen and Carlton actually wasn’t that far ahead. I was making up time but beating up the equipment and tires. Skeen got balked in the esses at some point and the next lap I passed him going into 6. I was behind Patton. Then Robert pulled away down the straight… Another lap and I was on Pattons bumper going down the hill across start finish. He hit the rev limiter in 4th and I passed him in 1. I put my head down and charged, but Carlton had taken advantage of clean track and was half a straight away. I closed some but then got balked by a fier?o and some little blue bmw looking legends car. I went off in one at some point and cracked my oil pan and it all went down hill from there. Luckily some oil stayed in the pan and I crossed the stripe in second after a very tough and tiring race. I havent’t worked that hard in a race since I can remember. Very fun.
Congats to Carlton on setting some super fast laps and holding the new track record at RA. Looking forward to VIR in a couple of weeks.
Jonny Allen
M3Bill
#11
It was great meeting a bunch of you. I look forward to racing with you guys in the future…hopefully early next year.
TheRedBaron
#12
My name is Craig Geiger, #82, and I am now a racing addict.
Tales from my virgin race weekend.
Saturday: I was nervous, not really feeling like eating much. Practice didn’t inspire confidence. I got beaten up pretty bad - I mistakingly managed to get to grid early while the front runners were mid pack. Miatas and herds of 944’s passed me and I learned a few lessons… Qualifying was slightly different. Almost cordial in fact. When the green flag dropped, everyone’s gloves came off and it was all about managing insanity. The first few laps were dicey (aka fun), then the pack thinned. I ended up driving hard and fast, like it or not. It didn’t "wear" on me like a DE, it was too intense and fun and with the transponder recording everything, I had street cred to maintain.
Racecraft Highlight One: I was able to use a bumper laying in the middle of T1 as a pick to fend off a potential pass by Laura Patton. I felt proud and arrogant (this all on the freakin last lap), only to screw up in T2 and lose about 7 overall positions and one class position (I carried too much speed, didn’t manage the weight transfer and had to cut through T3 using the "Business/Alternate Route") - in my excuse book, page 4… "I was just testing the new pavement on the escape route for everyone. Results: It’s a little bumpy, especially where they didn’t pave."
Sunday: We had practice at 9:00 am with temps in the upper 30’s. I ran a couple of warm up laps then I started passing people. Then the show began. Caffiene and adrenaline were not at full strength until I got passed by John Allen and a few others like I was going backwards. This was like ‘no friends on powder days’ (for any skiiers in the audience). Game on. Where did I put that NOS button? Then the exhaust hanger welds broke and I proceeded to drag the entire exhaust around for a few laps without knowing (traffic is too loud, no meatball flags, etc). It eventually machined a huge hole in itself. A trip to Autozone and about $12 fixed the problem enough to race. Car sounded better too with the new hole… Surprisingly easier to drive: If it was ever quiet inside my car, it was the "get on the gas alarm clock."
Lesson learned: Cold brain, cold tires, cold track and three wide through T6 wakes you up fast.
Mental note: washing your car in 40 degree weather in the paddock makes you go faster and gets you on the cover of magazines (like Carlton).
Qualifying Sunday was slightly different (or perceived that way by me). It was hard to find clear track. I did manage to beat Damion’s qualifying time… Yup, that sheet is on the trophy wall (his car had a huge hole in it = bad aerodynamics, but I take what I can get at this point). Sunday’s race had a standing start. Everyone (veterans included) in both groups talked about the inevitable carnage that standing starts bring… That didn’t help my lunch digest either. I found a hole and barrelled through it. Only to lose the advantage going up T1. I managed to stay behind Dave White (Beertech car) and fend off Laura Patton to take 6th place.
Lessons Learned: Stop sharing valuable, school of hard knocks racecraft lessons with others.
Roebling, May 19-20. I’ll be bringing my A-game. Smack talking can now commence since I’ve popped my racing cherry: Anyone who wants 6th or 7th place needs to show up to accept his or her beating. Racing is so much freakin fun it’s sick! Thanks to everyone who pushed me to get out there and held my hand along the way.
dmwhite
#13
I had a great time hanging out and racing with everyone!
Huge thanks to Robert Patton for the exhaust! You rock!
Carlton and Jon were smokin fast! I need to find some real driving talent before i can get close to those guys! 
Damion had me covered all weekend. We did have some good racing on sunday before he checked out on me.
Geiger did a great job. He was reeling me in on sunday. If it wasnt for lap traffic slowing him down, he would have gotten around me in a few more laps.
I’m looking forward to the next time i can con someone in to letting me borrow their car for a weekend :whistle:
-David
ctbimmer
#16
RedBaron: Talk about raising the bar; that is a quality race report, especially for a rookie.
It was funny watching the "old hands" SpecE30 guys thrashing away between sessions while you and TJ Brewster stood around, looking cool in the race suits…almost like you had nothing to do.
Excellent job on track, and I’ll take up the 6th place challenge with you for RRR in May.
Expect a whupping from the black #401!
Patton
#17
Craig, thanks for the report.Great to hear that you had a good time at Road Atlanta.
Race secrets: I koow you were kidding, but you’ll want to share 'em with the next guy as we’re not racing for anything more than camaraderie and a beer mug. If you’ve got any questons that I can help with just give a call, 770-886-2500.
As an example, Carlton was kind enough to show me the way around the track in Sunday’s qualifing and gave me a great draft down the back straightaway. It was a good lap for me, but I’ve not got the nerve or talent to duplicate that pace lap after lap. Note to self: spend time working on the nut behind the wheel.
Likewise, Carlton can tell you some stories about changing rocker arms. I think that he is pretty good at wrenching that job now.
The Roebling race will be well attended. I look forward to seeing you there. I get around Roebling okay, but then again so do Laura, Damion, Chuck,Kelly, Steve, Jeff, Mark, David,Mike, T.J., Travis,Al, etc…Not to mention those MA guys. It should be a good event.Who knows, we might even have Jim Robinson to race with at RR.
See you there, Robert Patton
kchildre
#18
Craig,
Good report on your debut… Now all you’re missing is some in-car video (and two more wheels). Seriously it’s great to see more and more people get into the series.
I have to disagree with your lesson learned though… Trust me when I say the learning curve is much steeper if we work together to catch up to the faster people both on and off the track (right Chuck?).
Seriously though, I know you everyone will be happy to hear that Wendy has officially given me the green light for Roebling in May. Should be a great field of Spec E30’s and hopefully Jim will be making his debut that weekend also.
TheRedBaron
#19
Don’t worry fellas… I’ll be sharing what I know. I’m too extraverted not to. Just trying to add a little humor here and there.
Jim Robinson will be at Roebling. Jim caves hard to peer pressure… You’ll see.
Lastly, my hat goes off to TJ Brewster for even getting his car there, much less racing. He was finishing the car at the track on Friday (decals, etc) and had never driven an E30 nor participated in a race. I don’t know if I would have had the stones.
Chuck - you pickin a fight? You got one. See you in a month or so.
The adrenaline from all of this is finally starting to wear off… Addiction kicking in hard… must… get… to… track…