Sebring T1 results
01-09-2007, 05:42 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Sebring T1 results
OK, now that I've had a chance to get a good night's sleep, here's how the race unfolded from my point of view.
On the PACE lap, a GT1 Porsche (#1) spun right in front of me in turn 2!!!! Phil qualified 12th, the GT1 car was 13th and I was 14th. There was now a 'gap' in the running order and that had never happened to me before, so I wasn't sure if I was supposed to fill his position (right beside Phil), or just maintain where I was. ...but I had a full lap to think about it! ha ha I decided to fill that position so I essentially started right next to Phil. I did that partly because I thought it was right and partly out of selfishness because I knew if I didn't then, Yarosz would have a nearly clean run all the way to turn 1!!! [After talking to Butch last night, he said I should have stayed in my assigned position and left that vacant position. You learn something new every day.]
I got a great start at the drop of the green. I was rolling on the power while most were not apparently and I managed to get in front of Phil and actually pass several GT1 cars in the braking zone for turn 1. As we entered turn 2 though, I thought I had the inside sealed off, but Phil somehow managed to get his nose inside me (DAMN!) and retook 1st place heading into turn 3. Due to traffic, cold tires, etc, he pulled out a 2-3 second lead over the next lap or so and then the gap stabilized . Around lap 5, we came thru 17 to find the #5 GT1 sitting sideways in the middle of the track so we all had to take some evasive maneuvers to avoid T-boning him. Whew! By about lap 6, I started reeling him in a bit and a few laps later, I knew he was either having brake issues or had burned his up. Phil, me and John were really working hard to stay in touch with each other and everybody's brakes were smokin' hot by now! Sebring is devistating on brakes!!!!
Around lap 7, I was within 1 second of Phil, but I hadn't yet seen him pump his brakes...until we entered the "Safety Pin." By turn 10, we were nose to tail, but in turn 17, a Silver Porsche had dumped a bunch of oil that ran all the way up the front straight and apparently thru turn 1 and beyond. The track was now slick as glass.
Lap 8, Phil started running a defensive line into the safety pin and again in turn 10. Phil swung wide on the exit of 10 and I crossed over and we went thru the two fast left-handers side by side, but I had the better line into 11 and took the lead. Phil and John were having a really good battle, but I knew Phil's brakes were gone. We were all sideways thru many of the remaining turns due to the oil on track. From that point on, it was just a brake, tire and traffic management exercise. Oil was the biggest issue though and our lap time dropped from the 2:21s to the 2:23s (or worse).
Around the last lap, I watched in my rear-vew mirror as John went off track backward. His brakes went apparently to the floor and he did what he had to do to keep from hitting the tire walls. As I took the checkered and started the cool-down, I saw Bob Kahn take 2d place. He was just really patient and drove a smart race. My buddy Mike had some ABS issue and went off track around turn 10 and ended up 5th.
The Carbotech Brakes were fabulous the whole race and Mike and I both had some to spare at the end. Those Kumho V710s were amazingly consistent despite the 85 deg heat and how hard we were pushing on them. Rudy, Mike and the whole Kumho gang are just awesome to work with. I need to thank Mike, Kurt, Chris and Eric (aka Red Gump) for their assistance this weekend. As I stated before, I finished 2d at this track in 05 and 06 and really wanted to get a win to start the season. See you all at Homestead!
On the PACE lap, a GT1 Porsche (#1) spun right in front of me in turn 2!!!! Phil qualified 12th, the GT1 car was 13th and I was 14th. There was now a 'gap' in the running order and that had never happened to me before, so I wasn't sure if I was supposed to fill his position (right beside Phil), or just maintain where I was. ...but I had a full lap to think about it! ha ha I decided to fill that position so I essentially started right next to Phil. I did that partly because I thought it was right and partly out of selfishness because I knew if I didn't then, Yarosz would have a nearly clean run all the way to turn 1!!! [After talking to Butch last night, he said I should have stayed in my assigned position and left that vacant position. You learn something new every day.]
I got a great start at the drop of the green. I was rolling on the power while most were not apparently and I managed to get in front of Phil and actually pass several GT1 cars in the braking zone for turn 1. As we entered turn 2 though, I thought I had the inside sealed off, but Phil somehow managed to get his nose inside me (DAMN!) and retook 1st place heading into turn 3. Due to traffic, cold tires, etc, he pulled out a 2-3 second lead over the next lap or so and then the gap stabilized . Around lap 5, we came thru 17 to find the #5 GT1 sitting sideways in the middle of the track so we all had to take some evasive maneuvers to avoid T-boning him. Whew! By about lap 6, I started reeling him in a bit and a few laps later, I knew he was either having brake issues or had burned his up. Phil, me and John were really working hard to stay in touch with each other and everybody's brakes were smokin' hot by now! Sebring is devistating on brakes!!!!
Around lap 7, I was within 1 second of Phil, but I hadn't yet seen him pump his brakes...until we entered the "Safety Pin." By turn 10, we were nose to tail, but in turn 17, a Silver Porsche had dumped a bunch of oil that ran all the way up the front straight and apparently thru turn 1 and beyond. The track was now slick as glass.
Lap 8, Phil started running a defensive line into the safety pin and again in turn 10. Phil swung wide on the exit of 10 and I crossed over and we went thru the two fast left-handers side by side, but I had the better line into 11 and took the lead. Phil and John were having a really good battle, but I knew Phil's brakes were gone. We were all sideways thru many of the remaining turns due to the oil on track. From that point on, it was just a brake, tire and traffic management exercise. Oil was the biggest issue though and our lap time dropped from the 2:21s to the 2:23s (or worse).
Around the last lap, I watched in my rear-vew mirror as John went off track backward. His brakes went apparently to the floor and he did what he had to do to keep from hitting the tire walls. As I took the checkered and started the cool-down, I saw Bob Kahn take 2d place. He was just really patient and drove a smart race. My buddy Mike had some ABS issue and went off track around turn 10 and ended up 5th.
The Carbotech Brakes were fabulous the whole race and Mike and I both had some to spare at the end. Those Kumho V710s were amazingly consistent despite the 85 deg heat and how hard we were pushing on them. Rudy, Mike and the whole Kumho gang are just awesome to work with. I need to thank Mike, Kurt, Chris and Eric (aka Red Gump) for their assistance this weekend. As I stated before, I finished 2d at this track in 05 and 06 and really wanted to get a win to start the season. See you all at Homestead!
01-09-2007, 06:42 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
Congratulations!! Good read.
01-09-2007, 07:06 PM
#7
Race Director
How were the lap times?? Did removing the CAT's have an appreciable effect on times??
I guess you were on new compound tires since last year too (I think, can't keep with all of the changes)
I guess you were on new compound tires since last year too (I think, can't keep with all of the changes)
01-09-2007, 09:07 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
It was the same compound V710s as last year and since it was so much hotter than last year, I don't know if the cats off made any difference or not. From what I hear though, it makes another 10HP/TQ with proper tuning. I just cut mine off...it isn't (re)tuned yet. Most of the vettes ran around 98-101 dbs which is still under the limit - no worries.
My fastest lap was a 2:21.3 and I think Phil's best time was a 21 flat. My best last year was a 20.1 or something, but it was about 20 degs cooler then too. Heinrocket ran a 19.8 last year, but was AWOL this year.
The new trailer is nice to have. I love being able to have a golf cart to carry tires/fuel and such around and I have obviously more storage than with the 28' trailer.
My fastest lap was a 2:21.3 and I think Phil's best time was a 21 flat. My best last year was a 20.1 or something, but it was about 20 degs cooler then too. Heinrocket ran a 19.8 last year, but was AWOL this year.
The new trailer is nice to have. I love being able to have a golf cart to carry tires/fuel and such around and I have obviously more storage than with the 28' trailer.
Jeff
01-10-2007, 09:48 AM
#13
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01-10-2007, 03:44 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Thanks for the help this weekend buddy!!!!
01-13-2007, 09:49 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
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Chris is very modest. The fact is that he drove a great race, a thinking man's race. He pushed when needed and conserved his resources appropiately so he had something left at the end.
Chris, sorry I did not have chance to come and congratulate you afterwards at the track. Great job driving!!!
Good luck at Homestead. I will stop by to say hello.
Frank Gonzalez
Chris, sorry I did not have chance to come and congratulate you afterwards at the track. Great job driving!!!
Good luck at Homestead. I will stop by to say hello.
Frank Gonzalez