Putnam Park NASA Recap
05-18-2009, 09:46 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Putnam Park NASA Recap
An update for those of you that didn't make the combined Great Lakes / Midwest Regional event at Putnam this past weekend.
Unfortunately the weekend started off with the usual mixture of rain/cooler temperatures, a teasing of sun, then more drizzle.
The upside was that the dryer periods were during the big bore race on Saturday and it cleared off for a great day Sunday.
I usually race my '88 in the PTA class but 2 of my normal competitors that were on the entry list didn't show up. (That is always a bummer when we need at least 3 in class to win any Hoosiers) Anyway, I decided that somebody should have a chance to win something for their hard work and changed my class to ST2 so Geff and Ken would have a third entry. Since I didn't change classes until the last minute I was still gridded mid pack with the PT cars. It turned out to be a fun race (even w/ 3 weekend old A6's...
) I started 18th and worked my way through most of the AI field running low 19's in traffic eventually finishing 7th. From what my brother said the battle at the front of the class was INTENSE.......I'll leave you guys hanging until L98 Terror or GAS chime in.
Sunday brought us sunshine and a chilly 42*F morning. brrr I decided that I would try and win some tires for me on Sunday and ran TTA. I also had in the back of my head that a track record could be in reach if I put on my fresh A6's with my brand spankin' new CCW classics !
FWIW, Jesse White has the record for TTA with a 116.9xx and he was running this weekend also. We went out the first session to feel things out, my car started smoking badly under the left side of the hood, not good.....Jesse 118.06x, Me 118.08x. (Hmmm, it's close but doable) Those times set the grid for the next session. 1. Sawtell 2. Smith 3. White 4. Me.........pretty cool because there were some faast Cars on the grid.
Since I was instructing all weekend I didn't think I would be able to get it fixed (power steering line) before the next session. When I came back to my pits after my student's session my 2 top notch crew members (my brother and my boss) were already finishing the repair. Sweet!! I jumped in and just made grid with 1 minute to go. Results from this session Jesse 118.xx, Me 117.66. Things are looking better.
The next session I actually had the hood completely latched and my gloves were on instead of flying around in the hatch...
I also had time to think about the basics and focus on the wasted time with my lazy right foot.....The final TTA result for me was good enough for a win and TTA record:116.80x. Jesse was stuck in the 18's but he was on old rubber with some handling issues. I'm sure he'll be back to show me the way around. Sawtelle and Smith were battling for TTS honors and smashing records....more from them later.
There were a lot of fast Corvette's that put on a great show in TTS, TTU and the race classes. We just need a few more of those Blue (and Black) Corvette's to start showing up again in the Great lakes Region!
A big THANK YOU goes out to my crew (Bret and Curt) for taking care of the car all weekend and keeping the beer flowing in the evenings. Also to Hoosier Tire and Pfadt Race Engineering for their great products and contingency programs.
Matt Carlyle
NASA #26
PTA/ST2/TTA/ whatever class has 3 entries or more.........
Unfortunately the weekend started off with the usual mixture of rain/cooler temperatures, a teasing of sun, then more drizzle.
The upside was that the dryer periods were during the big bore race on Saturday and it cleared off for a great day Sunday.I usually race my '88 in the PTA class but 2 of my normal competitors that were on the entry list didn't show up. (That is always a bummer when we need at least 3 in class to win any Hoosiers) Anyway, I decided that somebody should have a chance to win something for their hard work and changed my class to ST2 so Geff and Ken would have a third entry. Since I didn't change classes until the last minute I was still gridded mid pack with the PT cars. It turned out to be a fun race (even w/ 3 weekend old A6's...
) I started 18th and worked my way through most of the AI field running low 19's in traffic eventually finishing 7th. From what my brother said the battle at the front of the class was INTENSE.......I'll leave you guys hanging until L98 Terror or GAS chime in.Sunday brought us sunshine and a chilly 42*F morning. brrr I decided that I would try and win some tires for me on Sunday and ran TTA. I also had in the back of my head that a track record could be in reach if I put on my fresh A6's with my brand spankin' new CCW classics !
FWIW, Jesse White has the record for TTA with a 116.9xx and he was running this weekend also. We went out the first session to feel things out, my car started smoking badly under the left side of the hood, not good.....Jesse 118.06x, Me 118.08x. (Hmmm, it's close but doable) Those times set the grid for the next session. 1. Sawtell 2. Smith 3. White 4. Me.........pretty cool because there were some faast Cars on the grid.
Since I was instructing all weekend I didn't think I would be able to get it fixed (power steering line) before the next session. When I came back to my pits after my student's session my 2 top notch crew members (my brother and my boss) were already finishing the repair. Sweet!! I jumped in and just made grid with 1 minute to go. Results from this session Jesse 118.xx, Me 117.66. Things are looking better.
The next session I actually had the hood completely latched and my gloves were on instead of flying around in the hatch...
I also had time to think about the basics and focus on the wasted time with my lazy right foot.....The final TTA result for me was good enough for a win and TTA record:116.80x. Jesse was stuck in the 18's but he was on old rubber with some handling issues. I'm sure he'll be back to show me the way around. Sawtelle and Smith were battling for TTS honors and smashing records....more from them later.There were a lot of fast Corvette's that put on a great show in TTS, TTU and the race classes. We just need a few more of those Blue (and Black) Corvette's to start showing up again in the Great lakes Region!
A big THANK YOU goes out to my crew (Bret and Curt) for taking care of the car all weekend and keeping the beer flowing in the evenings. Also to Hoosier Tire and Pfadt Race Engineering for their great products and contingency programs.
Matt Carlyle
NASA #26
PTA/ST2/TTA/ whatever class has 3 entries or more.........
Last edited by mrc24x; 05-18-2009 at 10:45 PM.
05-18-2009, 11:35 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
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Wow that sounds like a good weekend!! Congrats on the new record!
05-18-2009, 11:45 AM
#3
Race Director
Congrats! 
I'm hoping to get into TTC with mine next season.
I'm hoping to get into TTC with mine next season.
05-18-2009, 12:11 PM
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Nice little write up, I don't even know where to begin, I do know I still can't talk & I need more than the 5 minutes I have to sum up the weekend.
Details and video to come later today so stay tuned......
Congrats Matt, Damn you where getting that C4 around the track and if you started up front on Sat it would have been a 5 way battle for 2nd overall. 1:16.80x Damn man that is smoking
Details and video to come later today so stay tuned......
Congrats Matt, Damn you where getting that C4 around the track and if you started up front on Sat it would have been a 5 way battle for 2nd overall. 1:16.80x Damn man that is smoking
Last edited by L98Terror; 05-18-2009 at 02:53 PM.
05-18-2009, 06:52 PM
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Hey Matt. Congrats on the new records for both you and Ken!!
You bettering Jesse's record was no small task because we know he can drive. And Ken....well lets just say that boy can pick em up and put em down faster than a one legged man in a toe stompin competition! 
Thanks to NASA for putting on a 1st rate event. It is always a BLAST at Putnam.
Geff
You bettering Jesse's record was no small task because we know he can drive. And Ken....well lets just say that boy can pick em up and put em down faster than a one legged man in a toe stompin competition! Thanks to NASA for putting on a 1st rate event. It is always a BLAST at Putnam.Geff
05-18-2009, 07:42 PM
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Congrats Matt - my dad and I were parked next to you on Friday (Black C6 and Silver C5z06). Those are great times - I am stuck in the 19s but still on last years 9 event old 710s but new tires on on the way for the 10/10ths event at Putnam. If I can get near the 17s this year I will be very pleased but that is still a LONG way from 16s or my dad's 15s or eons away from Danny Ps single digits or whatever he turns this year...
Great work.
-Jonathan
Great work.
-Jonathan
05-18-2009, 08:08 PM
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Wow!!! Here goes
Ordered a replacement for my cracked rotor Friday
My second daughter Danica Jean was Born 5/10 Mother’s Day
Signed up for the event later that evening
Got sick as hell on Wednesday
Loaded my car Thursday, without going though it since Gingerman
Worked all day Friday, kissed wife and daughters good by
Picked up Eric, Shaun and Mike, My Pit crew whom I’ve never meant before (you guys did a great job, well I knew Eric)
Arrived at 10:30 PM, went straight to the bar (thanks Matt & Bret)
Got stuck with someone’s tab cough! cough!
Crammed 4 of us into a Hotel at 1 AM, got no sleep (Who gets text messages at 4 in the morning?????)
Up at 6, raining of course
Swapped crack rotor, meetings and students all day, semi dry practice, semi dry Qualifying ran a 1:16.7 (track record for ST2 was a 1:17.8xx) first hot lap of the race was a 1:16.1xx was then slowed to 1:19s behind a stupid Mustang, why is it always a mustang?
Grid was screwed up again, one hell of a show was put on for the spectators but I couldn’t have been more upset, racing out of class again, a little car to car contact and was passed by three cars under yellow.
Still sick, lost my voice & had a confrontation in the pits.
All and all a great day, one win, one track record.
That was Saturday
I'll let the video do the talking, if watching with kids turn the volume down http://vimeo.com/4718035
Ordered a replacement for my cracked rotor Friday
My second daughter Danica Jean was Born 5/10 Mother’s Day
Signed up for the event later that evening
Got sick as hell on Wednesday
Loaded my car Thursday, without going though it since Gingerman
Worked all day Friday, kissed wife and daughters good by
Picked up Eric, Shaun and Mike, My Pit crew whom I’ve never meant before (you guys did a great job, well I knew Eric)
Arrived at 10:30 PM, went straight to the bar (thanks Matt & Bret)
Got stuck with someone’s tab cough! cough!
Crammed 4 of us into a Hotel at 1 AM, got no sleep (Who gets text messages at 4 in the morning?????)
Up at 6, raining of course
Swapped crack rotor, meetings and students all day, semi dry practice, semi dry Qualifying ran a 1:16.7 (track record for ST2 was a 1:17.8xx) first hot lap of the race was a 1:16.1xx was then slowed to 1:19s behind a stupid Mustang, why is it always a mustang?
Grid was screwed up again, one hell of a show was put on for the spectators but I couldn’t have been more upset, racing out of class again, a little car to car contact and was passed by three cars under yellow.
Still sick, lost my voice & had a confrontation in the pits.
All and all a great day, one win, one track record.
That was Saturday
I'll let the video do the talking, if watching with kids turn the volume down http://vimeo.com/4718035
05-18-2009, 08:14 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks for the Congrats guys! Kubs and Aardwolf get those C4's in TTC. Pronto! If I can be of any help shoot me a PM.
Ed, I hope to see you again at Mid Ohio this year. I agree that we need to keep these vintage cars on the track and up front.
Jesse, thanks and it's great running with you again. I'm just happy to be running times close to yours. As GAS said above, you sure know how to drive.
Jonathan , Nice meeting you and your dad. Your cars look great.Hope to see you again sometime.
Wally, the Gerbils and Donuts were at the top of their game. I can't wait to see the rematch. Great Job guys!! Let's just say for now.......Donuts by a Hair........(yes, pun intended for the Hairless Gerbils....)
Ed, I hope to see you again at Mid Ohio this year. I agree that we need to keep these vintage cars on the track and up front.
Jesse, thanks and it's great running with you again. I'm just happy to be running times close to yours. As GAS said above, you sure know how to drive.
Jonathan , Nice meeting you and your dad. Your cars look great.Hope to see you again sometime.
Wally, the Gerbils and Donuts were at the top of their game. I can't wait to see the rematch. Great Job guys!! Let's just say for now.......Donuts by a Hair........(yes, pun intended for the Hairless Gerbils....)
05-18-2009, 08:31 PM
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Geff, great racing with you, welcome to ST2 damn this is going to be a battle, thanks for keeping me on my toes and pushing me and Rita to the edge and back in TT, its nice to know what she is capable of. It really doesn't get any closer than that, I was hoping for a 1:15 when I showed up and never in my wildest dreams thought a 1:13 was possible but a 1:14.2 is equally impressive. I see some serious battle on the horizon. After looking at my car ST2 is starting to look like AI
I expect to see your video posted soon, it has to be awesome.
I expect to see your video posted soon, it has to be awesome.
Last edited by L98Terror; 05-18-2009 at 08:35 PM.
05-18-2009, 08:51 PM
#14
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I just watched the video Ken. Nice job. I don't think I saw the 600 hp Mustang hit one apex....
Now I do wish I was gridded up front with you guys.
Now I do wish I was gridded up front with you guys.
Last edited by mrc24x; 05-18-2009 at 10:32 PM. Reason: misunderstanding....
05-18-2009, 09:57 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I wish I put my camera in the car. I'll need some video editing coaching from you sometime Ken.
Last edited by mrc24x; 05-18-2009 at 10:34 PM.
05-19-2009, 09:20 AM
#18
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Great job by all in the Corvette camp even with a little rain on Sat. you guys were still putting down some fast damn fast laps.
Here is a little shot of the TT grid on Sunday,
Here's a link to the rest of the album,
http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/f...20Performance/
Well hopefully I'll be seeing a lot more close battles the rest of the year, but if this is a measuring stick then it should be one heck of a year indeed.
Joel
Here is a little shot of the TT grid on Sunday,
Here's a link to the rest of the album,
http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/f...20Performance/
Well hopefully I'll be seeing a lot more close battles the rest of the year, but if this is a measuring stick then it should be one heck of a year indeed.
Joel
