F1600 Series - Rounds 1 & 2

[RussMcB]

Although my VIR story isn't super interesting, that hasn't stopped me from posting before. :-)

My wife and daughter accompanied me this race (kinda rare). Having them there was nice, and presented the opportunity to stay in VIR accommodations overlooking the high speed esses. Very nice. I usually sleep in my ambulance.

I didn't do the test day (to save money), so I expected to be slow in Friday's session, but I was expecting to get more than 2 laps in the first session. At the end of the high speed back straight I hit the brakes and the the car shot left. It was an exciting spin off, then across the track, but no sudden stop (*). I was able to drive back to the pits but with severe left toe out. Turns out, a front rocker arm mount nearly broke off. Luckily, Russ @ John Walko Racing did the weld repair and I was able to be ready for the afternoon session. Part of the great paddock environment.

By Saturday's race I was still slow, but probably about where I belonged. I had a fun dice with Jim Lee and Dan Pyanowski until we got stacked up and I hit the back of Jim's DB-1 and we were both out of the race with minor damage. (*)

Sunday's race was similar. I got a good start, but within a few laps Dan caught me, got a good run, I tried to be defensive but it backfired. We touched, I spun off (*), they continued and the rest of my race was alone and boring. Well, it got a little interesting when my shifter bolt broke. Luckily I was in fourth gear and was able to drive around for the final lap.

My final adventure of the weekend was a 13 hour drive back to ATL. It required some McGiver moments to keep fuel moving from the tanks to the engine, but I'll post about that in KeepYourOldAmbulanceRunning.com.

The series is great. Of course, the more cars, the better, so try hard to make these races. It is great pack racing, the way racing should be, and the series really eliminates a lot of the usual hassles.

* Very exciting from the cockpit - not so exciting in the video ...

[swiftdrivr]

Russ,
I couldn't find any good reason my car wouldn't stick in right hand turns for the last race, so I'm going to say it is because all of the rubber from my left rear tire is on your nose! Sorry I messed up such a beautiful paint job.
I had a great time, and you are right; If you can get to the series races, you owe it to yourself to go. They are well run, low hassel and you always have somebody to run with. You won't find more exciting or fun racing.

[Mike Scanlan]

Okay, here's some random highlights from my in-car video. Unfortunately I wasn't able to maintain my pace from Friday, so there isn't any video of the great racing up front, but, true to the series there was great racing all the way thru the field. I did get one good lap behind one of the Herta cars on Friday. You Tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OWGv...ature=youtu.be

[R.DeVoe]

Thanks for the highlights Mike! See you at LimeRock?

[Dave SanF 50]

In the F1600 Championship Series one can not run skinnies on the rear.
The series has a special spec tire that is ~R35.

Which puts this weekend's performance into true perspective. JT doing a high 1:59 on sticky club tires a few years back, and now the kids nearly breaking 2:00 with spec tires.

The F1600 tire is a R45B compound not a R35A

[Bob Wright]

The F1600 Formula F Championship Series uses a spec tire developed by Hoosier specifically for the Series which approximates the R35 compound, exactly as Mike indicated above.

[Dave SanF 50]

Yes, it is a spec tire but the Hoosier web site shows it as being the equivalent to the FE spec tire and the R45B compound. The sidewall is stamped "F1600" and "C2500" for compound and construction info. Did my jpeg not show up well? It seemed sort of small to me. That is from the Hoosier web site.

http://www.hoosiertire.com/rrtire.htm

[Purple Frog]

Thanks, I corrected my original post. notice the original post was after 11 pm. Brain fade...

But being close to a 45 compound, furthers my point that the kids are doing things with spec tires that is almost as good as the best club 'sticky' set-up.

[swiftdrivr]

Dennis, I don't know how you get such great shots, but the pics are incredible. I love the shot of me with the flag in the background!