VIR Double/F1 Championship Series

[crowe motorsports]

VIR Roll Call

We are up to four (JRO, Vardis, Franklin, Crowe)

Who is coming? Who will do test day? What are our party plans? I will be glad to bring a couple of cases of adult beverages for cocktail hour(s).

It will be a nail biter for me as my new aero package is still in process and will take me to the wire to get it all fitted. We will be there to test. I HOPE

[glenn cooper]

I guess I better sign up for this thing!

[Mike B]

Register here: http://www.motorsportreg.com/index.c...9#.UUuv11fheSo

More info on this round of the US Formula 1000 Championship East will be forthcoming!

[Revs2-12k]

There was discussion at COTA about USF1000 standing starts if we had our own run group.

I do not want to throw gas on the fire, but the vote was basically split:

Emphatic YES between those who have actually done them in competition.....and a humble No to those who have not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evmOT...ature=youtu.be

Last year at this time, the (short-lived/now defunct/Jon Lewis/eventual fiasco etc.) F1000 Championship Series was scheduled to run VIR later in the year.

In anticipation of 20+ F1000 field starting on the front-stretch, I asked my friends in the North Carolina Region if the F1000's attending the Oak Tree National (ended up being Brandon, Tim, & myself & M. Crowe) could practice standing starts. The Region staff agreed to set aside 15 minutes of track time for us during Saturday's lunch break.

Three of us took to the track and practiced starts the whole 3.27 miles....To put it mildly, it was an eye opener and all 3 learned launching strong required some finesse....

Anyways, if Standing Starts are being considered in the future of USF1000, I'd like to offer to pave the way for a similar opportunity at this years @ VIR Oak Tree Nat.

I'm not guaranteeing anything, but it helps to have friends in high places....

Most competitors who have tried them in anger would say they are a RUSH and there is the added benefit of arriving at Turn 1 much, much slower..

[Mike B]

There was discussion at COTA about USF1000 standing starts if we had our own run group.

I do not want to throw gas on the fire, but the vote was basically split:

Emphatic YES between those who have actually done them in competition.....and a humble No to those who have not.

To my knowledge, race #1 of the US Formula 1000 Festival at Road Atlanta in May is the only race that we'll have our own run group this season. The Chief Steward for that event is not willing to do a standing start. If car counts continue to grow and the COTA grid becomes the norm this year, we'll certainly entertain it for next year.

[glenn cooper]

I thought it was the Sunday race that saw us have our own Run Group?

[Zcurves]

Count me in!

[JohnPaul]

8 registered so far without Tim and Coop. Looks like we'll have at least 10 cars

[Ivinsea]

This inspired me to sign up. My brother Pete is in as well so we should be at least 12 cars!

[crowe motorsports]

I believe we may have over 15.

Jason Slahor I hear is coming
Lawrence Lowshak (in DSR normally attended this event)
Jeremy Hill may be there if his broken hand heals enough from a snowmobile accident
We may get a Wisconsin contingent (Mike B and Tyler Thielmann)

That could push us to 17 cars

[Mike B]

VIR entry list so far:

Anthony Autiello
Gianpaolo Ciancimino
Glenn Cooper
Michael Crowe
Richard Franklin
Alastair McEwan
Nicholas Ortiz
Brian Novak
J.R. Osborne
Ivin Seabrook
Jason Slahor
Nicho Vardis
Tyler Thielmann

Remember, if you want to have your points count toward the US Formula 1000 Championship and be eligible for any of the awesome prizes available at this event, you need to register with the series: http://usf1000.com/RegForm.html and pay the series fee.

Good luck!

[glenn cooper]

and was turned down by my bank - Maybe they know something I don't?!!
I recon I'll have to pull some money out of savings and put into checking to cover this tab, because, you know, that would be the intelligent choice...

[Brian.Novak]

and was turned down by my bank - Maybe they know something I don't?!!
I recon I'll have to pull some money out of savings and put into checking to cover this tab, because, you know, that would be the intelligent choice...

I race on sponsorship from VISA!

.... at least I think it is a sponsorship.

[Tyler Thielmann]

We will be there. Car is being painted as we speak and should be back together this weekend. I will be sure to post a picture if the paint job turns out

[Nick77]

we will be there

Alex Mayer #77

[AEA_Team_Lotus]

Does anyone know what track configuration will we be racing? I cant find it in the supps

[crowe motorsports]

They have always run the full course for the Nationals so I assume it would be the same. They can still run the internal course for other venues while the full course is being used.

[Nicholas Belling]

it will be the FULL COURSE

[glenn cooper]

...not to be confused with the "Grand" course which ties damned near every bit of pavement together for something close to a 5 mile lap!

[Ivinsea]

12 cars registered so far, plus at least 4 others awaiting so min. of 16; a great field!

What hotels do you guys recomend?

[crowe motorsports]

The track lodging options are great. Stayed there in 2011
Stayed at Super 8 South Boston/Danville last year. OK
This year staying at Holiday Inn Express South Boston/Danville this year.

[Zcurves]

Finally got registered and I'll make 14. Who else?

I've stayed in the hospitality suites above the garages on the front straight. They have fold away beds, tile floors, and a small kitchenette. They aren't bad and the view is great! I've also stayed in the building across from T5. I think its a little nicer but not as convenient because it is a trek from the paddock. The really nice rooms are the suites at the top of the uphill esses. They command a great deal of money but are awesome. Maybe they are reserved for club members, IDK. I'll be staying in the RV.

[Mike B]

The entry list so far:

Anthony Autiello-Stohr
Gianpaolo Ciancimino-Citation
Glenn Cooper-Firman
Michael Crowe -Van Diemen
Richard Franklin-Stohr
Alex Mayer-Elan
Alastair McEwan -Phoenix
Nicholas Ortiz-Firman
Brian Novak-Piper
J.R. Osborne -Citation
Ivin Seabrook-Stohr
Peter Seabrook-Stohr
Jason Slahor-Van Diemen
Nicho Vardis-Firman
Tim Pierce-Firman
Jonathan Scarallo-Philly MS
Tyler Thielmann-Van Diemen


Looking good for another big field!

[Revs2-12k]

Hotels
Sleep inn - Danville - one of the closest to the track at 17-20 min.
http://www.sleepinn.com/hotel-danvil...try=&listpos=1

Food
VIR's Oak Tree Tavern - I hope to have a photo on the wall of the pub some day. Surprisingly affordable.
http://virresort.com/amenities/dinin...d-connies-pub/

Aunt Millie's Pizza - 2 miles from track in Milton. It gets crowded, so go early or get take-out.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aunt-M...763722?fref=pb

Mexican - I never just try these out without a recommendation. Authentic.
http://www.lostresmagueyes.com/

[glenn cooper]

There[COLOR="black"][COLOR="black"][COLOR="black"]'s also a Japanese Hibachi style restaurant across the main drag from the Sleep Inn in Danville.
I think it's called Shogun and is pretty darned decent.

I have stayed at The Lodge (drivers left at T5 and 6) as I believe it's called.
Jump on the pit scoot and you are in the paddock in 2 minutes.

First timers alert!!!!!!!!!!
The paddock has paved roads, but that's all that's paved.
Where you park the rig and work out of is pretty much a giant sandbox. Well ok it's not like beach sand, probably more like the next largest thing than actual grains of sand.

The point being it is highly recommended to bring either a really large thick tarp, or multiple pieces of this plywood, whatever, just something to make a road from the paved paddock roads to your trailer.

You have been warned...

[JohnPaul]

Looking at the entry list and noticed that FB is the largest class other than miata and SRF. I bet that was the case in COTA. Not bad. The class has come a long way in the past couple of years and the future only looks better

[Brian.Novak]

We had to pull out Some parts arriving late and we decided for the better prepared route, rather than the insane thrash

[crowe motorsports]

Unfortunately Crowe Motorsports will be unable to make it to VIR as we cannot get there in time due to unforeseen delays. It seems like Murphy's Law has been my primary sponsor over the last two weeks.

Best of luck to all and we will see you at the Road Atlanta F1000 Festival/F1000 Championship Series event.

Michael Crowe
Crowe Motorsports

[Mike B]

Rounds 3 & 4 of the US Formula 1000 Championship East kicks off today at VIR. Q1 is already in the books and Glenn Cooper is on the pole with a 1:51.421. Q1 for Sunday's race is coming up and you can follow the action on live timing: http://www.sccahost.com/sccalive/

You can also get some behind-the-scenes info by following the US Formula 1000 Championship Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/Formula1000

Good luck to everyone!

[BURKY]

What happened to John Paul?

[Mike B]

What happened to John Paul?

He had electrical problems that appear to be resolved. He'll start from the back.

[Mike B]

Grid for race #3 of the US Formula 1000 Championship East:
1. Glenn Cooper..... 1:51.421
2. Nicholas Ortiz..... 1:55.107
3. Alex Mayer..... 1:55.780
4. Alastair McEwan..... 1:55.966
5. Jason Slahor..... 1:56.504
6. Richard Franklin..... 1:56.614
7. Nicho Vardis..... 1:58.326
8. Anthony Autiello..... 2:00.637
9. Tim Pierce..... 2:02.347
10. Peter Seabrook..... 2:03.061
11. Tyler Thielmann..... 2:09.473
12. Jonathan Scarallo..... 2:16.265
13. JohnPaul Ciancimino..... no time

[BURKY]

Thank's, Mike.

[Mike B]

Official results of race #3:
1 Glenn Cooper
2 Alastair McEwan
3 Jonathan Scarallo
4 Nicho Vardis
5 Richard Franklin
6 Peter Seabrook
7 Nicholas Ortiz
8 JohnPaul Ciancimino
9 Anthony Autiello
10 Jason Slahor
11 Tyler Thielmann
DNF Alex Mayer
DNS Tim Pierce

[Mike B]

Some pics from the weekend so far:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...4449499&type=1

Video of race start:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...70164238235508

[glenn cooper]

SCCA Majors Race Weekend Update from Virginia International Raceway
Race 1 Saturday - Pole and Win.
Race 2 later today and took pole for that this morning on the last lap of the session after an extended black flag period. Cold weather, cold tires, the whole shebang.

The amount of mechanical drama that took place this weekend may have been at an all time high: damaged Lithium Ion battery took out fuel pump and voltage regulator, resulting in no time for Q1 of todays race, brand new oil cooler sprung a leak - one of many oil related coating issues that required me to go full-on grunt to clean it all up.

Nicholas Belling of Firman Cars West in Langley BC, Canada has transformed the car from an ill handling POS after getting hit in Austin, into an absolute animal.

A problem with some wiring had the car running in a richer fuel map / semi-limp mode since Austin that was costing me mega time. This too was sorted out by Belling with a quick call to George Dean in Seattle to confirm.

Special thanks to Lee and Paul Williams of WRD who turned around the damaged LSD diferential from the Texas incident, making all this possible!

[Purple Frog]

It takes a village...

[Rick Ross]

What is the FB track record at VIR?

[RussMcB]

What is the FB track record at VIR?

www.eformulacarnews.com/news_info.php?n=4583 says:
Formula 1000: 1:50.107 - Brandon Dixon (Citation FB) - 2011

[Mike B]

Grid for today's race:
1 Glenn Cooper..... 1:53.843
2 Nicholas Ortiz..... 1:54.387
3 Alastair McEwan..... 1:56.446
4 Jason Slahor..... 1:56.456
5 Alex Mayer..... 1:56.893
6 Jonathan Scarallo..... 1:56.925
7 Nicho Vardis..... 1:58.306
8 Peter Seabrook..... 1:58.343
9 Richard Franklin..... 1:58.452
10 JohnPaul Ciancimino..... 2:00.187
11 Anthony Autiello..... 2:02.103
12 Tim Pierce..... 2:07.480
13 Tyler Thielmann..... 2:09.473

Slahor broke a cam chain yesterday and packed up. Scarallo has an electrical problem and has withdrawn. Thielmann blew an engine yesterday and is heading home.