Runoffs 2022

[BLS]

The Runoffs are underway with what appears to be a pretty sizable and fast group in the first two rounds of qualifying. I'm expecting rain to descend upon the track by race day (Saturday) but it appears that the last qualifying will be dry. Forecast for Saturday has a high probability of rain, around 70% at race time, but a small amount. It might make a very difficult decision on tires.

Brian Farnham is making his Dad, Mark, a very happy fellow with the top times so far. The first 5-6 are pretty close, within a second or so, then a bit of a drop to the next group of about 10 that are close together. A lot of national champions in the field, 5 by my count, plus the son of a former national champ, James Brookshire in his Agitator (James Brookshire, 1976).

I'm hoping for a dry and safe race. Good luck to you all.



https://cdn.connectsites.net/user_fi...pdf?1664378380

[E1pix]

Very cool to see the Brookshire name back at the Runoffs, I well remember his Dad and thought it could be him.

Brian’s rocking it after years of oh-so-close. Great to see.

Hope all have fun in the rain! We had to cancel our trip at the last minute, VW bus issues, now fixed... :-(

[E1pix]

Livestream:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j48fWEGSjb4

[BLS]

As expected, very wet today. I have not watched as I try to get ready to drive to the coast tomorrow, which just got delayed until Sunday. So I tuned in to find a delay for the last two races due to clean up, apparently an oil spill from the STU race.

The forecast for Sat morning hasn't really changed much, still expecting wet weather, how wet remains the question.

Eric, I remember James as a little fellow, at the races with dad. I was in my 20's back then and have gotten a bit older...

[E1pix]

Thanks Barry, enjoy your drive. Ours east to Mansfield finally started today, about ninety days late (blown Wasserboxer, and all is finally right with the new “power”). ;-)

I think Jim, Sr. won Vee in maybe 1976. I was 16, and in attendance (with camera).

Looking forward to watching Vee tomorrow, probably from the roadside, NW Kansas.

Enjoy the race.

[BLS]

Wow!

Congratulations to Brian Farnham on the win!

I know the whole family worked hard for this. Well done!

[E1pix]

Yes! Awesome, stayed cool and finally got his due!

Congrats to Mark and Cindy, too!

[BLS]

20 cars stayed on the lead lap to finish the race, pretty darn good considering the conditions. I know there were multiple offs even in that group as there was a bit of treachery off line. Hard to keep up with the story line after the front group, but there was a pack of 6-7 cars, maybe a dozen at one time, that had a spirited race even if they were pretty far back from the front group.

James Brookshire in his Agitator had worked his way up from 28th start to 11th at one point, and then decided to check out the VIR grassy areas, twice if I'm not mistaken That is his first runoffs and not the greatest of conditions. Donnie Isley in the other Agitator finished 7th.

Andrew Whitson came back to lead that 2nd group at the flag, finishing 5th. Pretty remarkable after going off while leading (I think) and given the conditions.

It was an interesting race to say the least.

And Brian Farnham really did drive a fine race. Getting out front with a 2-3 second lead and maintaining that takes real concentration and skill.

Great work by the SCCA workers and the VIR people. I doubt it gets any more difficult than these conditions and they are doing a remarkable job.

[lucky13]

Tough to find a nicer group than Brian, Mark, and Cindy. Congratulations!

[brian styczynski]

Congratulations to Brian, he ran a great race especially with tough track conditions and dangling suspension. Watching most the races, i saw there were dozens of top competitors that went off while in the lead or top 3, so to have no mistakes for 15 laps and stick the landing is pretty impressive. Equally impressive was Andrew Whitston being P25 and a full minute behind to get 5th at the line. Also Russell Fredericks made up 22 positions in the first 2 laps and was up to 5th a few times himself. Great racing as always.

[E1pix]

Edit: Brian, just noticed your question about “glowing rotors...”

I suspected heat over reflection... but more a photographer’s impression than one of mechanical certainty...

But looking more now, if only on a phone, I do see some similar reflections on the uprights and even the shock.

So I’m glad I kept all this uncertainty to myself... ;-)

[BLS]

I'd guess orange bodywork reflection. There is a significant cool down period between braking and stopped in the pits even if it ever got that hot.

All the BS about disc brakes - which would you rather have at the runoffs in the rain

[E1pix]

You’ve clearly never seen the braking system on the Flintstonemobile.

If not, I’m not judging you just for being so young.

[problemchild]

Brian Farnham drove the perfect race under the toughest conditions. Congratulations Brian and all involved in his program!

[Agitator]

Very cool to see the Brookshire name back at the Runoffs, I well remember his Dad and thought it could be him.

(

Thanks for all the support, guys. I hate going down as "infamous" on the highlight reel instead of "famous". I struggled all season trying to revive a car that sat on the second floor of our shop for 14 years. I thought I had done a decent job of addressing things, but I wasn't even close...and this could be the perfect lesson for any new drivers eager to get on track.

During my week at the Runoffs, I replaced a wheel cylinder, had my engine-to-tranny bolts work loose, had my throttle pedal bolts sheered, bent both axle flanges, destroyed a front wheel bearing, broke a front wheel spindle nut (that led to the bearing failure), had to completely rebuild my brake bias adjuster, put a hole in my exhaust from my trailing arm bolts hitting it, developed a fuel cell leak race morning, and struggled with handling/braking issues all week. My braking in the race went from bad to worse as the second wheel cylinder (the one I didn't replace) was leaking on my shoes. Couple all that with going to a track I've never driven, and it was a recipe for disaster. All of it was preventable with better maintenance/driving. I am not the driver or engineer my dad was/is. He helped me all week, but there are just so many band-aids you can get by with at the Runoffs. '

I was proud of the first six laps I drove in the race. The first "off" was just me being impatient. I didn't realize the group I had just caught was racing for 5th. I thought I was further back and needed to get by them. The second "off" looked horrible after I watched it on the replay. I had my foot to the floor on the brake, it just wouldn't stop. I tagged a very gracious Stu Delaney, and I hate that.

What a great race for FV though. Farnham brought his A game. Super proud of my engine builder, Mitchell Ferguson. What a great first Runoffs for Trevor Carmody. Good race for my friend of 40 years, Donnie Isley. Unfortunately, with all the car issues, I wasn't the most social driver last week and didn't get to meet some of the competitors.

I'll be back next year, but not in a Vee.

James

[Amon]

We appreciate everyone's congratulations as it means a lot from those of you in our tight knit FV community! As many know, Brian has come close several times, but via hard work and car updates he was able to have a strong week and bring home the prize even under challenging conditions. We look forward to next year and know many of the driver's will be upping their "game" so prep for next year starts soon !

Thanks again and everyone have a nice "off-season"!

Mark Farnham

[mmi16]

...

During my week at the Runoffs, I replaced a wheel cylinder, had my engine-to-tranny bolts work loose, had my throttle pedal bolts sheered, bent both axle flanges, destroyed a front wheel bearing, broke a front wheel spindle nut (that led to the bearing failure), had to completely rebuild my brake bias adjuster, put a hole in my exhaust from my trailing arm bolts hitting it, developed a fuel cell leak race morning, and struggled with handling/braking issues all week. My braking in the race went from bad to worse as the second wheel cylinder (the one I didn't replace) was leaking on my shoes. Couple all that with going to a track I've never driven, and it was a recipe for disaster. All of it was preventable with better maintenance/driving. I am not the driver or engineer my dad was/is. He helped me all week, but there are just so many band-aids you can get by with at the Runoffs. '

....

James

Change the identity of the component failures and you have described the event for a majority of competitors at the Runoffs. You can race all year with 2 and 3 on track sessions per day with minimal 'drama'. Get to the Runoffs and one on track session a day and all hell breaks loose with drama after drama after drama. Perseverance is the only thing that gets one through the trials.

The personal satisfaction of knowing you did the best you could under the circumstance has to be its own reward.

[pacratt]

Change the identity of the component failures and you have described the event for a majority of competitors at the Runoffs. You can race all year with 2 and 3 on track sessions per day with minimal 'drama'. Get to the Runoffs and one on track session a day and all hell breaks loose with drama after drama after drama. Perseverance is the only thing that gets one through the trials.

The personal satisfaction of knowing you did the best you could under the circumstance has to be its own reward.

Yes, the RunOffs are basically 3-4 race weekends wrapped up into 7 days.
Kudos to everyone that qualified and then made it to race time.
Its a helluvan endeavor.

Glenn

[BLS]

James, yes it does sound like a tough week. Given those issues it's remarkable you did as well as you did.