WagonBoy

<center><img src="http://www.coloraudi.com/uploads/rick/racingneon.jpg"></center><p>Haven't posted in a while and thought I'd give everyone a mid-season recap of my SCCA racing season....

Things have been going really well for me this year. For those that don't know, my father and I started a racing team in January and we've been racing in the SCCA here in Colorado. My father is running in regional races in the SSC class, while I've been running in the regional and national SSC/SSB races.

We've had six regional races so far, and two nationals. Things started out a little weird with the first race at Second Creek being held in 32 degree weather with snow flurries (welcome to CO!), but things turned out well with a 1st and 3rd in class for us. In fact, with the cold temps I was running within a couple tenths of the track record.

The next two race weekend were down in Pueblo at a really fun track... 2.2 miles and 11 turns with a half mile front straight. The neons were getting up to the 110mph range and we cruised to another three class wins in the regional races there. I captured a second in class in my first national, and even broke the track record in qualifying! At this point both neons were very competative in class and mine was even doing well in the overall finishes with very well prepared IT cars.

Most recently we were at Pikes Peak Int' Raceway (PPIR) for three days of racing over the Memorial Day weekend. Sat/Sun were regional races and Mon was a national. Saturday turned out to be a big testing day, since my dad and I were the only ones running in our class, but that was fine since it was my first time here. Going from the banking to the inner turn one and then back out onto the back straight banking flat out at 90-100mph was pretty wild!!!

Sunday I qualified second in class, but it was obvious that the car was down on power for some reason. I had a great start, jumping way out in front, but over the 20 laps I steadily fell back and finished 3rd by less then half a second...DOH! This was the first time I've had a car that couldn't fight for the lead all the way through the race. It was extremely frustrating, but hey, that's racing!

For Monday's national race, I knew I'd be in trouble with my lack of power, and I had no idea what was wrong with the car. Out of the blue I had an offer to drive a SSB Miata for the national, so I jumped at the chance. I'd only driven a Miata once before, for about six laps, but knew it would be a lot of fun and a good chance to see what I could do in the car. I qualified 3rd in class with decent times, but the race was the key. I dropped my times by a chunck on almost spent tires, and fought with other SSC/SSB cars the entire race. Started 21st overall and finished 17th and 3rd in class.

So, at the mid-point, I've got five wins and one 3rd in the regional races, and a 2nd in a SSC national and a 3rd in a SSB national. My father has scored two 2nds, three 3rds, and a 4th...and he's improving every race. Those finishes put us 1st and 2nd (out of 6) in the regional point standings and I'm currently 4th (out of 4) in the SSC national points, and 3rd (out of 4) in the SSB national points for the CO region. If these kind of results keep up, then it looks like I'll make it to the Runoffs at Mid-Ohio in September, which would be pretty cool for my first year.

Thought you all might be interested. You can see pics, check the results, and see the remaining schedule on our website through the link below.

Rick

ColoradoMark

sounds like too much fun!

Steve Sherwood

Hey Snick..I may be heading your way in early July..you gonna be around?

WagonBoy

not really, but.... Next weekend's race is down in La Junta, but after that all the races until October are at Second Creek. You'll have to come check them out. It's a blast to watch and even more fun to drive!

Rick

WagonBoy

I have a race the weekend of July 6/7 at Second Creek, and then nothing until the beginning of August, so yeah, I should be hear. Just give me a heads up before hand, my schedule is pretty flexible.

Rick

Steve Sherwood

Can I do an arrive and drive with one of the Neon's? I pay cold hard cash!!!!

WagonBoy

Do you want to race it or just drive it? I'll let you drive it at Second Creek, no problem. If you want to race it, that might take some doing. If you really are interested in racing it, I'll talk to my dad and see if he'd give up his seat in the Saturday (July 6th) race for you. Email me and we'll talk more.

Rick

Steve Sherwood

I was going to go to the Competition school put on by Driving Concepts..at a NASA venue..but NASA had a scheduling snafu...and the slot for the Driving Concepts competition school was nabbed. I would have some type of provisional/novice license right now if it hadn't been cancelled.

So, yeah...if I could hook up with you guys for a Wednesday night at Second Creek event..that would be cool.

I was thinking of trailering out the BMW...but that would be brutal....2,500 miles or so...

WagonBoy

I'll see about putting a track event together when you are here. Wed nights are easy, there always open. If you want to go during the day, Tue-Fri are usually open, just gotta check and make sure nothing is going on. Just let me know when you think you'll be here and I'll put something together.

It would be a long tow out here, but it would be fun to have another ride where the seat is FIRMLY attached to the car. Hehehe!

Rick

ReyHey

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/966/reyheyair.jpg"></center><p>8-)