Friday - Day 1

The first day of open practice went much as expected. We actually got five sessions on the track but the longest one was only about 15 minutes. So, we played with engine set up and suspension and probably got the car going a little faster.  But the end of the day we were about 1.5 seconds faster than last year and quite pleased with progress. It was however quite frustrating to never get the tires warmed up. Johnson Autosport who prepares our car is here in force. Two semi trailer trucks and 11 cars. The cars range from Dick Corson's street stock 911 which is running in F class to Bob Johnson's GT-2 car that he will run here next weekend with Tom McGlynn. My partner in Toad Hall, Jim Oppenheimer  (see photo of the car below) is sharing his car with Eric Johnson.  They too will drive in the American LeMans Series professional race next weekend.

Saturday - Day 2

Saturday schedule was designed very tight. 3 practice sessions and then practice starts and a short race late in the afternoon.  As we could expect, we were behind from the start.  The weather was great, a better than average spring day in Georgia. And, we were quick. By the end of the day on Saturday, we had driven a total of 70 laps in two days and with some significant changes in set-up, we were quicker than Friday. Then disaster started to strike, but this time it took its time. During the last of the three practices, a video camera that was in the car broke from its mount early in the session and we had to come it because it was rolling around under my feet. The organizers had also announced that the results for that session would determine our starting positions, both for the practice starts and our grid position for the qualifying on Sunday. After the video camera was extracted from the car I went out again and after only one lap, we were black flagged, but no one knew why.  Apparently a mistake, but by the time they figured out it was a mistake, the session was over. Our fast time in the second session had been a 1:29.5. Our best time in this session was a 1:34.6, good for a 21st position on the grid. Inside on the 6th row. Our worst start ever for practice starts and a tough position to be in.

The procedure for practice starts and the short race is that the cars get a green flag, race for the first 6 turns, reform in the position that they are in at the end of the 6 turns and then do a second start.  After that, a second start and a race to turn 6 again, and then finally a third start and a 5 lap race. Short, but not so sweet. From the 21st place start I  got to 10th place and the 5th row in the first 6 turns. On the second start we got to 6th and the third row for the third start and after that start we quickly got past the fifth and fourth and third place cars with two cars remaining in front of us. After a close duel through turn after turn with a car in front that had been 2 seconds slower in each other session I got along side him going into turn 4 and either he didn't see me, or just decided to push me off the road, at any rate, we had contact and this being Porsche Club, they said it was my fault because under the rules, it is the responsibility of the overtaking car to make a clean pass. I have not ever understood the exact logic.  That car was faster down the straight; we were substantially faster through the turns. Thus, the only place to pass was to pass in a turn. The car behind us reported that we were side by side going into the corner with me on the inside. And yet, it was my "fault" when the other guy did something stupid. Fortunately there was no real damage to our car...although he didn't fare quite so well. But, we were out for the weekend, for a minor contact. In any other series, the organizers would have insisted that he give me room in the turn. But here, ostensibly in the interests of "friendly racing" they rules gave him the right to do a formula one style corner chop and get me thrown out. Cest la vie. Well, there, its off my chest. Someday the management will learn that religiously doleing out 13/13 violations isn't the answer, and teaching good racing is, but then I haven't agreed with them all of the time anyway.

With that said, a few comments about the racing. Jack Lewis from Atlanta had a dandy of a race in Group 4 with his two liter 911. He won by a car length. Jack is a great guy, has a shop where he works on Porsches over the weekend. From the Johnson camp, congrats to Tony Sheneen won took is first class win in group 2.
Jim Oppenheimer, got going better and better all weekend and he and Eric Johnson shared his car all weekend. They will drive next weekend at the same track in the American LeMans series. In the group 1 race - the one that I should have been in, Don Stiles won with his 962.  I am not sure we he keeps coming to Porsche Club races with a 962, however. The car should be capable of 1:15 laps and he gets around the track in about 1:24.  We did that kind of time there last fall in a 2300 lb Porsche GT-2 in the Petite LeMans race. Perhaps one of these days he will bring a competitive car. At any rate, Randy Alexander was 2d in his 750 horsepower turbo 911.  Steve Watson did very well with a third overall in the race. Eric Bretzel was 4th with his normally aspirated GT-2.  Great job to both Steve and Eric. Unfortunately, Jim O couldn't race because he had to catch a plane home early, but he got in a bunch of laps and he will be ready next weekend.

So, that's it. No race, no results, nothing great to report. Except, that we will be on to something else soon. I will be at the American LeMans race in Atlanta next weekend driving with Franz Konrad in the GT-2, and  we will be at LeMans in France for practice and pre qualifying three weeks from now.  We will keep everyone updated.

Hendrickus Wisker's new  Super Cup Porsche  996	Cars in line on Friday night waiting for technical inspection.	Jim Oppenheimer's GT3 Porsche.
Roland Mannarin, one of our group, drives a Porsche Turbo with 600+ horsepower	Bo Polk, one of our dearest friends, formerly from Minneapolis, lives in Wyoming, and at 69 is probably the oldest driver in the field.	Steve Watson from Hamel, MN and the former CEO of Dayton Hudson Department Stores now runs Gander Mountain, Inc. He is very formidable on the race track in is GT1 Porsche.
Jan Watson's car in a familiar position	Jan Watson, one of the few women racing,  poses for a picture after what she characterized as a "hot and sweaty" day. "Come back in the morning," she said