Some of the Motorsport activities we've particapted in during 2004.
............................10/02 & 03/2004------------------------- On Saturday (10/02) we ran the Grand Bayou Race #4 out at No Problem on the 1.8 mile road course. Regular race schedule 65 minutes of racing (30 min practice session; 15 min Qualifying race; 20 min Feature). Jimmy had to work the St. Jude car show, so Fritz Mueller (original owner of our #78 and very good experienced driver) joined our team for the weekend. Now, Fritz hadn't driven the car since 1992. Fritz was bubbling with the opportunity to drive and see the results of his initial concept and design of converting the 78 Vette into a race car. Now, Jimmy built the motor and the car from the trailer load of parts I bought from Fritz and Jimmy used additional parts he had accumulated and, I bought some additional new parts to complete the project. We're now into our 3rd year of the project and 2nd race season. The car is handling and running strong. Fritz ran the Qualifying race with a Best Lap Time of 1.25.8 and I ran the Feature and took 1st Place in our Vintage V8 class with a BLT of 130.0 (my newest BLT). Fritz is beaming even more now... It must be like riding a bicycle (you never forget), after 14 years Fritz jumps in the car and now thinking he could get down to the low 20s...
We had several other members of local Vette clubs racing with us on Saturday. Johnny Walter, Mike Poupart, John Centani, Pete Kent Alimia (ran his 1st race of the GBRS) and our supporting families were there. There was some tight racing in the Super Production between Mike & Johnny. Mike Poupart took 1st place driving Alan McDonnell's Viper. I ended up taking 1st place in the Vintage V8 class dueling Winston Landymore. And, I was very happy to have improved my BLT by 1.6 seconds. Also, Tom Walter was the Race Director for both races.
The Wheels America Spec Miata group (25 racers) came over to run their Series with our GBRS group. The combination gave us the largest turnout in GBRS history with around 80 entries for this race weekend. The Wheels America Spec Miata group (25 racers) ran in their own class under SCCA rules and all the feedback was very positive on the track. They'll be back...
Now, on Sunday (10/03) we had two Enduro races (one for the Wheels America Spec Miata in the morning) and all the GBRS racers in the afternoon. This was 110 min of racing (20 min Qualifying session; And than a 90 min Enduro race). We had to make one minimum Five minute pit stop during the 90 min Enduro. Fritz joined our team for Sunday so we had three drivers Fritz, Jimmy & me. It meant one extra pit stop but, Jimmy and I didn't think we could make the entire 90 minutes.
Our race strategy was for Jimmy to run the 20 min Qualifying to get the feel of the car and than Fritz would drive 1st leg of 90 min race. We had our pit strategy on checking the motor, fueling the car and manning the fire extinguisher The gas filling required all parties to be in Fire suit gear. My daughter Michelle ran the stop watch and gave us the countdown. We pulled off the pit stop right on the five min time frame and switched drivers with me taking over the 2nd leg. When it was Jimmy's turn to drive, it took me two laps to see him flagging me down. I came in on next lap and switched drivers and Jimmy was out to race to the finish.
Our pre-race mission was just to finish the race. Well, we had 30 cars start the race (four classes) and 21 cars finished the race and we finished 1st in our class 3.0+ liters (15 overall). Mike and Johnny split time and drove one of Chris Wilken's Miatas in the Enduro. There was some intense racing during this race and some "off-road" trips through the grass and a few spin outs by yours truly... Fritz told me we should rename our race team "Grass roots" racing.... Hey, it was a blast and terrific weekend...
Our next race is Nov. 2nd & 3rd with the GBRS on Sat. & the 90 min Enduro on Sunday. Final race of the season will be on Dec. 4th. ............................6/19/2004 ------------------------------On Saturday, June 19th, 2004, our NORDA (New Orleans Race Drivers Assn.) a loosely formed club with no dues, no officers, no rules, just meets once a week for lunch and has a large email list. Similiar in many ways to our POA as an internet type of club for people interested in a common activity such as racing. On Saturday we had 17 cars & around 30 folks show up at Ruby's Roadhouse for a cruise in... Ruby's provided some BBQ while we took in some cool refreshments. It was hot outside (as you can see from the sweat on our shirts). It was cool on the inside (just a lil smokey). Most of the interest comes from Drivers from the Grand Bayou Road Race Series. We had a good turnout of Mopars at the cruise in.
----------------------5/08/2004 --------------------------On May 8th Jimmy Talbot (my racing partner) drove my #78 Vette to 1st place in Vintage V8 class in the 3rd race of the season in the Grand Bayou Road Race Series. I was unable to attend due to another commitment - only there in spirit... We're in 1st place points wise for the year. Next five races start up in Oct. We'll be running the normal race on Saturday Oct 2nd & than on Sunday the 3rd we divide the nine classes into two groups and have a 90 minute race. That will take some getting in shape and will be both a test for the drivers & the cars..... ----------------2/21/2004------------- On Saturday, Feb. 21st we had our 2nd race of the season in the Grand Bayou Road race series at No Problem Raceway on the 1.8 mile road course with 14 turns. We have nine classes of race cars that run in four groups. We have a 30 min practice session, 15 min Qualifying Race & 20 min Feature race over a five hour period of time. My partner & I race a 78 Yellow Vette #78. We alternate driving the feature & qualying from race to race...
-------------2/20/2004---------------
The SRT4 Nationals had their track day at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La. one Prowler, 50 SRT4, 12 Vipers, 12 Vettes & 15 other race cars. The group spent the day doing touring and hot laps on the 1.8 mile road course. Some classroom sessions and Woodhouse sponsored the event. PVO was there with some on their SRT4s and the World Record setting SRT10 Viper Truck with a speed of 154.5 mph for a stock off the showroom production truck.------------------1/31/2004------------------------- We had our 1st race of the season in the Grand Bayou Road Race Series at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, LA. It's a 1.8 mile road course which has 14 turns. |