posted 01-31-2004 09:48 PM         

Saturday, Jan. 31st was the first race of the 2004 season for the Grand Bayou Road Racing Series. And, we had the largest turnout of spectators I've seen at the Road Race. We have nine classes in four race group. In our group, we're running three classes at the same time on the 1.8 mile Grand Bayou Road Course at No Problem Raceway. The Super Production cars (1:22 & under), GTO class (1:23 to 1:28) and Vintage V8 (1:29 and above) all run at the same time but you have three races (winners) within the one race.

Today, Jimmy drove in the Qualifying (1:33.6 best lap time) and I ran the Feature (1:32.2 best lap time). Jimmy qualified us for 1st position in the Vintage Class Feature race. By the time the Feature started, we were down to 11 cars in all three classes for our group. Only two in Vintage. So, all I had to do was stay in front.... After four laps, I had built a good lead on the other Vintage car (Troy) and I was staying on the tail of three GTO cars after four laps. Than on lap five going into turn #4 (hard braking and down shifting corner) I spun out and off the track. It took me a little time to get the car started and I watched a few cars go by including my competition (Troy). I finally got back on the track, and was off to catch Troy. Than, going into turn #11 (hard braking and down shifting corner) I mistakenly down shifted all the way into 1st which swung the back end of the car around and off the track I went again... I was able to get the car started a little quicker and the track was clear for me to reenter. As I was getting back on the track, I noticed Troy going down the straight-away (which meant he was around ½ lap ahead of me). All that was going through my mind was the hard time Jimmy was going to give me for blowing the lead. So, I got on the pedal and said I'm going to try and catch Troy. I was making up some time on each lap and than another car spun out and slowed up the traffic ahead of me which allowed me to close the gap a little more. I finally caught up with Troy on lap 10 but, it took me two laps before I could get by him on the straight away. After retaking the lead on lap 12, I slowed down a little to make sure I didn't mess up anymore and finished 10 seconds ahead of Troy for my 1st Win.... Troy's best lap time was 1:34.5 in lap #7. So, it took a little good luck to catch up and get by him. It was quite a rush...

GTO cars in the Qualifying session...

Super Production cars in Qualifying session...

Vintage V8 cars in Qualifying session...

I was told our Feature race had some terrific racing among the Super Production cars. The lead changed six times and Randy Greff edged Johnny Walter for 1st place with both running 1:17 (best lap times) and the 3rd car in the mix ran 1:18 (best lap time). Chris Wilken won the GTO class 1:24 (best lap time) and Christian Francois 1:26 (best lap time) was competitive but had to pull out after lap 7 with some brake problems...

Some of our Vette friends...

While our times aren't as fast as the other classes, it's quite a challenge and it is a blast. Next race is Saturday, Feb. 21st. I'll run the Qualifying session and Jimmy will run the Feature Race.

Here's the track Road Course Records to date...

posted 02-01-2004 06:08 AM         

You have to remember where we started with this crazy project...

July, 5th, 2003 we picked up the scrap...

The first time I saw the car was on March, 2nd 2002 and I thought it was a bunch of junk. Jimmy and another friend thought it was a pot of gold... Our first deal fell through and Jimmy and I decided to do the project in June after my return from Nor Cal and the Vintage races at Sears Point...

Heres pic of the car yesterday ready for the races...

Here's pic of the Spec Miata class along with one of the bracket classes in their Feature race. These cars are just big go carts and run 1:25 to 1:30s...

Here's Mike Poupart (Vette buddy, outstanding racer and car builder) checking the rear end on Christian's Vette. Christian's rear end broke during the Qualifying. Mike said I have a spare went out into the hot pit area replaced the rear end and Christian was able to start the Feature...

Here's Christian's broken rear end. The case actually broke.

This was Christian's 1st race in 14 months since he blew a motor at Road Atlanta. Now has new motor and just getting car tested for new season...

posted 02-01-2004 10:40 AM         

Great job, I feel your excitement. Man thats alot of work in 20 minutes.

posted 02-02-2004 07:17 AM         

Congrats!

You 'da man!!!