2009 Runoffs at Road America

[gpdatsun]

2009 runoffs are in the books and for the first full year campaigning the FP car, I count it as a success!

The rules were changed for '09 such that you needed four finishes to make the Runoffs, not just four starts and three finishes. I had a win, a second, a third and a finish of four events this year to qualify and came second in points in the division.

The season was marked by overcoming overheating issues, oil control issues, brake issues and removing weight from the car.

The schedule was pretty good; Tues through Thurs qualifying and Friday race at 3:30. The only unknown was the weather, but for us, that also was good.

Apart from our first session that is....which, if you were watching, was in the pouring rain. I did go out, got soaked, but maintained my position on the grid (my random pick had been 11th), finishing 10th, and not stuffing the car.

Weds session was dry, but I went out on my used slicks and had poor rear grip; I spun twice, once in 5 and again in 6, then I broke an axle leaving 3 and pulled off at 4 mid straight. I turned a 2:42.923, putting me at 16th.

Thurs session with new shoes the car was better and I turned a 2:37.496, far from my best from the Cat (2:34.9), but it was good enough for 10th on the grid. However, after the session, the starter refused to engage the ring gear. It turned out that my off at 6 the day before and trying to restart had torn up the spring behind the gear. It has happened once before, again in a frantic restart situation. The TSI starter has been bullet proof, but if you rev the engine while still on the button, it tears up this little spring. After some paddock walking, searching for Denso-type starter users, I called the local Napa, who told me of a local guy outside of Plymouth who rebuilt starters and alternators. A short drive to Tim Christensen's Plymouth Auto Electric shop and I was back in business!

Race day Friday was perfect weather. I lined up outside row 5, behind Joe Walker, with Howard Flescher to my right. Off the green, I moved right around Joe and also got around Howard, but Larry Funk and Deiter Griesinger got better jumps and were in front. We got up to 6 and saw alot of dust and Sargis stopped off to the outside right (Wow!). I got back around Larry and he later spun at 14. Deiter lost power abruptly at 3 and pulled off, leaving me pretty much alone in 7th. Donald Kraftson put on some pressure in the early laps, but the gap soon lengthened, and Walker pulled off in 9, so I was soon running laps on my own, still in 7th. Around mid-race, Bryson retired, stopping on the pit entrance, promoting me to 6th. It was about this time I noticed the water temp climbing to 210-220 and switched on the fan. Kept on into the race, just trying to hit my marks and keep it going, but the water temp in still climbing. With two to go it was at 240 and I started to pray that it would stay with me. On the last lap, on the run down to 12, it skied to 255 (steam!). But the 30lb pressure cap kept it under control and I nursed it up the hill out of 12. However, as I entered 14, the flagger threw a blue (huh?)....and as I climbed the hill to the flag, I notice movement in my mirror. It's Howard Flescher dancing about trying to pick a side to pass. I move to the center and try to make the car as wide as possible and just hold him off at the stripe by hundredths.

I got the 6th, which had been my goal going to the grid. Starting tenth, with the strength of the field, to make it to sixth and be in the impound tent was what I wanted. I passed two and gained two more by attrition, and held off challenges from behind (just!), so I'm well satisfied. I ran a 2:36.202 fast lap. Obviously, we have a water problem in the engine to deal with; but it lasted the race and that's what counts. I still have more weight to take from the car and more improvement to make....name of the game, right?!

See you at the track!

[waggleboy]

freakin A Bill. sounds like a great season. that last race had to be a grind.
GOOD JOB

[Red-Eye]

Great job Bill...Robert

[dbrick]

Great article, can't just call it a post. Sounds like once the heat issue is put to bed, you're sitting pretty.
Pardon my ignorance, but what does the blue flag mean?

[S Allen]

Thanks for sharing the experience Bill. I definitely want to try to make it to Road America when you are racing some time. It would be a blast to watch you. Hopefully in 2010. Good luck!

SA

[gpdatsun]

There are some great shots of qualifying and the race on this photographers website:

http://photobyedmund.smugmug.com/Runoffs/GTL-FP" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoy!

Bill

[SLOroadster]

Bill,
Nice work. Did Al Gast or Randy Carter run?

Thanks for posting over here. It would be cool to get a few more of the racing guys to post here.

Will

[gpdatsun]

Thanks guys, the pleasure was all mine. In Nissan fashion, I was "enjoying the ride!"

The blue flag indicates to the driver that a car behind is attempting to pass. As we had just passed lapped traffic, my immediate thought was the flagger had made a mistake. And, when I looked in the mirror, I didn't see Harold at first. I never saw him coming.

Al Gast was working in the tech barn. He was one of the first guys I ran into on Monday when I teched for the week. He and Randy should both be running cars in the upcoming prod fest at VIR.

Bill

ps, same deal next year at RA...find me in the paddock and say hi!

[ppeters914]

I think I need a cigarette after reading that!

[spl310]

Sorry Pete. I just could not find a pic of Otto smoking...

[pete240z]

Bill,

It is great to hear you did well. My brothers and I have the best Road America Dairyland Datsun Roadster club memories thanks to you.

Pete