What an awesome year it has been for us...

Since the Autocannon/SGR #59 crew worked so hard this year, I decided to sit out the last weekend, and let the crew have fun, chill, and do some HPDE's. We're very proud of our 2nd place overall H1 finishing position, and we look forward to next year.

I would have to say, it was extremely difficult to "watch"- my heart was yearning to be out on the track, as I watched the WCHC qualifying. "Damn! I wish I was out there!"

But, I always said, the worst thing about racing in WCHC, is that I don't get to watch and enjoy the race as a spectator... so I relished the moment.

I honestly haven't watched a race since last year, before I knew anyone in HC. I didn't know much about the drivers, cars, or classes back then.

But, now that I new everyone out there, it was one of the most exciting moments of the year- watching SUNDAYS incredible finale!

The race was hot! In H1, Higashi, Flaherty, Karner, and Hartanto were dukin' it out the whole race... and in H4, the competition was just as fierce with Okihisa, Tecce, and Stepanyan running it hard.

The race was intense, as Higashi was fighting for his final chance to place 3rd in H1, and Okihisa was fighting to place as high as possible to maybe* podium for the end of the year. (At that time, we weren't sure about the points status after the race on Sat)

Edik, Okihisa, and Tecce were tearing it up! Edik and Tecce connected in one of the buttonhooks, and Edik was forced out of race with a broken Rear Trailing arm. Like a champ, no complaints were filed...

And back in H1, seeing Hartanto rise up through the entire pack, and force himself passed Karner and Flaherty, to start nipping at Hiagshi's heels, kept us all under suspense.

Hartanto's axle broke, and Flaherty started to pull on Higashi on the second to the final lap. As the white flag flew, Higashi and Flaherty were coming across the line neck and neck.

On the final half lap, when the three "left the view of most" from us spectating on the balcony, only Higashi and Karner came out of the final turn- Flaherty lost it in the braking zone right before the sweeper, and finished in a distant 4th.

Higashi held in there, and Okihisa kept himself commandingly in 1st, and both of them got 1st place in H1 and H4 in the final race of the year. What an awesome way to end the season for us, with two Autocannon/SGR sponsored cars finishing first!

So, with camera in hand, I decided to play the role of "Outrun" and "UltimateTSI" for the weekend. Hope you like the pics...

-Dennis Caco
WCHC #59 H1

see all the pictures here: http://www.autocannon.com










see all the pictures here: http://www.autocannon.com


Modified by D.CACO at 11:42 AM 11/25/2004

 

Dennis, very nice pictures. However I think you are mistaken. Karner is the one who recover and finish just behind Higashi

 

Great pics Dennis. Next time take more when you can.
I will be sporting a new color Scheme on the car .
And maybe better top secret engine/Suspension package.

 

Nice pics Dennis.
I wish I had your camera. What kind/model is it?

 

Its a Cannon something or other...
its Digital... Hope that helps..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andrie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dennis, very nice pictures. However I think you are mistaken. Karner is the one who recover and finish just behind Higashi</TD></TR></TABLE>

In the last lap, wasn't flaherty on Higashi's butt on the beginnning of the last lap, and Karner was gaining on both of them?

But, when the three "left the view of most" from the balcony on the last half of the last lap, only Higashi and Karner came out of the final turn- Flaherty lost it in the braking zone right before the sweeper.

Karner was definitely back in the fight, as I heard him say- "If I only had one more lap, I coulda..."

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITAIntegraLS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Great pics Dennis. Next time take more when you can.
I will be sporting a new color Scheme on the car .
And maybe better top secret engine/Suspension package.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nice paint scheme will make for nice pix! Top secret engine in H4? How do you guys do a top secret engine H4?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by UltimateTSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice pics Dennis.
I wish I had your camera. What kind/model is it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, the camera is not mine- it's Dan Wilson's (our crew guy). I usually use a Sony Cyber shot, but after seeing how these pics turned out, I might need to upgrade.

The camera is a Canon E0-S Digital Rebel (it's only about $900 on Apple.com right now)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D.CACO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hartanto's axle broke, and Flaherty started to pull on Higashi on the second to the final lap. As the white flag flew, Higashi and Flaherty were coming across the line neck and neck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wasnt the beginning of the last lap Higashi&gt;Flaherty&gt;Karner?

and the finish line was Higashi/Karner (cause flaherty went off in the last half lap)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D.CACO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Wasnt the beginning of the last lap Higashi&gt;Flaherty&gt;Karner?

and the finish line was Higashi/Karner (cause flaherty went off in the last half lap)

</TD></TR></TABLE>

that's right

 

Yes, that is correct.

It was a great race anyway.


Nice pictures!

 

Congrats on the 2nd place.


Edit: forget it It was vented fenders that were not allowed.




Modified by 6ghatch at 8:30 PM 11/27/2004

 

composite hoods are allowed, i don't recall anything saying vented hoods are illegal

 

For the engine part I cant say but a few more HP is in the works. Rich and Bernardo may race H4 next year and i need to keep up. And for the paint job its gonna look beautiful.
Hoping for no Crashing or rubbing into me next season.


Was out of town and had no internet access soerry for a late responce Dennis.
Got lots of bruises from skiing.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D.CACO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Nice paint scheme will make for nice pix! Top secret engine in H4? How do you guys do a top secret engine H4?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D.CACO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">



</TD></TR></TABLE>

how the hell do club racers & their cars get sponsors like this?!

 

the pics are all down. is that cause your site is upgrading. let me know when they are back up, id really like to see them.

oh by the way Dennis i'm misha (the guy with the white EG with black rims at buttonwillow) we met breifly. i hope to see you guys more next year and maybe get to know you more.

misha

 

cant see pics

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITAIntegraLS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For the engine part I cant say but a few more HP is in the works. Rich and Bernardo may race H4 next year and i need to keep up. And for the paint job its gonna look beautiful.
Hoping for no Crashing or rubbing into me next season.


Was out of town and had no internet access soerry for a late responce Dennis.
Got lots of bruises from skiing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Sweet! I gotta hit the slopes- been aching to board all year.... gotta hit the jumps.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EG TYPE-R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the pics are all down. is that cause your site is upgrading. let me know when they are back up, id really like to see them.

oh by the way Dennis i'm misha (the guy with the white EG with black rims at buttonwillow) we met breifly. i hope to see you guys more next year and maybe get to know you more.

misha</TD></TR></TABLE>

For sure! You are always welcome to hang with us at our garage... next year should be fun. One of our crew will be driving in H4 next year...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSTEALTH GSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> cant see pics</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry man- we're updating our server right now- I'll IM or bump the thread when the pics go back up. Thanks for letting me know.

But- They Might* work right now. The site is kinda fugged up. Sorry bout that.

Now we are off to the 25 HOURS OF THUNDER HILL!!!!! WOOHOO!!!

 

Hey Dennis, you guys are building another H4 car for your crew member or his going to run the LS.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITAcelica &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey Dennis, you guys are building another H4 car for your crew member or his going to run the LS.</TD></TR></TABLE>

next year...thats been a good question..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Greyout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

how the hell do club racers & their cars get sponsors like this?!</TD></TR></TABLE>

haha, no ****. I think it'd be awesome to be a part of this....but, but, it's so foreign.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Greyout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how the hell do club racers & their cars get sponsors like this?!</TD></TR></TABLE>

i'll take a guess...

#1 - have no real job (lots of free time).
#2 - have wealthy parents who take care of you, or be independantly wealthy.
#3 - spend a lot on a race car.
#4 - then spend all of your free waking moments networking with industry people.

not hating, just envious.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Primo. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i'll take a guess...

#1 - have no real job (lots of free time).
#2 - have wealthy parents who take care of you, or be independantly wealthy.
#3 - spend a lot on a race car.
#4 - then spend all of your free waking moments networking with industry people.

not hating, just envious.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You forgot #5 - Begin a career as a graphic artist, start a clothing company based on one's graphics, cater to ricers who have money from #'s 1 & 2 to burn, business goes through the roof, put their funds to better use in your own race car/team.

Can't wait to race against your teammate this year, Dennis.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FormulaIntegra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You forgot #5 - Begin a career as a graphic artist, start a clothing company based on one's graphics, cater to ricers who have money from #'s 1 & 2 to burn, business goes through the roof, put their funds to better use in your own race car/team.

Can't wait to race against your teammate this year, Dennis. </TD></TR></TABLE>

that was not who i was talking about, but cool.
i was a graphic desinger also.

 

-Uhhhhh, my business OWNZ ME.


-My parents grew up in the projects in the PHILIPPINES! Now talk about :sings: 'It's A Hard KnoCk Life Fo Us, it's a Hard KnOCk life fo us...'


- Actually- most of the money went into the weekend logistics, not the racecar. Sponsors helped our ALOT (parts).

- At the end of the day, working and slaving away in the 'industry' has it's perks. Hanging with some really cool people from different companies is one of them... Thomas Okihisa from Toyo, Tsuyoshi from 5Zigen, Philip from TEIN, etc...

fo shizzzy.


Great reply! Think of it this way- In order for me to get sponsored easier, I had to create and run a business for 9 years, which in turn was WAY MORE expensive than anything I could possibly be sponsored for...I should wear a T-shirt that says:

"I built a business in the Import Industry, and all I got was this racecar" JKidding of course, we love our car and all of our sponsors...

And back to the original question-

Well, Thomas Okihisa is from TOYO Tires, and Higashi is good friends with Endless, and 5Zigen.

I (as stated earlier) have been in the industry for 9 years, and own Autocannon, inc. BUT- Believe me, I had to earn the sponsorships. I submitted proposals (like everyone else), told them what myself and my team were committed to (like everyone else), and followed through with what we said we'd do...

The 2004 proposals were pretty in-depth, and I still had to grind/negotiate/meet/emails to get the sponsorships. It wasn't automatic by any means...

Sponsorships are really not THAT hard if you know what you can commit to, and translate that to exposure and/or $$ made or saved for the company that sponsors you.

 

I have also got to give it to dennis, he made every race he planed on, didn't have any major mechanicle falures, an finished in the top 3 on the WCHC points at the end of the year.

Wether some people relize it or not, sponsors like to see a car go out be competitive and require VERY little maintance, it speaks highly of there products.

 

cool dc...but again, i was not talking about you lol.
greyout had quoted pictures of someone else's car...and i was referring to that person.
im sure you busted you *** to get to where you are sir.