We got the new motor in the car and ready in time to make the Willow Springs event. We were still breaking in the motor during practice. Qualifying went well as Edik took 2nd with Steve 1st by a full second in the BernardoMobile and Jeremy 3rd in his new H4 CRX. The weather was cooler than usual but the wind picked up in the afternoon. Green flag dropped and looked like Steve took a nap and was passed Edik, Jeremy, and Thawley(H1) by turn one. It was a very entertaining race as Edik, Jeremy and Steve swapped podium positions throughout the race. With Jeremy taking the lead and Edik following closely, Edik went sideways in turn 9 with the help of the wind. The tires finally gripped and shot him across the dirt onto the front straightaway while missing a big dip by a couple of feet. Steve was able to pass Edik and went on to pass Jeremy for the lead as well with Edik a couple of seconds behind. As Steve and Jeremy hit traffic, Edik fought back with great skill and was able to pass Jeremy and overtook Steve with 2 laps to go. Steve attempted a pass at the checkered, but came up a bumper short of a win, with Jeremy taking 3rd place. Steve had the fastest lap for H4 but that did not help him as Edik's consistent driving earned him a well deserved win.

On Sunday, Edik did even better in qualifying as he took the pole. With Steve's splitter touching the ground through the turns on Saturday, he attempted to qualify without it, but came in 2nd with Sam in 3rd. Steve passed Edik in turn one, but Edik stayed right behind him. After a lap or so Edik and Steve went side-by-side into turn 1 and had some minor Racing Contact. Edik took the lead with Steve right behind and Jeremy in third. Steve pushed the car too hard and went off and fell into 3rd. Edik slowly pulled away as Jeremy and Steve fought for second. Steve was able to overtake Jeremy for 2nd place. Edik was able to take the win again with great driving.

Steve was frustrated as he couldn't fight his way back to a win just like Edik did on Saturday. He talked to the director's about the racing contact. Edik was later told that he was dropped to 2nd for having some contact. Steve finally got his first win of the season.


We were very dissapointed about the position drop because of racing contact.

Here's some pics I took:

green flag on Saturday






finish on Saturday


results for Saturday


Edik


Jeremy


Gus


Sam


Benny


John Thawley


Sunday's grid


Sunday's green flag


where the contact occured


The rest of the pics can be found here: http://edomoto.com/racing/phot...1.htm







Modified by UltimateTSI at 11:27 AM 9/12/2005

 

wow, amazing close finish.



i heard there was video of sundays "racing incident". any chance we could see that?

 

OT kinda - but I just don't think Willow Springs gets enough acclaim.

It looks like a Mega-Fun track.

Thanks for the report and the pics.

Scott, who would need to take almost a whole week to survive a trip to WS to race...Bummer...

 

Nice report and great pictures.

THANX

 

vid will probably be posted up soon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by UltimateTSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On Sunday... Steve passed Edik in turn one, but Edik stayed right behind him. After a lap or so Edik and Steve went side-by-side into turn 1 and had some minor Racing Contact. Edik took the lead with Steve right behind and Jeremy in third. Steve pushed the car too hard and went off and fell into 3rd.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's not quite what I saw looking at the in-car video from Jeremy's car...

They went side-by-side thru one with Steve on the outside. Edik went inside for what might have been a clean pass, but drifted too wide and went into Steve at the exit. Steve's line in the video looked steady as a rock, and cannot be seen as defensive in any way. Steve lifted and Jeremy went past while Steve was trying to keep it under control and on the track. It was a stellar save by Steve. And looking at Jeremy's video, I absolutely think the race director made the right call by taking the first from Edik.

I'm sure it was not Edik's intention to crowd Steve off the track. But that's what ended up happening and the win was taken from him because of it. Had the race gone on without that incident, I'm pretty sure Edik would have won fair and square. He was definitely the guy to beat all weekend. I think the race director's call should not be viewed as a victory for Steve as much as a penalty for Edik. He just tried a risky pass and didn't pull it off. Both are good guys, strong competitors and aggressive drivers. These things happen.

I hope Jeremy will post his video. Regardless of your feelings about the incident or the outcome, its damned good television

 

DAMMIT STEVEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

 

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

vid will probably be posted up soon</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry no more full Vids Maybe HighLites of the weekend.

 

Steve went off a couple laps after the contact, that's what I meant. Edik drifted up, but Steve closed in on Edik as well.

I think the race director should have just given a warning. This is racing, contact happens.

1) plus that the director already made his mind even before we submitted out contact form and showed him the video.

2) Also Edik was hit about 5 times last year and even t-boned and taken out of the race and nothing was done to the other drivers.


can anyone tell me how that's fair?




Modified by UltimateTSI at 12:21 PM 9/12/2005

 

one more thing, he said that if we argue his decision, he'll DQ us and put us on probation.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by UltimateTSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Edik drifted up, but Steve closed in on Edik as well.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I think you are mistaken about that. It is understandable how you could believe that from where you where at the inside of the turn. It is also understandable how Edik could believe that since he was looking ahead at his line and not at Steve. But I think both of you will feel differently if and when you watch the video from Jeremy's car with the perfect view from behind. It's pretty clear what happened.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1) plus that the director already made his mind even before we submitted out contact form and showed him the video.</TD></TR></TABLE>
If that's true, maybe it's because he saw the other video before he went out to see you guys on the west end of the pits.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2) Also Edik was hit about 5 times last year and even t-boned and taken out of the race and nothing was done to the other drivers.</TD></TR></TABLE>
An interesting point, but it has nothing to do with Sunday's race.

I like you and your brother a lot. I really think you should see the video before you comment further. I can completely understand how and why you both feel the way you do. But if you're open minded, I truly think you'll see things differently after you watch the video.

 

It is nice to see so many pics of CRX race cars. I just want to know what kind of wing Jeremy has on his CRX. It looks like it sits at the right height to work (decent clean air). I guess my next question is whether he thinks he has gotten some benefit from it. I have someone who owes me a custom made airdam/splitter up front where I can put a decent lip on it. In that my car (it is track car not a "race car") minus one or two parts is H1 level of prep I am curious what I could do to "balance" the car with a half way SWAG method with a rear wing to a front splitter. At some tracks I see some pretty high approach and cornering speeds (like Road Atlanta). That wing doesn't look like it has any angle of attack cranked on it though. Just curious. TIA.

Barry H

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If that's true, maybe it's because he saw the other video before he went out to see you guys on the west end of the pits.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

The director did not see any video's before we handed the report to him.

don't worry John, we like you too.

I just think that the director's decision was too harsh.

we'll be back in full force at Buttonwillow for more entertaining battles.
Will you be able to make it John?
Hope to see more of you guys out there.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by apexinghonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It is nice to see so many pics of CRX race cars. </TD></TR></TABLE>

There's actually a bunch more CRX's out here, they were just MIA at Willow Springs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by UltimateTSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Will you be able to make it John? </TD></TR></TABLE>
Don't know. Pretty sure I lost a bearing chasing down Tom Paule in Sunday's Australian Pursuit. Last time I came out of Nine it felt a little down on power. Then came the smell. I got out of it, short shifted back to the garage area and just put it in the trailer. Jeremy's got a B16 short block he's offered to loan me. Time permitting, I'd like to be there...

 

Great race on Saturday.
Sunday very disapointing resaluts.





Modified by ITAcelica at 10:29 PM 9/12/2005

 

Nice mod, Tigran. I thought you were better than that.

 

I'am but sometimes I take things to my heart. I will not post any more feelings about this on HT.

 

I'd like to thank our sponsors for the help

 

thanks for your guys' support once again, sorry couldnt make it out over the weekend

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by apexinghonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It is nice to see so many pics of CRX race cars. I just want to know what kind of wing Jeremy has on his CRX. It looks like it sits at the right height to work (decent clean air). I guess my next question is whether he thinks he has gotten some benefit from it. I have someone who owes me a custom made airdam/splitter up front where I can put a decent lip on it. In that my car (it is track car not a "race car") minus one or two parts is H1 level of prep I am curious what I could do to "balance" the car with a half way SWAG method with a rear wing to a front splitter. At some tracks I see some pretty high approach and cornering speeds (like Road Atlanta). That wing doesn't look like it has any angle of attack cranked on it though. Just curious. TIA.

Barry H

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

The wing is something I got off an HT member for very cheap. It is not an ideal shape, but again, it was cheap. It does work. The front splitter and rear wing are the way to go. I think this weekend, Steve showed that the aero really does help. His car was quicker with the aero on Sat than without on Sun. You really don't know how much these things help you until you only have one on the car.
Only wing=push.
Only splitter=scary oversteer.

Remember, the angle of attack is dependent on the rear window angle. The air flows over the car and hits the wing even though it's up in the air. I had to basically remake a bracket for the wing because the crappy one that came with it did not place the wing correctly, nor did it fit. Remaking it also allowed me to add an adjuster so I can change the angle in 2 minutes!

What a great weekend of racing!

Congrats to you Edik for a great weekend of racing!
Hope it's just as fun at BW next month...

 

I want to get out there

 

great shots and great looking race

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prkiller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The wing is something I got off an HT member for very cheap. It is not an ideal shape, but again, it was cheap. It does work. The front splitter and rear wing are the way to go. I think this weekend, Steve showed that the aero really does help. His car was quicker with the aero on Sat than without on Sun. You really don't know how much these things help you until you only have one on the car.
Only wing=push.
Only splitter=scary oversteer.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not to jack the thread, but I am curious. I understand the need for balance between front/rear aero. In SCCA ITA trim, however, I would be allowed to put an airdam/splitter on my Civic, but not a wing. I have seen this set up on other ITA cars, but I wonder, without the wing in back to balance the oversteer inducing front end, is it even worth it, or is it better to just leave the front stock, until I move to a class/organization that allows both?

Back on topic, congrats and empathies to all this weekend. Wish I could have been there to spectate, but I'm still recovering from the SCCA weekend at BW two weeks ago.

 

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

Not to jack the thread, but I am curious. I understand the need for balance between front/rear aero. In SCCA ITA trim, however, I would be allowed to put an airdam/splitter on my Civic, but not a wing. I have seen this set up on other ITA cars, but I wonder, without the wing in back to balance the oversteer inducing front end, is it even worth it, or is it better to just leave the front stock, until I move to a class/organization that allows both?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

If I was only allowed to use the front without a wing, I would simply put an air dam in, without the splitter portion of it. You can build a splitter that is smaller (lip) and will work, but takes some testing to get it right. Putting the largest splitter the rules allow on just makes the car undriveable as Steve proved at Willow a couple months ago.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prkiller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Congrats to you Edik for a great weekend of racing!
</TD></TR></TABLE>



And congrats also to you Jeremy. Sounds like you had 2 pretty good drives. This was only your 2nd HC racing weekend, right?