My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing
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From: cali
My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing
Well this was my first time to laguna seca, i never thought the track was anything super special, but it has alot of history so it had a weird oro when i got there Friday morning. Things were looking great for the weekend, we had a motor that was making more power (still not as much as it should by around 20 to 15HP) but it was much better then our last appearance. (25 hp gain over the last time we were out with WC). So i was thinking to myself, alright this is gonna be great, we have a motor that's making good power, the car is setup good, and andrie is confident.
Friday was a long day as we got to track early and i didn't get into the hotel until late Thursday night. Telly chang, another one of prima racing's drivers, was also driving this weekend put he was running in the spec miata class. He arrived at the track shortly before his session began. Charley, helped get the car ready, and he made it out on track.
The rest of the day was filled with joking and laughter. As John thawely, Johnny Mac, Sam rothschild, and Steve Ellsworth all came by and would be a permanent fixture in the prima racing pits. It was great to have them around, as they are all around great guys. Sometimes we wonder about Johnny Mac and his shinny legs though
. Also ran into Casey, and jack, whom i was introduced to, real nice guy, we chatted for a short bit but then they had to get back to work. We decided to make are way up to the cork screw, as it was several of ours first time at the track. I snapped a bunch of pics, and enjoyed watching the action from ALMS practice.
After that it was time to get back down to the pits as the SWCTC had practice coming up. We did the normal checking, fluids, tire pressure, torque the lugs, ect. Andrie goes out to grid, and i make my way over to the pits. Finally i find what i think is our pit spot and setup are stuff, trying to stay out of the way of the ALMS guys. Come to find out it wasn't are pit and the numbers were all funky, but no big deal for practice. the rest of the guys show up, and we are all very nervous for the first season. Chris is on the radio to andrie, and im monitoring the SCCA radio. The first part of the session was un event full, then a red flag comes out, andrie isn't were he should be in the line up, and over the radio i hear the worst thing a crew guy could hear, "Car number 8 8 and car number 2 6 off track, possible oil down" DOHHHH so i hope that the BMW engine let loose, and that's why andrie spun. Cris is on the radio trying to get andrie to respond but can't get anything from him, we figure two tow trucks went out there so he will be going back to the pits we head over there, to see the car being pushed. I run up to the window, and before i could ask andrie says "the motor blew".
From there we begin to pull of the bumper, see the big hole in the front of the block. Around the same time andrie, after looking at data logging, figure out that the miss-shift he that happened 2 laps before the motor blew must have been the cause. The miss shifted 'zinged' the motor to 9,600rpm 600rpm over the rev limiter. So we realize we will have to put in the stock motor and see what we can pull. I went over to RTR to ask to barrow the engine host, since i had talked to them early and they had done 4 engine swaps that day. They said no problem, and even brought it over.
From there on out it would be a long night, it was about 6:30pm when we started the swap. Me, Chris, Charlie, andrie, jim, and telly were the crew guys there. None of us besides andrie had any experience pulling a K motor. My only engine swapping, and pulling is D motors and B motors, the rest of the guys didn't have any experience in pulling motors, as the guy who is in charge of the motor wouldn't be arriving until Saturday morning. This made it difficult because the way i pull D and B motors is different from the way you pull a K motor, so i couldn't work in my usual manner, of just going, i had to be directed in what to do.
We got the old motor out, and Julie (andrie awesome wife) cooked up some more food, i ate quickly and then got back to work. The stock motor went it and things were starting to be wrapped up. Then a track worker informs us the gates will be locked in 10 minutes. So we throw everything in the trailer and took off. After eating again, when i work i eat alot, and i don't sleep good when im hungry, we got to bed about 2:00 am, then in what seemed like 10 seconds the alarm went off at 5:45am.
Saturday
We all roll out of bed head back to the track. Quickly we wrapped up the swap, fired it up, and IT RAN. It was awesome to have that off our backs. I hoped in drove it around the paddock made sure everything was ok, which it was. After that i asked if there was anything else that needed to be done, the reply was "nope were done". So i headed into the trailer and slept for a good 4 or 5 hours.
I watched some ALMS qualifying, and then it was time for us to qualify. I was worried about making the Field, because of being down on power so much. Andrie went to pregird, and we went to the pits. We found our real pit, right with the Austin martin guys, they were nice enough to turn on the live timing for us.
I sat there staring at the board the first few laps andrie wasn't running very well, then came a 1:43:8xxx, then a 1:42:6, then his best time 1:41:xxx. Shortly after this a red flag came out. Chris radioed to andrie to bring it in.
We get back to the pits, and im VERY happy, andrie drove his *** off, and it paid off, we ran a great time. Me, Chris, Johnny Mac, Sam and steve, went up on the hill to watch the ALMS race, it got cold, and cold quick me and Chris made it for about 2 hours and then we left, it was just too cold and my **** was numb.
We go eat, and then get to bed pretty early. Charley or Chris snored earlier in the morning and woke me up, luckily i only had one pillow or i would have thrown a pillow at them to shut um up .
Sunday
We get to the track around 9:00am, check over the car, clean it all up, and then hang out until the race. The 41 andrie ran was good enough to get us into P30. We get the car on grid, hang out there, then head out to the pits. They do there stuff, i snap some pictures, give a nice wink to the 3r racing girl, get a smile back, then the horn goes off. Ever one clears the track, the cars take off to do there warm up laps, the flag girls then run off track.
The cars line up, we are pitted about even with the starter stand, and andrie was back, so we couldn't see him. the lights go on, then off very quickly, and the cars are off. I must say this was A HUGE RUSH, all those cars hauling *** down the front straight away. Andrie stay back and didn't make a huge push because he doesn't want to ruin the race on the first lap.
As the race goes on, he passes car after car, other cars pulling because of issues. He is running neck and neck with a tindol motorsports Mazda, next thing we know he drooped back two spots, we didn't know why at the time, but figured out later that the Mazda had made conntact with him.
the race ends with andrie finishing 18th. We were all VERY VERY VERY proud of him, he did a great job, and would have done much better with more power, it was very said to see him get great runs on cars coming onto the straight but then they just power by him, OO well that's racing, and victory would never be sweet with out the sour that you some times run into.
I want to thank Andrie for the opportunity to come out and be apart of his team, it has been a blast this year and i look forward to next year
now onto the pictures
thats it for now, my next post will be of all the pictures i took of the DB9, and a special guest they had.
Modified by slammed_93_hatch at 8:30 AM 10/18/2005
Modified by slammed_93_hatch at 11:59 AM 10/18/2005
Modified by slammed_93_hatch at 12:13 PM 10/18/2005
Friday was a long day as we got to track early and i didn't get into the hotel until late Thursday night. Telly chang, another one of prima racing's drivers, was also driving this weekend put he was running in the spec miata class. He arrived at the track shortly before his session began. Charley, helped get the car ready, and he made it out on track.
The rest of the day was filled with joking and laughter. As John thawely, Johnny Mac, Sam rothschild, and Steve Ellsworth all came by and would be a permanent fixture in the prima racing pits. It was great to have them around, as they are all around great guys. Sometimes we wonder about Johnny Mac and his shinny legs though
. Also ran into Casey, and jack, whom i was introduced to, real nice guy, we chatted for a short bit but then they had to get back to work. We decided to make are way up to the cork screw, as it was several of ours first time at the track. I snapped a bunch of pics, and enjoyed watching the action from ALMS practice. After that it was time to get back down to the pits as the SWCTC had practice coming up. We did the normal checking, fluids, tire pressure, torque the lugs, ect. Andrie goes out to grid, and i make my way over to the pits. Finally i find what i think is our pit spot and setup are stuff, trying to stay out of the way of the ALMS guys. Come to find out it wasn't are pit and the numbers were all funky, but no big deal for practice. the rest of the guys show up, and we are all very nervous for the first season. Chris is on the radio to andrie, and im monitoring the SCCA radio. The first part of the session was un event full, then a red flag comes out, andrie isn't were he should be in the line up, and over the radio i hear the worst thing a crew guy could hear, "Car number 8 8 and car number 2 6 off track, possible oil down" DOHHHH so i hope that the BMW engine let loose, and that's why andrie spun. Cris is on the radio trying to get andrie to respond but can't get anything from him, we figure two tow trucks went out there so he will be going back to the pits we head over there, to see the car being pushed. I run up to the window, and before i could ask andrie says "the motor blew".
From there we begin to pull of the bumper, see the big hole in the front of the block. Around the same time andrie, after looking at data logging, figure out that the miss-shift he that happened 2 laps before the motor blew must have been the cause. The miss shifted 'zinged' the motor to 9,600rpm 600rpm over the rev limiter. So we realize we will have to put in the stock motor and see what we can pull. I went over to RTR to ask to barrow the engine host, since i had talked to them early and they had done 4 engine swaps that day. They said no problem, and even brought it over.
From there on out it would be a long night, it was about 6:30pm when we started the swap. Me, Chris, Charlie, andrie, jim, and telly were the crew guys there. None of us besides andrie had any experience pulling a K motor. My only engine swapping, and pulling is D motors and B motors, the rest of the guys didn't have any experience in pulling motors, as the guy who is in charge of the motor wouldn't be arriving until Saturday morning. This made it difficult because the way i pull D and B motors is different from the way you pull a K motor, so i couldn't work in my usual manner, of just going, i had to be directed in what to do.
We got the old motor out, and Julie (andrie awesome wife) cooked up some more food, i ate quickly and then got back to work. The stock motor went it and things were starting to be wrapped up. Then a track worker informs us the gates will be locked in 10 minutes. So we throw everything in the trailer and took off. After eating again, when i work i eat alot, and i don't sleep good when im hungry, we got to bed about 2:00 am, then in what seemed like 10 seconds the alarm went off at 5:45am.
Saturday
We all roll out of bed head back to the track. Quickly we wrapped up the swap, fired it up, and IT RAN. It was awesome to have that off our backs. I hoped in drove it around the paddock made sure everything was ok, which it was. After that i asked if there was anything else that needed to be done, the reply was "nope were done". So i headed into the trailer and slept for a good 4 or 5 hours.
I watched some ALMS qualifying, and then it was time for us to qualify. I was worried about making the Field, because of being down on power so much. Andrie went to pregird, and we went to the pits. We found our real pit, right with the Austin martin guys, they were nice enough to turn on the live timing for us.
I sat there staring at the board the first few laps andrie wasn't running very well, then came a 1:43:8xxx, then a 1:42:6, then his best time 1:41:xxx. Shortly after this a red flag came out. Chris radioed to andrie to bring it in.
We get back to the pits, and im VERY happy, andrie drove his *** off, and it paid off, we ran a great time. Me, Chris, Johnny Mac, Sam and steve, went up on the hill to watch the ALMS race, it got cold, and cold quick me and Chris made it for about 2 hours and then we left, it was just too cold and my **** was numb.
We go eat, and then get to bed pretty early. Charley or Chris snored earlier in the morning and woke me up, luckily i only had one pillow or i would have thrown a pillow at them to shut um up
. Sunday
We get to the track around 9:00am, check over the car, clean it all up, and then hang out until the race. The 41 andrie ran was good enough to get us into P30. We get the car on grid, hang out there, then head out to the pits. They do there stuff, i snap some pictures, give a nice wink to the 3r racing girl, get a smile back, then the horn goes off. Ever one clears the track, the cars take off to do there warm up laps, the flag girls then run off track.
The cars line up, we are pitted about even with the starter stand, and andrie was back, so we couldn't see him. the lights go on, then off very quickly, and the cars are off. I must say this was A HUGE RUSH, all those cars hauling *** down the front straight away. Andrie stay back and didn't make a huge push because he doesn't want to ruin the race on the first lap.
As the race goes on, he passes car after car, other cars pulling because of issues. He is running neck and neck with a tindol motorsports Mazda, next thing we know he drooped back two spots, we didn't know why at the time, but figured out later that the Mazda had made conntact with him.
the race ends with andrie finishing 18th. We were all VERY VERY VERY proud of him, he did a great job, and would have done much better with more power, it was very said to see him get great runs on cars coming onto the straight but then they just power by him, OO well that's racing, and victory would never be sweet with out the sour that you some times run into.
I want to thank Andrie for the opportunity to come out and be apart of his team, it has been a blast this year and i look forward to next year
now onto the pictures
thats it for now, my next post will be of all the pictures i took of the DB9, and a special guest they had.
Modified by slammed_93_hatch at 8:30 AM 10/18/2005
Modified by slammed_93_hatch at 11:59 AM 10/18/2005
Modified by slammed_93_hatch at 12:13 PM 10/18/2005
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Between Willow, and Button Willow, CA, USA
Re: My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing (slammed_93_hatch)
Even when you copy and paste the entire link, it still does not work.
Great report. Hopefully one day I can do a WC race!
Look forward to seeing those pics.
Great report. Hopefully one day I can do a WC race!
Look forward to seeing those pics.
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From: Pacific Northwest, USA
Re: My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing (jpl95si)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jpl95si »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">linky no workie</TD></TR></TABLE>
x2
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Thread Starter
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From: cali
Re: My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing (slammed_93_hatch)
10 MADDDD JDM TIiiTTTEE point to the first person who can tell me who the 3 dudes in the reflection are
special guest
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Cerritos, CA, USA
Re: My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing (slammed_93_hatch)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed_93_hatch »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
10 MADDDD JDM TIiiTTTEE point to the first person who can tell me who the 3 dudes in the reflection are
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I know the answer, so where are my 10 **** points? The dude in the middle has high spring rate hair that would make even Mr. Eibach envious.
10 MADDDD JDM TIiiTTTEE point to the first person who can tell me who the 3 dudes in the reflection are
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I know the answer, so where are my 10 **** points? The dude in the middle has high spring rate hair that would make even Mr. Eibach envious.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 1
From: Norcal
Awesome, awesome track. I couldn't make it this year, I was at last year's main race day, it rained in the evening, made it very interesting for the ALMS race. Oooh...and am I glad they continue to do the into-the-night thing there now, you get to see brake rotors glow 
.
Hopefully I will be able to make it to the '06 24hr ALMS race (It will all depend on gas prices and so forth, driving to east coast is quite an adventure), but for sure I will try and be at the Grand Prix of Sonoma, and the race at Laguna.
.Hopefully I will be able to make it to the '06 24hr ALMS race (It will all depend on gas prices and so forth, driving to east coast is quite an adventure), but for sure I will try and be at the Grand Prix of Sonoma, and the race at Laguna.
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From: cali
Re: My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing (Johnny Mac)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Mac »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I know the answer, so where are my 10 **** points? The dude in the middle has high spring rate hair that would make even Mr. Eibach envious.</TD></TR></TABLE>
don't count you were there.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by STN_Pat »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">amazing pictures and writing Jimmy
that DB9 is crazy </TD></TR></TABLE>
thanks pat, the DB9 was pretty awsome to look at up close and personal, the crew guys were some crazy brits that were damn funny.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chrisw85 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but for sure I will try and be at the Grand Prix of Sonoma, and the race at Laguna.</TD></TR></TABLE>
you didn't hear the rumor? SWC will be at sears point with the NASCAR boys. So the alms race, will be the only thing going on. And this years race was just a bunch of domination.
I know the answer, so where are my 10 **** points? The dude in the middle has high spring rate hair that would make even Mr. Eibach envious.</TD></TR></TABLE>
don't count you were there.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by STN_Pat »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">amazing pictures and writing Jimmy
that DB9 is crazy </TD></TR></TABLE>
thanks pat, the DB9 was pretty awsome to look at up close and personal, the crew guys were some crazy brits that were damn funny.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chrisw85 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but for sure I will try and be at the Grand Prix of Sonoma, and the race at Laguna.</TD></TR></TABLE>
you didn't hear the rumor? SWC will be at sears point with the NASCAR boys. So the alms race, will be the only thing going on. And this years race was just a bunch of domination.
Awsome pics and write-up Jimmy! Had a great time this weekend. I still think this race went much smoother than the race at Sears Point, even with the engine change! Forgot to mention that we swapped them in damn near complete darkness with only Charlies integra and julies truck to light up the engine bay! Finished the job with hardley any leftover parts
. Really glad we were able to pull that off so Andrie could get out there and show his stuff.
Good fun hanging out with the SoCal Crew; Mr. Mac, Sam, and Steve "Tallboy" Ellsworth (hope to get a chance to knock back afew with ya again when it's not 30 degrees out!)
. Really glad we were able to pull that off so Andrie could get out there and show his stuff.Good fun hanging out with the SoCal Crew; Mr. Mac, Sam, and Steve "Tallboy" Ellsworth (hope to get a chance to knock back afew with ya again when it's not 30 degrees out!)
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From: cali
Re: (Mr. Badlose)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Badlose »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sweet write-up and pics!
Got any more pics to share?</TD></TR></TABLE>
yes i have more, next pictures will be of the caddies.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FormulaIntegra »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Too bad I had to work that weekend. I'm so there next year. Great pics, but, none of Andrie?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have some of him on pre-grid, but other then that no. My job during the race was to monitor the SCCA radio, so i didn't have any time to take pictures.
Got any more pics to share?</TD></TR></TABLE>
yes i have more, next pictures will be of the caddies.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FormulaIntegra »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Too bad I had to work that weekend. I'm so there next year. Great pics, but, none of Andrie?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have some of him on pre-grid, but other then that no. My job during the race was to monitor the SCCA radio, so i didn't have any time to take pictures.
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From: cali
Re: (Casey@Burns)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Casey@Burns »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Damn nobody guessed who those 3 sexy guys were </TD></TR></TABLE>
ill give every one a hint.
One makes some bad **** stuff out of metal, the other works there also and loves him so incole. The third has BLING BLING legs, and knows a thing or two about aero.
</TD></TR></TABLE>ill give every one a hint.
One makes some bad **** stuff out of metal, the other works there also and loves him so incole. The third has BLING BLING legs, and knows a thing or two about aero.
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From: Between Willow, and Button Willow, CA, USA
Re: My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing (Casey@Burns)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Casey@Burns »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You mean bling bling aero legs like these?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
OH NO, I did not need to see this! I already get to see it once a month...
Damn Johnny, those are sexy!
Does it really make you faster?
Modified by prkiller at 6:43 AM 10/19/2005
OH NO, I did not need to see this! I already get to see it once a month...
Damn Johnny, those are sexy!
Does it really make you faster?
Modified by prkiller at 6:43 AM 10/19/2005
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Re: My weekend at laguna Seca with Prima racing (prkiller)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prkiller »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
OH NO, I did not need to see this! I already get to see it once a month...
Damn Johnny, those are sexy!
Does it really make you faster?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
over the weekend he was saying how it reduce his drag by.5%. And explained it why he gets all the ladies, cause he has less drag...
OH NO, I did not need to see this! I already get to see it once a month...
Damn Johnny, those are sexy!
Does it really make you faster?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
over the weekend he was saying how it reduce his drag by.5%. And explained it why he gets all the ladies, cause he has less drag...