Well....I first must say that today was nothing less than intense! I honestly had no idea that the day would be full of so much excitement. I guess I shall introduce myself, as there are many of you on here who don't know me. My name is Frank and I live in Charlotte. Now with that aside...here goes...my take on the unfolding of the days' events.
It all started this morning with leaving Charlotte later than expected due to a nasty battle with a contact lens, my being a slacker (sorry Daniel), and the overwhelming lack of sleep from last night. Daniel and I arrived at CMP around lunchtime and I was amazed to see so many different cars at the event. Now I am very aware of the many classes of cars due to watch SpeedChannel, and knowing about events that have happened at Lowes motor speedway, but I was totally siked to see all the Hondas. Due to the fact that this was my first Honda Challenge event, and the fact that I absolutely love Hondas and think they are amazing machines, my level of emotion was almost off the scale. I have never seen so many ITR's in one place before, nor have I seen CRX's that just screamed with power as some of those did, and I was most definitely shocked to see a grocery gettin' Civic wagon that my grandma could drive, despite its full ITR drivetrain that blew the doors off of many of the other cars there...I would have to say that I have now seen the ultimate sleeper!

On to the track....now I know about what it takes weatherwise for the cars to be at peak performance, and how the tracks react to different temperatures and humidity levels, and I can say that today was a test for all aspects of the race. Extremely hot and humid weather made track conditions less than favorable. Corners become slick and brake lock-ups become nearly inevitable as we would see later on. I would have loved to see temps in the low 70's with low humidity to truly see what the drivers and their machines are capable of, but things never go how you would like them to. Drivers are faced with more than just a few dilemmas when the weather isn't the best as today's was. They must contend with cars not running quite as they would like, deteriorating track conditions as the day progresses, and unbearable in-car temps during the races. So needless to say, I have a lot of newfound respect for these talented people that do all they can to make the racing experience one that is awesome no matter what.

After the most impressive and a little frustrating qualifying run, it was back to the pits for suspension fine-tuning, brake and tire checks, and of course more mingling with the drivers. Now unfortunately for me, I am a little shy when it comes to big events like this, especially when I didn't really know anyone here. I was almost intimidated by the skill of many of the drivers and their most impressive cars. After hanging around down by Matt and Jon and learning more about their cars, I headed over to talk to Richard Floyd. His car really caught my eye because of my love for Integras...but seeing a first gen (1987) really was a treat! I know that these cars are very nimble and are capable of giving many of the new cars such as the ITR's and Civic hatches a run for their money. What was even more impressive was finding out how little his actual investments were. It is possible to have a competitive car and not break the bank. Heading down the line was David Skultety's brand new RSX Type S. Unfortunately we would not be able to see what this car could truly do today because the car only had a little over 300 miles on it and the motor wasn't fully broken in, not to mention his full interior as well. I hope to see more of his car in the upcoming events to see what the RSX is really capable of. AS I continue to make my way down the lineup was Corey Jacobs Prelude, and Karl Shultz' Integra GS-R.

After a mutual decision between Daniel and myself, we headed off in search for food. Now you have to realize that CMP is a in a small town, so the choices for food aren't too great. We end up driving 20 minutes to a McDonalds, and wolfing down chicken nuggets (not fun!..hehe) and literally racing back to CMP to make sure not to miss the "scheduled" 3:20 start time of the Honda Challenge race. Well wouldn't you know that things would be running behind, but I guess that's to be expected. After talking some more with the drivers in our paddock area, I could definitely feel a great sense of anticipation building towards what would turn out to be an incredible race.

At around 4:45 PM the cars were called into the staging area. Now you have to realize that since this is my first Honda Challenge event, seeing all those cars line up down there and watching the drivers prepare for the start, I am almost giddy as we walk up and downthe lineup, checking out the cars and wishing some of the drivers a last minute good luck. With a quick switch on of Matt Bookler's CRX's in-car camera by Daniel, it was time to go racing. As the cars pull into the tack, Daniel and I rush down the turn 1 with the growing crowd in great anticipation of what was about to start. Engines revving and emotion continuing to build, the pace car takes off and the pack of 19 Hondas takes off. Somehow the yellow Mazda MP5 seemed a little of out place at the front of the pack...haha. As they make their way around the track, I realize how bad I wish I could be out there with them. They make their way around the final turn and head back down the long front stretch...the pace car pulls into the pits and the green flag is dropped.....

AND THEY'RE OFF!!!!!!! Engines screaming and the crowd full of excitement to see what would happen in turn 1. 19 cars all fighting for the best line...who would take the first position out of turn one. Now I have seen many impressive race starts, but none quite like this one. Perhaps it's because this was my first live event, but regardless, the crowds reaction to Lyonel Kent's 1995 Civic Coupe's full brake lockup sliding into turn 1 seemed almost too good to be true. The crowd reacted to his bold move with amazement and much cheering...after all...what else would you expect from such a highly anticipated event as this. From that point on, Kent would prove to be one to be reckoned with. I have never seen a driver attack the corners with as much intensity as he did. After a few laps it seemed that Jack Harris' red 1992 Civic hatch was going to be uncatchable by the rest of the pack. With an impressive, and seemingly insurmountable lead, I began to focus on the rest of the pack. Shuffling between Jacobs (prelude), Alex Ratcliffe (very blue gs-r), Scott Giles (gs-r), and Kent (civic coupe) became almost like a game of cat and mouse. Drivers portraying the "catch me if you can" attitude added to the excitement. Further down the pack I was very impressed by Matt Bookler and Richard Floyd... even though they were not at the lead of the race, I was very excited for these 2 drivers after spending a good bit of our time in the paddock parked next to them and talking to them about their cars and their racing experiences. Watching these 2 drivers pass cars that were more powerful truly showed that a huge part of these races doesn't lie in how fast your car is, or how tight the suspension is, but in the skill of the drivers.

Coming into the last few laps of the race, the field of cars continued to spread out. Watching as the cars barreled down the front stretch into turn 1, and then zip out of site, and then re-appear shortly after that on the back side of the track, the anticipation grew as we saw Tom Stewarts civic coupe making a dramatic charge at Harris' lead. The high track temperatures would prove to be a most difficult opponent, taking its toll on the cars. Watching cars lock up their brakes, and even a few slides off the track really showed how slick the course was getting. Nearing the end of the race, we saw Stewart had a very real chance to pull the lead away from Harris. Into turn 1, the cars were only separated by a matter of seconds...then out of the corner and out of site. Then out of the trees we saw that Stewart had taken the lead. He continued to power his way around the track for the final lap and proved to be too much for Harris to contend with. The race would finish with Stewart taking the checked flag.

Unfortunately, when it comes to races of this type, there will always be unforeseen problems. Todd Reid's 95 Civic Hatch hybrid (powered by a b18a) was suffering from injector problems, which sadly put him out of any sort of contention. I felt so bad for him that I had contemplated pulling out one of my injectors out of my 91 Integra and swapping it for his bad one just so he could race tomorrow and really enjoy what he came down there to do. I know that his car would be a serious contender if it had been running properly. I hope that he gets everything straightened out for tomorrow's race. Jon Starnes, whose 2000 ITR ran flawlessly in qualifying, suffered transmission problems, causing him to loose positions a little after halfway through the race. Most unfortunate of all I believe, was Karl Shultz and his 95 gs-r running out of gas. We found out after the race that he was sputtering coming through the 2nd half of the last lap. Karl is one of the most talented drivers in the Honda Challenge circuit, and his car is equally impressive. I don't know how he felt at the end of the race, but I know that if it were not for this problem, he would have finished much higher in the pack. Even thought he had this most unfortunate problem, I was glad to see that his fuel management skills allowed him to even finish to race. I wish you the best of luck tomorrow Karl, and I hope that you get the chance to show all the other drivers what you and your Integra are truly made of. Despite the frustrating problems with the cars, I am glad to say that there were no accidents and no contact between cars throughout the entire race.

Now I hope that this hasn't been too long and boring for you all. I am only trying to express some of the emotion to you that I felt from my first of hopefully many Honda Challenge events. For those of you who able to attend this event, I am glad that you were able to share in the same awesome experience that I was. For those of you who were not able to make it, I hope that you will be able to attend one of these truly unique experiences in the near future. And finally, to the drivers, thank you so much for your pursuit of the sport and for maintaining it's integrity, for sharing your passion with us, and for imparting some of yourselves into us. You all are the reason that people like myself aspire to get out there and follow after your dreams.

I can't wait to watch the race video that Daniel made. I'll post up the photos that I have of the race as soon as I get them back. I look forward to seeing many of you at Hyper Fest in the near future!



[Modified by slickboy, 7:19 AM 4/21/2002]

 

Awesome write-up, Frank! THANKS and many 's from all of us who couldn't be there to see it all happen.

Thanks again,

Jon

 

Thanx man...be sure to check out Drumsy's post as well....we both got sunburned and then some, but it was well worth it. you plan on being at hyper fest?

 

I wish I could make it to Hype-R-Fest, but I'm crewing for a Porsche during the ALMS/SWC/T-A races at Mid-Ohio that weekend. Hope to get to some ECHC races during other events for sure though

Jon

 

TTT

 

Great Write -up (Drumsys too)..Although you guys are making it real hard for me to work today

 

Great details for those of us who could not be there, go to more events and write them up for us!!!!

 

Frank, excellent writeup. I'm so psyched that so many people came out to participate and watch - it meant a lot.

Thanks for the kind words - but I'm not so sure it would have made a difference. I have a *lot* of learning to do about how to qualify, strategize, and pass (and so on) in wheel to wheel racing. It's a lot different from doing schools and time trials. More so than I thought.

More later this evening.

 

I am not sure which thread is the best to post this in so I will do it here. It may end up getting cut and pasted elsewhere as well.

So what did I think? I was amazed. Period. There is no other way to describe it. The ECHC guys were incredible - every one of them. The professionalism and caliber you all showed was top-notch. Not only did you all show us a piece of excellent race driving, you did it without any contact. Clean, competetive racing is something that is hard to find and you guys did it. Walking down the grid before the start of Saturday's race was somewhat emotional for me. I wanted so much to be going out on track with you guys. As I came by and shook your hands I was genuinely glad to be there and to know you guys and even call some of you friends. This is what club racing is all about. A bunch of friends scraping change out from under their couch cushions to pay for their race cars so that they can go out and play together. It doesn't get any better than this . . .

Some of you looked like you were scared ****. I could picture myself jittering like Shultz when I am sitting on the grid at Hyperfest. Others [Giles] looked like they were really concerned about what they were going to have for dinner. No matter what the look was on grid that all changed on track. There were no pussies out there. Every one of you wanted the same thing - to win, and you all showed it with the level of driving you displayed. I can only hope that someday I can be on the same level as you guys.

Jack - You are going to be the one who sets the pace. There is no doubt about that. You have the car and the mAd sKiLlZ y0!

Corey - Make sure you have all your safety equipment somewhere that it won't get locked up. Also - make sure you wear it. If you do that then you will be tough to beat. Watching you drive is a religous experience. Remember us when you are driving a McLaren around Monaco.

Shultz - Once you get used to the whole racing thing you will be a monster. You showed everybody that you can do it - you just need to believe it too. Thanks for being the "rUlEz MaStAh" for this series. Your hard work has paid off in a big way!

Giles - Slow down! Other people want to win once in a while too . . . Thanks for putting this whole thing together!

Brinson - See how much faster you go when your hood stays closed? Great driving this weekend and great sportsmanship as well!

Starnes - Tough break on Saturday. You would have added another element to the already great H2 show had you been able to run on Sunday. I look forward to more of your performances.

Warren - Tighten your camber plates! Bad things happen when you don't! Although it potentially cost you the race on Sunday I commend you for coming in on the black flag. You did the right thing.

Adam - Even if you made a mistake we couldn't tell. You are smooth as glass and you are only going to get better.

Bookler - You are a hell of a driver but please leave the singing for someone else . . .

Here are my awards for the weekend:

The "Hard Luck" award goes to Corey. After missing all but his cool-down lap in Sunday's first qualifier he then lost his chances in the race because he forgot to put his gloves on. First runner-up goes to Shultz for running out of gas with the checker in sight and the second runner-up goes to Brinson for following Shultz into the pit instead of taking the checker for second in H3.

The "Bonzai" award goes to Lyonel "I Never Saw A Hole I Didn't Like" Kent who made it very clear to us that you can still make a pass or save a position even if you run out of pavement.

The "My Car Feels Wierd" award goes to Warren. Anyone who saw his tire from Saturday knows why he gets this one . . .

The "Please god - make it stop!" award goes to Bookler after he sang for the SCCS guys.

Thanks for the show guys! I look forward to joining you all at Summit Point in June!

 

Pretty accurate Frank, what happened, you have a camcorder I didn't know about?

Words to live by!


[Modified by drumsy, 8:05 PM 4/22/2002]

 

Frank, just wanted to remind you to change the PCV valve on your Teg.

 

yeah well, you can't please everybody....


Matt

 

I was just joking Matt. I was trying to inject a little humor to keep my post from being too sappy.