Despite a very disappointing weekend on the track, I had a lot of fun in my first Nasa/HC event. All of the HC guys were very friendly, eager to help, and happy to have some new competitors.
In case you guys don't know who I am, I was driving this:


Saturday's practice and qualifying went well and I ended up with the H3 pole (which was all for not). I was a little concerned about a persistent locking back right tire but it wasn't upsetting the car at all. I was just going to try and be easier on the brakes. During the race, I got a ok start (first standing start ever) and began my charge. I eventually worked my way up into the lead and opened a pretty good margin to 2nd. After about 18 laps, while going through turn 12, the *** end felt VERY loose. I wiggled the steering wheel a little down the front straightaway and confirmed the problem. I had officially blown a hole in that back right tire that kept locking up! Here's a "h-t style" pic that expresses my opinion:


I was pretty pissed after that - there went my cash, prizes, fame, fortune <insert tear here>. I still got a third since Brinson couldn't start.

So for Sunday's race, in an effort to keep the back right tire from locking, I switched the back pads from track pads to street pads (thanks Corey!!!). I also adjusted the coilovers to put a little more weight on that corner. I qualified second (behind Roediger's Del Sol) due to traffic and uncertainty with the changes I made. No more tire lock though! I got a much better start this time and took the lead into turn 4. I charged hard from that point because Roediger was getting faster every lap he went around that track. After only about five laps I could feel my brakes beginning to fade. After about eight laps I was doing all I could to keep that Del Sol behind me but he finally got me under braking into 10. By this time, my tires were also going away as I was wanting more from them. I tried to stay with Roediger but was running 1.5 - 2 seconds off pace so that didn't last long. With about five laps to go, while working my *** off to keep that car going, I saw Brinson coming in my rearview in a damned hurry! He eventually caught me, ate me up under brakes into 10, got a much better drive out, and handed me my *** down the front straight. I then got a great seat to watch Brinson and Roediger go at it in the last two laps. Brinson ended up with a damn fine win after an incredible drive from last on the grid. I finished another third, woopty-frickin-doo. I can only think that I fried the back street pads pretty quick (no break in) and the fronts were left to do all the braking. That eventually put them out to pasture too. The tires were just cooked from the weekend and me asking more from them as the brakes were going away. Oh well.

I now can't wait to get back into my ITC car where tires and brakes are not necessary . It was great meeting all of you and even better racing with you. I saw very little M2M and a lot of respect between everyone out there on the track. Again, thank you to Corey for the pads! Also, thanks to Matt and Cobetto for putting on a great event. See you at the track!

 

No problem w/ the pads dude.. I had to go to street compounds on the rear as well. It was just to cold to get any heat in the rear.

Man, your car has some TQ, ate me for lunch out of T11, but you can tell the 20+ hp my car has on top.. Nice racing w/ another prelude, and see you at summit sometime, hopefully!

 

Was really nice to meet you Kevin and cool to have some more and varied competitors. Prelude + Del Sol + 2 Integras =

I was really surprised to catch you out there on Sunday as you looked damn fast during the race on Saturday. Torque! Sorry about the bad luck with tires and brakes. There was a lot of bad luck going around last weekend!

 

Hey Kevin,

It was nice meeting you and your dad. I am the guy with the broke Civic that came by and talked about possible renting your H5 car.

I didn't drive on Saturday, but drove the #59 Red and White Type R on Sunday. Unfortunately, since Warren was killing me on the straights, Jim Delfino, my partner turned up the fuel pressure about 20lbs, since it was off spec.

Unfortunately, the car was running great before the change, but with the added pressure, the car ran rich, and couldn't pull the H3 cars of Brinson and Roediger. I spent almost the whole race W2W with Roediger, it was great fun.

Hope to see you guys at another event. You have to make it to VIR.

Frank DePew

 

I wish I could've made it to the HPDE (I believe there was one that weekend), but I didn't have teh cash or time.

What did the del Sol look like? I remember seeing a pink and grey one at the Mid-Ohio event in April - nice guy.

 

Clint - yea, it was the same pink/grey one that races at Mid Ohio.

Frank - it was nice meeting you too. I had a great seat behind you and Roediger on Sunday - great racing! I think VIR is on the top of my "racetracks to do list." It's looking like a slim chance I'll get there this year however.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krbobcat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Clint - yea, it was the same pink/grey one that races at Mid Ohio.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good deal. He was helpful for the little that I talked to him at the NASA Mid-Ohio event.