February 19th Results

SUPER LAP SERIES ROUND 2

 

OVERWHELMING TURNOUT AND NEW TECHNOLOGY AFFECT THE DAY

Round 2 of the 2005 Super Lap Series introduced a new rule that caused some surprise to both organizers and participants. The rule, that only times recorded with an on-board electronic timing systems could be scored and recorded in Time Battle competition, and the series largest-ever turnout, seriously changed the previous tone of the low-key and pressure free events of the 2004 season. February 19th was the first pre-announced event for the second season of the Super Lap Series and a total of 39 drivers filled the complex, along with 8 formula drivers who competed in their wheel-wheel series. For better or worse (for the organizers) was the appearance of 18 new competitors, most of who required rental of the new timing system, because of the new scoring rule. The new requirement and a large turnout caused log entry gate lines and a somewhat painful process of registration, rental and fees, but almost every competitor was registered by 9:00 am and thus the driver’s meeting was held.

DRIVERS LEARNED TO A COPE WITH CONGESTED TRACK, WHILE NEW DRIVERS LEARNED THE BASICS

Group sizes were increased from six to eight, which caused for a bit more crowded track, but this was somewhat offset by accurate times for everyone. Groups 1 & 2 were announced, mostly comprised of veteran drivers, then allowed to proceed on to the track for morning practice while Events General Manager, Chris Messer, held a classroom driver’s meeting for the twenty or so new participants. Chris always provides a quick, but thorough briefing covering safety, schedule, track layout, dos and don’ts, etc. for every new driver. At the end of the meeting Chris forms the new drivers into groups for morning practice. Meeting completed, new drivers loitered on the balcony of the racing school to watch group 2 complete their first practice for a few minutes, then it was off to their cars for a few warm up laps prior to their own attempt to learn the .75 mile road course.

NEW AND REPEAT WINNERS RECORDED WITH TIMING SYSTEM

The requirement for the Longacre “Hot-Lap” timing system was implemented and, except for a few drivers who opted for no official times, accurate times were recorded for all Time Battle competition drivers. In general, lap times were a few tenths slower in each of the limited class categories and no unlimited rear wheel drive cars competed, but Roy Cabibbo appeared in his Honda Civic on slicks and was thrust into the unlimited front wheel drive category and ended up winning in his first ever event with a time of 44.59. Brenda Achong appeared for the first time and set an impressive lap of 43.00 in her Honda CRX and we encourage other females to get out there and show the guys how it’s done. Mike Ward turned a 41.12 his first time out and Jason Fung in his all-track Toyota Celica as a newcomer to the series showed some promise.

LIMITED REAR WHEEL DRIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Turolla was true to form winning the limited rear wheel drive competition turning a 39.02 in second place and driving a “super loose” Porsche 911 was Egmar Klemmer at 41.09, and with an outstanding “first-time” appearance, Mike Ward grabs third just three hundreds slower at 41.12. I saw Mike getting some pointers from one of the veterans. The two of them were drawing apexes and clipping points in the dirt in front of the school and gesturing car attitude with their hands until I suggested they use the whiteboard in the classroom.

TIGHT BATTLE IN GROWING LIMITED FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CLASS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showing his prowess was former winner Reid Morimoto in the limited front wheel drive class who co-drove Lincoln Loo’s Honda Civic to a 41.31 to win that division. In second place was Mark Pacpaco who knocked nearly a second of his previous best time to turn a 41.88. Third place belonged to Lincoln Loo who used up what was left of the car once Reid was finished. (Actually we spotted this car running and running and running all day long at the Hypersports track day the following Monday. As the saying goes, "Practice makes perfect!"

LIMITED ALL WHEEL DRIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alas, the magic of the technology fell prey to the human factor. We prematurely announced and awarded Patrick Olsen as the winner of the limited all wheel drive winner at a time of 41.05, but after review of the records, we discovered that Egmar Klemmer turned a faster lap at 40.52 to take the victory. We have decided that the award will remain with Patrick, but the points will go to Egmar. We sincerely regret the error caused in our rush to award medals at the end of the event and will make every attempt to not allow for this in the future. Unfortunately third place was never claimed since three of the five competitors did not start (DNS).

NOTABLE NEW ENTRIES AND GROWTH IN THE WHEEL-TO-WHEEL SERIES

The variety of cars turning up to Super Lap events continues to impress me: As I helped out Lydia at the entry gate the line continued to grow and the sounds of the various powerplants wafted up towards us. 4-cylinder, normally aspirated and turbocharged import motors, beefy and thumpy domestic V-8’s, a crispy Ferrari and the distinct hollow sound of a few Porsches mixed together in a blend of performance sounds. The open wheel cars finally arrived by trailer and were sent out to the infield where they had a bit more space to spread out, but the 39 Time Battle cars were snugly arranged in the racing school’s parking lot. A few people approached me during the day asking about Super Laps incorporating wheel-wheel racing for sedans and I have requested that they organize themselves for this so that we can make arrangements to accommodate them. We would love to see the birth of a closed wheel group like this and we intentionally require less stringent safety requirements to encourage it. Please ask our staff for additional information and requirements for wheel-wheel competition, but in essence we try to follow the rules of the NASA organization.

NEW DRIVERS RECOGNIZED

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brent Helgeson in a race prepared 1972 Chevelle, managed a 46.65, Ken Peters in a turbo-charged RX-7 ran 43.84, and Barry Lai in a Honda Civic ran 41.76 in practice, but failed to compete in Time Battle. And there were other notable performances, such as Mike Ward in what I believe was a supercharged Infinity G35 who turned an impressive 41.12.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCURATELY RECORDED TIMES WITH NEW TIMING SYSTEM

With all of the new growth within the series, we hope that you, our participants and also our workers, will bear with us during this time of change. Previously Super Lap events have been much easier for the organization to run as was the case for Drift Session, the popularity creates increased demand for track time and as organizers we will be looking for the magic recipe to ensure that you get as much track time as possible while continuing to provide a safe environment. We appreciate all of the people who purchased their own personal timing systems and hope that you are satisfied with their performance. We have scores of ideas as to how to make the rental and installation procedure more efficient and less time consuming for our staff thus causing you drivers less delay between sessions. We are pretty happy that everyone got two full practices and accurate Time Battle lap times, and that we were able to squeeze in an 18-lap feature race for the formula cars (thank you to Paul Giovanetti for accommodating our tight schedule). Thanks also to the four new volunteers and the die-hard regular workers who showed up early, stayed all day in the baking sun and helped with all of the clean up at day’s end. I look forward to seeing you all for Round 3 on April 23rd, if not sooner at next weekend’s Drift Session event on February 26th.

Aloha!

Chris Messer
Events General Manager,
Drift Session, LLC