Changes to practice format improves track time for all competitors
For round 4 of the 2005 Super Lap Series organizers once again changed to format of the event. Although the changes to the format of the Time Battle competition made in Round 3 were successful, in an effort to provide maximum run time for competitors, morning practice was radically revamped providing for two run groups of an hour and fifteen minutes each. The field was split in half with so much time available that the track occasionally sat empty while drivers and cars tried to recover in the pit area. The pit location was also revised for this and all future events due to the increasing turnout and limited space in the parking area near the school. From now on drivers are advised to bring tents, chairs, lots of water and whatever else they can think of to minimize the effect of the exposure to the elements at the skid pad and make things more bearable. Heck, we'll even lend you our big tent if you would like to borrow it.
New passing rules
The Round 4 turnout was relatively small compared to recent events, this partially due to a schedule that sees some SCCA participants in the middle of four weeks of competition in a row. The small turnout gave organizers a golden opportunity to implement the newest change of rule. This change has developed out of necessity and is a logical evolution to more of a race oriented and driver regulated atmosphere. No longer will drivers be given the blue flag for passing and pulled off line, now drivers will be required to follow race etiquette where the slower car stays on line and points the faster driver by. Upon seeing the point by (a hand signal from the front car indicating he is ready to be passed) the faster driver is required to make a safe pass prior to the corner, while the slower driver should allow the faster to pass safely and not attempt to race him into the corner. Although some people were skeptical about the driver's abilities to do this, there was little problem during the practice sessions and everyone showed a lot of maturity throughout the day.
Scott Schulte shows why he's been #1 all of these years
Although never officially competing in a Time Battle we thought you'd be interested in knowing a little about the blue Unlimited Rear Wheel Drive Porsche #8UR that showed up this past weekend and what it is capable of. Scott Schulte has been an SCCA winner in closed wheel for about as long as I can remember and I think he's only lost twice while winning just about every SCCA Hawaii Region race in the past ten years. Lee Gurtler and Super Lap star Egmar Klemmer both took turns at getting the best of Scott on these occasions, but Scott showed us a little sample of what he can do by turning low 38 second laps (38.20 was the best I clocked him at) after only a half dozen laps. Scott complained of not being able to see the braking cones for turn 1 which may have slowed him down a little. Scott ran some laps on the long course along with other race prepared cars and currently has the closed -wheel record for the long course at 56.1. For those interested in seeing this car in action you should definitely check out an SCCA regional race sometime and for those who just can't get enough driving you can do short course lapping at these SCCA events also.
All wheel drive class win for Egmar Klemmer
Egmar Klemmer left the Datsun 240Z at home in lieu of his Subaru STI car 9A for Round 4 of the 2005 season and posted a 40.86 to win in class. Egmar's victory increases his chances for a Championship in the limited all wheel drive class with 30 points. Although not a quite a rookie to the series, Ron Swenson decided to test a different car than he has brought out the last few events. His Audi S4 ran in the quick group (cars 43.01 seconds and under) and he turned a 42.45 to post the second fastest lap of the day in class. Jerome Ramos, now second in points with 14, slowed from the previous round but still managed 3 rd place, which paid 4 points. Kalani Thompson failed to post a time in competition thus dropping him from 5 th to 6 th in points after Ron Swenson's strong finish that has created what is essentially a four way tie for 3 rd place in class, with the tie breaker being the overall faster time.
Limited rear wheel drive leader repeats for 4 in a row
Mike Turolla overcame his brake problems from round 3 to win the limited rear wheel drive class for the fourth straight time in car 77R. Mike slowed down a bit (as did nearly every competitor on this day) turning a fastest time of 38.68. Once again, in second place driving 2R, was regular Egmar Klemmer and third place belonged to Mike Ward who, as a "rookie", has consistently placed and moved into 4 th place just two points behind Terry Nelson. If there was ever a rookie of the year award it might easily end up going to either Terry Nelson or Mike Ward since the two have progressed rapidly after joining the series at the beginning of the year and watching the two drivers in their exquisite machines is a pure joy. Terry posted a personal best of 41.80 in round 4 and has moved himself and his BMW M3 into the elite 41-second category. The battle for points is no doubt going to come down to a battle between these two and we will be watching both for continuing improvement. Elliot Loo is deserving of a little attention himself after posting yet another 43-second lap and points paying finish. He drove his turbocharged Volvo #18R to 5 th place and scored two valuable points towards a solid 5 th place in points with five points ahead of Ron Swenson in 9R. Elliot is a cheerful character who can occasionally be seen getting it pretty sideways in turn one and is about as consistent of a driver out there. He's run as fast as 43.02 and we eagerly anticipate the day he breaks into the 42's.
Limited front wheel drive battle tightens up
Reid Morimoto returned, again, in his yellow Integra car 15F and although he sat out practice in an effort to save what tires he had left, he still managed to win with a 40.74 just 0.14 seconds ahead of friend and fellow competitor Lincoln Loo. Lincoln ran his personal best, a 40.88 and with 6 points earned he moves into 2 nd place in the points with 16. The most exciting battle of the day was between Mark Pacpaco and Barry Raff and they ended up separated by only 0.04 seconds. Mark edged out Barry by turning his personal best time of 41.87 and improving by 100 th of a second over his round three time. Barry was solid, taking fourth with a 41.91, slowing down a little from round 3 but good enough for 3 rd in the points with 16 and separated only by time from second place Lincoln Loo. 3F Mark Pacpaco is in fourth now only two points back and looming in fifth with ten points is Reid Morimoto driving car 9F.
Unlimited front wheel drive record broken
2004 limited rear wheel drive Champion, Marcus Ho, appears to be off to a great start in his unlimited Honda Civic #2UF and, although suffering some brake bias issues, was able to post a class record 40.12 which also betters the previous best limited front wheel drive time. I suppose that currently this combination could be considered the fastest front wheel drive car and driver on the track. It's only natural that this would happen and, as is the case with the limited rear wheel drive vs. the unlimited rear wheel drive categories, the margin between the fastest cars in class is pretty minimal. We're hoping that additional unlimited front wheel cars will show up soon, or that some of the limited drivers might step up in class so that we can make a championship a reality and provide awards to the competitors. Two more cars are needed in order for the class to be considered "official" by the organizers.
No cars compete in the unlimited rear wheel drive
Maximum points could easily have been scored by any of the registered or new competitors in this class as none showed for round four. The minimum entries required to form a class has already been established for the unlimited rear wheel drive category as of 2004 when there were six unlimited rear wheel competitors and awards have been made throughout the 2005 season. Although Scott Schulte was present and we listed him as car 8UR, he did not enter the Time Battle competition. Had he done so he probably would have won with a time in the low 38's as Egmar's 2R did not compete. There are a number of cars out there that really should have been there (mine included) so we hope to see some improvement in this class during the season. This type of competition (I would have thought) would have been perfect for Bob Sato. hey Bob, where ya at? Can you beat a 35.03 on the short course?
Drift Session workers have opportunity to earn worker bucks
With the addition of some new workers and the format changes we are implementing it is giving our staff some opportunities to drive that had previously been unavailable due to the intensiveness of running the events. Also, we are implementing a "worker bucks" program that allows for a $30 value earned to be used as a credit for DriftSession and Super Lap events. This seems to be working out quite nicely as it gives us an opportunity to expose our guys and girls to both facets of our organization and we are encouraged by the results experienced so far.
Super Lap Series T-shirts on sale and 15% 0ff Mechanix Wear Coupons
As you know by now, we have Super Lap Series T-shirts for sale for $15, we are taking names for roll cages (4), window nets (4), harnesses and door numbers [(#) represents the number of buyers so far] so please get back to us if you are interested as the more the merrier (cheaper). Finally, and very importantly, we are trying to develop a partnership with Mechanix Wear and are distributing 15% off merchandise coupons at all of our events in order for them to see that our market warrants their involvement. If you missed the coupon just print the copy (it can be found on this website) and it will be honored at AutoPro. You simply can't go wrong with the Mechanix Wear quality products and when you provide the coupon at the time of purchase it proves an allegiance with our company and events thus potentially leading to some product sponsorship for events and Championships in the future. Last but not least, please keep your eyes open and ears on for possible additional events not yet scheduled, otherwise we'll see you all the next time we go Super Lapping.
Aloha!
Chris Messer
Events General Manager,
Drift Session, LLC
