Florida News
By Billy Stacey
Published: December 18, 2006
Print
Email
FINAL EVENT INAUGURAL NASA FLORIDA TT CHAMPIONSHIP
HOMESTEAD MOTORSPEEDWAY NOVEMBER 25 AND 26, 2006
Last November, the NASA Florida Region’s Post Thanksgiving Weekend at Homestead brought with it the final time trial event of our inaugural Time Trials Championship Season.
Despite post holiday demands, the beautiful weather and beautiful track drew a great attendance. In fact, Time Trial participation saw fifteen on Saturday and sixteen on Sunday. This healthy competition brought with it some new track records:
TTR’s seven month old record at Homestead was beaten by over three and a half seconds by Barry Ellis with a 1:30.85 in his 2004 Porsche GT3;
TTU had no competition that weekend. So, Selin Rolan’s record remains;
TTA’s previous record holder, Patrick O’Brien, was dethroned on Saturday by Liam O’Brien, his son, with a 1:41.27 in a 2005 WRX sti. However, on Sunday Liam’s record was beaten by Jarred McGillicuddy who posted a 1:37.64 in his 2002 Corvette Z06;
TTB, which previously saw no competition at Homestead, finally has a record holder in the name of Bill Benavitz. Bill posted a 1:45.25 in his 2005 Mitsubishi EVO;
TTC’s record at Homestead is still held by Andreas DeCardenas, who set the record last April for what usually proves to be our largest class of competitors;
TTD’s newest competitor, Geoff Corlett, toppled Nick Riefner’s seven month old record by over four seconds on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, Geoff shaved a little over a second off of his time for a new TTD record of 1:43.80. Geoff drove a 1995 BMW M3.
The weekend did present an unfortunate incident between two TT competitors. Lawrence Stroll in TTR, and Peter Bekkers, in TTB had contact going in to turn 6. The report is that Stroll attempted to take the corner from Bekkers before he had position and that Bekkers, who had not seen Stroll make the move, turned in to Stroll’s line.
This incident bears reflection and is a potent reminder that HPDE and TT sessions are not to be driven under racing conditions. Independent passing is allowed in HPDE4 and TT. However, NASA CCR 6.3 states that the driver of a vehicle making a pass should be certain that the other driver is aware of the pass and that passing driver bears the sole responsibility of a safe outcome. Likewise, the driver being passed is expected to know when a car is in proximity. The CCRs provide for harsh penalties for contact.
The incident highlighted another important issue: Failure of Attendance at Download Sessions. Neither of the two involved drivers attended any subsequent download session. In fact, neither driver attended any download session that whole day. NASA has stated that downloads session are mandatory and that serial absences will result in loss of privileges. The main purpose of the download sessions is to create a safer HPDE environment. Participation of incident involved drivers is at the core of the program. The Regional Time Trials Director will strictly enforce the Download Requirements in 2007.
In closing, please note that the Florida Region holds the Caribbean Grand Prix at the Homestead Motor Speedway on December 30, 2006. This one day event will also hold the first event for the 2007 Time Trial Regional Championship Season. Please make sure to sign up now!!!
