Norcal News

By Kevin Smith
Published: February 21, 2008

The NorCal Time Trialers had the season opener on February 9, 2008. What better way to start a season than having it at legendary Sears Point Raceway (Infineon)? The weather was cold in the morning, but just like a gorgeous spring day in the afternoon, life does not get better than that. Last year we had at least one track record broke in virtually every event and this event did not disappoint. In TTU Brian Lock set an amazing time right out of the gates only to better it later in the day with a record time of 1:41.401. In TTB Team Bill Arnold BMW Repair bettered his record with a 1:50.339. Bob Blackwood lowered the TTD record with a 1:54.318. The rest of the weekend played out as follows:.

TTR

TTR had some fast and beautiful cars running this event. Starting with Ferd Carneiro in his beautiful Porsche, which laid time the fastest time in TTR with a 1:49.091 to claim first place. In second came Dennis Clark with his Ferrari that was battling engine problems all day, but still laid down a time of 1:53.933. Getting the final podium spot in third was Team Opak Racing A with a time of 1:54.068. Finishing fourth was teammate Team Opak Racing B and fifth was Shaun Coleman in his awesome sounding 1991 Cutlass IMSA car. Fred Jackman gets the final spot in TTR.

TTU

TTU saw many returning cars from last year, but none more anticipated than Team Sutak in his go-fast Mustang. What a beautiful Mustang it is. The man to beat though was Brian Lock in his ’96 Impreza L which pulled down a record breaking time of 1:41.401, WOW. Finishing second was Gerry Gasper in his Z06 with a time of 1:48.813. Third place belongs to Lowell Fennie who battled a couple minor mechanical problems to put down a time of 1:54.896. Right behind Lowell was Team Sutak with Boris Berman rounding out the group in his high powered EVO.

TTS

This group is the most tightly contested group Saturday with first through third only separated by .5 seconds. Going into the final session everyone was only .2 seconds away from the next spot. Getting first was Sean Mackenzie with a 1:52.313. Right on his exhaust pipe was Ludovic Lacourte with a 1:52.480. Right behind that was Team Smith finishing in third with a 1:52.890. Rounding out the group was newcomer Josh Butafucco in his Time Attack Evo.

TTA

TTA was all about the third session of the day as everyone pulled the fastest times in that session. Finishing first was Team Callaghan with his brand new Hoosiers with a 1:56.571. Right behind in second was Dave Potter with a 1:56.956 to get the silver. Getting third was Robert Walter in his Factory Five with a 1:57.372. Rounding out the group also in a Factory Five was David Standridge.

TTB

This group in my opinion is going to be the group to watch for this year as Mark Welch has moved up from his championship in TTC to compete in TTB. Right away he and Team Bill Arnold BMW Repair seemed to change fast lap each time they crossed the line. It was some very impressive driving and great sportsmanship showed all day by both of them. Getting first was Team Bill Arnold BMW Repair with a record breaking 1:50.339. Mark Welch finishes second with a 1:51.030. Finishing in third, which seems to be his M.O., was Steve Kane with a 1:52.862. Fourth place belongs to Team 3S/Goodsport Racing and in fifth was Chris Black.

TTC

With Mark Welch moving to TTB Team Z Car Garage is poised for a championship run with his new Time Trial Infinity. He rode around in comfort to get first with a 1:57.332. Right behind in second was Michael Sondel with a 2:00.610. Third place belongs to Alexander Brooks-Nelson with a time of 2:01.717. Steve Sacks rounds out the group in his Porsche 944.

TTD

Bob Blackwood came out to the track to put down a time to show he is in it to win it. He did just that with a record breaking time of 1:54.318. Finishing in second was Zane Abedin with a time of 1:56.904. To finish on the podium in third place was Ray Nickson.

TTE

George Mavromatis came out in TTE to get first place with a time of 2:10.205 and Dave Rowsey finishing second with a time of 2:11.621.

I would like to thank Andy Sutak for coming out and bringing Camp Sutak which he graciously lets be the headquarters for TT and make it a place that everyone can come hang out, look at the times and then talk racing. THANK YOU ANDY!

Do not forget that the next event is coming up quickly so signup now, it will be at Thunderhill on March 8^th and 9^th.