NASA Time Trial - Infineon Recap, Oct. 7-8, 2006

Norcal News

Infineon Recap, Oct. 7-8, 2006

By Jeff Galletta
Published: October 20, 2006

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Infineon Raceway
October 7-8, 2006

The Northern California contingent of NASA Time Trials returned to Infineon Raceway in beautiful Sonoma, CA for the final time this season on October 7^thand 8^th. As always during this time of year, the conditions were near perfect for racing. The cool coastal fog in the early part of the morning kept temperatures from getting too hot too early in the day. Track conditions were as good as they have been all year as well. With an entire season of racing hosted by the raceway and very little rain (if any), the circuit was nicely “rubbered.” (John paid me $5 to use that word in this recap.) For better or worse, the track was configured with the elongated turn 7 for this particular event. Like me, many of our drivers prefer the shortened 7 to that of the “Button-hook” 7 (as it has become known). However, it was consistent with the last time we ran at Infineon, so we all knew what to expect. In fact, our drivers knew this track configuration so well that we set new track records in every group! Congratulations to the following drivers:

James Safronas	14	TTR	03 Porsche GT3 Cup	1:42.0
Navid Kahangi	80	TTU	05 Mitsubishi Evo	1:48.5
Patrick Lindsey	212	TTA	01 Audi S4	1:49.2
Team Z Car Garage	11	TTB	04 Nissan 350Z	1:56.9
Team AntiHybrids	284	TTC	98 BMW M3	1:56.5
Team Brown-Heyer	64	TTD	93 Mazda Miata	2:00.8
Ben Brandt	3	TTE	92 Mazda Miata	2:01.2
Joe Craven	37	TTF	84 VW GTI	2:04.7
Hugh Carter	125	TTG	90 Honda Civic	2:12.6

Perhaps the other major noteworthy event of the weekend was that we finally figured out how to maximize the amount of open track and clear air for every driver in every class. Make no mistake about it; this was a monumental leap forward for Norcal Time Trials. Given the amount of cars in TT on this particular weekend (+60) it was nothing short of a miracle that this was even attainable. Through a well orchestrated plan devised by our very own John Anderson and the cooperation from everyone in race control, pre-grid, the turn workers and the TT competitors, we managed to give every driver at least 3.75 (on average) laps before encountering traffic in every session. This was unheard of earlier this season (and with far less drivers). Also, forcing the conga line of cars in their qualifying pre-grid order to drive at 30-40 mph until turn 7 (vs. holding them until Start/Finish) proved to be the right move. This afforded drivers time to heat tires and brakes to optimal levels before starting hot laps. For those of you who require a more scientific explanation, I submit the following (submitted by our very own Bob Blackwood -- TTC):

Track Length Overall 13,253'

Length of Column of 60 Cars @14'/Car and 2 Car Lengths between Cars 2520'

Speed of Fastest Car predicated on a 1:50 sec lap 121'/sec

Speed of Slowest Car predicated on a 2:20 sec lap 95'/sec

Overtake Rate of the Fastest Car 121'/sec minus 95'/sec = 26'/sec

Overtake Distance = Track Length (13253') minus Length of Column of Cars (2520') = 10,733'

Overtake Distance (10,733) divided by Overtake Rate (26'/sec) = 413 secs or approximately 3.75 laps before lead car comes up on the back-enders. Distance from Start/Finish to Turn 7 is 7667' and at 30MPH (44'/sec) we consume just less than 3 minutes, which should be ample time for everyone to be properly spaced including the"crabwalk" across the gutter, exiting the paddock and any other minor variables. The pack will reach its optimal start point at turn 7.

(So, there you have it! Thanks Bob.)

Perhaps the most bold and audacious move was to hold the non-TT participants and interlopers who were not properly registered for TT competition (or those TT’ers who did not log a time in a preceding session) were forced to sit out 2 complete laps before pre-grid would release them onto the circuit. The end result of all this was an incredibly enjoyable track weekend. The e-mails of praise for this format have been pouring in by the truckload. (If you have not yet sent your e-mail to Jerry, please do as soon as possible.)

Given all these improvements, here’s how the weekend resulted for our individual groups:

TTR
On Saturday, James Safronas proved to everyone that car could make it around Infineon just as fast as motorcycle by laying out an insane 1:42.0! (Were the doors still on the car when you came off track, James?) Matt Maddox in his Radical SR3 (look it up) wasn’t too far behind with a 1:45.9. Jeff Leaver took the final spot on the podium with a 1:53.2. Louise Sousoures and Joe Osha rounded off the group by turning a 1:55.3 and a 2:01.5, respectively.

On Sunday, it was all Joe Osha (no kidding – he was the only person to run in TTR) with a much-improved time of 1:50.7.

TTU
On Saturday, Navid Kahangi made a rare appearance to take top honors with a blistering 1:48.5. Michael Neujahr was second with 1:49.6, and Team Hopper (with included our fearless leader, Albert Butterfield as a team driver) fended off 9 other competitors to take the bronze with a 1:51.7.

On Sunday, it was Team Sutak (with Albert at the helm and Andy riding shotgun) to take the gold with a ripping 1:50.0. Michael Neujahr was able fend off Team Hopper for the silver with a 1:50.1. Team Hopper held on for third place with a 1:51.1. (I am willing to bet that Michael Neujahr is the only person to ever beat and have been beaten by Albert Butterfield in same event! Trippy…)

TTA
On Saturday, Patrick Lindsey was on top with an ultra fast 1:49.9. Ryan Wilson was next with a 1:53.7 followed by Team MyMotorsports with a 1:55.1.

On Sunday, Kevin Smith was first across the line with a 1:57.2. He was closely followed by Team MyMotorsports with a 1:57.5. Robert Walter held fended off the rest of the pack with a 1:58.6.

TTB
On Saturday, Team Z Car Garage smoked the field with a 1:56.9. Closely behind was Mark Welch with a 1:57.8. Team RFR held on for third place with a 1:59.3.

On Sunday, it was Mark Welch taking top honors with a 1:57.0. Second place went to Lincoln Alvord with 1:57.5. And, Team Z Car Garage held on to take third with a 1:57.9.

TTC
On Saturday, Team AntiHybrids set the pace with a 1:56.5. Dave Snelson came in second with a 1:58.7. And, Ken Baer took third with a 1:59.0.

On Sunday, it was nearly a repeat of Saturday with Team AntiHybrids again on top with a 1:56.3. Dave Snelson placed second with a 1:58.9. Bob Blackwood edged out Ken Baer for third with a 1:59.5.

TTD
Saturday saw Team Brown-Heyer place first with a 2:00.8. The silver medal went to John Bachan with a 2:04.3. Kevin Gnusti held off the rest of this fast growing field with a 2:04.3.

On Sunday, it was Team Brown-Heyer to set the pace with a 2:01.7. Hot on his heals from Team MyMotorsports with a 2:02.9. John Bachan held on to place third with a 2:04.6.

TTE
This weekend was all about Ben Brandt in TTE. On Saturday, young Ben held off the pack with a 2:02.3. Greg Barron was second with a 2:05.8. And, Sanjeev Bajwa held on for third with a 2:12.6.

On Sunday, it was Big Ben Brandt rocketing to stardom with a record-setting 2:01.2. Not only was this the track record for the long turn 7 configuration, but also it was also beat the short turn 7 configuration. (Too bad it can’t count for both, Ben.)

TTF
On Saturday, Joe Craven was on top with a 2:04.7 (track record). Steve Fuss (2^nd place finisher at NASA Nationals last month at Mid-Ohio) held on for second place with a 2:05.7. Dave Rowsey (pictured in the October issues of GRM Magazine – p.27) took third with a time of 2:12.1.

TTG
Hugh Carter once again was the lone competitor in this group. He held out for back-to-back first place finishes on Saturday and Sunday with times of 2:12.6 (new track record) and 2:12.8.

Standings
With this weekend in the books and one final weekend coming up in November, the standings are as follows:

TTR
Steve Reader, Joe Osha and Jeff Leaver are the top three points holders (in that order), but none will qualify for the season’s top honors as they have will not have competed in the minimum 8 events. Tough break, fellas. Perhaps next year?

TTU
Team Griggs, Michael Neujahr and Lowell Fennie are the leaders. Lowell has the lock on third, but could easily usurp Michael if he is not careful. Griggs may also find himself losing first place to Michael if he is not careful. Michael and Griggs need to show up to the next event to protect their current positions if not advance. See you at Thunderhill with your game faces on, gentlemen!

TTA
Kevin Smith, Ryan Wilson and Don Templeton are in the top three positions. Only 70 points separate Kevin and Ryan for first. This will come down the last session of the last event to see who’s going to take home the gold. Don is going to have to stay out in front of Jim Black if he is going to be assured of a third place finish. We’ll see you guys at Thunderhill next month as well.

TTB
Team Z Car Garage, John Anderson and Team 3S are the group leaders. Z Car only has 15 point lead over John. With the Nationals behind him and first place his for the taking, I’ll bet good money that John is going to drive the wheels off that Mustang to get out in front. Team 3S has a lock on third place.

TTC
Team Anti-Hybrids, Ken Baer and David Snelson are in first, second and third place, but only by a slim margin. As with some of the aforementioned groups, all three of these guys are going to have to show up next month to just to hold on to their respective positions, or perhaps advance. We’ll see you guys in Willows for a showdown-hoedown! (You like that one? I just made it up.)

TTD
Team Brown-Heyer, Jeff Galletta and John Bachan are numbers 1, 2 and 3 in this group. Jeff has yet to pull a faster lap time than Brown-Heyer all season, so it’s pretty safe to say that next month will not be any different. And, John is so far down on points as well as ahead of his nearest competitor that he is not in any danger of losing his position in third place.

TTE
Greg Barron, Ben Brandt and Team TNL are first, second and third. Greg only leads Ben by 10 measly points. You can bet dollars to doughnuts that both guys will be gunning for the fastest lap in the next event. Team TNL has shut it down for the season (and perhaps for a good long while). But they are in line for third place when the season is over without fear of losing position.

TTF
Only Dave Rowsey and Steve Fuss are eligible for the season’s honors. Dave is so far out in front that he could actually drive the track in reverse and still place first ahead of Steve. However, Steve has been on fire with his second place finish at Nationals and 7 consecutive wins over Rowsey. We’ll have to keep an eye out for this guy next season.

TTG
The man, the myth, the legend…HUGH CARTER!!!!!

Parting Thoughts

Regular TT Attendance
If we take the Reno weekend out of the equation, we are now averaging 39.7 drivers per weekend. Given the overall success of the new TT format, this number is going to grow substantially next year. As such it will become more incumbent upon all of us to have our acts together when it’s our turn at bat. Please remember to pre-grid 10 minutes early on sessions 2-4. (It will take a lot more time to get everybody situated in his or her correct grid assignment -- especially if we have a super-packed paddock. We did a pretty good job this past event (and the pre-grid team really took up the slack). Now that we all know what to do and the benefits of a proper pre-grid, I am sure we will all take steps to do this well.

Download Meetings
Downloads will no longer be immediately following our session. They will be at least 1/2 hour after in order for us to get the results right from T&S and to tech cars. Albert will set the download times on the morning of the event. Meetings MIGHT be at John’s trailer. And remember, no download sticker = no run in the next session. So, PLEASE make sure that you come to these meetings.

Awards
Until this past event, we always awarded medals at the following event. This is no more! We will stick to the new format of awards ceremony the same day (roughly around 4:15PM). So, please make sure that you stick around for the ceremony. Besides, the U-Girls would miss you if you didn’t show up.

Transponders
No transponder = back of the pack. This is a HORRIBLE place for any TT competitor. So, please make sure you get a transponder in your car so you can take your rightful place in the pecking order as well as not sit out 2 laps every session (roughly 30% of your total daily track time).

Next Season
Hold off on changes to your car, new rules will be out by end of the year. Submit requests for changes in 2007 to Greg Greenbaum ASAP. Read the TT rulebook.

Communication
Use the TT website and Forum more often....... lots of info there.

http://nasa-tt.com/

Jeff Galletta
NASA NorCal Time Trials