Norcal News

By Kevin Smith
Published: May 18, 2007

The NorCal group made it to Sears Point Raceway (Infineon) for the second time this season on May 5-6. The weather on the weekdays prior to the event looked like it was going to be a replay of our first visit to the track, but the rain stopped and we had a gorgeous weekend which led to some impressive driving and fast times being put down in all of the groups. There were the most competitors in TT so far this year with many new faces and some old faces returning. Right off the bat in the second session on Saturday we had four new track records, one set in TTU by Larry Robison (1:48.451), one in TTS by Michael Neujhar (1:47.581), which was the fast time of the weekend, anther by Mark Welch in TTC (1:54.697), and Bob Blackwood in TTD (1:55.760). Later in the day Christine Cox broke the TTR record (1:51.414) only to break her own record on Sunday with a (1:49.096). On the last session of the weekend Mark Welch also wanted to break his own record and he did with a (1:54.424). Here is how the rest played out in each group:

TTR

On Saturday Christine Cox took first with Brian Lock in second place only .031 seconds behind. That is close. Rounding out the podium was Louis Soursoures followed by Chris Lock, Matt Andrews, Don Baumbach and Earl Green Jr. who traveled all they way from Portland, Oregon.

On Sunday Christine Cox broke her own track record she previously set on Saturday. The finishing order was Brian Lock in second, Louis Soursoures followed by Chris Lock, Don Baumbach, Matt Andrews.

TTU

Right off the bat Larry Robison was out to show he was in it to win it with his TTU record time followed by Claus Groth and Michael Digiacomo for the top 3. Then Lowell Fennie made his second appearance this year only to have a new motor in his beautiful factory five, which has much more power than before, which took some getting used to. Rounding out TTU was Team Sutak in his Mazda Miata. Andy takes the prize for most resilient after hitting the turn 10 wall and bending his tie rods and steering rack, got a replacement one from Doc Brown and only missed one session then proceeded to break his personal best for the Miata.

Sunday Larry Robison backed up Saturday’s win with a repeat on Sunday with Claus Groth following closely behind. Lowell started to figure out his beast and got third with Michael Digiacomo and Andy Sutak rounding out TTU.

TTS

Michael Neujahr did not want to mess around this weekend so he goes out and does the fast time of the weekend and then parks the car to save the equipment. The time held up as the second place of Team Smith could not match Michael’s time. Shoestring Race placed third place with him getting more and more comfortable in his Mustang by beating his personal best almost every time he gets in the car. Peter Guagenti finished in fourth place and Greg Pribble rounded out the TTS group. It was good to see Greg back at the track.

Sunday Michael Neujahr did a mirror of Saturday with a fast enough time in the morning that held off a hard charging Team Smith. Peter Guagenti was able to secure third with Shoestring Racing finishing fourth and Greg Pribble right behind and Boris Berman showing up in a new beautiful Porsche finishing sixth.

TTA

The PT competing Evo of Team Goodsport/3S racing took first place by beating the Honda Challenge car of Andrie Hartanto. The next two spots were a battle of Porsches with Neil Yonk coming out just ahead of Gary Willard with Team Callaghan finishing right behind. Rounding out TTA was Dave Potter competing in only his second event in TT.

Sunday Andrie Hartanto was not going to be beat again and was able to post a time for first with Team Goodsport/3S right behind in second and Neil Yonk repeating his third place performance. Team Callaghan rounded out TTA and finished the weekend with a sideways slide up Turn 1.

TTB

Team RFR/GST is looking for perfection this year as he has taken first place in all of the events and he continued to do so this weekend with Team Bill Arnold BMW Repair finishing in second and Steve Kane getting a podium spot while sharing his black Mustang with his daughter who was driving her first track event in HPDE 1. Dave Snelson narrowly missed the podium and was able to hold off Team 3S/Goodsport Racing, Team Angel, and Chris Black.

Sunday Team RFR/GST was not out to disappoint his perfection by taking first place again leaving Team Bill Arnold BMW Repair for second place and Steve Kane getting another Bronze in third place. Dave Snelson finished up in fourth with Chris Black and Team 3S/Goodsport Racing right behind to finish off TTB.

TTC

Mark Welch was another one who wanted to show he went for the win right away and his time held up for first with Team Z Car Garage following in second and Fred Watson rounding out the top 3. Michael Sondel missed the podium by only .046 seconds and Michael Kelley finishing up TTC.

Sunday was a repeat win for Mark Welch with his record breaking time in the last session and Mike Vadvilavich getting second in his first time in TT this year. Team Z Car Garage gets on the podium with third place with David Wright, Fred Watson, Michael Sondel, and Michael Kelley rounding out TTC.

TTD

Bob Blackwood showed in beginning that he has more time around Sears Point than many of us combined with his TTD record-breaking time in the morning. That time held up for him with a first place and Jerry Bradbury in his Red Mini finishing second. Zane Abedin finished third with Will Faules, Team Brown-Heyer, Bill Broeder, Steve Culbertson, and Jeff Galetta.

Sunday had the same finishing order for the podium with Bob Blackwood winning, Jerry Bradbury in second and Zane Abedin in third. Will Faules gets fourth with Team Brown-Heyer right behind. Team Russo and Jeff Galetta finish up TTD.

TTE

On Sunday we had newcomer George Mavromatis bring out his Miata to take first place.

TTF

The only person Hugh Carter was competing against was himself, which sometimes is harder than competing against another competitor, in TTF and he took first place both on Saturday and Sunday.

We would also like to put out a BIG THANK YOU to Andy Sutak for letting us setup TT camp under his BIG TOP! THANK YOU!

Don’t forget the next event is just around the corner on June 2 and 3 at Thunderhill Raceway. Hope to see you all there!!!

Kevin Smith

Mark Callaghan