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924RACR

No official results posted yet... nor a long write-up. I'm still completing the download (as can be seen in the other thread) to Jeremy and Ray about how things went, so it may be a little while before we go through and figure out what all happened!

Basic summary follows.

The PUB Racing section of FLAG Motorsports got off to a rough start with me forgetting my cellphone at HOME, a 1-hr wait at Canadian customs on our way over (thanks to a strike and whatever else), and plenty of poor weather - high winds and heavy rain throughout Ontario. After battling our way through that mess, we grabbed lunch in Buffalo and emerged to a much improved climate for the remainder of the drive down to the Glen. Passing through the wine country, we stumbled about a bit trying to find a winery still open; failing that, and still awaiting the main FLAG contingent, we decided to pit for a cold one prior to registration.

Returning to the track at 6PM sharp, we were gratifyingly greeted by the great white van, the FLAG racecar hauler parked outside registration. Disembarking from our van, we unleashed chaos as we all simultaneously tried to register, get credentials issued and stamped, meet eachother, and plan our next steps. Proceeding into the paddock, the team staked claim to our share of asphalt and proceeded with the unloading and setting up - wisely deciding to leave the canopies un-rigged in the questionable weather.

Dinner followed, giving us all a proper chance to meet and greet and bench-race a bit before tucking in.

Next morning, leisurely start and off to the track for breakfast and car prep; we spent quite a bit of time fitting my data acquisition system into the 35 car as well as new wipers and windshield defrost blowers into both cars in anticipation of rain during the racing.

After drawing qualifying spots 34 and 38 for cars 53 and 36 (#35 was incognito for the weekend, our number having already been taken), we claimed a late pit spot well down the lane, within about 10 spots of pit-out and proceeded to lay out our gear.

Practice ensued shortly at 1PM; all drivers were required to get seat time, necessitating quite a few pit stops. Ray and Jeremy were in #53, and Jason Fairfax, myself, and Ryoji (in order) were driving #36.

Pit stops/driver changes went smoothly, but Jeremy reported on parking the car that 4th gear was gone/unavailable. While Ray and Billy Fairfax made their best efforts, it became clear that the synchro was gone, not a linkage issue. The decision was made to start the car anyway, as this could be driven around.

The 36 car was fueled in the pits and sent to the false grid - 53 spent enough time in the paddock that not enough fuel was consumed to bother refueling prior to the race start, both cars having started the day with full tanks, and #36 only having consumed 5 gallons of gas for running the whole session.

Jason and Jeremy proceeded to take the green for FLAG in the 36 and 53 cars, respectively. While our race start was clean and uneventful, many others in the field chose to make their races not so boring, resulting in numerous full-course-yellows to facilitate cleanup. Towards the end of the second such yellow, the 53 car was brought in to take advantage and perform the first driver change and fueling, putting Ray behind the wheel.

Shortly thereafter, the clock was ticking on Jason's stint in the 36 car, so he was brought just after the yellow laps ended for my turn to swap in - just coming up on 1 hr into the race. But weather closed in as he finished his closing laps, with showers ensuing as he rolled down the pit lane...

I started my stint into another double yellow - must have just happened in the closing minute or two of my stop. However I was not in contact with the field, so I proceeded to run as hard as I dared (on dry tires in a light shower) to try and close the distance, make contact with the field. A few laps in, I recieved the green and knew I'd really better push hard, as the leaders may be closing at any moment. However it was not to be; on my 5th lap, I saw smoke entering the cockpit as I climbed through the esses and knew something was up. Coming onto the back straight, I quickly realized that I had no power, in spite of still having oil pressure, and so immediately started looking for a place to park the car. I ended up having to stop right at the end of the back straight, the entrance to the Bus Stop, with no compression. I communicated the message back to the crew, and was able to get a flat tow back to the paddock. But we were out of the race with that car.

Meanwhile Ray made his pit stop and put Jeremy back behind the wheel, as scheduled, after seeing me parked at the Bus Stop.

Jeremy was able to turn some laps in the showers, but soon misfortune befell him too, and he was brought in on a flatbed.

The team swarmed back to the paddock and Ray was quickly able to determine that, though the engine had just cut out, the motor was still good; rather it was a bad aftermarket ignition rotor that had come apart to put Jeremy on the sidelines.

Quickly shifting gears, the team put Ryoji behind the wheel of the 53 car and sent him out to get his overdue chance on track and finish the race, bringing the car home safely for the team. A black flag close to the end, with perhaps 20 minutes left to go, brought him into the pits with the rest of the field.

Resuming, the race devolved into a short sprint from the green to the checker, with the 53 car finishing successfully, though on the edge of exhaustion from running without 4th gear.

Time to have a beer and relax!!!

Eventually, we packed it all up, said our goodbyes, and headed home...

Till next time...
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

jjadczak · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 346 Location: Accokeek, MD

Vaughan, awesome write up!!!!

The official results are up on www.nescca.com's website at the top of the page were listed in the enduro group.

Placing 50th out of 52 finishers, sixth in class and completing 42 laps on the long course was #53 Porsche 924 of myself, Ray Jadczak, and Ryogi Sumida. Best lap in the race was a 2:39.476

Listed as a DNF, eight in class and completing 22 laps was #36 Porsche 924 of Vaughan Scott and Jason Fairfax. Best lap in the race was a 2:40.130.

The F.L.A.G. gang had a blast and some of our efforts really paid off, especially in the area of the PORSCHE-IT truck. That project has been a lot of work and we never really seem to finish it. These past few months we've come a long way and there is still some more work to do but we never envisioned that we'd be ahead at this point. We figured that it would take us the better part of two years to get that truck they way we wanted it. I was so happy that we comfortably had up to 15 people in it keeping warm and eating some great food. Were confident that our truck will be even better in 2005.

Were done for the year. We got a lot of work in the off season but we wanted to say thanks again everyone who has helped us this season.

Let's see there is Bobby Dodd whom we purchased #35/36 from and was extremely helpful along the process. Then there is Andy Franklin. This guys stood in the pouring rain at Mid Ohio and helped us unload, what a trooper. He also really knows his way around Mid Ohio and actually was the first person to give us race strategy on our starts and is a very hard worker.

John Brown has been fun to work with, extremely knowledgble and we like getting to know him.

Ryogi, what can we say, we really enjoy getting to know him and spending time with him whether it was going out to dinner or shooting the bull between sessions. We liked hanging out with him so much that we've started to plan our race schedules around his. Ryogi, thank you for your assistance with #39, it was very unfortunate on your part but words can't describe what it has meant to us. Your our racing brother and we look forward to hanging out with you again in 2005.

Finally, there is Vaughan and his PUB team. He's got some very good people who work with him and he is truly blessed to have such supportive people, especially his wife. We say to Vaughan that we really could not have gotten where we are (or want to be) with out his help and it's the damn truth. Other guys looking to race these 924's get in touch with him as his advice is golden and we would have been lost without him. Well actually were sort of lost with him but that's our own fault as were creating mistakes ourselves. Were working on that.

There aren't a lot of people racing these 924's and one thing I am proud to be apart of is being a part of this 924 community. I really enjoy getting to know fellow 924 folks. Their great people. If your ever interested in learning more about road racing get in touch with me. Next season we want to invite fellow 924 posters to come out to the track at see what it's all about. Everyone has a great time there even if your not driving a 924.

My observations on the enduro. Well we had one car finish!!! Last year the first time we did this we crashed out midway with #53 and only had 2 crew members. This time there were ten crew members, two cars and five drivers. It was a lot of work to organize it but I think other than the reliability of #36, everyone had a good time. I would consider running in another one again down the road. Maybe next time we enter a six hours at Nelson Ledges or what we'd really like to enter one day the 12 Hours at the Point (Summit Point Motorsports Park). the F.L.A.G. gang had a great time and we really liked just getting to know other folks who race these types of cars (924's) in this setting.
_________________
Jeremy "I'm Faster than My Dad" Jadczak
#53 Porsche 924 (sold '06)
#35 Porsche 924 (R.I.P. '06)
#141 Porsche 944 944 Cup
FLAG Motorsports
"Fast Lucky And Good"

924RACR · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 11:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks!

I'm sure you guys will be ready to run another enduro. But I'd strongly recommend you plan to stick with only sprint races next year. Make all the changes I've mentioned, and practice your strategy and procedures for a season. Once you've got a decent season under your belt, think at that point about running 3-6hr enduros for starters. This could be maybe 2006, assuming 2005 runs smoothly. I'd be willing to consider running again with you guys, but not before then, as you need the time to come up to speed.

Speaking of speed, here's some comparisons, lap times at the Glen:
2:25.0 - ITB lap record, D. Thiel
2:25.8 - ITB sprint winner best lap time 10/17, D. Thiel
2:34.5 - ITB Enduro winner best lap time 10/16

I recall from past data that FLAG has logged as low as 2:35's around the Glen, just not that weekend (was cold, made for good power, but reduced stick from the tires).
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

jjadczak · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 346 Location: Accokeek, MD

Dad posted a 2:35.078 on the long course. That was our best. With more track time we could bring that down a little.
_________________
Jeremy "I'm Faster than My Dad" Jadczak
#53 Porsche 924 (sold '06)
#35 Porsche 924 (R.I.P. '06)
#141 Porsche 944 944 Cup
FLAG Motorsports
"Fast Lucky And Good"

Zuffen · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:31 am Post subject:

Loud cheering and whistling from this side of the Great Mississippi.

I'm more than humbled when I see the results of your efforts.

Great work and thank you for the kind mention.

I'm always at your service in support and in spirit.

I like seeing those old spider web 15s in use vs stacked in the corner of the parts barn.

I'm on a long range plan of building a car as you know, and with a little luck and determination I would like to run with you guys someday.

For those of you racers, anything you need just let me know and I'll try to source it. The more 24s on the track the better the world becomes.
_________________
Bob Dodd - 924turbo@cox.net
931 1982, 944 1982 euro, 924S 1988SE, 93 968 tip 06 Silver Cayenne S, 06 Black Cayenne S

I have Way too many cars, parts for the 931,944 and 951

924RACR · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:51 am Post subject:

More good news for those that side of the Great Miss! NASA OH/IN director Lawrence Mansier has started another region, the Midwest region! Glutton for punishment! Anyway, expect GTS Challenge to be included in the menu for competition. Though to be true, that'll be best for competition with a 931; ITB is still your best bet for a 924 NA...

Me, I'm going to try to push to get the 931 in operation...
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype