MSR Reality Show - Final results

We taped the finals yesterday. There were three pre-lim heats of with 2 groups of three cars and one group of 4. The winner of each of the pre-lim heats met in the finals.

My adventure started last weekend with the passing of the engine in my 911. I was practicing at MSR and noticed a loss of power. I pulled off the track and left it with the shop there. Cyliner #4 had about 60 psi and it appears the damage is more extensive than just the top end. Not sure if it was old age (the engine is 22 years old) or the missed shift/over-rev I had about a month ago, but the engine needs a complete re-build.

I found out two days before the race I wouldn't have the 911, so I took my back-up car to the taping - the 355 GTS. I drove out to the house the night before to prep the car and realized that both the 355 and my 911 with turbo brakes use the same brake pads, so I installed a back-up set of Pagid Orange I had for the 911 in the Ferrari.

While the wheels were off, I was eyeing Rob's Challenge car parked in the next bay and I was thinking long and hard about stealing his tires. I only have street tires and racing slicks sure would be nice. However I was already 11:30 at night and I still had to make some high speed runs on Hwy 171 to bed in my brake pads so I got lazy and left his car alone. The next day I remembered he had another set of mounted slicks sitting on the other side of the garage that I could have bolted right on without any extra trouble. Had I noticed the night before, I think I might have done that and asked for forgiveness later.


Part 2, The Warm-Up...

 

I'm not sure if the Berlinetta has more headroom or not, but I could not get into a race oriented driving position with the top on. My helmet hit roof. I took it off at the grid and raced topless. Plus the sun was out and its for tv, if I am going to be slow I might as well look good while doing it.

I have VERY little seat time in the 355 on the track, just a single session running CW instead of the normal CCW. I used the 12 minute warm up session to try and learn the car. The big challenges for me was getting the heel and toe worked out since I had to roll my foot instead of blipping with my heel and learning the tires.

I got the heel/toe right about 80% of the time but on the other 20% I didn't get my foot on the brake pedal in the right position to reach the gas so I had to overbreak to slow the engine before the downshift.

Street tires suck on the track! The grip in the turns doesn't bother me but the braking zones seem to triple in length. Its hard to drive fast when you don't have any confidence in being able to stop. I did my best to learn my tires braking limits but I ending up engaging the ABS nearly every time when braking hard.

I was able to gain some speed on every lap, but I knew my lap times were slower in the Ferrari than in the 911. Maybe this would help me. The races are handicapped (head starts for the slower drivers) so maybe if I was able to continue to improve during the race I had a chance ...

Part three, The Race

 

I was in the four car group against a Turbo Miata, Mini S, and a HEAVILY modified Mitsu Evo with something like 450hp. I was now worried I was going to let a Ferrari get passed by both a Miata and Mini on TV. I'd be subjected to angy letters from FCA members and banned from Italy. I better not come in last ...

As I said, its a handicapped race. With street tires and an unfamiliar ride, I was the slowest and first car to get the green flag. The Turbo Miata was second, the Mini S next, with the Evo getting released from the line last.

The first two laps were uneventful. I drove decently, got all my heel/toe shifts executed correctly and maintained the lead. On the front straight at the end of the second lap, I can see the Mini in my mirror and what looks like the Evo behind it. I knew the last lap would be a battle. Suprisingly, the Turbo Miata was not in sight.

After I complete Rattlesnake and enter Wagon Wheel, I realize the EVO is on my ass. Apparently he passed the Mini on the front straight. He is close enough that I can hear his wastegate open and close repeatedly, maked a loud Zzzz, Zzzz sound. This was a wickedly fast car and I think his engine was taunting me.

I hold him off through the entry into Ricochet but know I am going to have a problem on the long straight before Lil Bend. He could easily out accelerate me there so I though my only chance was to take a defensive line on the inside and not allow him to apex the turn. Unfortunately I telegraphed my move a little early and he was able to adjust his turn in and move back to the outside. He passed me to my left just as we passed the apex and sped away.

We both lost some speed taking that line and the Mini crawled up on both of us. Later I found out he was inches from my rear bumper at the apex, nearly making contact. The Mini stayed close during the slow parts of the track here, but I drive a line that would not allow him to get by me. With just 2 straights seperated by Big Bend to go, I had a big horsepower advantage for the remainder of the race. I took a defenive line into Big Bend just to be sure I didn't leave him room to outbrake me on the inside and block my turn in and the sped away to the finish line. The results:

1) Evo
2) 355
3) Mini S
4) Turbo Miata

Turns out the Miata spun in Big Bend on lap 1, ending his race.

In one of the other pre-lim heats, Keith Verges won an exciting race against another Turbo Miata. The other cars had a big head start on Keith in his Elise and he spent the three laps hunting them down. On the very last lap, the very last turn (Big Bend) Keith was pressuring the Miata for the lead. It was clear that Keith was not going to be able to catch him in time but he was close enough to pressure the driver into a mistake - the Miata spun out and Keith passed him for the win. It was a blast to watch!

Keith ended up taking second in the Finals with George Langdon in a heavily modified Corvette taking the win. Keith then had the misfortune of being on the wrong side of the podium and got hit with most of the champagne shower, leaving him with dry cleaning bill.

It was a fun day and I think the show will be entertaining. Its made for TV racing instead of the real thing, but the handicaps made for some exciting moments.

 

I didn't think you'd mind. I was kicking myself the next day for not remembering about the extra set. Its funny though, everyone else who's been in the garage asked me why I didn't grab the extra set. Seems like everyone remembered them but me.

By the way, I have a gift for you next time I see you. We only used 8 Ferrari tiles on the house and I had purchased 9. Think you can find a home for the last tile?