HP sessions
- Thread starter Dayle Frame
- Start date
peterzekert
Well-known member
Hussy was solid in 3rd;
Gauper solid in 4th.
Albin had 5th most of the race until the throttle stuck WOT. He stopped to fix it, finishing maybe 13th.
Tuttle 5th in the Midget and Jones 6th in the BMW.
Gauper solid in 4th.
Albin had 5th most of the race until the throttle stuck WOT. He stopped to fix it, finishing maybe 13th.
Tuttle 5th in the Midget and Jones 6th in the BMW.
Jay Griffin
Well-known member
Cool to watch this. Congrats to Lawrence for the win, nice drive with the pressure.
Still having shifting issues with this car?
Jason, OUTSTANDING job man! Way to keep the pressure on! 8) Congrats on P2 bud. :mrgreen:
My congratulations also to the rest of the runners, I Know how hard that it to just finish this race sometimes. :applause:
Greg...want a CRX shell? :wink:
Still having shifting issues with this car?
Jason, OUTSTANDING job man! Way to keep the pressure on! 8) Congrats on P2 bud. :mrgreen:
My congratulations also to the rest of the runners, I Know how hard that it to just finish this race sometimes. :applause:
Greg...want a CRX shell? :wink:
Don Feller
Well-known member
Congratulations to Ron Bartell who drove a great race to recover to 7th after being turned around by Jones in the BMW on the first lap.
Tim Hollister
Well-known member
Don Feller":1xd2dsn8 said:
Broke my heart to see Ron going around so early in the race dashing the chances for a Spridget win...
JasonIsley99
Well-known member
Finally caught up a bit, so now I can download...
What a great week, perfect weather, great location, and great people. It was cool that Mike could pick up the torch and keep the Prod party going, even if I missed most of it watching Philip work on his transmission. :lol:
Based on the internet chatter I was expecting much worse conditions when I got to the track, but to some extent it seems like the people that rushed up there created an artificial jam up - something that could have been helped with more info up front from the track, or an assigned system like we had at Road America. I was very grateful that like a few other manufacturers Toyota reserved a tent for its competitors. 8)
Practice was a mixed bag, I just went out to bed brakes, and scrub in and get temps on the new Hoosier S80 slick. I was not focused on learning the track since I ran the June race there, a few more laps would have been nice, but I accomplished what I wanted to do.
Qual was kind of a nightmare. While the mixed groups were fine at Road America, it was constant traffic at MRLS. Combine that with people still learning the track and there were some scary moments. I was disappointed to not match my June lap times in any sessions, but the track just seemed to be off a bit. I was happy to be rolling off third, with the Hondas in sight. I knew Hussey would get his car sorted this year, and he showed up strong in qual.
I was really worried about the start, having watched pileups all weekend in Turn 2, well H Prod made it to Turn 3 before we had a problem. Had no idea that happened behind us (my rear facing camera picked it up, will post later), fortunately it seems like everyone was able to carry on. Bartell was the one I was most concerned with, I figured with the RWD and light weight he would be strong at the end, but that incident pushed him back. We saw a few local yellows, but overall it seemed like a pretty clean race for all involved. I was happy to hook up with Loshak, put our heads down, and try to get a gap on the field. Everyone seemed pretty excited about the "pass in the dirt", which was simply me looking for the safest place to avoid what I thought was going to be Loshak going all the way around. Boy was I shocked when I got back on track and he was on my rear bumper, even when he screws up hes fast. I did manage to cross the beam in front of him on that lap, so I got credit for leading one. :mrgreen: It was a great race, both of us seemed to be strong in different areas, but ultimately I didn't have enough to do anything with him, I was content to send the Yaris off with a silver medal.
Congratulations to Loshak on a great race, and an impressive feat racing FB/HP back-to-back. :applause:
What a great week, perfect weather, great location, and great people. It was cool that Mike could pick up the torch and keep the Prod party going, even if I missed most of it watching Philip work on his transmission. :lol:
Based on the internet chatter I was expecting much worse conditions when I got to the track, but to some extent it seems like the people that rushed up there created an artificial jam up - something that could have been helped with more info up front from the track, or an assigned system like we had at Road America. I was very grateful that like a few other manufacturers Toyota reserved a tent for its competitors. 8)
Practice was a mixed bag, I just went out to bed brakes, and scrub in and get temps on the new Hoosier S80 slick. I was not focused on learning the track since I ran the June race there, a few more laps would have been nice, but I accomplished what I wanted to do.
Qual was kind of a nightmare. While the mixed groups were fine at Road America, it was constant traffic at MRLS. Combine that with people still learning the track and there were some scary moments. I was disappointed to not match my June lap times in any sessions, but the track just seemed to be off a bit. I was happy to be rolling off third, with the Hondas in sight. I knew Hussey would get his car sorted this year, and he showed up strong in qual.
I was really worried about the start, having watched pileups all weekend in Turn 2, well H Prod made it to Turn 3 before we had a problem. Had no idea that happened behind us (my rear facing camera picked it up, will post later), fortunately it seems like everyone was able to carry on. Bartell was the one I was most concerned with, I figured with the RWD and light weight he would be strong at the end, but that incident pushed him back. We saw a few local yellows, but overall it seemed like a pretty clean race for all involved. I was happy to hook up with Loshak, put our heads down, and try to get a gap on the field. Everyone seemed pretty excited about the "pass in the dirt", which was simply me looking for the safest place to avoid what I thought was going to be Loshak going all the way around. Boy was I shocked when I got back on track and he was on my rear bumper, even when he screws up hes fast.
I did manage to cross the beam in front of him on that lap, so I got credit for leading one. :mrgreen: It was a great race, both of us seemed to be strong in different areas, but ultimately I didn't have enough to do anything with him, I was content to send the Yaris off with a silver medal. Congratulations to Loshak on a great race, and an impressive feat racing FB/HP back-to-back. :applause:
Jay R. Creel
Well-known member
Jason,
Great run!! Why the crusher for the Yaris?
Great run!! Why the crusher for the Yaris?
JasonIsley99
Well-known member
Jay R. Creel":22mfk4f0 said:
Something between the Feds and the manufacturer (all of the manufacturers deal with this). Our cars all have a full VIN and door/build plate just like a normal production unit, but something about being pre-crash test or something, they are not sell-able so they have to be crushed (or exported back to Japan). In the "good old days" these would have been dollar cars, but there is so much red tape they all get destroyed now. I am sure it comes down to import tax $$$. :wink:
Greg Gauper
Well-known member
Still on the road but I thought I would chime in with my $0.02 worth.
First off, wow! what a track!
The elevation changes were incredible with very challenging corners...and that was just getting into the paddock :lol:
For me it was worth the trip.
We had issues in Q1 with an evil handling car. It felt like it had about a foot of toe out in front.
We checked alignment and also nut and bolt checked everything on the suspension, where I found a loose sub-frame bolt.
Car felt good in Q2 and we moved up to 5th on the grid. I had hopes for finding more time in Q3 but traffic was an issue and then we lost time due to a black-flag. With the car feeling good I figured the loose bolt was the problem.
We double checked everything after Q3 and everything appeared good to go.
I didn't think I had anything for the top 3 but I felt I could have a good run with Ron and also figured Chris would be a factor, as well as the locals. Only thing I really wished for was a shorter final drive as my gearing was way too tall for this track.
On the pace lap, I could tell the handling problem was back. Car would pull sharply to the right on a transition from power on to power off. I was uber cautious on the start as I didn't want to take out the field on the upshift under the bridge.
I lost a spot to Gordon but wasn't too worried as it was a long race and the track was getting hot and slick and figured that would help my car during the race.
I really didn't see the contact between Ron and Gordon as I was watching my mirrors to see what Tom was going to do.
When I looked up, Ron and Gordon had already made contact and were sliding off track. Luckily I missed the mess and snuck thru, only to see the top 3 pull away. It took a few laps to get used to the car and adjust my driving style to deal with the problem. After a few laps, I noticed I was closing in on Steve and managed to pass him once. This must of got him motivated as he settled down and clicked off some good laps to create a gap. I tried pushing harder but couldn't close the gap and settled for 4th. Still don't know what is wrong with the car.
Congrats to Lawrence on another championship.
Great job by Jason, look forward to seeing the rebroadcast so I can see what I missed.
Steve, I really wish I could have run with you for the full distance. It was fun while it lasted.
Great meeting all the west coast guys.
Congrats to Greg Ira's brother Cliff on his STL win. I was paddocked next to Cliff in the Honda tent and it was a pleasure to meet him.
On to another bucket list track for 2015!
PS here is a clip of the start of the HP race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FkcjKR7AqE
First off, wow! what a track!
The elevation changes were incredible with very challenging corners...and that was just getting into the paddock :lol:
For me it was worth the trip.
We had issues in Q1 with an evil handling car. It felt like it had about a foot of toe out in front.
We checked alignment and also nut and bolt checked everything on the suspension, where I found a loose sub-frame bolt.
Car felt good in Q2 and we moved up to 5th on the grid. I had hopes for finding more time in Q3 but traffic was an issue and then we lost time due to a black-flag. With the car feeling good I figured the loose bolt was the problem.
We double checked everything after Q3 and everything appeared good to go.
I didn't think I had anything for the top 3 but I felt I could have a good run with Ron and also figured Chris would be a factor, as well as the locals. Only thing I really wished for was a shorter final drive as my gearing was way too tall for this track.
On the pace lap, I could tell the handling problem was back. Car would pull sharply to the right on a transition from power on to power off. I was uber cautious on the start as I didn't want to take out the field on the upshift under the bridge.
I lost a spot to Gordon but wasn't too worried as it was a long race and the track was getting hot and slick and figured that would help my car during the race.
I really didn't see the contact between Ron and Gordon as I was watching my mirrors to see what Tom was going to do.
When I looked up, Ron and Gordon had already made contact and were sliding off track. Luckily I missed the mess and snuck thru, only to see the top 3 pull away. It took a few laps to get used to the car and adjust my driving style to deal with the problem. After a few laps, I noticed I was closing in on Steve and managed to pass him once. This must of got him motivated as he settled down and clicked off some good laps to create a gap. I tried pushing harder but couldn't close the gap and settled for 4th. Still don't know what is wrong with the car.
Congrats to Lawrence on another championship.
Great job by Jason, look forward to seeing the rebroadcast so I can see what I missed.
Steve, I really wish I could have run with you for the full distance. It was fun while it lasted.
Great meeting all the west coast guys.
Congrats to Greg Ira's brother Cliff on his STL win. I was paddocked next to Cliff in the Honda tent and it was a pleasure to meet him.
On to another bucket list track for 2015!
PS here is a clip of the start of the HP race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FkcjKR7AqE
David Dewhurst
Well-known member
Jason and Greg, great job racing and the write ups. Jason won the Can-Dew award of the race, by interupting a potential crash by doing an excellent agriculture field trip. 88-o
JasonIsley99
Well-known member
SpeedcastTV put up the Sunday race feed, H Prod starts at 1:55. http://speedcasttv.com/#/races/394
JasonIsley99
Well-known member
My in-car video from the Ruoffs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDYrSToxa7M the tail end of it also has rear camera views of the start (with the Jones/Bartell contact) and the pass in the dirt on Loshak.
Ron Bartell
Well-known member
Finally got back to cold New Hampshire (shoulda stayed in Cal) and here is a few thoughts on my week:
Great track for the Runoffs. If you win there you have really accomplished something. Looked easy to learn from the in-cars, but it isn’t. Elevation changes and blind corners make it difficult for the newbies and the BFA’s cut down on our learning time. When you are still taking 4 seconds off during the second qually you obviously didn’t get a chance to learn the track. Trying to go fast too soon caused me about four year’s worth of spins including a crash.
Qualifying: The first qual we were still finding our way around the track and was BFA’d before anyone could get a decent time. Second qual was in the morning and the air was real good. Had I known the track I could have put up a good time, but a 46.3 wasn’t bad. Third qual I went faster on 6, 9, and 10, but it didn’t equate to a better time because the track/air was at least a half second slower.
The race: A tough day for me. Shortly before the start I learned that my best friend from NH had passed away so I got in the car with a very heavy heart and tried to keep it off my mind. Somehow I knew I was going to be taken out and even told my crew who I thought it would be. I had talked to Greg and Chris and they were on board for getting through the first lap, but didn’t get a chance talk to Gordon. At the end of the day I wouldn’t have had anything for the two front runners and since I boiled my brake fluid wouldn’t even have been able to hold onto third if I had gotten there. That track is tough on brakes. I have never boiled fresh fluid on any of the tracks that I normally run. Got up to fifth and could have settled for it but kept trying and dropped wheels off in 11 and spun, dropping me back. Didn’t really drive well in spite of what some people have been nice enough to say.
Hat’s off to Lawrence and Jason for a great race and a well-earned win and podium. Good drives from Steve and Greg as well. Congratulations.
The incident: I won’t say what I really want to because it couldn’t be printed here. Turn three is a late apex, narrow exit turn that is one of the more difficult ones on the track. I gave Steve some room on the exit of two and consequently didn’t get a good run down to three. The BMW got a better exit and with more grunt got a nose inside me going into three. As I came across to take the turn his left front fender hit my right rear and loosened me up. If he had gotten out of it at that point I could have saved it but he kept his foot in it and as I rotated around pushed me out of the way with his right fender into my door. If I could have only gotten to the next corner I would have gapped him and been gone.
The Stewards didn’t think much of the move either and decided to throw paper. A video showed that he did try to move over to avoid contact. Apparently getting out of the gas or hitting the brake wasn’t considered an option to avoid contact. I think the Stewards thought he got up to my door because of the damage there. Anyway, they gave him a disciplinary action or something (I’m not sure of this) and points against his license but didn’t toss him. It was Sunday night so I let it go. The Stewards told me he knows what he did was wrong and won’t do it again. Somehow I doubt it. No apology. Nice guy. In his defense I didn’t know he was there, but maybe he shouldn’t have been.
No big deal as I only live just down the road from the track, and there will be many more Runoffs for me. (reference to my Texas friends removed - no one got the joke) Over the last 13 months I have now had my race ruined on the first lap3 times. It sucks big time.
On the positive side, I got to know Chris Albin better. Always thought he was a hard-ass but now I know better. Great guy. Tom Tuttle – what a gentleman, and fast. Finally met Mike Cummings – nice job of driving, and good power out of that motor. 1275 I assume? Also met Joe Harlan. Big thanks to Joe Huffaker Brian Linn and Kent Prather for advice. I also have to give a big thanks to Doug Laughlin who last crewed for me the first time I put the car on the pole at the Runoffs in 1992. Worked his tail off.
Glad I went in spite of the outcome. Learned a lot about the track during the race and will be ready when the Runoffs go there again. What’s that you say?
Great track for the Runoffs. If you win there you have really accomplished something. Looked easy to learn from the in-cars, but it isn’t. Elevation changes and blind corners make it difficult for the newbies and the BFA’s cut down on our learning time. When you are still taking 4 seconds off during the second qually you obviously didn’t get a chance to learn the track. Trying to go fast too soon caused me about four year’s worth of spins including a crash.
Qualifying: The first qual we were still finding our way around the track and was BFA’d before anyone could get a decent time. Second qual was in the morning and the air was real good. Had I known the track I could have put up a good time, but a 46.3 wasn’t bad. Third qual I went faster on 6, 9, and 10, but it didn’t equate to a better time because the track/air was at least a half second slower.
The race: A tough day for me. Shortly before the start I learned that my best friend from NH had passed away so I got in the car with a very heavy heart and tried to keep it off my mind. Somehow I knew I was going to be taken out and even told my crew who I thought it would be. I had talked to Greg and Chris and they were on board for getting through the first lap, but didn’t get a chance talk to Gordon. At the end of the day I wouldn’t have had anything for the two front runners and since I boiled my brake fluid wouldn’t even have been able to hold onto third if I had gotten there. That track is tough on brakes. I have never boiled fresh fluid on any of the tracks that I normally run. Got up to fifth and could have settled for it but kept trying and dropped wheels off in 11 and spun, dropping me back. Didn’t really drive well in spite of what some people have been nice enough to say.
Hat’s off to Lawrence and Jason for a great race and a well-earned win and podium. Good drives from Steve and Greg as well. Congratulations.
The incident: I won’t say what I really want to because it couldn’t be printed here. Turn three is a late apex, narrow exit turn that is one of the more difficult ones on the track. I gave Steve some room on the exit of two and consequently didn’t get a good run down to three. The BMW got a better exit and with more grunt got a nose inside me going into three. As I came across to take the turn his left front fender hit my right rear and loosened me up. If he had gotten out of it at that point I could have saved it but he kept his foot in it and as I rotated around pushed me out of the way with his right fender into my door. If I could have only gotten to the next corner I would have gapped him and been gone.
The Stewards didn’t think much of the move either and decided to throw paper. A video showed that he did try to move over to avoid contact. Apparently getting out of the gas or hitting the brake wasn’t considered an option to avoid contact. I think the Stewards thought he got up to my door because of the damage there. Anyway, they gave him a disciplinary action or something (I’m not sure of this) and points against his license but didn’t toss him. It was Sunday night so I let it go. The Stewards told me he knows what he did was wrong and won’t do it again. Somehow I doubt it. No apology. Nice guy. In his defense I didn’t know he was there, but maybe he shouldn’t have been.
No big deal as I only live just down the road from the track, and there will be many more Runoffs for me. (reference to my Texas friends removed - no one got the joke) Over the last 13 months I have now had my race ruined on the first lap3 times. It sucks big time.
On the positive side, I got to know Chris Albin better. Always thought he was a hard-ass but now I know better. Great guy. Tom Tuttle – what a gentleman, and fast. Finally met Mike Cummings – nice job of driving, and good power out of that motor. 1275 I assume? Also met Joe Harlan. Big thanks to Joe Huffaker Brian Linn and Kent Prather for advice. I also have to give a big thanks to Doug Laughlin who last crewed for me the first time I put the car on the pole at the Runoffs in 1992. Worked his tail off.
Glad I went in spite of the outcome. Learned a lot about the track during the race and will be ready when the Runoffs go there again. What’s that you say?
Gordon Jones
Well-known member
My turn.
Ron I definitely did not hit you on purpose. I was taken by surprise at your turning into me. How could you not see my car? If you had given me a little room you would have gone on to what I think would have been a podium finish. When you first contacted my car was on the curb and no amount of brake would have helped. I was already out of the gas.
I did get a point on my license. The first one in 26 years of racing.
And I would warn your friends that threatened to "burn my house down" that I am a veteran and do know how to defend myself. Gordon Jones
Ron I definitely did not hit you on purpose. I was taken by surprise at your turning into me. How could you not see my car? If you had given me a little room you would have gone on to what I think would have been a podium finish. When you first contacted my car was on the curb and no amount of brake would have helped. I was already out of the gas.
I did get a point on my license. The first one in 26 years of racing.
And I would warn your friends that threatened to "burn my house down" that I am a veteran and do know how to defend myself. Gordon Jones
Joe Harlan
Well-known member
Ron it was nice to meet you and you did a hell of a job catching back up. Clearly the capability of a National Champion. I am sorry that you feel the way you do. I have race with Gordon for coming on 25 years and have never had an issue with him.
I have looked at this video 20 plus times now http://youtu.be/1FkcjKR7AqE and I find it hard to believe that anyone could see this as anything other than hard racing by both of you. You made the exact move on the Honda in turn 2 and lucky for you he gave you racing room. Gordon was forced all the way to hitting the red curb on the inside and you have admitted you didn't know he was there. I personally feel the stewards got it wrong with any penalty in this case and find it sad that the mention of your texas friends even showed up on this website.
I am hope you all the best next year and am sorry for your loss.
Joe
I have looked at this video 20 plus times now http://youtu.be/1FkcjKR7AqE and I find it hard to believe that anyone could see this as anything other than hard racing by both of you. You made the exact move on the Honda in turn 2 and lucky for you he gave you racing room. Gordon was forced all the way to hitting the red curb on the inside and you have admitted you didn't know he was there. I personally feel the stewards got it wrong with any penalty in this case and find it sad that the mention of your texas friends even showed up on this website.
I am hope you all the best next year and am sorry for your loss.
Joe
Gordon Jones
Well-known member
The stewards had both my video and Greg"s. They didn't believe that I should have been on the curb, instead that I should have played follow the leader. I thought that I was up alongside enough to invoke the " racing room" clause. They didn't. G