2 new racers were a welcome thing on May 23-24,2009!

The AZ group will recogize this car immediately as the former # 78 SCCA 944 from their neck of the woods.

John Niedernhofer bought this car from Tracy Goodenough. The car was transported to Comeau Racing Enterprises in San Diego where the bolt-in cage was removed and a new custom cage was installed along with a new seat and harness mounted to FIA rules. The car was given a good grooming/freshening, and sent into battle. John used the car to refresh his skills while attending the Driving Concepts Racing School at Willow Springs, which was held in conjunction with a regular NASA race weekend. He did so well on Saturday that he was allowed to race with the other 944 guys that Sunday! He even got into the TOYO TIRES bucks at his first NASA race! :)

Tom Atteberry is another new face in the crowd and is planning on buying CRE #007, currently wearing the #805 plates, thus ensuring his regular attendance at SoCal NASA events.

The racing was all up front during this weekend and among Charlie Buzzetti, Jim Foxx, and Jim Richmond, who has really up'd his game!

The black, white and blue #35 has really come on strong lately. Buzzetti in the red/orange #999 car and Foxx in his red #12 car have always been forces to deal with and nothing has changed there. After these 3 got tuned in to the track, they all showed their potential well. Check out these fastest laps on Sunday.

Buzzetti at 1:40.277

Foxx at 1:40.311

Richmond at 1:40.497

On Saturday, which had great SoCal weather again, Buzzetti checked out like he was at a cheap hotel, finishing 38 seconds ahead of Richmond, and some 40 seconds ahead of Foxx. Atteberry came home last to complete the small field of 4 cars.

   Had a great dinner out with the guys on Saturday night! Just shooting the breeze, but it was a welcome change from screaming kids at the dinner table. That's one of the best things about a NASA race weekend- hanging out with the guys.

During Sunday's race, it was a dice from the git-go. This time, Richmond besting Buzzetti by only .122 seconds. You don't want to finish any closer than that, folks! Richmond was asked afterwards in impound how he was able to keep Buzzetti behind him this time and his reply was, "I blocked the S#!+ out of him, LOL!!" Of course, he meant to say, "defended."

    Foxx fell well back behind the lead two 944's. So what's this guy do?! He starts giving lessons to the new guy, Niedernhofer! How cool is that?! He knew his race was over, so he starts serving the class. He was giving hand signals out the window, telling John to adjust his line and so forth. Both Ryan Flaherty and myself witnessed this from the turn 1 grandstand. Hat's off to you my 944 Spec friend....my hat's off. 

  See you guys back out at Buttonwillow on Jone 27-28!