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944 Spec Returns to PIR - September |
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Written by Joe Paluch
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Tuesday, 02 October 2007 |
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September in Arizona is the time we dust off our race cars and head out to the track. With any luck temperatures will be under 100F. This turned out to be one of the best weather weekends in recient memory and the racing proved even more fun. 
Saturday Race Report.
The 944 spec attendance was pretty good. We had 9 944's there.
7 Racers and 2 DE guys. 1 was Glenn's nephew driving the war wagon #44 and another was a new spec driver Jeff Wojnar driving a newly acquired 944 in full street trim.
The morning started out with rain and by out practice session a dry line had formed the surface was pretty good. However in the critical turn 2 a wet patch was still present and it created for some spooky moments. Turn 2 at its best is tough and as we went grip was good. Then about 3/4 of the way around the grip was gone as you hit the wet patch. With some quick corrections you were ok, but it did not take much to go around. Vince Vaccaro can tell you what it looks like to see a car hit the wet pack can go around has he a front to seat to me 180 there. Good Job in avoiding me Vince!
The conditions were far from ideal, but not that bad by qualifying. Track surface was ok, but it was still warm. Glenn knocked off a great 1:13.9 in qualifying for pole. It was then Norm, Jon, Jim, Joe, Vince and Steve. Unfortunately Vince's car developed a shifting issue and he could not get in to first or 2nd gear. He was able to limp around in just 3rd, 4th and 5th however since still run reasonable lap times.
The race stated with our cars mixed in with the Honda H4 cars. Norm and Jim were late to grid and had to start at the back. They shortly caught up and worked their way in. Glenn however was untouched and drove off. Jon was also able to pull a gap run away. I was stuck battling the Honda's and was run slow laps. This allowed Jim and Norm to catch up. We had a pretty good 3 way battle for a few laps until Norms car start to act up. He was forced to pit just after 1/2 way. Jim and I continued to work hard for the duration.
Saturday - High Temp 94F
1. Glenn Gormley #924
2. Jon Ariano #76
3. Jim Foxx #12
4. Joe Paluch #94
5. Steve Marlow #74
6. Vince Vaccaro #10
7. Norm Hamden #99
After the race we worked with Norm's car and swapped AFM and fixed a suspect clamp on J-boot. With any luck he would be good to run on Sunday.
Saturday post race entertainment was provided by Jim Foxx and his wife Barb. They brought 3 trays of Nacho to feed the Hungry spec drivers and Jim shared is recent experience at the Silver State classic open road race. He drove while Norm navigated in the 150 mph class in Jim's Ford GT. The pair averaged 150 mph for 90 miles with a top speed of 165 mph. Thank you Jim and Barb for your hospitality. Also thanks to Kent Buckley who came out visit and to Steve Sapareto who helped impound and weigh the cars post qualifying.
Sunday Sunday Sunday....
Sunday turned out to be perfect day weather wise. Morning temps were 67F at 7:15 am and peaked at 86F The cool, dry, clear weather also mean some fast lap times. Armed with my spare early AFM and DME, Norm cranked out a series of 1:13.000 laps with best of 1:12.9xx. Unfortunately Glenn's #924 "Peace Train" developed a noise in the gearbox. Rather than risk further damage Glenn chose to race the #44 "War Wagon".
Qualifying saw Norm on pole follow by Jon Ariano, Jim Foxx, Joe, Vince and Steve. All the cars grided early and got their spots. As the green fell Norm pulled a gap aided by a few Honda's in pack. Jon also benefited from a couple Honda and was able to run clear. Glenn and Jim and I however all got caught in the Honda pack and had to slog it out for the duration. At one point in the race about mid way the tires on Glenn's war wagon started to go south. Jim got by and I simply waited for one too many slides. I was able to get inside Glenn going into the banking and finished off the pass going into turn two. Glenn's tires were done for and I quickly pulled gap and began to run down Jim Foxx. About 1 or 2 laps after this an incident in Turn 1 caused a full course yellow and short safety car period. The incident was a result of contact between a 911 and viper. The damage was minor, but the 911's front spoiler and various bits of fiberglass lay all across turn 1 and 2.
The clean up was short and while it allowed me to close the gap to Jim it also allowed Glenn to close up to me. As we went green I pressed Jim hard and due to the presence of a Honda Jim was forced to slow in the infield. By turn 6 I was on him hard with a run, but no place to pass. Soon Jim slowed and I was forced to stay behind him. Glenn was a bit farther back and was able to use this chance to slip inside me and get by exiting the carousel. I chased Glenn hard for the remaining laps, but the safety car period allowed Glenn's over worked tires to cool just enough that he was able to hold me off for the remainder of the race.
Sunday - High Temp 86F
1. Norm Hamden #99
2. Jon Ariano #76
3. Jim Foxx #12
4. Glenn Gormley #44
5. Joe Paluch #94
6. Vince Vaccaro #10
7. Steve Marlow #74
Next Arizona race is PIR again October 6,7. Be there!
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