Filling out the grid were drivers who were also hungry for wins, including new 944 racers Ivan and Cameron. Saturday practice showed a pretty fast field but unfortunately saw the end of Jerry's day. His newly rebuilt engine developed a hole in the cam cover which sprayed oil everywhere and brought out the meatball flag. By the time he made it back in the car was on fire and Jerry made a quick exit. The NASA safety crew put out the fire and the car was taken to  Art and the other amazing guys at Autopoint Motors who spent their  Saturday turning the "ORSCHE" engine back into a "PORSCHE" engine.

Rick ran lap times well under the lap record to grab Saturdays pole with Sid a close second. I grabbed third with Cameron netting a solid fourth starting spot in his first ever race! Ken and Ivan came next with Steve Huey tagging the field because of a bad brake caliper.

Expectations were high for an exciting race up front and we didn't disappoint! At the drop of the green Rick got a jump going into turn one and I tried to follow him through. Despite having a car with all the factory parts and weighing 2900 lbs, Sid was able to grab second going into the 180 degree turn 2 sticking close to Rick's bumper. I was determined not to let these two run away and hide so I attached myself to Sid's bumper close enough that I was sure we were touching all the way through turns 2-6. The pace was frantic and the adrenaline was flowing but we managed to stay in lock step for a few laps. Sid tried his best to pressure Rick into an unlikely mistake while I tried to compare my shade of red paint with Sid's by taking paint swatches from his rear bumper! My chance came a few laps later when Sid didn't get out of turn 11 quickly which I took full advantage of by using all the pavement and some dirt for good measure on the exit which gave me a run down into the hard braking zone for turn 14. Sid made his car wide on the inside of the turn but I was committed and was able to get by.

Catching Rick was going to be a tall order as the track was very slick. Pushing hard with the very talented Sid on my bumper made my car slide everywhere while I felt like I was wearing holes in my gloves from sawing the wheel back and forth. It felt like I was trying to wrestle a 2600 lbs slimy eel bare handed under water while looking over my shoulder to keep an eye on the four wheeled German great red shark behind me who was very hungry and smelled blood!

I managed to open a few feet of breathing room coming out of turn 6 as Sid got sideways and put on a show of car control as he kept his car on track after a big tank slapper! The opportunity was lost however as I was enjoying the show in my mirror too much to realize my chance at escape was at hand!

The inevitable happened a few laps later when we were headed into the fast uphill turn 9. A 996 GT3 cup car who was not involved in a battle drove down into my apex where I didn't expect him. I was able to get on the binders and avoid an expensive collision but the lost momentum was all the break Sid needed and he took full advantage slipping back into second. I tried to get back to him but he showed his talent and drove a flawless race to the checkered.

Behind us Cameron did his best to stay with us but somehow forgot to keep an eye on his mirrors, which were soon filled with the image of a black 924S. Steve Huey recovered from his poor starting position and had an incredible drive to get passed Cameron, Ken and Ivan only to go four wheels off on turn 2 in the final lap while battling Cameron. He was able to salvage a strong fifth place finish followed by Ken and Ivan in that order.

Rick grabbed another win with Sid second, followed by me and Cameron.

Saturday also saw Gary and his son Derrick bring out their 944 for some HPDE fun. Derrick will be leaving soon for the Air Force and wanted to get a little seat time before shipping out. We all wish him the best, hope and pray for his safe and quick return, and look forward to seeing him in a race car soon! Gary was also taking pictures for his new website, www.TrackPics4less.com.

Sunday

Sunday saw an even better day with temps in the 80's but laptimes were down a few ticks. Action on the track however was just as hot as ever! Rick grabbed another pole with Sid about 1.5 seconds back with me .4 behind Sid. Cameron lined up fourth with Jerry, back with a complete engine this time, next to him followed by Steve, Ivan, and Ken.

From the drop of the green Sid was determined to show his newfound speed and lay claim to the Norcal crown with a convincing win. He was able to get out in front of Rick through turn 1 with me trying desperately to stay in contact with them. I was treated to a great show from my ringside seat in third. I was reminded of the epic battles between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran, only this time there would be "mas"! Sid set a blinding pace but couldn't shake Rick; Rick tried inside, outside, dirt, pavement, anything to get by but Sid held station.

As this battle raged, in my mirror I saw "Haggler/Hearns" being played out by Jerry and Cameron. Inches separated these two lap after lap with no mercy shown to the rookie by Jerry! Cameron is no ordinary rookie however and didn't give Jerry a moment to catch his breath! These two would duke it out all the way to the finish with both coming in with a newfound respect for each other. Further back our other rookie Ivan found his confidence and turned very good laptimes and showed he has what it takes to be a frontrunner soon.

Up front the rope-a-dope continued with punch countered by punch until Rick finally squeaked by going into the hard braking turn 14, after which he opened a small gap that he carried to the finish. Sid followed him across in second, I survived for third just ahead of the storm of Jerry and Cameron. Steve, Ivan, and Ken rounded out the field to end a great weekend.

Thanks go out to the friends and family who support us in our hobby and make a good weekend great. Thanks to David Saliba, who always brings class and great conversations to our group, not to mention good pictures and all the help we need in the paddock. It was also great to meet Cameron's girlfriend Julie and their puppy. I'd also like to thank my wife Kim who always thinks I'm the best driver despite what the results say (sorry Rick)!

Special thanks also go to Ken Huey who always does a lot for us Norcal 944-Spec guys, we would be lost without him. We can't forget Art at Autopoint Motors for working hard to get Jerry back to the track.