Speaking of Hallett.......
This past weekend was the 19th running of the SCCA FireCracker Grand Prix at Hallett, and my first time in a racecar in almost two years, not to mention having not raced there since 1998. Thr intent of going to this race was for my friend, Bob, and I to get enough races to maintain our licenses for the coming year. I needed two and Bob needed four. Neither of us expected to do well, and we did exactly that, but had lots of fun doing it. I was in a 1990 Miata, and Bob in a 1999 with a restrictor plate, so the cars were pretty equal. We both raced in Improved Touring both days and Bob also raced Spec Miata both days.
Saturday IT qualifying had us well down (OK, the END of the pack!) with me in 24th with a 1:38.6, and Bob in 27th with a 1:42.5, out of 29 cars. This was Bob's first time on the track EVER! Next came SM qualifying with Bob at a 1:39.5. The leaders were in the low 1:31's! At the start of the IT race I gained two positions by turn 1, and started picking off cars, while continually locking up the right front, which ultimately removed most of the rubber off the tire, causing my times to deteriorate rapidly. Many of the cars I had passed, now passed me, and I saw Bob in my mirrors! With one lap to go, he gave me a nice little bump "because I could!" he explained, then passed to finish 19th, with me in 20th. The SM race was rather uneventful, as little passing occured throughout the field, but Bob finished, where he started.
Sunday IT qualifying was better, with me in 10th at a 1:35.6 and Bob in 16th with a 1:37.5. My driving was terrible during the race, as I missed third gear several times, allowing Bob to catch me, then had an "off" in turn one. I never lifted, throwing dirt everywhere, and lost just enough momentum to allow Bob to get around me. The next two laps we were nose-to-tail until my window net came down. I spent half a lap trying to get it back up, finally giving up when I saw Bob had pulled away by about ten car-lengths. I made up about half that distance in the next three laps, then Bob missed third gear and I got back in front. Three laps to go and Bob stuck his nose under me a few times, but I stayed in front. Coming in to the last turn, I had it won, but decided to have some fun. I went inside, allowing Bob the preferred line, and we went around the 180 degree turn side-by-side. I got on the power first at the apex and had almost a car length lead, but the torque of the '99 gave the advantage to Bob as we crossed the finish line 0.112 seconds apart, about half a fender. I was laughing the whole time. We finshed 11th and 12th with Bob having the fastes lap at 1:35.023 while mine was 1:35.354. Bob only ran half of the SM race, as 1:35's were no match for the rest of the Spec Miatas, and that's all he needed to get credit for the race. Besides, by then we were very tired and I still had a 300 mile drive ahead of me. We dropped the cars off at the renter's shop at 9:30PM and made it to Springtown about 10:15. I had to be up early today to come to the office, but tomorrow, I'm going to sleep in......LATE!
