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O.K., does anyone want to tell us what happened at Mid Ohio this weekend?

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Jack SSB Z4 #09

I don't know all the names, drivers etc but I did watch the race.   From Memory..

 

SSB

Civic SI (black)    believe Chad Gillsinger

Civic SI (blue)      ????? (HART car)

Mini                  Ralph Porter

Mini                  John Start

Don't know if there were any other SSB cars.  Start didnt' finish race

 

SSC

Civic  (black)    Roger Shoerer?

Escort ZXS      Dick Ruhl or guy that races with him

Neon 4d         ?????

 

Sorry that I don't have much more accurate information.  As a SRF driver, I like to watch the AS/T1/T2/SSB/SSC/SM races, however the names, faces and cars have changed so much in the last couple of years.  Remember the days of Fernandez, Heuschele, Grahovic, Dan Waleki and Ryan C

From the OVR website...

http://www.ovr-scca.org/downloads/roadrace/2008results/Group%201.pdf

Thanks for the link.  Any idea why Ralph and Jonathan were not close in their Minis?  That huge gap shouldn't normally happen.

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Jack SSB Z4 #09

JTIPPENS:

Thanks for the link.  Any idea why Ralph and Jonathan were not close in their Minis?  That huge gap shouldn't normally happen.

Because with the recent BOD combine T3/SSB/SSC they are trying to land in SSC ;)  Sorry had to and I am just kidding.

Since the Solstice can't run in T3 that leaves SSC for me. Tim we will have fun next year. I figure with a 185/40/18 I should fit right in. 

 

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Mike Scornavacchi
#25 SSB Solstice
Hoosier, Phoenix, Carbotech, Lawrence Chevrolet, www.TrackTapes.com

BAD PNY:

Since the Solstice can't run in T3 that leaves SSC for me. Tim we will have fun next year. I figure with a 185/40/18 I should fit right in. 

 

Now that would be good times :)

twin_turborx7:

BAD PNY:

Since the Solstice can't run in T3 that leaves SSC for me. Tim we will have fun next year. I figure with a 185/40/18 I should fit right in. 

 

Now that would be good times :)

No, no, no, Mike "Scorch-the-tracki," something more along the lines of 165/55X16 would be more appropriate--no more low profile if you drop to SSC!  Why would they drop you to SSC anyway, you're at the pointy end of SSB! 

Hey, don't you like the idea of trying to keep up with S2000s with only 60 some hp less?  Sounds like a real drivers' challenge to me (tongue planted firmly in my cheek).

Seriously, how much weight could you get out of the Solstice if they moved you up?  It would take an incredible effort to match power/weight with the T3 cars, I'd think.  I know that the Z4 2.5 just can't cut that much weight without methods that aren't "approved" for competition.  

This directive is going to be a tough, tough row to hoe, folks!  Not the worst part of it is that SSB is leading the SS/T groups in entries this year, so why chop it up?   

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Jack SSB Z4 #09

Jack

There is no way that the Solstice could compete without major hp improvements. Handling is not the issue. Unless we could dial up an addtional 25 ponies and get rid of some weight we would be dead. We could not get rid of enough weight to compete in T3 alone.

It is bad enough in B with the Honda way to quick already.  I really can't wait until you guys get a good dose of that V TEC at the June sprints. 

See ya in Kansas 

 

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Mike Scornavacchi
#25 SSB Solstice
Hoosier, Phoenix, Carbotech, Lawrence Chevrolet, www.TrackTapes.com

I didn't race, but I'm trying to figure that one out as well.  At both Fontana in January and at VIR in April, the Civic and Mini were neck and neck.  I won and set the track record at Fontana over the Brecht boys but only by a tenth.  At VIR, Chad won over Robbie Davis, but Davis got the track record and was on his rear the entire race.

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Honda/BF Goodrich/ Cobalt Friction/AEM/Traqmate

BAD PNY:

Since the Solstice can't run in T3

 

Not sure why you so definitive. At the NH national a Sol was within 1 sec of the previous year T3 time. 1 second is certainly less than how badly the Sol has been beating up on most of the B field for the past two years.

BAD PNY:

Jack

There is no way that the Solstice could compete without major hp improvements. Handling is not the issue. Unless we could dial up an addtional 25 ponies and get rid of some weight we would be dead. We could not get rid of enough weight to compete in T3 alone.

It is bad enough in B with the Honda way to quick already.  I really can't wait until you guys get a good dose of that V TEC at the June sprints. 

See ya in Kansas 

Mike,

I realize that you are closer to the limit of your car because of what has already been put into it.  T3 does not seem reasonable for the ZOK.  Sooner or later, a T3 car has to have a decent amount of power.

As for V Tech motors, I have raced Integras with the V Tech and think that it is wonderful stuff.  When that motor hits 5300---Broooooooooooomm!  It feels like a good substantial 6  cylinder going to work.   The current Civic Si has to be a delight to drive when that thing lights up.  The Z4 might be able to keep up with it a bit more without a restrictor, but has to do all the work elsewhere with the 51mm we are stuck with.

The Hondas stand to be very, very well placed in the Road America Runoffs.  The Minis might be stronger than we imagine, too.  They really haul the mail out of the RA corners and get well out from the Z4s until up around 110mph, then we slowly claw a little back on the top end (Minis are bricks).  The Hondas are simply gone by then. I expect the Sprints lap record to drop by a second or two, minimum.

Since I've not been able to race yet this season, I am eager to see the new balance within the SSB class--it looks better, but some tracks are still perfect for some of the cars. 

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Jack SSB Z4 #09

qasteve:

BAD PNY:

Since the Solstice can't run in T3

 

Not sure why you so definitive. At the NH national a Sol was within 1 sec of the previous year T3 time. 1 second is certainly less than how badly the Sol has been beating up on most of the B field for the past two years.

I don't think that the Solstice will be able to hold with the Civics at Road America.  We'll really see just how strong the Vtech is this year at the Sprints, unless the weather doesn't cooperate.  Watch the Acura, too.  The rest of us might be chopped liver there. 

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Jack SSB Z4 #09

Steve

I am definitive because I have run on all kinds of tracks with this car against everything out there in B and T3. I am pretty sure where we are strong and where we are weak. NH is a good example of where we are strong.  (unlike some people who race little and talk alot ) 

I hope Lee brings the Civic to Pocono & WGI since he is in the NE.

Best of Luck

 

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Mike Scornavacchi
#25 SSB Solstice
Hoosier, Phoenix, Carbotech, Lawrence Chevrolet, www.TrackTapes.com

Maybe I don't articulate my point clearly or maybe you'll just refute everything I say no matter what the topic. You said the Sol CAN'T run T3. It CAN run T3 but not at the front every race and not a podium at the Runoffs. I don't see a problem with that happening if it makes the best sense to the club overall. If you had said the Sol can't run up front in T3 and can't win the Runoffs in T3 then I would have never said a word. Let's just call a spade and spade.

What will be interesting to me is to see what happens if hypothetically consolidation happens. Will guys like you stick around and run mid-pack T3 or bail and find the next COY or NASA or whatever everyone threatens. I know I would stay no matter where my car goes because I am out there to have fun.

The MINI is a "brick?" That's a little harsh, after all it has the same coefficient as the BMW X5! My proposal for the Solstice and the Honda SI is to mount a 4X8 sheet of plywood to the front of their cars!

I'm glad the Board has again backed up on a bad decision. The competition in both showroom classes looks as even as it has been in several years. Each car has it's own strong points and weak points and accordingly good tracks and bad tracks. Watch a NASCAR race with the COT race cars and see how their attempt to equal the playing field has created rotten races.

Brad

SSCRacer:

The MINI is a "brick?" That's a little harsh, after all it has the same coefficient as the BMW X5! My proposal for the Solstice and the Honda SI is to mount a 4X8 sheet of plywood to the front of their cars!

Brad

Brad,

A 4'X8' plywood panel?  That's a bit extreme, isn't it?  I'd be happy with a 4'X4' penalty!!   

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Jack SSB Z4 #09