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PARTNERS
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News For April 2nd, 2006
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Eurosport 944 Retains 3rd Place at Road Atlanta for 90 Minute Enduro Race |
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Braselton, GA - Co-op Racing returned to Road Atlanta on Sunday, April 2 to
compete in the second of two races. With a disqualification from the day
before, Co-op Racing was looking to make up for the miscalculation and bring
home at least one podium finish from Atlanta. With these intentions, the
Eurosport 944 placed third in class in a highly competitive field of 13
cars.
Most Porsche Club of America (PCA) Club Race weekends consist of a 30-minute sprint race and a 90-minute enduro. This weekend, the sprint race was on Saturday and the enduro was held on Sunday. Enduro racing |
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activity starts
with the preparation of the racecars the night before following the sprint
races. Typical preparation consists of bleeding brakes, checking tires and
tire pressures, checking for any damage or loose fittings, checking oil, and
performing a visual check of the entire car. During the pre-race check
Saturday night, two issues surfaced. One was that the front-end alignment
had changed some time through the weekend and that the front left control
arm ball joint was worn out and on the verge of failure. Both issues would
be a detriment to performance, but the ball joint issue is a safety hazard.
Luckily Co-op Racing had the necessary parts to fix the ball joint. Along
with the excellent track support provided by Eurosport Racing, Co-op Racing
was able to reset the front suspension alignment. Eurosport Racing provides
track support to racers as well as drivers education participants. Eurosport
's track side resources and expertise helped ensure a successful race
weekend for Co-op Racing. With the preparation performed by Co-op Racing
members Brandon Fritz, Jason Hartnell, and Andy Berberich, the Eurosport 944
was ready for another long day of competitive racing.
Sunday's activities started off better for Co-op Racing than it did for other participants. Qualifying for the 90-minute enduro began at 8:10 am and was red flagged at approximately 8:20 am after a Porsche 911 blew its engine on the front straight going into turn one. Andy Berberich and the Eurosport 944 sat on the grid with the other cars in their run group for approximately 15 minutes during the clean up process. After the track was cleared, the field was sent out for another two laps in order to get some qualifying times on the board. Berberich was frustrated during this time because he was following a car that was two classes above his. The other car was faster on the back straight, but slower through the corners. "I would catch the G-Class car in the twisties and would crowd him looking for an opportunity to get pass," Berberich commented. "I would pass him going into turn one and make up some distance going through 'the esses' and through turns six and seven. Unfortunately, he had enough power to make up the 30-yard gap that I had created before going into turn ten. I would catch him in ten, pass him in one, and then start the process all over again." Berberich qualified the Eurosport 944 fifth in the I-class of 13 cars. The 90-minute enduro race began at 12:45 pm with 57 cars in the group and 13 of them in the same class as the Eurosport 944. After the start of the race, the field had spread out rather quickly. Berberich drove for 60 minutes nonstop, picking his way through the field. On occasion Berberich was passed by faster, higher classed cars and in some instances he was passing cars in class, some lower class, and some higher class cars. Berberich's first driving stint was interrupted by a mandatory five-minute pit stop. Brandon Fritz and Jason Hartnell of Co-op Racing, along with members of Eurosport Racing, were waiting and ready to go to action during the pit stop. Tire pressures were checked and ten gallons of fuel were added. This was a highly anticipated break for Berberich. The remaining 25 minutes of racing went pretty quickly for the Eurosport 944. Due to the structure of the race, it was difficult for anyone to tell how well the team was performing. Due to competitor attrition and the quick lap times, the team was very optimistic. As the checkered flag flew to bring the race to an end, the Eurosport 944 crossed the finish line in a well-deserved third place. The team's attention to detail and excellent support from Eurosport Racing made the results almost inevitable. Considering Road Atlanta was new to the Co-op Racing team and its driver, a third place finish was an excellent start to the 2006 racing season. The next event for Co-op Racing and the Eurosport 944 is April 9 at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL for the first race with the Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs. Practice begins at 8:30 am and the race begins at 1:30 pm. This race is not on the web site calendar because it was a last minute addition. All are welcome to attend and feel free to come and show your support in Joliet. |
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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR RACING PARTNERSEurosport Racing is a premiere Midwest Porsche street and race specialist. They specialize in Porsche service, track support and transport, engine design and rebuilding, dyno tuning, and suspension setup and alignment. They also offer a full line of OEM, aftermarket, and high performance parts and accessories. More information on Eurosport Racing can be found at www.midwesteurosport.comKauth and Mayeur provides the finest import services in Peoria, IL. They offer a wide range of maintenance and repair services for import cars. Specializing in high performance streetcars. Kauth and Mayeur can be reached at (309) 673-1412 or http://www.kauthmayeur.com. Maui Jim, Inc. was established in 1996 and continues to be the fastest growing premium polarized sunglass manufacturer in the world today. With more than 50 styles to choose from and easy online browsing at their website, www.mauijim.com Maui Jim are the sunglasses of choice for Co-op Racing, which provide excellent clarity and protection when used behind the wheel or behind the wall. |
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