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PARTNERS
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News For April 28th, 2007
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Second Place in Run Group and Exciting Racing for the Eurosport 944 |
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Newton, IA – Co-op Racing ventured to the Iowa Speedway Saturday, April 28 for their first race of the 2007
season. With the Eurosport 944 newly prepared for the NASA (National Auto Sport Association) 944 Cup class, Andy
Berberich was the only participant in class. Regardless of the single entry, the racing was still exciting as
Berberich placed second in group and battled two higher classed cars for the majority of the race. With a rocky
start to the first race weekend, the outcome was a resounding success.
The last several months leading up to the first race are always the most challenging. |
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The focus is on meeting self
imposed deadlines and ensuring the team puts their best foot forward for the season. Regardless of effort, issues
tend to crop up at the most inopportune moment. As the team was packing for the race and the Eurosport 944 sat
idling, a recently replaced cooling fan cut the radiator hose. Berberich noticed steam coming out from under the
hood of “the racecar” and quickly pulled the, mandatory per competition rules, emergency kill switch. Unfortunately
due to the obscurity of the part, no auto part stores had the part in stock at 8:30pm. Fortunately though, race
partner Kauth and Mayeur of Peoria, IL purposely keeps these types of parts in stock. The needed radiator hose was
picked up the next day and replaced upon arrival in Newton, IA.
The 2007 season opener was in Newton, IA at the brand new 7/8 mile paved Iowa Speedway. The Rusty Wallace Signature Series Track has the capability of extending the track into the infield to create a 1.3mile road course. The track has its challenges as the road course uses all of one end of the oval referred to Iowa 1 and Iowa 2. Berberich had this to say about the track. “When I started learning the track, I really didn’t like it. The course is short and the steel and foam walls on the oval were very daunting. However, as I started to learn the track and my comfort level increased, I started having more and more fun. It took me some time, but I eventually found a line I was comfortable with and was able to race full throttle through Iowa 1&2” Even though the Eurosport 944 was the only entry into the 944 Cup class, Berberich still pressed himself and the car to qualify third in class just behind two higher classed cars. Qualifying first in Race Group B was the number 57 White BMW M3 and qualifying second was Eurosport Racing customer Rob King in his 655 Porsche 911. The field was organized according to qualifying time by class. Each class was grouped together and their respective pole sitters started left hand front row. Since the top three qualifiers were single car classes, the first three cars were single file. When the green flag flew, Berberich got off to a good start and passed the M3 through Iowa 1&2. Unfortunately, the higher class M3 was able to regain position due to the extra horsepower. For the first four or five laps, the top three cars were bunched up with King in first, the M3 in second, and the Eurosport 944 in third. Part way through the race, the M3 was able to get past King. The top three cars, with the Eurosport 944 in third, were racing very close and very tight for the majority of the race. Unfortunately, the race was cut short due to an incident between a Miata and another BMW. The BMW had spun and was facing the wrong way on the track. The Miata was still at speed on the infield when the car it was following maneuvered around the stalled car. With no place to go, the Miata ran head on into the BMW. The race was ended under full course yellow in order to clean up after the incident. The official race results showed the #57 M3 had been disqualified, which placed the Eurosport 944 second in run group. Lap times and final results can be found on www.mylaps.com. Co-op Racing declared the first day of racing a success. The Eurosport 944 was fast and Berberich was able to provide some really good racing for spectators. All the hard work and sacrifices leading up the weekend all disappeared under the excitement and success of the weekend. Special recognition to Co-op Racing members Bryan and Elaine White, Collin Mizeur, and Andy Berberich who attended the 2007 season opener. Team supporters Aaron and Sarah Berberich, Shawn Clary, and Mustafa Al-Shawaf ventured to Newton, IA to support the team. All who attended had a really good time. The second race for Co-op Racing was day two at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, April 29. This was the first day that drivers Bryan White and Andy Berberich would switch cars and classes during a race. White stepped into the Eurosport 944 and Berberich stepped into the American Iron Firebird. |
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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. |
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