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PARTNERS
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News For May 19th, 2007
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Successful First Trip to Mid-Ohio for Co-op Racing |
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Lexington, OH – Co-op Racing and driver Andy Berberich ventured to the “most competitive in the US” Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The three day weekend proved to be challenging and overall successful for the Eurosport 944. On Saturday, May 19th, Berberich competed in two 30 minute sprint races and finished first in one and last in the other. A schedule misunderstanding caused Berberich to roll up to grid without enough time to be placed in qualifying position. This caused the Eurosport 944 to finish last in class. For the second sprint race, Berberich started in the position he qualified for and finished first in class. Even though the Eurosport 944 experienced handling |
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issues most of the day, the final outcome was more than acceptable.
Co-op Racing has visited Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course many times in the past providing race support to amateur and professional race teams. This was the first time Co-op Racing was present to compete. Driver Andy Berberich had this to say about the track. “I have always wanted to race at Mid-Ohio and I was excited to get the opportunity. I was told the track was very challenging, technical, and at times difficult. This is the kind of track that some people have fought for almost ten years to truly understand and conquer its idiosyncrasies. I prepared myself as much as possible by watching race and instructional videos and talking with other drivers. All aided in becoming familiar with the track sooner, but would never compare to driving it yourself.” Berberich spent the first day learning the track and reducing himself as the limiting factor for speed. Race day started with more practice sessions and the first session provided Berberich with his best time of the weekend. However, during the second practice session the Europsort 944 developed a significant under steering issue. Since most of the Eurosport 944 suspension is new for 2007, the handling characteristics of the car are still under development. Fortunately, Eurosport Racing had their portable alignment pad setup and Co-op Racing utilized it to check and recheck the Eurosport 944’s alignment. It was found that the front left camber setting had changed somewhere throughout the weekend. Unfortunately, fixing this did not have a significant impact on handling. With limited time available on race day, the handling ailment was not resolved. During the driver’s meeting, the local PCA organizers asked if the drivers wanted to add another race to the schedule. To no surprise, all drivers unanimously agreed. Unfortunately for Co-op Racing, addressing the handling ailment caused the Eurosport 944 to roll up to grid after the call for “5 minutes to go” (to the start of the race). This caused Berberich to miss starting in his qualified position and start at the back of the field along side other cars that missed their opportunity. Knowing that there was still the second sprint race to come, the team wasn’t too disappointed with missing the starting grid. Due to starting last and having no chance to catch cars in class during the 30 minute time period, Berberich used it as an opportunity to learn to maximize the handling of the Eurosport 944. Lap times from the first sprint race were used to qualify for the second sprint race. Berberich qualified the Eurosport 944 to first in class (SP-2). This time the team made sure to get the car to grid in time to take its earned qualifying position. The field spread out after a couple of laps with little incident. The Eurosport 944 was able to battle with higher class cars for the first half of the race. Due to handling issues, a couple lower classed cars were able to pick it off for position. Berberich was able to maintain a close proximity to the cars and within a couple laps was able to regain position. Throughout the race however, no other SP-2 cars were in striking distance to threaten the Eurosport 944 for position. The battling for position and close wheel to wheel racing made the class win even more enjoyable. With the first two races at a new and most challenging track behind them, the team was looking forward to the next day of racing. Most of their thoughts were consumed by addressing the handing issues. Regardless, the team was excited about going into the next day for the 90 minute enduro. |
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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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