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PARTNERS
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News For July 16th, 2006
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Eurosport 944 Placed 2nd in Sunday's Sprint Race at Putnam Park |
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Mt Meridian, IN - Co-op Racing returned to Putnam Park on Sunday after earning a 2nd place
in Saturday's first of two sprint races. Unfortunately, qualifying for the second sprint
race was determined by the qualifying times established on Saturday. Andy Berberich and the
Eurosport 944 were only able to achieve second place in class due to the poor qualifying
position and because the race was ended short after a bad wreck. Racing on Sunday ended
with the Top Gun Challenge, which is specific to the hosting region's event.
Consistent with Saturday's weather, Sunday proved to be even hotter. The day started with a warm up session at 10:00 am where the |
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temperature was already over 80 degrees. The warm up
intentions is just as it sounds, to let the drivers get back into the driving groove. This
also gave Co-op Racing the chance to reconfirm tire pressures after putting on different rear
tires after the first sprint race. Just before lunch, the second sprint race began.
Berberich did not want to repeat the off track in turn one that occurred at the start of Saturday's sprint race. Unfortunately, this approach put the Eurosport 944 behind some of the higher horsepower cars that were slower in the turns. It took Berberich about five of the 22 laps to get passed the number 20 'H' class car, which was about 0.20 of a second slower per lap. "Making a pass on a car that isn't significantly slower is very difficult" Berberich commented "Especially when they have more power. Even though he had more power, I was able to get a good run out of turn 10 onto the front straight. I was able to keep close enough to where I could out brake him into turn one and carry momentum to complete the pass." The next six or seven laps, Berberich began to make ground on the first place car in class. In lap 14, the Eurosport 944 was within 2.5 seconds of first place and was looking for a full course yellow to completely close the gap. Unfortunately, the race was red flagged when a red 911 ran off the track in turn 10. The car reentered the track, either under control or not, right in front of a 944S2. With no where to go, Rolf Penzel in the 944S2 hit the 911 of Dave Parker. Berberich and the Eurosport 944 were one of the first cars to arrive at the incident. "I was disappointed with how the race ended" said Berberich "but I was glad that no one was hurt. I think if I could have had the remaining 8 laps, I would have caught "my rabbit". Not sure if I could have passed him, but I would have caught him." In preparation for the afternoon's Top Gun Challenge, an engine oil leak was found during the post race inspection. With assistance from Steve Stienmeyer of Eurosport Racing, Co-op Racing was able to fix the leak and finish out the day. The cam gear bolt coming loose caused the leak. Not only did this allow oil to leak out, but it also allowed the distributor rotor to contact the terminals on the inside of the distributor cap. Fortunately, Eurosport Racing carries a stock of spare parts with them to the track. After some time and a lot of brake cleaner, the Eurosport 944 was back in action. The final event of the day was the Top Gun Challenge. This event starts the slower cars first based on Saturday's fastest lap time. Each car is then started at and interval, which theoretically allow them to cross the finish line at the same time. The event is very challenging and definitely lends itself to more practice in passing. The next event for Co-op Racing was going to be at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. After several long discussions with the sanctioning organization NASA, it was decided that the roll cage in the Eurosport 944 was not legal for wheel to wheel competition. Co-op Racing is currently looking into racing with the Sports Car Club of America on July 29 and 30 at Autobahn, with a possible test and tune on the 28th with Eurosport Racing. |
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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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