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PARTNERS
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News For July 18th, 2008
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A Little Mud and a Lot of Racing in Joliet, IL |
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Joliet, IL – The race weekend started out very wet and stormy for Co-op Racing’s third event of 2008. Driver Andy Berberich
and the Eurosport 944 traveled to their home track of Autobahn Country
Club (ACC). Even while being the sole participant in class, the two sprint races proved to be eventful for the team.
ACC is located just outside of Joliet, IL and is a new concept in country club philosophy. The club consists of two full size road courses and a smaller karting track. The facility also includes a member’s club house, concession stand, and private |
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garages. Their proximity to Central Illinois makes it the closest and most convenient track for Co-op Racing. The team also enjoys
the benefit of being affiliated with Autobahn’s premiere lapping club, LAPS INC.
This affiliation offers many opportunities for driver and car development.
Saturday started with intense rain and excessive water. Due to their experience with the track, the team decided to play it safe and skip early morning practice. Track conditions were not much better for qualifying, so Berberich skipped qualifying as well. Because the Eurosport 944 is the only car to compete in the 944 Cup class, there is no value in focusing on a strong qualifying time. The Eurosport 944 typically starts at the tail end of the slower Spec 944 class. This configuration generates an opportunity to practice passing and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of other participants on track. By the end of the 40 minute sprint race, the Eurosport 944 had passed all but one participant on track after starting almost last in its group. “The challenge goes from winning your class, to passing as many people on track as possible.” commented Berberich. Sunday morning driving started after a heavy over night shower. Again, the Eurosport 944 was able to skip practice and relied on the experience of Berberich for the race. During qualifying, Berberich played the role of a LAPS INC instructor and played lead/follow with a fellow 944 racer. Sunday’s sprint race started much like the Saturday sprint race. The Eurosport 944 started almost dead last in its run group, with approximately 12 cars ahead. This time, a Chevy Corvette had entered the group. “I wanted to catch the Corvette so bad I could taste it.” Berberich said with a smirk “I know that it’s not a fair comparison of cars. Especially considering the Corvette had at least twice as much power if not three times as much. To catch and pass the Corvette was going to be my personal victory.” At about half way through the race, Berberich and the Eurosport 944 had gained many positions and were running a fair distance behind the infamous Corvette. After each lap, the gap grew smaller and smaller. The high horsepower American muscle car would pull away from the Eurosport 944 on the straights, but lose ground in the turns. With about five laps left, the Eurosport 944 was nose to tail with the Vette. After about two laps of pressure and patience, both cars came upon lap traffic in the form of a Spec Miata. The Miata did well as the driver pointed both cars by in order to make a safe and successful pass. Unfortunately, there was little horsepower difference between the Miata and the Eurosport 944. This caused the two lower horsepower cars to enter turn 11 side by side, which killed the momentum of both cars. This gave the Corvette and insurmountable lead over the Eurosport 944. “I started driving mad” Berberich replied sheepishly “I knew I was driving out of anger to catch the Corvette and I knew that it would catch up to me.” It caught up to Berberich on the second to last lap when he ran off track coming out of turn 10. Due to the excessive rain, the Eurosport 944 hit several off track water puddles. Luckily the worst of the outcome was mud on the car and a bruised ego. The team enjoyed a trouble free racing weekend in Joliet. The Eurosport 944 ran like a champ and did not cause the team any problems. Depending on the confirmation of an endurance race, the team’s next event will be at Road America the weekend of August 2nd and 3rd. |
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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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