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PARTNERS
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News For July 22nd, 2007
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Sunshine Began To Pearce The Dark Cloud Over Co-op Racing |
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Joliet, IL – Co-op Racing stayed in Joliet for the second day of competition with NASA.
This time it was Andy Berberich’s turn behind the wheel of the American Iron Firebird. The last opportunity for Berberich with the AI Firebird at the
Mid America Motorplex was plagued with gremlins. The team was able to resolve these
gremlins both drivers put forth a good showing at Autobahn. Drivers Bryan White and
Berberich both finished second in their respective races. The weekend however did not unfold without some excitement.
When competing at MAM, the AI Firebird experience power issues. This resulted in a lot of frustration for the team. After returning to |
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their home base near Peoria, IL, car owner White devised a plan to trouble shoot and fix the ailing racecar. The only way to properly fix the car was
to test the car. The biggest challenge with dedicate racecars is that there are very few locations and opportunities for testing. With a lot of help
from Eurosport Racing and Autobahn Country Club (ACC), Co-op Racing headed to Joliet
in order to correct the issues that were plaguing the AI Firebird.
With extra parts and tools in hand, team members Berberich and White headed to Joliet on Sunday, July 15, less than one week prior to the NASA race at ACC. During the first two on track sessions, the car ran flawlessly. The same phenomenon occurred at MAM during Saturday’s practice and qualifying. It wasn’t until the third session that the power issue started to return. Before the next session, White made a large fuel system change by swapping out the carburetor. “If it’s a fuel delivery problem, then this one change will eliminate over fifty percent of the potential root causes.” concluded White. One thing that team has learned in their short racing career, is that if you are going to make a change, make a big change. Unfortunately, the new carburetor did not solve the problem. However, the team was able to mark one more potential root cause from the list. Even though the team was at ACC to fix the AI Firebird, they took the opportunity for Berberich to gain more experience behind the wheel of the high horsepower monster. With Berberich behind the wheel and White in the passenger seat, the team continued to test, develop, and troubleshoot. Approximately half way through the final session of the day, it was determined that the low power behavior was similar to that of hitting the cars rev limiter. When pulling out of ACC, the team did not pin point the power gremlin root cause, but they were able to uncover some brake system issues they needed to be resolved in the near future. During Saturday’s racing, the AI Firebird had not developed the power gremlin that it experienced at MAM or earlier at ACC. Anticipating that the issue would arise again, White installed a new distributor in place of the old one. The issue never returned and White qualified the AI Firebird in fourth. A well earned second place was the result of the time and effort spent resolving the issues. In addition to the location, the relationship between Co-op Racing and Eurosport Racing makes ACC the ideal track for the team. Eurosport Racing has a shop located on the property and is the official shop of ACC. George Weathered can be seen in the shop and at the track almost 24 hours a day, while his brother manages their Bensenville, IL location. There have been countless weekends where Co-op Racing needed to utilize the resources and knowledge of Eurosport Racing at Autobahn Country Club. This NASA race weekend was not exception. After Saturday’s racing, White was not satisfied with the brakes of the AI Firebird. By the offer of George Weathered, the AI Firebird was placed in the Eurosport Racing shop among the Porsches, Ferrari’s, and Lotuses. Eurosport Racing is known for their expertise in Porsches, but their knowledge and ability goes beyond the German make. Under the lights and shelter of the Eurosport Racing shop, team members Bryan and Elaine White proceeded to replace the brake master cylinder, both front rotors, and front brake pads. At this point, Berberich had all but shut down after sleeping only 45 minutes due to prepping the Eurosport 944 for the weekend of racing. Sunday morning started for Berberich with a wake up call from Elaine White saying the car was almost done and he was to be on the track in 30 minutes. Berberich spent the first session bedding in the new brake pads and rotors. With the AI Firebird in the best form it’s been in all season, Berberich qualified it in third. At the very end of the qualifying session, the torque arm of the AI Firebird had pulled out of its transmission mount. The team again sprung into action and this time with help from Co-op Racing supporter Kevin Moloney. With the torque arm removed, Berberich and White headed back into the Eurosport Racing shop. In less than an hour, the arm was repaired and ready to go back in the car. Without the resources of Eurosport Racing, the day of racing would have been hindered for the team and could have potentially been over early. After the start of the race, the field spread out into single file rather quickly. The AI Firebird was in third place and within striking distance of second place. There was a great battle between first and second in American Iron for most of the race. “I could see the battle between Erickson and Algozine and new that they would be slowing each other up” Berberich remembered. “It wasn’t in me or the car to catch either of them. My best bet was to stay within striking distance in case they took each other out. I needed to be there to take advantage of the opportunity.” This strategy worked well by lap 11 of the 17 lap race, Berberich passed Algozine as he was off the track outside of turn one. The strategy had then shifted to maintaining the second place position. At the end of the six remaining laps, the finishing order was Erickson, Berberich, Algozine, and TJ Bain. Bain is another supporter of Co-op Racing and is also a newcomer to raceing. Congratulations to TJ on completed another race weekend. Sunday was also White's turn to get behind the wheel of the Eurosport 944. White is still becoming accustomed to the great handling and low power Porsche, unlike the AI Firebird with just the opposite personality. In order to get the AI Firebird on the track for Berberich, White skipped practice in the Eurosport 944. White qualified the Porsche in 21st position overall. During the race, White had quite a battle with a higher horsepower BMW. The BMW was faster on the straight-aways, but was slower in the turns for majority of the race. He was finally able to get around the BMW on the second to last lap while both cars were being passed by a lapping car. White and the Eurosport 944 finished 17th overall. Many adversities, issues, and time lines were overcome by Co-op Racing in order to make the race weekend and make it successful. With a lot of tenacity, hard work, and luck, the team was able to meet and overcome the challenges at hand. The team greatly appreciates the help they received from George Weathered Sr. and George Weathered Jr. We also appreciate the efforts put forth by Elaine White, who is a technical and organizational asset. The next race for Co-op Racing will be at Road America with the Porsche Club of America. The race will be September 1st in Elkhart Lake, WI. If you are in the area or feel like taking a trip, come watch Co-op Racing in action. |
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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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