 |
|
 |
||||
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|
|
1 | |||||
| 2
|
3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9
|
10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
|
16
|
17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23/30
|
24/31 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29
|
|
PARTNERS
|
News For July 29th, 2006
|
Eurosport 944 Places 3rd in Improved Touring Race at Autobahn Country Club |
|
|
Joliet, IL - Co-op Racing again returned to the Autobahn Country Club on July 29;
this time to race with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). With grueling heat
indexes in the one hundreds, Andy Berberich and the Eurosport 944 was able to put
forth a good showing in the highly competitive Improved Touring group. The 3rd place
finish out of four cars is not reflective of how successful the weekend actually was.
The SCCA is recognized as one of the most competitive amateur road racing organizations in the country. The perception of the SCCA is that the races are highly competitive and at times overly aggressive. It |
|
is true that the organization is highly competitive,
but the competitors at the regional level are still very friendly and good sportsmen. Co-op
Racing took the opportunity to race with the SCCA in order to get a feeling for a more
serious level of competition.
Co-op Racing knew that they had a competitive advantage over the majority of the field since Berberich was very familiar with the track. The majority of the other drivers had never been on the South course of the Autobahn Country Club. Berberich, along with PCA Club Racers Tom Collins, Denny Hiffman, and Bill Craig, were some of the most experienced drivers during Saturday morning's qualifying session. Berberich was able to qualify the Eurosport 944 second in class, just in front of class competitor Jim Peterson in his number 93 BMW 325. The Eurosport 944 got off to a good start when the green flag flew. Berberich was able to get the inside line going into turn one and put an American Sedan Mustang between himself and the number 93 BMW. By carrying more speed through the turns and utilizing its superior brakes, the Eurosport 944 was able to keep the AS Mustang at bay, which kept the better prepared, more powerful BMW out of striking range. "The Mustang was able to get a run on me in some parts of the track," Berberich remembers. "Most significantly was at the end of the long back straight. I was able to carry more speed through the turns, but I just couldn't compete against higher horsepower Mustang. For several laps, the Mustang with try to pass going into turn eleven, but it would brake much earlier and couldn't complete the pass. It wasn't until it made the run and a lapped VW Scirocco held me up in the braking zone. The Mustang set a nice pick pulled away." This put the BMW right behind Berberich, with Bill Craig in his '86 944 Turbo right behind the BMW. "As long as Bill was pressuring Peterson from behind, he couldn't get a run" said Berberich, "Same scenario as the Mustang, except the BMW handled better and had better brakes. The pressure imposed by Bill was working until his 944 Turbo overheated and he had to leave the race. The next lap, Peterson made a nice pass into turn eleven. I then dove into the inside of the turn, which spooked Peterson who then drove off the track into the grass. Fortunately, I was able to regain my position. Unfortunately, his off track excursion wasn't enough to create a big enough gap." On lap eleven of the twelve-lap race, Peterson in his BMW made the pass and didn't make the same mistake twice. This put the Eurosport 3rd in class when it took the checkered flag. Co-op Racing was very pleased with the results of the race. The team knew going into the weekend that the Eurosport 944 would not be competitive. It is built per PCA Club Racing rules, which makes in less competitive in ITS. Even though the Eurosport 944 was not prepared to the same level of competition, Berberich was able to drive it at a level that made better-prepared cars earn their increased positions. The next event for Co-op Racing and the Eurosport 944 was the second race with the SCCA on Sunday, July 30. Sunday's qualifying and race was primarily used for testing and continuous driver development. |
|
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. |
|