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PARTNERS
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News For September 2nd, 2007
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Handling Woes Still Resulted in Victory for Co-op Racing |
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Elkhart Lake, WI – Co-op Racing traveled north to Road America to compete with the
Porsche Club or America. The Eurosport 944 experienced handling woes for most of the weekend
regardless of team’s efforts to make improvements. Even with the Eurosport 944 below par on performance, Andy Berberich was still able to
drive home a victory in the 90 minute enduro.
Co-op Racing experienced extreme highs and lows at Road America in 2006. The Eurosport 944 experienced a mechanical failure in the braking zone of the last turn of the track. This resulted in a loss of brakes and making contact with another car. The |
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high point of the weekend was that the team was able to resurrect the Eurosport 944, which Berberich drove to two
second place finishes for the weekend. Many spectators were shocked to hear that the car was repaired and was able to compete in both races.
For this visit to Road America, the team entered the weekend with optimism and caution. After the second practice session, the Eurosport 944 matched its best lap time from the year before. This would however be the only time for the majority of the weekend. Since 2006, the Eurosport 944 shed about 300 pounds and received a completely updated suspension. These changes should have made the car significantly faster. “I was pleased after the second practice session with matching my fast time from last year” Berberich reflected. “I was anticipating the lap times to keep dropping as I became comfortable with the track again. I was surprised when they didn’t and actually started to rise.” The Eurosport 944 nearly uncontrollable under braking and experienced over steer in most of the other turns. The lack of control was most noticeable in Turn 5. Co-op Racing supporter Shawn Clary had a conversation with another driver’s wife regarding how scary the Eurosport 944 looked coming into Turn 5. Shawn simply said “Oh that? He’s been doing that all weekend.” In order to remedy the handling issue, the team tried multiple shock, sway bar, and tire pressure changes. The changes seemed to have successfully made the car slower. The setup was then changed back to how it was during the second practice session. This had no significant impact on the handling. By this time the team was out of practice sessions and it was race time. Berberich qualified the Eurosport 944 65th in the 85 car field. This was six positions ahead of the next car in class. One five minute pit stop is required, during the 90 minute enduro. With the PCA, pit lane is closed during full course cautions. “When I saw the car off the side of the track after ‘the kink’ I knew a full course yellow would come out.” Berberich commented. “If I could get in for the pit stop while the rest of the field was at full course yellow pace, then I could make significant ground on the field. I didn’t pit because I wasn’t sure if the Eurosport Racing guys would be ready for me. I should have pit when I thought because Brian Weathered was holding the ‘P29’ board for me to come in.” Berberich missed the opportunity to pit, but so did several other drivers. One driver that did not miss the opportunity was Gary Small from the Mardi Gras region of the PCA. He had the same thought Berberich did, but was able to take advantage of it. Fortunately for Berberich, Small’s pit stop was less than five minutes and was therefore penalized on lap. The penalty placed Small third in class and the Eurosport 944 first. Even with the handling woes, Berberich and the Eurosport 944 were able to bring home the victory in class and finish 46th in the 85 car field. With the first race of the weekend successfully completed, it was time to focus on improvements for the next day’s 40 minute sprint race. |
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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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