Worst to First - New season is underway (3/8/20002)

The Tiger Karts Van Diemen RF96 winter makeover was complete and it was time to match performance to the new color scheme as Pro Autosports staged their monthly event at Firebird East.  A competitive group of open wheel cars showed up and we felt we had everything together after our February debacle.  We even had a guest drop in from Green Bay WI, Mike Beauchamp of Gyrodynamics and the F2000.COM web site.  Mike was visiting his parents and couldn't resist coming out to see how we were doing with our new Gyrodynamics diffuser.

Wily veteran Marshall Lilliquist (#9) played the teacher Saturday as he and Carl swapped the lead several times in the Main event.  Marshall eventually prevailed as Carl's last lap pass attempt resulted in infield donuts and clouds of dust.  Marshall used traffic several times to retake lead, only to be repassed under braking into turn one.  One of the most entertaining races we have been in and clearly the best show of the day on Saturday.  Marshall also discussed some strategies with Carl in anticipation of getting to run with Steve (#^) on Sunday.

Unfortunately we did not understand what we saw towards the end of the race as the right rear started to lock up under heavy braking.

Saturday's right rear lockup became Sundays left front lock up and we chased this problem through warm-up, qualifying and first heat trying everything from brake bleed, brake pads, scaling, adjusting front monoshock and finally discovering the real culprit was broken suspension mounts on the right rear.  (Remember the right rear problem on Saturday?)  Carl found a MIG welder and did some tricky welding to put the two broken pieces back together Then a whole host of people from around the pits jumped in to put the car back together and get it ready for the main.  The cooperative spirit of the people was amazing and it was impressive to have two prep shop owners working opposite ends of the car as Todd Cook helped on the rear while Chris Harrison scaled the front.   Also helping out was Mike B. of Gyrodynamics, Driver  Pat (#19) and the crew of one of the FM.

We buttoned up the car and rolled to the grid just in time to start dead last.   The car was now perfect and Carl worked through the field, having a good dice with Pat (#19) with Pat eventually getting trapped behind a lap car and allowing Carl to slip by underneath.  He then set off in hot pursuit of Steve who had built up a half track advantage in spite of a dirt track oversteer.  With about 5 laps to go, Carl caught up, contenting himself to observe for a few laps as Steve finessed his loose car around the track.  Finally it crossed over the limit and as he slid off in turn 7 Carl slipped by and built up a comfortable margin of victory.

Since this was a double points race, the victory helped put Carl solidly into third in points, making up for missing the first two events. It wouldn't have been possible without the help of many people who jumped in to help, as well as a near perfect driving job by our chief welder.  Now that Carl is 16, we will be looking to compete in SCCA events at other tracks and finish the RF96 makeover with some engine work.