SCCA shows the Org in SCCA.ORG (3/7/2003)

First weekend in March was the first race at the brand new Arizona Motorsposts park in Litchfield aaaaPark Arizona.  Friday practice was a scramble for the owners as the first practice group looked to be composed of yellow construction equipment putting the finishing touches on the track.  And what a track it is, but more impressive was the outstangind effort by SCCA Arizona region to pput on the first event at a facility that has no infrastructure.  The details are mindboggling but you would not know that SCCA was doing this for the first time. 

Chief Steward Joanne Jenson had the track desighner in tow for several drivers meetings during which the track design was reviewed and feedback solicited.  A unique experience indeed.

The track has 16 turns and is quite challengining for its 2.25 miles.  It is not praticualrly fast with top speeds for F2000 at about 120MPH, but it is fast enough to be fun.  The racing surface is wide and there are many passing places.  Mor important, ther is excellent visibility for both driver, crew and spectators.  There is also ample, well protected runoff for the errant driver trying to find the cornering limit.

Carl loved the track and quickly got into the 1:37 range which put him solidly at the top of the first day F2000 ranks.  Unfortunately, on Saturday the car would not run for the qualifying session due to a carb float that would not float due to a small hole.   We found the problem and fixed it without the potentially serious fire that can result from flooding in this situation.  Starting from the back of the 40 car field was discouraging as the back markers were timid and slow, making Carl's run to the front start in a deep hole.  However, it did not matter as a spark plug wire came loose about 5 laps in resulting in a 30 second green flag stop that put him one lap down but battling with third place B. Williams for the lasp 6 laps.  Carl and Williams had a good race during the Snowbird race and they picked it up again, with Carl eventually prevailing as Williams lost the handle in turn 14 and spun into the dirt.  In the mean time, Carl had clicked off a couple of 1:35 second laps which would have put him in the front row for the national main.

We were not able to run the National event this weekend as Carl departed for Rome on Sunday for a week long latin Club tour of Italy.  Rumors that he was going to test for Ferrari after Schumaker's dismal Austrailian showing are being reseachched.

Nest stop is a weekend driving a CART car at Firebird in April followed by the National at Buttonwillow.

Photo Caption:  Stuck behind a CSR at the start - Note the trees alongside the course

Photo Caption:  "I didnt touch him" - Browing spins off Turn 13 in front of Carl but still finishes top five.