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2004 Schedule. Please check back for any updates!
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Fastest Lap |
| April 18 | NHIS | NER | #08 ITS Mazda RX-7
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1:17.728 | ||
| August 29 | NHIS | NER Race Against Leukemia | #18 ITA BMW Z3 | 1:40.488 (rain race - see report) | ||
| September 11 | NHIS | NER Cheap Date Race #1 | #18 ITA BMW Z3 | 1:22.570 | ||
| September 12 | NHIS | NER Cheap Date Race #2 | #18 ITA BMW Z3 | 1:24.919 (south chicane) |
Sanction refers to the SCCA region sponsoring the event. Checkout out the SCCA web site for more regional information.
RACE REPORTS
RAL Weekend
The rain was a welcome event, as what I believe to be an engine-management electronics issue kept the motor in the BMW from rev-ing past 5500 RPM, reducing power output, and relegating me to the 21st overall starting position after qualifying in the dry. With the BMW's handling balance, and a set of OK rain tires, I was able to pick up a number of positions at the start of the race - rain is a great equalizer if horsepower is lacking. An incident mid-race brought out a full course caution which bunched up the field, allowing another opportunity to gain track position. I had one REALLY scary moment as water across the track negated any brake traction, and I ended up putting the nose of the car into the turn 3 tire wall. The hit was incredibly soft, and the car did not suffer any damage. The same, unfortunately, could not be said for RAL charity pledge leader - and I believe ITC race leader at the time - Tim Klvana. Just prior to my incident, his CRX slid heavily into the Turn 3 inside barrier, causing heavy body damage and a small fire. Tim is OK, but he could not complete the race (Tim's incident brought out the caution flag).
The rest of the race was a fight for survival - dodging small rivers across the track and large amounts of standing water in critical braking areas. The BMW survived unscathed and made it back onto the trailer under its own power in pretty much the same condition it left the trailer - a successful weekend in my book.
Cheap Date Double Regional
Saturday was slow. However, I had lent a set of harnesses to ITS driver Bill Hatem. One of his friends who showed up to crew took an ABS sensor out of his street car Saturday afternoon to lend to me. Lo and behold, the sensor worked, and the car was able to rev freely on Sunday.
Unfortunately, the track on Sunday was configured to use the south chicane instead of the NASCAR oval. The quick transitions required for the chicanes are tough for a car with the weight of the Z3, but it gave me an indication of what sort of suspension work I need to do in the future.
If you're interested, check out our 1998 Results, 1999 Results, 2000 Results, 2001 results, 2002 results, or 2003 results.
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It may have been clear in the Boston area, but scattered thunderstorms across New Hampshire converged on Loudon just before our race group was set to go to grid. In a rain-soaked event, the Menotomy Motorsports BMW Z3 successfully completed its debut race in the Improved Touring A class, finishing 9th overall and 7th in class.
Well, the car revving problem is solved, but the solution wasn't found until Sunday. After consulting with several folks at a BMWCCA Driver's School on Friday, the primary theory was that the engine management computer needs one rear ABS sensor signal, or it sets an arbitrary rev limiter. After calling several dealers on Friday, no rear-wheel Z3 ABS sensors were to be found. I resigned myself to just finishing the weekend, no matter how slow.