|
This past Sunday, we managed to finish as the winner in COMMA class PA at Hallet Motor Racing Circuit with the 142E. There was a small turnout of 5 cars in the class, but this is typical for the March meet, the first of 8 monthly races for the season championship. We were really glad to get a running start on the points situation with a win, as there has been a class realignment for 2006 that combines the PA and (faster) PS cars into one class. So there will undoubtedly be some months this year that I will get my butt whipped, even with flawless runs. I say this because the new combined PA class now encompasses *all* SCCA Improved Touring classes; ITC, ITB, ITA, and ITS. ITA cars are ultimately 2 to 3 seconds per lap faster than ITB (where the Volvo is classed), and ITS cars are even quicker.
In any case, this month we were able to show the way home to an Infinity sedan (don't remember the year/model) a Datsun 240Z, a Miata, and a Porsche 914. Had a heck of a battle with the Infinity for the first 1/3 of the 18 lap race (also new this year... we previously ran 12 lap feature races). Despite the fact that we were actually 1 to 2 seconds per lap quicker than the Infinity, he had qualified in front of us due to mechanical difficulties with the 142 during the qual session (ignition breakup due to a shorting alternator wire). From the pole position, with more straightaway speed and brakes at least as good as the 142, the Infinity was able to hold us off until we figured out his weak spots and got by for good on lap 6. Once he was in our mirrors, we were able to pull out to a 20 second lead by the end of the race.
Incidentally, we had tried a new spring combination this month, going with 800 lb/in fronts and 275 lb/in rears. Didn't like it... the balance was fine, but on the less-than-perfectly-smooth Hallett surface, even the Carrera racing shocks were having trouble damping the front springs, resulting in a 3 cps or so "bounding" of the outside front wheel in the bumpier turns. No prollum... we will simply go back to the 675/225 spring combo that we ran last year. I am not ready to spring (pun intended) for even stiffer shocks, especially now that I am of the opinion that the car would not necessarily be ultimately faster with the stiffer springs anyway. As it was - with the damping problem - the car was actually about a second per lap *slower* than last year.
Gary L
--
1971 142E ITB racer, 1973 1800ES, 2002 S60 T5
|
