Summit Point 2020

All open wheel – Aug 21

In recent years, the late summer gathering of open wheel racers at Summit Point has been my favorite event. This year, with all the Covid-19 restriction, the vintage guys had their Summit Point event cancelled so five or six of the treaded tire guys decided to join us. Our group of “hobby” racers grew to 23 cars entered. (AND outnumbered the “pro” groups.) Gonna be fun.

Practice 1. The 8AM session found the track “green” and slippery. I had to pit on the first lap because I had put the steering wheel on cocked. Oops. For 5 laps I hung the rear end out often and teetered on spinning while turning incredibly slow 1:27 laps. It was sorta like a rain race. I gave up and came in. Turns out that the track came in and those staying out for the full 15 lap session got some tolerable lap times. Oh well. Fellow racer, Mark Walthew ran out of gas after 2 laps. I had new front brake pads (PF 11) and they seemed noticeably better.

Practice 2. It is 80 degrees and sunny now. Slick is gone. I am having a very annoying problem with my HANS binding with the car’s head rest in corners, particularly T6-T8. Distracting. For the last half of the session, I was 50 yards behind the #4 car of Dietrick and trying to close. I could make up space in the twisties, but he would pull back out on the straight. I need to drive better. Best lap 1:21.7. Not good but not horrible. After the session, Mark tells me about the “sliding teeter” available for the HANS (Who knew? My entire driver’s gear is OLD like the driver.) We went to the track store and I bought a sliding teeter. (Thus, by and large solving my distraction. That was easy.)

Qualifying. The group was locked in a close and spirited scrum for the first 3 laps of the mid afternoon race. Knowing that he can’t be trusted, I hung behind Greg Peluso (Van Diemen FF) until lap 4 when Detrick had an off in T9 causing a black flag race stoppage. Apparently my concentration was shot as I only turned 1:22.29 in the remaining 4 or 5 laps. This was good for 12^th of 21 cars. Mark got 9^th with a 1:21.5. Before the session, I was unable to get the right rear tire to hold pressure. Suspecting my tire gage, I tried all three that I had plus Marks. The right rear is the one that has endured significant impacts in the last TWO races. It was a slow lead, but I decided it was necessary to replace the tires. They did have 12 cycles on them, so they were ready to retire.

Day one over, and we went off the Ruby Tuesday for dinner. It was a ghost house with almost no diners. They are in the death throes having closed more than half their restaurants nationally. Gotta find some new places to eat in Winchester.

Race 1. Saturday 1045 and 80 degrees. I did discover my right read shock was without Nitrogen pressure so I had to recharge it. Started 13^th (not based on Qualifying time but also Practice times…. Who knew?) I got a very good start as the inside line into T1 moved up quite nicely. As the gaggle of racers exited T3, Leon Austin (Denny’s kid who was quite a sight with his shaved head except for a long pony tail growing from the top center of his noggin) spun in the midst of the gaggle. I had to brake hard and take to the gravel field to avoid contact. Lost a few places as Mark and a three other drove past. I was able to catch Mark several laps later and was closing on a group of three cars until I missed the downshift into T10. I did a ¾ spin, not leaving the track surface, but several cars went by. Finished 9^th with a 1:21.2. Again, not good enough. Need to do better.

Race 2. 1305 and 90 degrees. My start from the outside line was somewhat impeded. Derek Holmes would bring out an early double yellow halt to racing as he spun off in T5. When racing resumed, the cars were closely clustered into turn one. There was mass chaos as seven cars crashed. Doug Fisher got airborne over another car and ended up with lots of bent suspension bits. The black flag ALL came out in T6/7 which I did not see until it was too late to exit. The 3 or 4 cars left in front of me were racing HARD and I was busy keeping up. (I did turn in at pit out, but my transgression got me put at the end of the group). We got maybe two laps at speed at the end of our race time slot. I would finish 10^th. Mark who was behind me before I missed the black flag would get 4^th. My time of 1:21.9 Not impressive.

That evening our group had a well-spaced and masked gathering in the field inside T5. We gathered around a virtual camp fire (it was a warm evening) with food catered by Chic Filet. Nicely done. I spent some time chatting with Brian Farrell who is Doug Fisher’s (step?)son and newbie racer and his Polish wife/significant other.

I took my laptop and data to my room for study. I determined that was over slowing into T1, T3 and T10 by a little. Also, I was not doing full throttle in chute. I plan to do better for Race 3.

Race 3. Sunday 1005 and 79 degrees. After yesterday’s afternoon crash fest, there were some holes on the grid. I had a mediocre start, but did not give up anything (that I remember). Drove good laps in the low 1:20’s as I significantly braked less in T10. The T6 to T9 esses seems more comfortable. My best rolling lap was 1:19.92. This is my best ever in the Crossle. Now this is progress. Finished 5^th.

Footnote. Mike Butzacchelli, a brash kid from New Jersey was very annoying as he suffered the “Red Mist” in every session. He would race past a line of cars with NO HOPE of making the next corner. He would spin 3 times in Race 3; he would be among the 7 crashers in Race 2. Mark asked him about the spins and he blamed it all on his car. This is the totally inconsiderate jerk that farted around for several hours after his driver’s school knowing that we were waiting for his paddock space. I hope he doesn’t injure anyone while he wises up or “burns out” or destroys his car.