2014 WERC Round 2 Recap

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This weekend was round two of the Western Endurance Racing Championship and the Mendeola Transaxles, Factory Five Racing, Prototype Development Group GTM had a tough time competing with the race winning entry from QRP. While we were about 2.5 seconds a lap faster than we had been previously at Buttonwillow Raceway, the SLC was still about 6+ seconds a lap faster than we were. Issues we had were horsepower, tire size, and, admittedly, driver talent. While I could hang decently with Chris and he never lapped me in the first couple hours of the race, once Mike Skeen took over and drove VERY aggressive, we simply had nothing to compete against the combo of car and driver. We knew what our strengths were, and what their strengths were and played what had always worked, but they have gotten more reliable and thus we understand that we will have to become faster to compete. I believe the end result was that the FFR PDG GTM lapped the 22 car field twice, but the QRP SLC lapped us twice. Plenty of things in the works to bring us up to speed, and we remain in a very positive 1st position for the 2014 WERC series points race, but the writing is on the wall that we must get a bit faster without sacrificing our very good reliability.

The season is as follows...

2014 WERC Schedule
Feb 16 - 2HR (Sonoma) GTM 1st, SLC 5th
April 5 - 3HR (Buttonwillow) SLC 1st, GTM 2nd
June 7 - 3HR (Buttonwillow)
Aug 16 - 6HR (Miller Motorsports, Outer Loop)
Oct 4 - 3HR (Buttonwillow)

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Here's some good video from the SLC with the GTM in it for a couple laps...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN5jyWsWMvU

Unfortunately they pass us, but you do get to see what I was commenting on.

I left my cameras on the car and am awaiting their return before I can do any posting of videos, but they will be forthcoming. :)

[kabacj]

Here's some good video from the SLC with the GTM in it for a couple laps...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN5jyWsWMvU

Unfortunately they pass us, but you do get to see what I was commenting on.

I left my cameras on the car and am awaiting their return before I can do any posting of videos, but they will be forthcoming. :)


Racing in the dark is not something I have ever done. It sure looks like it adds a new wrinkle to the equation.

I am looking forward to your videos with the GTM perspective.

Horsepower really makes it easy to go fast. A short burst of power and you can pass traffic in an easy spot. Down on power you need to take more risks. Looks like you guys had power on the field, but the SLC had some power on you guys.

The drivers experience on the track also is worth quite a bit of time.

From that short clip it looks like you guys can match the SLC. Course as with everything in racing. All it takes is money.

Keep up the good work

John

[Santiago]

Thanks for sharing! Look forward to seeing what you guys pull out to make up the difference. =)

I've helped teams run short 4.5 hr enduros, and it 's a load of fun. We hope to eventually work our way up to the 12 and up formats, but for now this is a heck of a lot of fun.

Best,
-j

[KeithBoden]

Thanks for the update, it is good to hear, will be looking forward to the next ones and some videos! If you ever run any events on the east coast and need extra crew, I'm in.