ECS#1 - March 23-25, 2012 - Virginia International Raceway

[johngeorge]

Hi all,

I just registered the first East Coast Series race at VIR March 23-25 (Test/Tune Fri, Sat/Sun sprint races)
Register here: https://www.nasaproracing.com/event/1428

Event page: http://www.nasaracing.net/?page_id=1126

Whos going??

[mhoward1]

I'll be there. Plan on doing the T&T as well on Friday.

[johngeorge]

All ready for VIR! leaving tonight, see yall at the track

http://www.johngeorgeracing.com/gallery/albums/seasonprep2012/IMG_4632.sized.jpg

[mhoward1]

We are driving up early Friday Morning. See you there.

Where's dinner Saturday Night?

;)

For those going...how many managed to get the TF package installed?

[johngeorge]

everyone but you? heh

[mhoward1]

everyone but you? heh

yeah, it maybe a long weekend.

[johngeorge]

Live stream from VIR: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jgracing

[Mad Dog]

Here's a photo from this morning's test and tune session.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547663_10150627559837336_169610262335_9662441_8938 6812_n.jpg

[vnmsss]

Best of luck to all!! We've been watching John's post on the upgrades, and the car sounds awesome...Thanks for the LiveStream video...Looks like very nice weather......West Coast will be cheering you on!!

Karen

[FFRSpec72]

John, how is it going? Can't see much from the live stream? Any issues with frontend or engine? I see the frontend off, not a good sign!

[johngeorge]

Hi all,

Quite a hectic weekend here at vir for me.. Friday test and tune the car was running a little hot the first couple of sessions, and after having a meeting of the minds, we all came to the conclusion to try a bigger radiator. I usually run the tiny 1996 mustang radiator, single core weith plastic sides, this time Wayne traded me his spare radiator for a spare ECU.. after installing the new 2core FFR radiator, my overheating wowes were gone!! Car is now at 180-185 even in the draft.

The car overall is famtastic to drive, power is ridiculously awesome, 2nd gear pulls so strong its incredible. What i really need is more test and tune to finetune the handling not to work on the cooling system. My cross weight is not ideal, car was underteering more then what i like, tweeking it some more brought oversteer.. Just need more time.

Saturday the rain came in and only Marty ventured out for qualifying. The track was very green, and all of us started the race on wet tires as it was threatening for the skies to open up any second, and it didnt ofcorse. Marty started up i think 3rd overall with the rest of the FFR clan 12-15 (Paul, me, Jim, and Wayne), green flag dropped with me between shifts giving both Paul and Jim a great run but Jim got blocked by traffic allowing Paul and I to pull away passing Marty in turn 1. I tucked behind Paul and we stayed nose to tail for a bunch of laps me trying to get around. Towards the end of the race my clutch cable was messed up causing me to mess up loosing time on Paul. With a drying track on wets Paul managed a 2:11.797, followed by me with a 2:12.055, and Jim with a 2:12.374. Marty ended infront of Wayne due to an early spin by Wayne. One thing to note about the times, the overall winner George Winkler and Chris Cobetto usually run in the 2:03's managed only 2:07's today.

Tomorrow we are hoping for dryer weather (only 40% chance.)

Also, the webcam got wet in the rain so no live feeds anymore and the track internet isnt working anymore either :(

[vnmsss]

John....Thanks for the great report....The new set-up and engine configuration sound awesome! With so many changes, it's understandable that it's going to take some time to sort it all out......Best wishes to all!

K

[johngeorge]

Sunday qualifying was dry!! And the ffr's were on dry tires! I ran a 2:08.1 putting me on 2nd on grid, Jim right behind me with a 2:08.8. Marty, Wayne and Paul start 10-12 (Wayne forgot to tighten his radiator cap and came in right away, and Paul overslept)

Race is at 1:40pm today.. Live timing is here: http://www.nasaracing.net/

[johngeorge]

It rained!! Jim and I were on dry tires, maybe even Marty too with the rest on wets. Paul got a huge start and was on my bumper after turn 1 and never looked back. I decided to pull it in after a while to assure my car be in one piece for Sebring next weekend. Jim ran the whole race on drys finishing 2nd, Wayne 3rd, me then Marty who had a couple of spins and called it quits before me.

Good weekend overall!

[mhoward1]

Yes,
I was on very smooth drys. The first spin was from a light tap from an AIX car. Not too bad but on the drys in the rain it was all it took. The second was all my doing. I was coming down the front straight and crossed a small stream of water and the rear kick out. The good news is it was rather spectacular (100+ MPH) and no damage to anything or anyone. After that I decided running the drys was not the right decision.

My first DNF. Bummer.

[vnmsss]

Awesome!! Nice work everyone!! Thanks for the great report John, and congratulations to Paul on a great race.....Kudos to all that raced in the rain, especially to you guys on shaved RA-1's.....Marty...I don't think there's a Challenge Series driver that doesn't know the feeling you had today...A 100 mph spin will certainly get your attention, and cars actually accelerate when they hit wet grass.....Glad you and the car are fine. ;.)

VIR Track record in the original Challenge Series configuration was 2:11.947 (Paul K.).....Sounds like +100 hp = 3-4 seconds. That gives us West Coast folks a good base to calc what we should expect out here.....Thanks!

Karen

[FFRSpec72]

Was anyone besides Marty running FFR2?

[mhoward1]

Thanks Karen,
I do want to state that despite the excursion on Sunday that is was still a great weekend and a lot of fun. The FFR5 group is always a blast to hang out with and always willing to lend a hand. A few other notes from this weekend.

1) I think Mark and Brendon set a FFR5 record on changing tires. They managed to change all 4 from wets to drys for qualifying while I was bucking in the car. They finished before I was even strapped in.
2) Brendon was a great asset when the breather tube for the Diff decided to come of during the test and Tune.
3) Papa and Mama George made a mean pork roast.
4) Great job to Wayne on his first FFRC race weekend. I think you had an awesome debut and especially in that mess on Sunday.
5) Great run to Jim, John, and Paul with some really fast times. The new setup is spectacular.
6) Thank you to Jim for the advice and the quick shipping on some of the parts needed at the last minute.

Tony,
I am FFRC1.5. ;)
I have the new front suspension, brakes, and rear but none of the engine mods. After this weekend it was apparent that it’s well worth getting that done. The cars sound fantastic when rev’d high and the power just pulls. Everyone else there was the full FFR. No one ran in FFR2. We had a couple of chances to run side by side from 40 to 140 and the new setup pulls the whole time. While my top end on the back straight dropped a bit from the new gearing from 125 to 115-ish, the new setup gained quite a bit and Jim saw a 143. That is flat out flying. Despite not having the power though my times still dropped. The car has better steady state handing, is more predictable with throttle steering, and the new brakes really work well.

Thank you to everyone there this weekend. Once again you made it a blast despite the weather and I appreciated all the assistance everyone is willing to do for everyone else.

[johngeorge]

Ffr2 class is the old 2011 rules spec, and ffr class is the 2012. Think of it like lmp2 (slower) vs lmp1, or gt2 vs gt1, etc...

[johngeorge]

In-car videos!!

Test/Tune Friday couple of laps, side view: http://vimeo.com/39236072

Saturday race (me chasing Paul for most of the race): http://vimeo.com/39233326

Sunday qualifying fastlap 2:08.138: http://vimeo.com/39232439

Sunday race: http://vimeo.com/39234476

Paul Kaiser's start Sunday from my rear camera.. nice save Paul! http://vimeo.com/39235795

[Mark Dougherty]

Wow
what a great race weekend.
The weather was crappy but the friends were great. it was awsome to get together for the first race of the year.

Marty thanks It was fun to help you guys out. It is what makes our series so great.

Congrats Jim and John almost 4 second improvement over the track record in very sub par conditions. AMAZING It was mostly dry and cold. I bet the guys will get to the 206 range this year.

Karen I hope all is well with you and your family. Give me a ring sometime when you arnt so busy. I hope to see you soon. let the west coast guys know it is an awsome change, and they will be very pleased.

it was great to see the FFr cars starting at the front overall. Its about time.

Great vids John.

thanks guys
later
Mark D

[mr-pantera]

Everyone,

I wanted to thank everyone for helping me out on my first event. After the first session of being a drowned rat, I was ready to go back home. But you guys made the weekend very fun. Now I can't wait for the next weekend and hopefully some drier weather, but if not hopefully I will be better prepared.

Also, I didn't know I was going to meet a celeb over the weekend, MARK D.!!!! Caught the very end of Car Warriors this evening!!

Thanks,
Jeff

[Mad Dog]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6MItVE2VSs

We've put together a short video covering the event. It was a blast to attend and see the racers in action.

[FFRSpec72]

We've put together a short video covering the event. It was a blast to attend and see the racers in action.

Great video

[mhoward1]

Great video Dave (Mad Dog!)