In the rush to get last month’s column into cyberspace, we didn’t have enough time to put together a recap of the highly successful High Performance Car Control Clinic. The HPCCC was put together almost single-handedly by Jimmy Griggs, and brought out 21 drivers ranging from complete racing neophytes to experienced CBIR driving vets from various car clubs, and turned them loose on the full 3 mile track. Conditions ranged from the abysmal Saturday morning near-freezing drizzle to some real sunshine and 50 degree temperatures on Sunday. With the assistance of 20-some instructors, all the students successfully completed the two day event with some 1800 laps completed (over 5,000 miles) without any incident whatsoever. It must be reported that the one car reported off track was actually in the hands of an instructor. Many thanks go to Bill Groschen for his invaluable assistance running classroom presentations, to Steve Bjelke’s flag presentation, and to all instructors, with a special big thanks to Griggs. All students were most impressed with the high level of organization and control exhibited by all hands at LOL/SCCA. We hope to welcome many of the HPCCC students as full-time members.
Speaking of organization and control, I received a letter recently from local Steward Les Tillman, who took issue with my comments concerning the August Blackhawk Driver School. Les inferred from the column that I
have a problem with all Stewards in the SCCA program and that I owe them an apology. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have all sorts of respect for the job Stewards turn in containing the mayhem that can result when hundreds of lunatic-fringe drivers (such as myself) are turned loose on open asphalt with powerful internal combustion machinery. The job is of utmost importance, but is almost totally thankless, with most post-event "tribute" in the negative form of protests. I was most aggravated at the Blackhawk school by an attitude on the part of the Chief Steward and Instructor which I interpreted as "Don’t bother us with the facts, our minds are made up already." This was possibly due to some misinformation they were provided regarding two flag incidents. We in the SCCA are in dire need of encouraging participation by novice drivers. This is most evident at our Driver Schools, as professional schools have almost totally relegated the SCCA schools to extinction, as seemingly anyone with a healthy bank account can walk out of a pro program with a full Regional license. At the Blackhawk school I witnessed some students pass that I thought should have been blackflagged out of the program, while my son’s request for waiver was kicked out the door. Thus he will have to start the school process over from scratch next year either at the early Blackhawk school (unlikely, he will still be in school), or at the July Road America program. Either way the SCCA loses on a number of potential entry fees for almost a year of participation by a novice who I felt was most qualified to have that opportunity. But meanwhile, my thanks to all the Stewards who make our events not only possible, but safe as well!
Regarding the 2001 tentative
CENDIV schedule, there are several possibilities for LOL events but neither Memorial Day nor Labor Day weekends are among them. The track is shopping for a professional event for Labor Day but at this time we’re not sure what it is. Thus the weekend before Memorial Day becomes our National race with a possible supporting event in August and a double Regional in late September. The weekend before Labor Day is available at CBIR but coincides with the "chicken" double Regional at Road America. In any case, it looks like we’re back to two club racing weekends at CBIR in a year when we probably could have sold a double National if we had a three-day weekend. Stand by for further developments. I spoke with Dave Hopple, who could have participated in but just watched the FF RUNOFFS race, and Steve Thomson, who was a participant in the FC event. Both reported the foul weather at Mid Ohio pretty much made a mockery of the proceedings, with choice of tires and fuel paramount while skill/luck became secondary. Several FF contenders including Justin Pritchard, Joe Parsons, David Galownia and Jason Byers were knocked out in the first two laps, while last year’s top two cars (Keith Nunes and John Larue) had problems when their trick fuel led to carburetor icing. However, it was generally agreed that Chris Winkler put in a heck of a performance in snow, sleet and rain to deserve the national FF title. Steve Thomson was at the top of the time sheets all week and gridded 5th. Then more mixed precipitation turned tire selection into a crapshoot ranging from full rains to super soft slicks. Steve reported the Goodyear rains available to him were not up to the task, as he hung in to
Fubar, continue on page 11
Tonneau On-Line December 2000
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Copyright 2000, Land O'Lakes Region Last revised: March 13, 2003
