Weekend at Sears turned out well for Team QRP & owner/driver Chris "Big Dawg" Durbin. Sat started a little rough, as Chis was scheduled in from Pittsburg, later in the day. Team driver Darrell Anderson, got a chance to drive the SLC in the morning warmup. We tried a different tire package, (used) that turned out to be drastically bad!, Darrell was hanging on for dear life as there was zero grip. DA was not to sure what he was getting into, as the car would not turn, stop, or accelerate. We knew right away what to do, as we put the tires from Thunderhill back on, & made a few adjustments to the aero. Darrell went back out for quali, & realized this is a good car after-all. Ran a 1:48, which is okay, but the motor was really laying down. Chris showed up, jumped into the car cold turkey, & started from the pole, (he hadn't driven SP in about 4 years). He showed his merit, by not balling it up, got into his groove, but we had no power, as the car would just labor down the straights. Finished up 5th overall, 2nd in SU.
We knew we had to get our sh*t together for Sun, as we got our butts kicked a bit. Ran back to Stockton & got some more tires, & exhaust gaskets.
Sun Don & Carey got the exhaust fixed, I took a shot at fixing the motor, & Chris headed off for practice. He was a happy camper, as the car ran much better. Qualified 5 sec faster with a 1:43. Started on pole, got beat into turn 2 by the fast red Camaro, but outbraked him into turn 11 on lap 2. Said goodby to the field as the car would go anywhere he wanted. Backed her down to stay out of trouble as SP is brutal on cars, (the bone yard had about 10 cars balled up in it), got the first win in the books, all in all, a good weekend at the races.
Much thanks to the crew, Don, Shawn, Cary, Jim, Darrell, and everyone who helps out, Hoosier, All Pro Coatings, Superlite Cars. Also good to see SLC owners Howard, & Tim, had fun hanging out with them. Ron also brought his GTM out, so we really had a good group!
Car attracted lots of attention, as usual.